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In the beginning of the 2013 bow season not much was being presented on our trail cams or by direct sight. In early September I caught a picture of this “big one” but I hadn't seen much of him around, just glimpses at distance or late dusk and babies and one or two does. This being my second year of hunting I still had no venison of my own. I've had a lot of great experiences and ground hunting is my favorite method, but I was getting a little discouraged. After hunting almost every day I was unsuccessful.
It was now opening morning of gun season. All week there was talk about the weather and who would brave the frigid cold temperatures and high winds. My husband and I always hunt together the first day and I was praying that my children were right, and I would get my first deer with my gun.
I was first to get to our hunting area. The wind was so forceful I had a hard time opening the car door. In minutes my hands were freezing cold. I couldn't zip up my coat so I got back in the car to warm up. I called my husband who hadn't arrived yet and explained that it was way too cold here and that the wind never lets up. He said, "We’ll see when I get there". He had forgotten his hunting boots halfway here and had gone back home to get them. Instead of waiting around I decided to give it a try.
When I got to my tree stand it was worse than I expected. All I could do was face forward and let the trunk of the tree block some of the gusty winds. There will be no listening for sounds in this hunt. As I gazed out at the lake, trying to shake off the cold, I wondered what am I doing out here? I can't feel anything. With my gun down and my hands in my pockets I look to my right and 15 yards away looking my direction is the “big one”. We both were frozen still. I do not believe what I am seeing. Then after our stare down I slowly took my gloves off and reached for my gun as he slowly turned and walked away into the dogwoods. He is gone. The only other tool I could use was my buck call and wait. After five minutes 15 yards to my left moving fast is a doe being chased by a 4-pointer and following him is the “big one”. I only had seconds to shoot. He dropped in his tracks. I couldn't believe it. There he was. I finally got a deer and it was the “Big One”. This was my first deer ever.
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Yvonne Halfmann shot this 13-pointer with her Remington 870 express 20 gauge shotgun in the first 15 minutes of 2013 gun season near Beaver Dam. It has a 23.5" inside spread and 10” tines. He dressed out at about 180#. This is Yvonne’s first deer.
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