Off handed doe kill with ML

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Far Sighted

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Last Saturday I got the shot I was looking for with a doe to score my first ML deer kill of the season.

Due to lack of a better idea I when to ridge side on the hunting land that I hadn't hunted in two seasons. I took a folding lawn chair for comfort ]ust to observe/scout the deer activity for the evening.

I decided even though it was modern gun season I would take my CVA Optima V2 muzzleloader as the tool. When I arrived at the overgrown pastured ridge side overlooking wooded draw I found a dead fall cedar tree to use for a natural blind.

I set my gear and place and began to enjoy the evening. I lasered the surrounding and noted that 85 yards would likely be the longest shot possible due to vegetation. That was good I didn't need to worry about the laser anymore.

My observation was towards the draw where I had seen deer come out of in the past to graze so that was the direction I was facing setting inside the fallen dead cedar top.

About 4:45 I noticed four doe to my right which is my shooting hand. The lead doe got into my wind scent but didn't spook even though she got nervous. She couldn't determine was it was so she slowly ran down hill inside the timber. The other three doe were in no hurry to they began to graze in the pasture.

They were only about 40 yards away so I was careful to not move much because that was my open side even though all around their was grown vegetation to help hide my outline.

As I set and watched afraid to turn because of the restrictions I noticed the largest doe set down on her tummy to rest while the others were grazing closeby.

I thought ok I have made off hand (left) shot with my crossbow so I should be able to take this doe if I am careful not to spook them in the process.

I very slowly and carefully eased the ML up to my left shoulder without alerting the deer of my presence. I took aim with my left eye at the desired spot thru my scope and squeezed the trigger left handed. The doe deer let out a loud grunt as she took the impact of the bullet then collapsed without getting up. It was over as the other deer ran out over the ridge top behind me. I had pulled off my first ever off and muzzleloader doe.

I set a few minutes to take in what had happened and enjoy the moment of satisfaction in my achievement. After a while I noticed the dow was completely still so I decided there was not need to wait longer. It was just a few minutes before dark as I walked over to confirm the kill. I noticed she was a bit better than average at about 125 lbs. I was satisfied with the results.

This hunting season I had taken a doe and an eight point buck with my 270 Win Ruger rifle and now a doe with my ML. With a goal in mind It is time to get one now with a my crossbow to repeat as a triple trophy award winner in the Arkansas. Very few sportsman accomplish this.

Didn't take time to capture a photo.
 
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Congrats on offhand shot. I shoot a real bow lefty, and a crossbow or gun righty. So I'm not sure if I have an offhand but I at times will shoot a few practice rounds or bolts lefty to prepare a bit for that situation when the animals force an other hand shot.
 
Congrats on offhand shot. I shoot a real bow lefty, and a crossbow or gun righty. So I'm not sure if I have an offhand but I at times will shoot a few practice rounds or bolts lefty to prepare a bit for that situation when the animals force an other hand shot.
Thanks!
Just remembering my first off hand kill with a crossbow or any weapon.

About 15 years ago I was deer hunting up a tree with a climber bank the oaks of NE Arkansas near Warm Springs
While waiting for deer a flock of turkeys came by feeding. As I watched them I brought my Horton crossbow to my left shoulder to view the birds because they were to my right. At that time Arkansas had a fall turkey hunting season.
As I watched I thought I can make this shot.it was 30 yards. So off hand with my left eye and hand I took the shot. The bird flopped around and expired. The other birds didn't know what happened but finally fed away after giving the dead bird a few love pecks.
I thought that wasn't very hard at all. That was when I realized I could shoot off hand. No practice !
 
Congrats! This is why it’s a good idea to practice from field positions including off hand. Nicely done.
 
Congrats, I was forced to learn to shoot left handed after being right my whole life.
 
Good job! I’m so left handed I’d probably have twisted myself into a pretzel trying to avoid having to shoot right handed.
 
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