Headed out to the Sam Houston National Forrest yesterday to scope and find a place. I saw two does at sunset but didn't get an Antlerless permit this year. I hiked out about 3/4 of a mile on a trail and then about 500 yards in to the woods. Got to my spot and in the climbing tree stand by about 5:30am.

I was apprehensive once there because the wind shifted a little and my best wind land was more covered by branches and I couldnt see very far. I was tired from sleeping a couple hours in my truck and I remembered I had a protien bar in my bag. After ruffling through my bag I got my snack at about 7am and then realized just how loud those wrappers are!


I told myself if I didnt see anything I would just leave by 9:30 so I could get home to my awesome wife and watch some football.

Skip to 8am... im half dozing off and glad I had my harness and was secure. I used the doe bleat can a few times and was looking at posts on this site..

8:30 am I hear some branches break. I look down and there is a deer making its way to me. I start to lift my rifle and it looks up at me. I thought it was a doe but still stopped moving and waited for it to start grazing again. Then I looked in the scope and saw it was a spike! It was exactly what I wanted. A deer good for meat! I looked carefully for what seemed forever to make sure he didnt have any other points. Then centered the crosshairs on the lungs and BANG! He kicked like ive seen in the baxillion shoes ive watched and ran off about 40 yards when I heard him crash.


I climbed down and found him easily but the work was just to begin. Then I had the task of dragging him, my rifle, treestand, and backpack up 500 yards to the trail and then about a half mile back tk my truck! That was way more taxing than I thought it would be and had to make freauent stops to catch my breath....now back to the truck, got him vhecked in, and packed in ice stuck in traffic.

Whata day! Glad I picked up some tips on this site and especially hunted the wind and made sure I scoped and had a good entry point. Cheers! Time to get home so I can grill up some backstraps!

Congrats on your first deer

Congrats compadre! Got any pics?

Congratulations !

Congrats and great story, that is how you do it right there

That's what hunting is all about, making life long great memories.

Well done!

Pic didnt load last time...thanks everyone!

Pic wont load from my phone. Ill load it soon. Got home and already processed myself (no burger just main cuts)

Way to go!

Ok... lets try this pic thing again!

Heres my "Trophy" buck! lol. I know some of you get monsters, but I am just glad to join the club of those who have got a deer. Not to mention I think it would have killed me to drag out anything bigger. hahaha

Spike Down:


Processing first deer (took about 45 min, but only got main cuts as I dont have a grinder yet)


Meat for the freezer:



Thanks again for all the congrats. Im stoked that I was able to get one and cant wait to hunt again. Now I need to find land to lease or a REALLY good buddy..hahaha.

I will be hitting the bay Wednesday for some RedHead duck hunting with the Mrs!!. Love this time of year!

Sorry to go post crazy, but just wanted to point out it looks like a gut shot, but it was double lung. Tad further back than I wanted, but I was shaking in excitement.

HEY BUD CONGRAT'S ON FIRST DEER , YOU GOT MEAT,YOU AIN'T GOING HUNGRY TONIGHT,LOL.
SOME OF US HAS SPENT A BUNCH AND WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING YET,HAHAHA
IT ONLY GET'S WORSE FROM HERE ON OUT,YOUR HOOKED NOW.

Congrats on a mighty fine first deer! You've got a buncha fine meals in the near future and a memory that'll last a lifetime.

congrats on your first deer looks like you did a good job.

We all had to start somewhere. Congrats on your 1st

That's gonna be some prime venison! Congrats again!

Congratulations Indyoshi! Got me to thinking it's been 30 years since my first doe and 29 for my first buck. You will always remember this one, just like all the deer to come. It's funny how I can't remember what I had for dinner last night but I can remember all of the deer hunts that led to kills.

Making memories my man, making memories!

Here is a cool website that can give you a lot of ideas on what to do with all that awesome venison. http://honest-food.net/
Another member posted this and I've used a lot of the recipes on it.

Ill check out those recipes for sure. I do pretty well in the kitchen so ill maybe post whT I whip up.

My wife and I used to live in galveston till we bought a place in Dickinson. If you ever want to grab a beer let me know!

That's what it's all about! Congrats, that's. Memory that will be with you forever

Heck yea. And absolutely post if you've got some good recipes!

Hey, my 1st few where does, so that buck is a monster compared to my "1st". It all cooks