Well after watching the Bengals lose Dianne decided to go sit in her stand for awhile. I half jokingly told her to shoot the first deer to come along. I was busy preparing dinner when she came in. I said "Are we dragging?" (our normal greeting during hunting season) and she said "Yea, c'mon".

Although it had rained earlier it had stopped before she went out. Before we could gather up gear to go look for the deer the skies opened up again, and it was getting dark.We went down and found her arrow, a magnus tipped cedar that had passed thru, and although it was beginning to wash off it was evident it was covered in red blood from tip to nock. The deer had come across the hillside and Di stood and drew her bow, but it's vitals were blocked by brush. She let down and waited for the deer to move forward, drew and told herself to pick a spot and released. She said the arrow placement looked good on the quartering away deer.By now it was really raining and the blood trail was washed away. Soon Dianne, Brian and I were traversing the slippery hillsides with flashlights doing a body search. It was reminicient of the scene from Dances with Wolves where they are searching for the rifles that Dunbar had buried.

I know there's gonna be some good pics and more story so I'm glued till the end!!!

Congrats. Let's see them pic's.......

Ferret happy new year first of all! Second yeh Dances with wolves I can relate I'm with you folks You'll find her keep the faith.Great way to spend New Years day though family bonding!!!

Oh what a way to start my year off with a great story. My wife and I are sitting here waiting for the rest of the story!!! and since Dances with Wolfs are our favorite movie to watch, the visual of this story puts us right there feeling it with you......

What a way to start the New Year!  Anxiously awaiting pics and stories.......


David

We fruitlessly searched for an hour and a half, up and down, back and forth, certain that we had walked past the deer in the dark. A double lung hit deer just won't go that far. Finally soaked to the skin and muddy from numerous falls we decided to come back in the morning and search.Although Brian and I assured Dianne we would find the deer she had a fitless night, and it was a somber New Years Eve at the Lotz house.

At first light Dianne and I were up and out. Retracing everything. We walked side by side across the hillside for 100 yards, 150 yards angling down toward the creek without spotting the deer. We came to a big steep ditch line coming down to the creek. From there the trail went over a small rise parallel to the creek or steeply up a hill over a tall rise away from the creek. It would only make sense that a mortally hit deer would take the low side so that's the direction I headed. We had now gone about 200 yards, and we were getting worried. About another 30 yards up the trail I looked up the hill to my right, up towards the very apex of the hill and there lay her deer. Di thought it was a doe but it ended up a button buck.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR DIANNE!

Did ya find it yet?

Looks like ya did, nice deer!

Now I can say it, Congrats Dianne!!!!        

Happy New Year!


David

Now that's the way to start off a New Year!!

Congrats!!!!

Todd

Congrats!!!

This is Dianne.  Thanks so much.  

I was really worried.  I really like to see them fall, and it tears up my guts when I don't see that.  The shot was like I called it but I only caught one lung.  My tracking husband is a saint.  I think I keep him up all night with worry, and then again his snoring keep me up the rest of the night. LOL

I can't believe how warm it is here and was worried about that too, but the cold rain really helped.  We have to go now and check in the deer and get the meat processor.

Thanks so much, Dianne

Way to go Lady DI        

Congrats and HAPPY NEW YEAR Lotz"s

 Wife and I send congrads. Karen say's "Your a inspiration to us women hunters way to go"

Congratulations, that is awesome!  

Great job Dianne!! Was that the end of season or do ya get a couple more weeks like MO? Great job trackers too!!              

Way to go Di! Congrats in the biggest way.

Excellent    ...Van

Way to ring in the New Year.  Congrats!!!!