Better late than never!

I was going to wait until Monday to write this blog, but I decided I couldn't. Here is my first IL deer. I got it Thursday evening during a last minute quick hunt in cold drizzly weather. I got to my stand about 3:20 and he came by at about 4:30. At first he was only about five yards away, and when I drew my bow back he jumped and ran out to around 20 yards and stopped giving me a clear quartering away shot. He only went about 70 to 80 yards before dropping mid-stride about fifteen yards off the corn field. It's been a long hunting season trying to figure out how to hunt a new place and how to get close to deer who had hundreds of potential travel routes. I saw bigger bucks, but needless to say, I'm happy to get this one. With two weeks left, I'll still be chasing that big fat doe that I have a tag for. I've spent a lot of hours hunting over the last three months and they've all been good. It really is about enjoying the outdoors and the challenge of bowhunting. The success of the experience is not measured by arrows shot or deer harvested. Spending time in God's creation, enjoying the fellowship of good hunting buddies, and trying to outsmart one of His smartest critters is all part of the bigger picture. I'm thankful that I got to do them all. I'm especially thankful for some new friends in IL who graciously let Danny and me enjoy their beautiful property. Have I said it before? God is good!