Details of a successful stalk hunt
When you stop to think about it, quite a lot goes into a simple deer hunt. Packing the correct equipment is essential. Pre-season scouting is a must. Weapon practice, strategy sessions, weather considerations and so much more. However, after all the preparation, one must still be ready for the unexpected.
I was witness to a very unusual hunt during the 2023-24 season. I went bow hunting on the Atchafalaya Delta WMA with my son-in-law, Sam Allen, and my grandson, Baylor Allen. Baylor and I hunted out of a two-man ladder stand, while my son-in-law was a few hundred yards away in another ladder stand. The morning hunt was uneventful and we met back at the boat for a lunch break.
After finishing lunch, we gathered our bows and began to head down the 300 yard long main lane. Suddenly, Baylor whispered, “Look, two does are feeding!”
Sure enough, about 200 yards down the lane were two does. Before we could encourage Baylor to try to stalk them, he was already loading a bolt into his crossbow. Shortly thereafter, his stalk began.
Fog was setting in and there was very little breeze. It was going to be a tough stalk, as the lane had almost zero cover. Baylor chose the right side of the lane where at least he could get a bit of concealment in the high grass. Sam and I settled in to watch the drama unfold. The distance that Baylor was going to have to cover before the deer finished feeding was going to be extremely challenging.
In the zone
Baylor moved slowly along the grass line, poking his head out now and then to make sure the deer were still there. After a few minutes, he had closed the distance to 100 yards. Now his pace slowed. He knew one sudden movement or a branch cracking could end the hunt.
After 30 minutes, Baylor was almost in shooting range. He was positioned on one knee, but shifted to a prone position and started slowly army crawling inch by inch. Now the does were starting to look more frequently in his direction.
I have often read that Louisiana whitetail deer are generally spookier than most other states’ deer. We thought at any moment they were going to bolt, but they continued to feed while keeping a watchful gaze in his direction. The tension was palpable.
Baylor later told us that he felt he couldn’t risk getting any closer. With no rangefinder available, he gave his best estimate. He decided to launch a 50-yard shot.
While still laying on the ground, on the edge of the lane, he put the pin on the closest doe and released his bolt. The does disappeared around the corner of the lane in a flash. Sam and I hurried down to see if he had connected.
As we approached, his huge smile told us he had. He held up the bloody bolt with a shaking hand.
“I think I got her Pop,” he whispered.
The three P’s
As we rounded the corner of the lane, there was Baylor’s doe in the middle of the lane. Sprinting over to her, he pointed out the impact hole and location. His shot was absolutely perfect. He could not have been more excited! Sam and I were in shock. A 50-yard bow shot, after a 35 minute stalk, in the middle of the day, was just surreal.
My idea of a great deer hunter invokes what I refer to as the three P’s: Passion, perseverance and patience. Baylor most definitely has the passion and the perseverance. As with most teenagers, he is still a work in progress relating to patience. But in all honesty, this experience would not have been successful without a tremendous amount of patience. In my 44 year hunting career I have never completed a successful stalk hunt. Not many hunters that I know have either. The deer’s acute hearing, eyesight and smell put the hunter at a serious disadvantage. Then throw in the lack of cover that he had available and what he accomplished was simply amazing.
Baylor loaded the doe onto a deer sled and dragged it back to the boat. We arrived at my dad’s house in Morgan City where our skinning set-up is located and Baylor couldn’t wait to tell the story to his great-grandpa. This incredible hunt is one that we will definitely remember forever!
