Dalton Browing - WhiteTail Solutions Pro Staff
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January 2010
What I Live For....
It was Jan 5th, 1400hr as I grabbed my gear out of my truck with lots of excitement! Its the
late season, fresh soft snow on the ground, crisp, cold 28 degree air being blown in my face
from the North, "perfect" I said to myself. I'm about to stalk my way to a set of timber that I
have planned to hunt for the past 2 months. After scouting the area once again just 3 days
ago with my father in a bitter, windy, snowing, cold, and awesome winter storm, I realized,
the time is now! This section of woods is ready to be hunted. Its a thick, long barberry
patch right next to an Oak ridge. Its ideal bedding and feed in the thick stuff, and the snow
is still soft and shallow enough for the deer to still dig for acorns... This is going to be a stalk
hunt, no stand!
As I walked across the overgrown field approaching the woods, that 6th sense that every
true hunter gets, jumped up at me! "Its going to be a good afternoon" I told myself. Getting
closer to the timber, my game face got switched on. I suspected with the recent hard
weather that the deer wouldn't be traveling far, and that there was a good chance they
would be bedded down close to their feeding areas.
Just about to enter the timber line, I grabbed my binoc's from around my neck and began
glassing for any bedded deer. A few more steps and scan again, and again. I was then
about 20 yards in from the field when a pile of leaves beneath the snow crunched under my
foot. Movement! Doe! about 60 yards to the NE' she stood up from behind a large
windfall. Luckily I spotted her before she turned my way, as I stood there like a Mossy
Oak statue! Then I saw the ears of her skipper poking up behind another windfall. The doe
looked around, and a few flicks of her tail, "pheew ok, shes not spooked" She then turned
and casually walked to her skipper and they both continued about 30 yards to the opposite
side of a stonewall and began feeding. Now I can only see an occasional horizontal line of a
back, or the twist of an ear.
Time for the stalk! Watching carefully through the binoc's still, I watched for when I can
move. One cautious step at a time, tree to tree, bush to bush until I reach the perpendicular
stonewall. Crouched down as a straighten the peep site on my bow, I see the 2 deer walk
past an opening in the wall 45 yards from me. They then disappeared out of sight again, as
the backside sloped downhill to a large Oak tree tucked in the corner of the 2 meeting
stonewalls where that they liked to feed also.
I tell myself, " now its really time for the "death creep" as the Benoit's say". Attempting to
step on only rocks and soft snow to avoid the crunchy ice where the ground had once been
moist, I carefully continued to close the distance even more! I used the techniques passed
down to me that were now merely second nature movements, along with the maneuvers I
still had to remind myself about. After only about 3 minutes of "death creeping", I spot the 2
walking past the stonewall opening again, but in the opposite direction, away from me.
"Well, there they go, but that was still fun"! Now only about 35 yards away from the original
spot I planned to scan from. I slowly continued on.
Just as I approached the small knoll where the 2 stonewalls made a 'T' I spotted another
big Doe down in the thicket heading my way. I took the last few steps I needed to reach my
destination, then 2 more! The Doe had 2 skippers with her and it seemed that they were
heading my way! They were, well, until they also decided to branch off and take the same
route that the previous 2 had taken out. Now looking through a 3 inch space between the
rocks of the wall, I saw all the deer running back towards me! I peaked over the wall just a
few inches to see that there was a spike horn with only one side chasing them directly into
the stone corner I was kneeling behind, as if he was a sheep dog, gathering his Does. He
had his nose to the ground and their rears, doing the stiff legged "dogging does" jog! They
were now only a mere 10 yards away from me on the other side of the wall running in
circles. About to draw my bow back and slowly stand up to pick a shot, of course the
spike chased them 60 yards away in a flash. I relaxed back and thought to myself, "this is
awesome! I don't even care if I cant get a shot"! Sometimes there are certain things that we
witness in the outdoors that make us realize, its not always all about the kill!
As I kneel there and watch this young buck struggle to control his sexual frustration, I
looked back into the thicket, more deer coming!! Soon they join the playground/ dinner
table, some are jogging around, some browsing. Between peaking over the stone wall with
one eye and looking through the little spy hole within the wall, I lost track of how many deer
there were and where they were. Then, Whoa! 15 yards to the side of me came 2 adult
does jumping over the wall! In a pure reaction, my 70lb Hoyt came to full draw with such
ease as if it were only 40lb, and I was looking at my 20 yard pin through my peepsite
placed on the sweet spot of the closer doe!
The does stopped broadside in the thicket giving me no shot(of course) at about 18 yards,
and 25 yards. All I needed from the closer doe was about 2 more steps and she would be
in an open shooting lane! But no! Why would she do such a thing!? She stood there looking
around for about 2 minutes before I had to let me bow back down due to a shoulder on
fire. I was able to do it when both does were looking away, and luckily I didn't get seen.
They stood there for about 2 more minutes just gazing around. The closer doe then took a
step coming towards me! In another split second reaction I was at full draw, almost in self
defense now. Somehow they had still not seen me kneeling there on the ground, nor come
to full draw for the 2nd time! She took a few more steps, now at the 15 yard mark,
broadside facing the stonewall but with one huge stick covering her. My pin was placed on
her vitals the whole time as she walked, when she finally took that fatal step when there was
nothing between my broadhead and her sweet spot, my finger touched off my release as if it
had a mind of its own. Before I knew it, I was watching my red lazer knock fly through the
air in slow motion and then disappear into her. As she bounded over the stone wall and I
watched her spirit being released in the form of red drops onto the white snow, I felt the
surge of adrenaline and energy involuntarily overtake my entire body as it flushed throughout
my veins!
Yes some would say its only a doe, but she was still a majestic, proud, extremely strong
willed, and amazing Whitetail Deer, and this was an amazing afternoon hunt! I was able
sneak into their home, at their level, and on their terms... which then lead me to the reminder:
This inst just something I do! This inst just some hobby! This is my passion! This is my
love! This is my lifestyle! This is what I live for!! I am ... A DEER HUNTER!!!!
What I Live For....
It was Jan 5th, 1400hr as I grabbed my gear out of my truck with lots of excitement! Its the
late season, fresh soft snow on the ground, crisp, cold 28 degree air being blown in my face
from the North, "perfect" I said to myself. I'm about to stalk my way to a set of timber that I
have planned to hunt for the past 2 months. After scouting the area once again just 3 days
ago with my father in a bitter, windy, snowing, cold, and awesome winter storm, I realized,
the time is now! This section of woods is ready to be hunted. Its a thick, long barberry
patch right next to an Oak ridge. Its ideal bedding and feed in the thick stuff, and the snow
is still soft and shallow enough for the deer to still dig for acorns... This is going to be a stalk
hunt, no stand!
As I walked across the overgrown field approaching the woods, that 6th sense that every
true hunter gets, jumped up at me! "Its going to be a good afternoon" I told myself. Getting
closer to the timber, my game face got switched on. I suspected with the recent hard
weather that the deer wouldn't be traveling far, and that there was a good chance they
would be bedded down close to their feeding areas.
Just about to enter the timber line, I grabbed my binoc's from around my neck and began
glassing for any bedded deer. A few more steps and scan again, and again. I was then
about 20 yards in from the field when a pile of leaves beneath the snow crunched under my
foot. Movement! Doe! about 60 yards to the NE' she stood up from behind a large
windfall. Luckily I spotted her before she turned my way, as I stood there like a Mossy
Oak statue! Then I saw the ears of her skipper poking up behind another windfall. The doe
looked around, and a few flicks of her tail, "pheew ok, shes not spooked" She then turned
and casually walked to her skipper and they both continued about 30 yards to the opposite
side of a stonewall and began feeding. Now I can only see an occasional horizontal line of a
back, or the twist of an ear.
Time for the stalk! Watching carefully through the binoc's still, I watched for when I can
move. One cautious step at a time, tree to tree, bush to bush until I reach the perpendicular
stonewall. Crouched down as a straighten the peep site on my bow, I see the 2 deer walk
past an opening in the wall 45 yards from me. They then disappeared out of sight again, as
the backside sloped downhill to a large Oak tree tucked in the corner of the 2 meeting
stonewalls where that they liked to feed also.
I tell myself, " now its really time for the "death creep" as the Benoit's say". Attempting to
step on only rocks and soft snow to avoid the crunchy ice where the ground had once been
moist, I carefully continued to close the distance even more! I used the techniques passed
down to me that were now merely second nature movements, along with the maneuvers I
still had to remind myself about. After only about 3 minutes of "death creeping", I spot the 2
walking past the stonewall opening again, but in the opposite direction, away from me.
"Well, there they go, but that was still fun"! Now only about 35 yards away from the original
spot I planned to scan from. I slowly continued on.
Just as I approached the small knoll where the 2 stonewalls made a 'T' I spotted another
big Doe down in the thicket heading my way. I took the last few steps I needed to reach my
destination, then 2 more! The Doe had 2 skippers with her and it seemed that they were
heading my way! They were, well, until they also decided to branch off and take the same
route that the previous 2 had taken out. Now looking through a 3 inch space between the
rocks of the wall, I saw all the deer running back towards me! I peaked over the wall just a
few inches to see that there was a spike horn with only one side chasing them directly into
the stone corner I was kneeling behind, as if he was a sheep dog, gathering his Does. He
had his nose to the ground and their rears, doing the stiff legged "dogging does" jog! They
were now only a mere 10 yards away from me on the other side of the wall running in
circles. About to draw my bow back and slowly stand up to pick a shot, of course the
spike chased them 60 yards away in a flash. I relaxed back and thought to myself, "this is
awesome! I don't even care if I cant get a shot"! Sometimes there are certain things that we
witness in the outdoors that make us realize, its not always all about the kill!
As I kneel there and watch this young buck struggle to control his sexual frustration, I
looked back into the thicket, more deer coming!! Soon they join the playground/ dinner
table, some are jogging around, some browsing. Between peaking over the stone wall with
one eye and looking through the little spy hole within the wall, I lost track of how many deer
there were and where they were. Then, Whoa! 15 yards to the side of me came 2 adult
does jumping over the wall! In a pure reaction, my 70lb Hoyt came to full draw with such
ease as if it were only 40lb, and I was looking at my 20 yard pin through my peepsite
placed on the sweet spot of the closer doe!
The does stopped broadside in the thicket giving me no shot(of course) at about 18 yards,
and 25 yards. All I needed from the closer doe was about 2 more steps and she would be
in an open shooting lane! But no! Why would she do such a thing!? She stood there looking
around for about 2 minutes before I had to let me bow back down due to a shoulder on
fire. I was able to do it when both does were looking away, and luckily I didn't get seen.
They stood there for about 2 more minutes just gazing around. The closer doe then took a
step coming towards me! In another split second reaction I was at full draw, almost in self
defense now. Somehow they had still not seen me kneeling there on the ground, nor come
to full draw for the 2nd time! She took a few more steps, now at the 15 yard mark,
broadside facing the stonewall but with one huge stick covering her. My pin was placed on
her vitals the whole time as she walked, when she finally took that fatal step when there was
nothing between my broadhead and her sweet spot, my finger touched off my release as if it
had a mind of its own. Before I knew it, I was watching my red lazer knock fly through the
air in slow motion and then disappear into her. As she bounded over the stone wall and I
watched her spirit being released in the form of red drops onto the white snow, I felt the
surge of adrenaline and energy involuntarily overtake my entire body as it flushed throughout
my veins!
Yes some would say its only a doe, but she was still a majestic, proud, extremely strong
willed, and amazing Whitetail Deer, and this was an amazing afternoon hunt! I was able
sneak into their home, at their level, and on their terms... which then lead me to the reminder:
This inst just something I do! This inst just some hobby! This is my passion! This is my
love! This is my lifestyle! This is what I live for!! I am ... A DEER HUNTER!!!!
Dalton Browning
Mossy Oak, Browning, Remington, Gorilla Treestands &
Scent-Lok Pro Staff
Quality Deer Management Member
NRA Member
Average 300 hours per year pursuing whitetail deer
Email Dalton
Mossy Oak, Browning, Remington, Gorilla Treestands &
Scent-Lok Pro Staff
Quality Deer Management Member
NRA Member
Average 300 hours per year pursuing whitetail deer
Email Dalton
At a very young age, I was introduced to the wonderful world of the outdoors by my
father. It was a love at first sight situation which rapidly grew into an obsession! Since
then, my passion and respect has only grown and expanded enormously. While enjoying
both the woods and water, the woods have become my main focus, with the center of
the infatuation being the amazing Whitetail Deer! As a dedicated hunter I employ all
methods of hunting, but my preferred choice of weapon would be the Bow and Arrow. I
truly enjoy the increased challenge that archery brings along, as well as the intimacy with
each animal involved! Throughout the years I have learned many valuable lessons from
the many successes, yet also failures, throughout my adventures. Feeling lucky to have
been introduced to the outdoors at a young age, I try to pass my experiences and
knowledge to upcoming avid outdoorsmen, as well as creating brand new ones whenever
the opportunity is presented. I enjoy teaching and supporting many events as I can;
shooting events, outdoor expos, fundraisers, game dinners and seminars.
Deer hunting is not only what I do, It is what I am, I am a Deer Hunter!
"It's not a Passion, It's an Obsession!"
father. It was a love at first sight situation which rapidly grew into an obsession! Since
then, my passion and respect has only grown and expanded enormously. While enjoying
both the woods and water, the woods have become my main focus, with the center of
the infatuation being the amazing Whitetail Deer! As a dedicated hunter I employ all
methods of hunting, but my preferred choice of weapon would be the Bow and Arrow. I
truly enjoy the increased challenge that archery brings along, as well as the intimacy with
each animal involved! Throughout the years I have learned many valuable lessons from
the many successes, yet also failures, throughout my adventures. Feeling lucky to have
been introduced to the outdoors at a young age, I try to pass my experiences and
knowledge to upcoming avid outdoorsmen, as well as creating brand new ones whenever
the opportunity is presented. I enjoy teaching and supporting many events as I can;
shooting events, outdoor expos, fundraisers, game dinners and seminars.
Deer hunting is not only what I do, It is what I am, I am a Deer Hunter!
"It's not a Passion, It's an Obsession!"