By Louie Stout

Bow Hunter Gets Two Deer with One Arrow

When he’s not tending to his congregation at the United Pentecostal Church in Bourbon, Ind., Pastor Mark Cottrill is deer hunting.

He’s shot his share of deer during the 30-plus years he’s been hunting Indiana, but his experience Oct. 27 was one that few hunters can claim.

He wandered into the woods late afternoon that day and propped his bucket next to a tree. Unlike some hunters who prefer hunting from a tree stand, Cottrill likes sitting on the ground.

“I’ve always done that,” he said. “I’m completely camouflaged. I don’t like getting up in trees and I like hunting at ground level. I feel it’s more a challenge.”

Cottrill is not a trophy hunter. His family loves venison and he’ll take two or three deer a year.

“Of course, if a big trophy comes in on me, I’ll definitely take it,” he added.

That afternoon it was a pair of does that sauntered into his area. He watched them intently and decided he would take the bigger of the two if the opportunity presented itself.

“They were looking right at me and I didn’t move until they lowered their heads,” he said. “I raised my crossbow into position and waited until they got closer.”

Remarkably, the deer got within 20 yards and moved parallel providing the perfect shot. One was looking way and the bigger doe that was closest to him looked down.

He aimed at the lungs and let the arrow fly. When it hit, both deer twirled and one hit the ground. Cottrill readied another arrow and waited.

But something didn’t appear right.

As he looked at the dead deer from where he was sitting, he noticed his arrow protruded from the deer’s neck. He was certain he aimed for the lungs and that was where the arrow hit.

“I thought there was possibility of me getting two deer with one shot, but kinda dismissed it,” he said.

But when he approached the dead deer, he found the arrow stuck in the neck of the smaller of the two and that the entire arrow was bloodied.

“I knew then my arrow must have passed through the bigger deer and hit the smaller one,” he said.

Cottrill picked up the blood trail and found the other doe about 70 yards away.

One shot, two deer.

And yes, it’s legal, because he had a license that permitted him to shoot one buck and two doe.

“I’ve been told it happens more often with gun hunters but it’s rare for an arrow shot,” said Cottrill. “It was God’s favor for me to get those two deer.”

He hunts all of the seasons, but the archery season is his favorite.

“It’s so beautiful in the woods during bow season and peaceful,” he says. “Even if I don’t see a deer, it’s a wonderful way to get away from it all and enjoy nature.”

Even so, he’s not done hunting and planned to be in the woods for this weekend’s gun season opener.

“My family, including my sons and grandsons, eat a lot of deer,” he explained. “I get it made into sausage and snack sticks. It’s good for you.”

Part of the fun in deer hunting, he added, is that you never know what you’re going to see or do.

Including getting two deer with one shot.