O/T: More Deer Tales

Girly-girl steps out of her zone
Comes back with a story to tell, and a 190-class buck

By ART HOLDEN Daily Record Outdoor Editor Published: November 19, 2012
4:00AM

CRESTON -- With two young boys and a husband who relishes every
opportunity to hunt, Alisha Perkins knew there was going to come a
time when she herself would have to become a hunter.

So, she bit the bullet, or in this case, nocked the arrow, and on her
first hunt, came back with a story that she'll never be able to
improve upon. Perkins, of Creston, arrowed a 19-point buck on private
property in Summit County on her first-ever hunt, one that lasted just
over 90 minutes.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom and I hardly have time to do anything," said
Alisha. "I'm a girly-girl, so it's funny that I get something like
this my first time out.

"My husband and my uncle urged me to get out of my (zone), and do
something I haven't done before," she added. "My uncle gave a eulogy
and he said, 'you never know when your last day is, live life to the
fullest.'

"I didn't imagine that meant wearing camo in the woods."

So, with the support of her husband, Seth, Alisha started the process
to be a hunter. She began the home-study hunter education course, and
on Nov. 1 at Fin, Feather Fur Outfitters in Ashland, she took the
test. "I got a 100 percent, I might add," she said.

The following Wednesday, she practiced with her father in law's
Excalibur crossbow, and last Saturday, went hunting.

For the husband and wife, though, it was thought to be more of a date,
a chance to spend time together. They never imagined what was about to
unfold.

"My in-laws were watching the kids, it was a time to get away and have
Seth show me his world of hunting," said Alisha. "We talked about
going during the gun season, but I kind of liked the idea of a warmer,
sunny day."

"I like to get in my stand early," said Seth. "We were in the woods by
6:30 a.m."

The Perkinses said a prayer before the sun came up, asking for a good
hunt, the safety of themselves and their children, and "would you give
Alisha good aim."

Seth had already taken his buck, a 9-pointer, on opening day, so he
was just there to video the hunt and coach his wife.

"It wasn't long before a doe came into sight, and Alisha asked if she
should shoot it.

"It's the (peak) of the rut, today's not the day to shoot an
antlerless deer," said Seth. "Let's wait and see what else shows up."

That's when Alisha saw something out of the corner of her eye.

"I saw a massive rack, and I don't know what came over me, but that's
when I said to myself, 'you're gonna die."

Unfortunately, the big buck was looking right at the Perkinses, who
were sitting in a double tree stand.

"I had the scope on him and I counted 11 points on his right side,"
said Alisha, who was trembling with excitement, and wondered if her
nervousness would spook the deer. "I thought to myself, 'If I don't
shoot this buck, Seth is going to shoot me.'"

The hunters and buck had a 10-minute stare down.

"I told myself, I've delivered two boys through C-section, I can do
this," said Alisha. "Breathe."

Finally, the buck turned to walk away, and Seth gave two bleats to
stop the deer, and whispered to Alisha to take the shot.

"Believe it or not, I made a good heart shot and it went down," said
Alisha.

"It was a perfect broadside shot from 20 yards," said Seth.

The time together, the process and success of the hunt would have been
enough, but the best part was yet to come. When Seth and Alisha got to
the downed deer and saw what she had harvested, they couldn't believe
their eyes. The deer had 19 points, 28 ½ inch main beams and a 21
½ -inch inside spread.

"I wanted to make Seth proud, and I still don't think it's hit me yet
how big (the buck) is," said Alisha.

The deer is now at a taxidermist, and a "rough" green score puts the
monster in the 190 class (minus deductions). Included in the rack is a
5-inch drop tine.

"I could not have done this without my husband," said Alisha. "We were
just going on a date, and I thought it was going to be one of the
cheapest dates we've been on, but after the taxidermy, it's going to
be one of our most expensive dates.

"But my most favorite part of the whole experience is how proud Seth
was of me."

"I'll admit I've got a little bit of jealousy, but that's OK, because
I was with her and got it all on tape," said Seth.

"She understands now what drives me to go hunting."