Hey guys, I've been really looking forward to archery season already this year. Since I have been browsing around this site a ton lately, I figured I should share with y'all my story from last season of my biggest trad buck to date. I believe I posted his photo on the Mississippi harvest thread but I never told the story.
I'll start by saying that my bow season wasn't going great in the beginning. I hunted hard the first week and saw a few small bucks but no shooters and no does. Two weeks later I then wrecked my motorcycle and was fortunate enough to not break anything but I did get skinned up and put out of commission as far as hunting is concerned.
Fast forward to October 21st. My wounds were feeling good enough that I had to go hunting, I couldn't stand being cooped up in the house anymore. I did unfortunately discover that I couldn't climb a tree with my climbing stand due to the wounds on my forearms. I also hadn't been in the woods in almost 2 weeks to look for sign so I didn't have a clue where to go. I decided to go to one of my tried and true spots on public land that I have yet to hunt this year. The plan was to go in the area and look for sign. I'd bring my stool and if I saw something worth hunting, I'd figure something out from there and if not I'd chalk it up as a scouting trip and go back to the house.
I got in the woods at around 4 o'clock that afternoon. I went to check some large white oaks that I normally hunt and found little to no sign under them. I then eased down the ridge to a small branch that had 2 large water oak trees nearby. I looked under them and quickly found several piles of deer crap and lots of fresh sign. I looked up the ridge and as luck would have it, there was a blown down tree top about 15 yards from the closest tree. I nestled up in the tree top with my stool and then cut some limbs and weeds to place in front of me for a make-shift blind. It is important to note that this was one of the first times I've ever seriously bow-hunted from the ground and have never killed a deer with archery equipment from the ground either. I got settled in the top and waited to see what would happen. I drew my bow a couple times to make sure my recurve limbs would clear everything and called it good.
I would like to say I had a peaceful and enjoyable evening but that would be a huge lie. It was pretty hot and I was sweating like crazy. I'm also pretty hard-headed and do not own a thermacell. Boy did the mosquitoes make me pay for that! I knew I needed to be as still as possible since I was eye-level with the deer but that was hard to do with all the swatting I was doing. This misery continued on until about perfect deer moving time. I decided my butt couldn't take the pain anymore and I had to stand up. As soon as I stood up, I noticed something across the branch and all I can see is antlers coming my way. I slip back down as slowly as possible and then he stops. He looks around for quite a while and I thought surely I had blown it before it even started. Before long though he crosses the branch and heads my way and my heart starts absolutely racing.
Instead of following the plan and coming to the tree in front of me, the buck goes to a tree to my left. This is a major problem for me since I shoot left-handed. Luckily he's feeding behind the tree and I decide that my only option is to stand up and face him as soon as he steps out of sight. I do just that and before I know it, he comes out on the other side and starts feeding my way at about 20 yards. Every once in a while he stops and looks right at me which was pretty intense and nerve wracking since we are on the same level. He then turns away and turns left to continue on his way. I have one opening at about 24 yards and I begin drawing back. As soon as he steps in it I softly grunt with my mouth and he stops perfectly broadside. I keep burning a hole in him where I want the arrow to go and keep repeating my mantra "pick a spot, touch your mouth" which helps me get to full draw. As soon as my finger touches the corner of my mouth, the arrow is gone and I watch as it buries in the buck right where I was looking. He tears out and then stops about 60 yards away. After a second, I hear him crash and I just about lose it with such a rush of emotion. I give him a bit and then walk right to him. He ducked and wheeled slightly before the arrow hit him and it entered slightly back but went right up in the vitals and sliced his heart wide-open.
(http://i.imgur.com/gaPeb7n.jpg) (https://imgur.com/gaPeb7n)
(http://i.imgur.com/0BTqAtw.jpg) (https://imgur.com/0BTqAtw)
I cannot begin to describe how proud I am of this buck and how blessed and fortunate I was to experience it all. I hope y'all enjoyed the read and best of luck this season :thumbsup:
Wow, great story and what an excellent buck! Congrats on it even if this is a little late!! :biglaugh: :thumbsup:
just what i needed on a hot july day...tks for sharing and congrates !!!
Good story and a great buck. A 24 yard shot at a deer from the ground that is already a little spooked is not a chip shot. Well done. Reading a deer hunting story while at the beach is a little different but I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. I like your bow too (even if it is the wrong hand). What are the specs?
Quote from: Joe2Crow on July 18, 2018, 03:52:52 PM
Good story and a great buck. A 24 yard shot at a deer from the ground that is already a little spooked is not a chip shot. Well done. Reading a deer hunting story while at the beach is a little different but I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. I like your bow too (even if it is the wrong hand). What are the specs?
Thanks man, it is a cocobolo Widow PA that's 58" long and 50lbs@28"
Most excellent! Story, deer, pics, the whole deal!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow! Awesome story - got my heart racing too just from the read. Congrats on an awesome buck and one you'll remember for a lifetime. Strange how things tend to happen when we put time in the woods.
Awesome story ! Thanks and congrats on a cool kill from the ground. Great looking PA, I had a beautiful lefty PAX I messed up and sold a few years ago. I've also been thinking a lot of this coming season, but the dang 100 degree heat and ticks have kept me from doing much in the woods lately
Great story and great buck!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Great buck and story Caleb! Hope to get out in the woods soon, if the good Lord wills!
Congrats on an amazing buck and hunt! This is just what I needed. I can't wait for bow season to start. Shooting everyday and dreaming of a situation like you just described. Good luck this season!!! :campfire:
Beautiful Buck! Congratulations
I to have wrecked a bike twice, when my kids came along I decided that was enough of that :biglaugh: ashphalt hurts glad you're alright.
Congratulations on a great animal and hunt. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your story I really enjoyed it. Congratulations on your trophy. What a beauty :thumbsup:
Very well written....Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. As a ground Hunter I can understand and appreciate the emotions involved. What a great time of year to share such a story. My afternoon practice session in 107 degree heat will be a lot easier with your story in mind. :archer2:
Dandy animal. Nice job. :thumbsup:
Great story and heck of a buck!!!
Ground level hunts are intense but sure lots of fun, congrats on a very nice buck!
Great buck and story. Thanks for sharing... certainly gets the juices flowing...
Awesome animal and story! Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great story, got me pumped!!
Is that shrink wrap you have on your grip??
Great story and that's a beautiful cape on that deer.
Thanks for sharing.
Quote from: BowArkie on July 24, 2018, 07:46:35 PM
Great story, got me pumped!!
Is that shrink wrap you have on your grip??
It is a shur-grip, just a piece of rubber basically. I only use it for hunting because I wear thin gloves which can be a little slick so the grip helps me a ton.