Going for broke tomorrow!

[Kopper1013]

 

[Crittergetter]

it's going to be this afternoon before I can add the story. But the short of it is I made a bad shot on a good 8 point this morning. I've got a string tracker in him and gonna let him lay as long as possible. And I've got a doe down in sight. But there a lot more to the story
Teaser pic


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[Bvas]

Looks like ya got some work to do to keep you occupied while waiting
Congrats and good luck

[Roy from Pa]

Hope ya get the buck dude.

Congrats on the doe.

[Bisch]

Way to go on the doe. I hope you can recover the buck. Got my fingers crossed for ya!!!!

Bisch

[BDann]

Way to go Randy!  Can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

[Joeabowhunter]

  on the edge of my seat here Randy!!

[KAZ]

Looking forward to the story... Strong work & congratulations 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats Randy. I'm late to the game but look forward to your stories

[arrow30]

oh boy!     

[GCook]

Way2go Randy!  In for the rest of he story!

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[Crittergetter]

Well guys. It look like it's gonna be a long night!!!!

I'll start where this journey started on Friday.
With all the flooding I've only hunted this public land a couple of times this year. When it floods the road usually floods and they close the road so I don't have access to my normal launching point. So the nearest place to launch is 27.11 miles by river (each way) to get to where I hunt. So I decided to drive in Friday afternoon and check things out.
I found good sign and hung a stand that would be good for the forecasted winds this weekend and hunted the afternoon. Had a coyote and a big boar come by just out of range.
I made the drive back in the dark. I decided I would only make the drive 1 more time with season ending and decided to wait till today and give it one more shot for the closing day.
I launched about 5:00 this morning and made my way to my spot around 6:10. It was nice already having a stand in place. I was set up within a matter of minutes.
Morning soon came


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[GCook]

Thank y'all.
Gary, I wish we had the 2 week late season like they do out in West Texas.
Our late season here is muzzle loader only. 

Yeah but it's only good for doe and spike shooting.  I guess I could shoot a spike but it's been a few years since I have.

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[Crittergetter]

About 7:15 I hear some splashing and see 4 does coming down the same trail (now under water) the hog and yote was on on Friday. They passed just out of range. I decided I would give them a couple minutes and I was going to climb down and stand in the water by a tree closer to the trail just in case more deer passed using the same trail.
About that time I hear more splashing coming from more behind me and turn to see a good buck approaching. He is on a path to pass by at around 15 yrds. As he gets closer he swings a little wide and at the very edge of my comfort range. I was debating on wether to let him walk or not when he stops broadside and looks back at more deer approaching. Instinct took over and before I know it the arrow was on its way. Elevation was perfect but was going to be a tad back when suddenly he lunges froward and the arrow passed through mid body a little back of center.
That is the WORST feeling ever!!
I sit down and literally feel sick to my stomach as the line to my string tracker slowly slides out. I can tell he is walking away and know he will lay down soon if not pushed.
Suddenly I hear more deer coming and they cross behind me. I was really going to just let them pass when a big doe stops broadside at about 8 yrds and I can't take it! So I make a perfect heart shot and she only goes about 20 yrds. I can hear the blood pouring out of her into the water and then she falls over in the water!
I sit down and think what the heck just happened!!


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[Crittergetter]

About 30 seconds go by when suddenly coyote appears from the brush and walks up to my doe to sniff her. I nock another arrow and try to get a shot in him but he knows something isn't right and he slips away without presenting a shot.
So I sit back down and contemplate what all just happened. I know I'm not going anywhere soon so  just sit there enjoying the morning and thanking God for his blessings and praying for a quick ending for this buck!
Nothing else to do except enjoy a couple cups of coffee.



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[Crittergetter]

Then I hear something approaching from my left and see a group of hogs. They are way out of range when they pass down wind the smell my doe and head straight to her!!
Ah heck no!!!! So I nock an arrow again and get ready!
They stay in the brush and come back several times trying to decide what to do before they eventually leave. I assume they must have smelled me since they were down wind.

So I sit back down and enjoy some more coffee!!

I made a few calls and txt and convince my brother in law to go get my dog and meet me at the closest bridge around 1:00. He had to park at the barricade and walk about a half mile to get to the bridge. I meet him and we head back to my spot. In the hour or so I was gone something had eaten the entire gut pile from my doe!! I assume it was the hogs!
I decided to follow the string to where the buck had gotten out of the water and look for blood. At that point I find a good dark blood trail.
My hopes are high and I'm pretty sure I must have gotten something besides just gut. Maybe kidney or pancreas or something!
I slowly track and have my bil stay behind with the dog and follow at a distance.
After about 200 yrds I loose the trail and decided to let the dog work a little. He immediately takes off in the direction I've been going and he is going crazy and keeps air scenting as well as tracking. I know we have to be close by the way he's acting and I feel confident the deer is dead.
Well I was wrong!!! [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]


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[Kopper1013]

 Congratulations on the doe! Truly hope it works out on the buck

[TSHOOTER]

 Awesome so far :campfire:This is getting good....I'm at work so I've got all night.  Keep it coming

[Crittergetter]

About another 50 yrds or so I hear something take off and crash through the water and go back in dry ground. I knew instantly what happened.
I went ahead and tracked to where the bed was just to confirm. Sure enough, a bed with dry blood and fresh blood leaving. I mark the spot with reflector tape and with my gps and back out. Going back in the morning. My hope is he went to water and the coyotes and hogs don't get to him but I know the odds are likely I will only find a Caracas in the morning.

A couple of things I want to point out.
I PUSHED THIS DEER!!  I knew I should wait as long as possible but I let the fear of coyotes and hogs getting to him over ride my better judgment.
I only waited about 6 hours and should have waited a minimum of 8 and 12 or more would have been better!
This is my first gut shot deer but I still knew better!!
Wait as long as you can and then wait some more!!!!

I also leaned a lot from my buddy Micheal Arnette in my conversations with him. A gut shot back of center is better than a center punch. The small intestines are more vascular and you have a chance of hitting the kidneys or pancreas.
Either way, no matter what wait at least 8 hours!! If you can wait 12 even better! And of course any longer than that is better!!!!

You cannot control what Mother Nature does, you ca only control your actions!! Don't let the fear of coyotes or anything else convince you to trail to early!!


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[Crittergetter]

So now I'm gonna toss and turn all night, and possibly throw up a few times till I get to go back in the morning.
Any prayers for a full recovery y'all can send up would be much appreciated!!


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