Final frozen effort

[Jerry Jeffer]

Well, I had two days left to see if I could take a buck. Tomorrow (last day) was a given, but after work this morning I decided to try an old spot for as long as I could take it. 17 degrees and a stiff wind along the Delaware river. This place gets a lot of pressure through the year, but I am willing to climb where most will not. I've had some good luck here even though I only go here once or twice a year.

I grab some gear as soon as my wife is off to work. I hope I have enough clothes, and I'm out the door.

The hike in is steep, so I carry most everything, enduring the cold because I'll be hot in no time. Well, I barely heated up, it's that cold. I get up in my spot among the boulders and set up my torges style seat on a big oak. I start layering up and I sit back.

45 minutes into it, I'm feeling like I won't be staying too long. The wind is gusting up the side of the mountain pretty good and my snot is freezing on my nose. I figure I'll give it till noon if I can. It's now 9.

Something catches my ey and I see antler big enough that I'm gonna shoot if I can. He's making steady headway, but not too fast. He is moving up the mountain. I pick a lane where he should be coming through. I draw and hold , he steps in the opening, I give a bahh and loose the arrow simultaneously. He stops and looks. Too late, the arrow hits before he has a clue. A steep 1/4 away shot abou 28 yards hits behind the last rib and goes in to the fletch. I see the hot pink fletch in his side and he bolts!    I'm shaking....     breathing hard... I see him tumble after an 80 yard burst of his last life force run.   I fall back against the tree with a sigh of relief. It's been a long season that I thought would end with tag soup.

The adrenaline and the cold take over and I can't control my shaking. Bow down, trying to gather my self. I sit until I calm down about 30 minutes.

I pack up my seat, grab my gear and make my way toward the downed buck. I see the antler sticking up and I'm happy. Looks like a nice one. I approach, poking at him with my bow... dead, but something not right... one antler is broke off. Old break from fighting earlier in the season. It doesn't change my mood, thrilled for this late season buck who was smart enough to live this long on heavily hunted public land.

The steep grade helps with the dirty work. Now for the down hill drag, easy. I'm back to the car, I look back at the mountain, steep, stark with trees leafless in their winter rest. I can see the outcrop of boulders that was my hide. I look down at the buck. It was about 6 years ago this spot granted me a nice seven point, now, a would be eight. I thank God for such a blessing and meat in the freezer.

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[Jerry Jeffer]

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[Jerry Jeffer]

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[bamboo]

nice going jerry!!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Well done!

[mahantango]

Way to go Jerry! Talk about down to the wire.

[Roy from Pa]

Fantastic, Jerry..

Congrats..

[KAZ]

Woohoo! Way to go Jerry, that has to feel good getting it done at the buzzer on Public Land in those conditions!!!

Well Done & Congrats on a fine Buck

[fnshtr]

Congrats on a well earned buck!

I was out in a tree stand last evening with temps around 24*. The 2 mile 4 wheeler ride home was rough. Coldest I think I've ever been.

Way to finish the season!

[Garman]

congrats

[kennym]

AWESOME !!!

[Bisch]

Way to go!!

Congrats!

And I'm dang glad it rarely gets that cold here. I'm pretty miserable if it gets in the 40's!

Bisch


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[Crittergetter]

Congrats on a true trophy!!! No easy task on public land for sure!

[Modad2010]

Congrats! Way to get it done with the shot clock winding down.

[Sam McMichael]

I have only hunted in really cold temperatures a few times. I don't think I could do that at my age now. I'm glad your chilly persistence paid off. You, sir, are a BOWHUNTER.

[GCook]

Congratulations on a good buck and write up.

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[Krex1010]

Beautiful buck and an enjoyable read! Going to be a chilly hunt tomorrow but you gave me hope. Nicely done.

[58WINTERS]

You paid the price!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rob DiStefano]

you persevered and were rewarded - excellent! 

[BrushWolf]

Awesome job!!