Killed my biggest trad buck

[scrub-buster]

Some of you guys might have already seen this on FB or another site but I thought I would share for those who haven't. 

Last winter I spent many days cleaning up around a small overgrown pond in a wooded valley on my property.  It had been neglected for at least a decade.  This is the only constant water source we have on our place.  After I got it cleaned up I put out a trail camera and left it going all year.  Immediately I started seeing a lot of activity.  Over the summer there were 2 decent bucks that routinely showed up shortly before dark.  I watched their antlers grow in the pictures.  They looked to be 3.5 years old and were bigger than my only trad buck which was a 2.5 year old 8 point with a selfbow.  I set up a ground blind above the pond where the trail that they usually took came out at the corner of the pond.  I really wanted to get a deer from the ground this year with my bow. 

I tried for the first two weeks of bow season but 2 pesky does kept sniffing me out or walking into the back side of my blind where I couldn't get a shot.  It seemed like they ruined every hunt without giving me a shot at them.  On a couple of nights I could hear a deer coming through the woods right before dark but it would stop before showing itself.  I figured it was one of the bucks I had been hoping for.  With the ground blind a bust I resorted to plan B.  I had put up a ladder stand in the creek bed below the pond. 

On October 14th I fired up my gas leaf blower and cleared the trail all the way to the stand.  The maple leaves are so thick on the ground it's impossible to walk quietly.  After I was done with the leaves I got a shower and then quietly snuck back down to the stand.  The same two does and a young buck munched on acorns in a half circle around me.  They does were right on the edge of my comfort zone.  Twice I had tension on the string but let down because it just didn't feel right.  Shortly before dark I heard steady walking on the hillside above me.  I looked up and saw a good sized deer coming through the trees.  I stood and got into position while it was still a ways out.  As it got closer I saw that it had a big body and decent antlers.  I never counted points or anything.  Usually the body size it was does it for me.  I never paid any attention to the rack.  The buck stepped into the dry creek bed a little over 20 yards away and stopped.  I don't remember drawing the bow.  My instincts took over I guess.  Suddenly I see my arrow heading towards it and I thought it was a little high.  I almost thought I missed by it's reaction.  It bolted out of the creek bed and ran about 30 yards before coming to a stop.  There's a large oak tree directly in front of my stand and I couldn't see the buck.  I nocked another arrow and leaned way out to get a view of it.  The buck was just standing there.  I heard a gurgling noise and it turned around on wobbly legs.  It started to stagger towards me.  I prepared for another shot but it collapsed before I could get a chance to send another arrow.  It dropped 25 yards from my stand.  I was very excited with how it all played out.  I sent a few text messages to friends and family while I calmed down enough to climb down and take a look at it.  I had a moment of sadness when I thought about my friend David Hewitt.  He would have been one of the first messages I would have sent out.

I used a Yellowstone Custom Longbow made by Rich Wormington.  It's 56@28" but I don't draw it that far.  I had Cliff Zwickey broadheads on Easton Axis arrows.  I got a complete pass through with that set up.  I traded for the bow and the arrows at trad events during this past year. 

[Possum Head]

Man great story and congrats on a fine critter

[achigan]

Nicely done on a good Hoosier buck!

[Captain*Kirk]

That's what I call a good day!

[Friend]

Most excellent....Congrats!!!

[digicon]

Great Story and Great Shot.

[arrow30]

that's a dandy buck  congratts!

[Zwickey-Fever]

That's a great buck!! Well done!

[Bisch]

That's a dandy buck!!!!!

Congrats!

Bisch

[Orion]

Good for you.  Nice buck.  Well done.   

[Kopper1013]

Congratulations sir beautiful buck

[GCook]

That's a good buck.  Sounds like you set yourself up for success.   Good job!

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[Wudstix]

Nice deer, great shot.

[Modad2010]

Very nice and well done!

[Joeabowhunter]

awesome 

[matt steed]

Super fine job !!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Great buck congrats.  Sorry your friend isn't able to share it in person.  I'm sure he was with you though. 

[RAU]

That's a great buck!!! Congrats!!

[Roy from Pa]

Very nice, Clint.

Congrats..   

[SlowBowKing]

Great buck! I know it's hard not enjoying the moment with the person you want to be there, but take comfort in knowing you're keeping the spirit of your mutual passion alive.