Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Swinestalker on January 01, 2016, 04:30:00 PM
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I love that old Magnolia, pure and simple. It stands majestically on Homochitto National Forest in southwest Mississippi at the edge of a long abandoned and forgotten homestead. I discovered it more than 20 years ago and immediately saw the potential. Being in the perfect location for a hide, I have spent countless hours beneath it's drooping limbs, hunting, sleeping and daydreaming. It's location on a ridge is a natural funnel at the intersection of three edges. An old home place long grown over and thick, a logged area with lots of low cover, and open woods with enormous pines and sporadic oaks. Over the years, the cover of the Magnolia has provided shot opportunities at many deer, including several nice bucks. On this cool morning on one of the last days of 2015, I find myself tucked away under it's umbrella like limbs watching a nice, fat 8 point harass a doe. It is late morning, nearing 11. Things were slow until a few minutes ago. She was playing hard to get and it was driving the 8 point mad! You could literally sense his nervousness and stress in the air as he relentlessly pursued her. They were in a fairly open little area once used as a loading ramp for logging that afforded me about 90 yards of visibility. My bow, a 60lb Thunderchild, rests in my hands, a heavy arrow nocked and my fingers on the string. They are about 50 yards out, way too far, but the doe and buck are racing here and there, back and forth in a tither. They could run up the trail just a few yards from me and the beloved Magnolia at any time, or not at all. (Will be continued) (green pic is the magnolia and the old logging area where the deer were, other pic is the Magnolia as seen from deer trail) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015Old%20Magnolia.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015%20ol%20mag%20deer%20view.jpg)
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I think this will get even more interesting! :coffee:
Bernie
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Oh yeah, it's on like Donkey Kong this guy don't write love stories! :coffee:
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You had me at " I love that old Magnolia"
c'mon with the rest... :campfire: :coffee:
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:campfire:
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:campfire: X3!!!!
God bless,
Rodd
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That's a great looking hide! :campfire:
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I'm in :campfire:
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Keep it coming !
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:campfire: :archer2:
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She was concerned, not in full panic mode, but very concerned. She eyed me with ruthless suspicion from a mere 3 or 4 yards away. I was frozen under the Magnolia, daring not the slightest movement under her withering glare. The deer had moved across the loading area and were now within 25 yards. The Magnolia only affords a good shot if the deer take the trail between it and the open woods, which is typically the case. The deer were close, but had not committed to the trail. I needed to make a slight adjustment to be ready for the shot. I was however, held hostage by a tiny but fearsome terrorist! The dreaded Wren! She continued to keep one eye focused on me like a laser beam. She was flitting from limb to limb, just waiting for me to make even the slightest twitch so she could launch into a tirade of epic proportions. She would then spend the next half hour scolding, cussing and casting slurs my direction. No where else in nature is so much evil concentrated in so small a package. I contemplate trying to move into position v-e-r-y slowly, but dismiss the thought as folly. I also contemplate the thought of what affect a Zwickey broadhead would have on a 3 ounce Wren. Ultimately, I decide to submit to the terrorist demands and remain frozen in order to buy her silence. The deer have slowed to browse on something and I believe the evil Wren will soon find better things to do than torment me.
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I also contemplate the thought of what affect a Zwickey broadhead would have on a 3 ounce Wren. :laughing: I feel the pain bro!
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Waiting for the next installment.
Magnolias are beautiful trees!
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Travis,
Great start to what I'm sure ends with another bloody arrow or something like that.
I had 4 does from 15 to 30 yards today in front of one of my natural ground blinds, but failed again at getting to full draw due to those ears.
They picked up the sound of me drawing back and I'm assuming the sound of my string making contact with my gillie suit Boonie hat near full draw.
They spooked and then came back but were on red alert from that point on and never gave me a second chance.
Carry on just needed to vent some at my frustration this year getting the shot off.
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My powers of prognostication appear lacking. The Devil Wren does not find better things to do! She soon begins emitting a low, pulsating buzz. Some of you will know the noise of which I speak. For those that do not, it can best be described as a cross between a malfunctioning electric razor and a hung over Bumble Bee. Now this is not full blown tirade mode thank goodness, and the deer show little or no reaction to it. The doe is the pathfinder with the love sick buck following her lead. She should browse a few more yards and take the tunnel like trail into the old homeplace. That will put the buck nicely into my shooting lane. That is what she should have done. What she actually did was browse past the trail entrance and follow the edge between the open woods and logged area. The 8 point of course, followed her. This development was a buzz kill, however, my freezer was full. It had been a good year with lots of hunting yet to be done. There was also the distinct possibility that she would drag him back past me, after all, the Magnolia stood at the doorway of a major bedding area. I had gotten to the Magnolia about 8:30 and planned to sit until around 2. At a little after 11, the day was young and I had already had an exciting encounter. After a few minutes, the deer had browsed out of sight and the wren had cut me just slightest bit of slack. She had taken a position higher in the Magnolia and settled down to just a nervous wreck. The broken sun dappled through the Magnolias canopy and as usual, my mind wandered..... I dwelled on the previous encounter for a bit, turning it over in my head. Maybe I should have tried to sneak an arrow through when they were in the clearing just over 20 yards away? No, too much cover and farther than I really like. I played the hand to the best of my ability and it just did not go my way. I look at the bow resting in my lap, the beauty of the wood, the craftsmanship put into its construction. I notice the inevitable dings and scratches it has incurred after several years of hard hunting. I think of the many animals taken with the bow. The biggest Boar I've ever taken, or likely ever will take, was killed with this bow. A listed behemoth north of 500 pounds. I was careless with that hog and paid a price for it, but that is a story for another time..... Don't honestly know what first alerted me, but something shocked me back to reality. Was it the deer returning? No, whatever got my attention is the other direction in the open woods. I can hear it now, a steady procession of foot falls coming from deep in the open woods. I turn my head slowly and see a deer coming out of one of the many ravines in the open woods. It's a buck! A good buck! And he's coming in hot! Head down and on a mission, he is gobbling up distance in a hurry. Boy, is he coming in fast! Too fast.......
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They say pics are worth a thousand words, so here's a couple for you. Tunnel like deer trail in front of Magnolia and a pic of the open woods. (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015%20deer%20view%20trail.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015openwoodssign.jpg)
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Travis, you're doing good so far :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thanks, waiting for the part of the story.
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Originally posted by South MS Bowhunter:
Travis,
Great start to what I'm sure ends with another bloody arrow or something like that.
I had 4 does from 15 to 30 yards today in front of one of my natural ground blinds, but failed again at getting to full draw due to those ears.
They picked up the sound of me drawing back and I'm assuming the sound of my string making contact with my gillie suit Boonie hat near full draw.
They spooked and then came back but were on red alert from that point on and never gave me a second chance.
Carry on just needed to vent some at my frustration this year getting the shot off.
Sorry to hear that my friend. If it makes you feel any better, got on a sounder of hogs this morning. Tried to ease into position to intercept them and got winded. Broke and ran in about a 1/2 mile circle to get in front of them. My Reward for this effort? Seeing their backsides disappear into the brush 100 yards in front of me. If pigs ever wind you, it is all but impossible to get back in front of them on foot!
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:campfire: looking forward to the next segment.
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Travis, might I remind you that tomorrow most of us return to work and for me that means a 10 hr. wait or the next round of agony. Cut us some slack bro. :banghead:
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:biglaugh: It happens, but it sure is frustrating when it happens a lot.
Love reading your stories, and hoping you will share some of your techniques so I might learn for the future, thanks.
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:campfire: :campfire: :coffee: :coffee: :archer2:
I'm waiting for the next part too! This is too good to miss.
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:thumbsup:
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Through the years, from time to time, I've tried grunting, whistling, and any number of things to stop a deer. Good things never ensued, so I simply don't do it. He had caught me a little off guard, that is for certain. Luckily, instinct took over at that point and without any real conscious thought, I found myself at full draw, bow arm frozen in front of me. I was in follow through position watching the bright blue fletchings spin their way across the 12 yards to intercept the fast trotting buck. And intercept him it did! A little higher and forward than ideal, but a solidly lethal hit. Often when hit, deer don't know what happened and don't take off like a rocket. This buck took off like a rocket! He was already at a fast trot and the arrow inspired him to attempt new land speed record. He tore down the tunnel like trail, across the loading ramp and disappeared in short order. I was still frozen in follow through position, straining my ears for sounds of him crashing or clues to his direction. The only sound that could be heard however, was the devil Wren. She was now in full meltdown, Def Con 1 mode. She had witnessed my un provoked act of violence and was busy alerting all of South West Mississippi that, as she had suspected all along, there was indeed a low life hiding under that Magnolia trying to shoot innocent woodland creatures with sharp sticks! I replayed the events in my head and felt confident. I had seen my arrow pass through and continue several yards. What was he? Happened so fast, there was no counting of points. What I did know was that he was nice, likely a 3 or 4 year old. I would savor the moment, reflect, and give him a bit. As a bonus, my lingering under the tree might actually give the Devil Wren a stroke!
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Travis,
I'm freezing in my hide now, can you hurry up :goldtooth:
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The Magnolia seed pod is a many splendored thing. Early in the season, it is Army green and grenade like in appearance with crimson red seeds peeking out through it's folds. This late in the season, it is dark brown, hard, dense, and somewhat shriveled. The crimson seeds have long since fallen out of it. About 15 minutes had past since the encounter with the buck. I sat under the tree pondering the pod, examining it carefully. About 8 feet away, the Devil Wren hopped along one of the thicker, lower limbs of the Magnolia casting slurs in my direction. I am not fluent in Wren, but could clearly decipher several nasty comments calling into question my family lineage and character. I also felt certain that she had made derogatory remarks about my appearance and hygiene.
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I threw it hard and fast, with malicious intent. Had it connected, I have no doubt it would have proven fatal. As it was, the seed pod went a little low, striking the limb the Devil Wren was perched on with a solid thwack! While I had failed to hit her, my attack did convince her to carry on her Tirade from a more reasonable distance some 20 yards away. Feeling pleased with myself, I decide to go check out my arrow. See photos of Wren and seed pods. (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/23e31435-54fd-4c68-94e7-bb539b0ad69d.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/seedpod.jpg)
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:campfire: :coffee:
Pesky Wren, I've had Squirrels do the same.
Now we get to follow a blood trail. Short I hope.
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As expected, the arrow was covered with dark liquid from tip to nock, the blue feathers matted with the bucks blood. Having seen him cross the loading ramp and disappear in the woods beyond, I went strait to that spot. There was blood. He had already covered about 50 yards by this point and I just did not think he could make it much farther. The woods here opened a little and I could see some distance. My eyes scanned for a white belly, horns, or some other sign of the buck. He lay about 30 yards farther down, on the edge of the clearcut, just inside the woods. He was a stunning sight, his rack sticking up. That 8 point was a nice 2 year old that I would have been quite proud of. The buck that lay before me however, was a different class of animal. Older and much larger than the 8, he was simply spectacular. He had a freshly broken brow tine that would have made him a perfect 10. Whether he broke it fighting or on his death run, I'll never know. (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015%20bloody%20arrow.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/2015%20blood.jpg)
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I did not forget pics of the buck, photobook is giving me some problems and I have to go get my son from school. Will get photos up this afternoon, I promise!
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
I did not forget pics of the buck, photobook is giving me some problems and I have to go get my son from school. Will get photos up this afternoon, I promise!
:clapper: :clapper:
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I've often marveled at what great tree stand cover would be provided by a magnificent old magnolia...not to mention what a heady and mesmerizing cover scent the blossoms would make. Unfortunately around here they're only found in people's yards who I'm sure wouldn't hesitate to call an LEO about me trespassing!
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
I threw it hard and fast, with malicious intent. Had it connected, I have no doubt it would have proven fatal. As it was, the seed pod went a little low, striking the limb the Devil Wren was perched on with a solid thwack! While I had failed to hit her, my attack did convince her to carry on her Tirade from a more reasonable distance some 20 yards away. Feeling pleased with myself, I decide to go check out my arrow. See photos of Wren and seed pods. (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/23e31435-54fd-4c68-94e7-bb539b0ad69d.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/seedpod.jpg)
I can just see her with a furrowed brow and sassy tail just giving you heck :campfire:
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I would like to thank you folks for bearing with me. Did not drag this out so long on purpose, but tried to convey just some of the little details that make what we do as traditional archers so special. I am also hunting just about every day, making more memories. (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/201510%20point%20alone%20side.jpg) (http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/swinestalker1/201510%20point%20alone%20bow.jpg)
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Congrats!! Absolutely loved reading your story, very well written thanks for sharing
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Great buck and tale, well told.
Thanks for sharing.
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:thumbsup:
Congrats and I loved the small details in your tale!!!
Thanks for taking the time to share with us :archer:
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Originally posted by Hopewell Tom:
Great buck and tale, well told.
Thanks for sharing.
I could not have said it better!!!!
Congratulations!
God bless,
Rodd
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Congrats!! great story and a great buck!!!
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Man, felt like I was there watching it unfold! :thumbsup:
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That's a beautiful buck! Congratulations! Mighty fine pictures also! :thumbsup:
Bernie
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Great Buck. I loved your well told story! best part is, the wren will be bigger next year lol
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Great hunt, thanks for sharing!
David
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Thanks for taking us along on your hunt!
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Nice buck. Even better story. I'd love to hunt an old magnolia tree. ... someday, perhaps.
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Well done on all accounts! Congratulations on a great buck...
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Travis,
Excellence story and another beautiful buck! How you do it on PUBLIC land is amazing :notworthy:
Have learned a few things through your stories and have a lot more to learn, thanks.
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Thanks for sharing... I feel like I just watched someone shoot an outstanding buck this evening.
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You Sir are a great writer/story teller!
Congrats on yet another fine buck!
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Great story and a great buck! Congrats!
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Reading through the comments you nice folks have made brings home to me just how special this place really is.
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Originally posted by South MS Bowhunter:
Travis,
Excellence story and another beautiful buck! How you do it on PUBLIC land is amazing :notworthy:
Have learned a few things through your stories and have a lot more to learn, thanks.
Public land is a decision. My home sits at the edge of the Homochitto National Forest, always has. I have stalked these hills and hollers for over 40 years now. Those of you that know me know I also hunt at Lake Mary. That is a different world, thousands and thousands of acres of crop fields on the Mighty Mississippi surrounded by in penetrable swamp. Food, cover and very light hunting pressure means lots of bucks in the 5 year and older age class. 200 inch deer are generally taken there every year. I took a massive 190 class buck there earlier this season(see 'High hopes and High water'). That buck dwarfs my public land buck, yet, I am at least as proud of him as the giant buck. Those public land bucks are much farther and fewer between and far more wired than the deer at Lake Mary. This makes them as a great a trophy as the much larger deer from private land. Now when I explain that to my non traditional friends, they look at me as if there were a rather large foot growing out of my ear. To them, the destination is far more important than the Journey. If the opposite were not true of us, then we would not be traditional bowhunters in the first place. The journey is more important than the destination, that my friends is what sets us apart. The main reason for my success on both public and private land is simple. I fail a lot!!! But, I also hunt A-L-O-T!!! Since the beginning of October, well over 300 hours have passed with me in the woods, bow in hand, pursuing game. As usual, I have also lost over 20 pounds since late summer.
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That story is why I joined Trad Gang ,very inspiring gives me fuel and know how to go in a get my qaurry ,Thanks Tremendously for the story and pics.
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Congrats on a wonderful season!!!
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Swinestalker
Congratulations, that's a very nice buck & I appreciate your taking us with you on your hunt. It was exciting your pictures are very good also.
I think you are right about the journey rather than the kill. I've felt fulfilled even when I don't take a deer. It's the experience. ;)
Thanks.
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A very nice buck and a great story !
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Thanks Travis,
At times like I'm going through this year where nothing seems to be coming together I needed to hear
about your dedication.
Have to remind myself that putting myself in positions to just see deer on the ground under 20 yards and getting shots is a milestone within and of it self.
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Great story & Great hunt! Thanks for sharing.
Denny
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It is certainly the journey not the destination. Thank you for the great story telling and congrates on a well earned trophy. :clapper:
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Superb rendition of an excellent experience in the woods!! I appreciate your persistence to focus on the experience of ALL OF IT not just the deer and the kill.
I was thinking this morning about how TV hunting shows have shaped the mind sets of hunters now days. They use the same phrases, gestures, etc. and in my opinion something very valuable has been lost. Your writing captures that which has been lost.
Keep writing this way so that others will be reminded to never lose the best things about hunting which are embodied in the traditional way. Bravo Sir!!
:clapper:
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Congrats!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Yes sir! Top notch all the way. Congrats to you sir. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer2:
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It really is about the journey! Well told and a very nice ending. :thumbsup:
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Talented all the way around. Congrats Brother!
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Great story , I was mad at that wren and I don't even know her :rolleyes: Congrats on a great hunt and buck
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You folks are too kind. I really do appreciate all your encouragement and comments. I am soon to begin the journey of writing a book composed of short stories. Since it has been such a part of who I am, even from a very young age, these adventures will have a traditional bowhunting slant. Of course, it is all the little details of both archery and hunting that have always mystified, enthralled, and befuddled me. I strive to include these details in my writing.
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Ought to be some good eating too! :D
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Nice tale and pix. Thanks for sharing.
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Write on brother!
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Thanks for taking us along on that hunt. I really enjoyed sitting with you under that tree. You wrote it so well, I'm sure I heard the Wren buzzing at you. The buck was a nice finish, but the experience was grand.
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Been huntin hard and not here much. Crazy year, saw an alligator sunning the other day!
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Great buck and great story. Congrats!!
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
You folks are too kind. I really do appreciate all your encouragement and comments. I am soon to begin the journey of writing a book composed of short stories. Since it has been such a part of who I am, even from a very young age, these adventures will have a traditional bowhunting slant. Of course, it is all the little details of both archery and hunting that have always mystified, enthralled, and befuddled me. I strive to include these details in my writing.
That book should be a winner judging by your postings here.
Good luck.
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Thanks to the Alligator! His relaxation causing you to bump up this story and allow me the good read on a foggy Thursday morning! Great Read!!
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Great story, congrats on the buck! :thumbsup:
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Super any time you want to share another hunt I'll bet most of us would like to go along. ;)
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Great story, as good as any in TBM. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you. and congrats on a great buck.
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This is the best story that I have read in a long while. I had to read it to my husband, and he enjoyed it as well. Being a public land hunter, I appreciate what it took to connect with this wonderful deer. You are an excellent storyteller, and I thoroughly enjoyed your relationship with the land, critters and the language.
I will have to look up more of your posts, and see what else I have missed!
Killdeer :thumbsup: :clapper:
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I will be posting the story of a recent hog hunt shortly. May be a couple of weeks yet as I am hunting pretty much everyday.
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Wow hunting pretty much everyday would be great!
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Originally posted by Frank V:
Wow hunting pretty much everyday would be great!
It is. I highly recommend it!
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
Originally posted by Frank V:
Wow hunting pretty much everyday would be great!
It is. I highly recommend it! [/b]
:clapper: :clapper:
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Can't believe this old thread is still here! I love Tradgang!
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Travis, your detailed description of the hunt is priceless. Too bad Photobucket has screwed everybody and the visual stimuli of this great adventure is absent. Always enjoy your tales of epic hunts.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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I grew up hunting Homochitto National Forest. We always had a pretty large camp of friends and family on opening week of gun season. My earliest memories of hunting are walking those ridges. Sadly as the founders of the camp grew old everyone stopped going. I've said that I want to go back every year but this year I will make it a priority. Thanks for bringing this old post back up. Incredible story.
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Also, I would love to see the photos of the story if you get a chance to repost them. I think I may have seen the picture of the deer on the msbullnettler site.
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Got the seed pod to
Load.
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Added back a couple of pics. Cannot find the pics of the old magnolia. The pics look big. I thought they automatically resized?
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Took out photos, they were too big. Was from Imgur, don't know why they had an s on the end. I'll try and figure it out. I sure belong in the woods more than on the internet Lol.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Ayx2Vu9.jpg)
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
Took out photos, they were too big. Was from Imgur, don't know why they had an s on the end. I'll try and figure it out. I sure belong in the woods more than on the internet Lol.
The same thing happened to me yesterday. I'm not sure what the issue is.
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Success! I actually just manually took out the S after https and it worked.
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
Success! I actually just manually took out the S after https and it worked.
Man what an awesome deer. I love those woods.
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Originally posted by mississippidude:
Originally posted by Swinestalker:
Success! I actually just manually took out the S after https and it worked.
Man what an awesome deer. I love those woods. [/b]
I love them too! And I thank God for everyday he lets me spend in them.
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What an awesome story, beautiful buck, and sweet bow! Love that Thunderchild.
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Found another pic of the old Magnolia. (http://i.imgur.com/FWmFh1O.jpg)
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A Wren, AKA Tinius Horriblis (http://i.imgur.com/OPYUNMq.jpg)
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Originally posted by Swinestalker:
A Wren, AKA Tinius Horriblis (http://i.imgur.com/OPYUNMq.jpg)
That is a great picture.
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Spiffed up the Old Magnolia today. Hope to make some more memories beneath its beloved canopy this winter.
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I have a lock on in an Magnolia tree right now 15 yards from a Hot feed tree! Hope to make a couple memories myself :pray:
Looking for the sequel to this story!
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I wish you every success my friend.
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Incredible story. Thank you for sharing. If you put out a compilation of short stories I'll be first in line!
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I have been looking at building some hides in some magnolias myself thanks to swine. Only thing with mine is I’m not sure they are in the right spots. Lol