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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: KSdan on December 23, 2017, 02:14:00 PM
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I had three encounters with a buck this fall that became a bit of a "Legend" to me. Not the biggest I have ever encountered but he had an impressive body- big neck, standing 8-10” taller than any other deer. He had a unique rack with mass like the handle of a baseball bat and a unique double G2 . . and most notable- he would have been 22” spread had it not been for his left beam, which was broken off at what looked to have been likely another double G2. Having a few encounters with this same mature deer in different places as much as a mile from one another really got into my psyche. After the first encounter at 35 yards his body and rack were imprinted on my mind.
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I have passed broken racked deer before but this deer was just different. Maybe it was because I did not harvest a beast buck last year. . . Maybe times are changing and even this ground I have run on for 22 years was sold and the future for hunting it is questionable. . .Maybe aging and even the shoulder surgery this past Spring reminds me that my hunting days are numbered. . . Maybe being a bit old school with no cameras and managed feeding systems makes an encounter with such a beast a bit mesmerizing for me. I don’t really know. I had a good discussion with a few friends and even my 83 year-old dad about whether I should shoot him if I even had the chance. So much consideration. . . he gained a little “Legend” status in my mind
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November 10 arrived with temps in the low 20s and a perfect wind for one of my strategic locations I only hunt 1-2x per year. As typical, I slipped in portable knowing that this would be an all-day sit with past memories of mid-day rut cruising bucks. Early on I had some decent morning doe activity as they moved into their bedding grounds. . . dogged by some small bucks. The morning transitioned into early afternoon with no activity for a few hours. I was keeping my surgically repaired drawing shoulder (from April) limber by slowly stretching a bungee cord occasionally. Being an idiot. . .I was even looking on my cell phone for reviews for warmer boots (My feet were really cold!).
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:campfire: :coffee:
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At 12:15 while looking down at my phone (did I say I was being an idiot!!) I heard something. . .25 yards and coming quickly towards me is a beast- easily a 145+” deer. His ears were back like he was ready to fight. No time to really think (did I mention I am an idiot for looking at my phone?!) I slowly stood in my stand, grabbing my bow, and adjusting my glove as I had it slightly off since I was being an idiot messing with my phone. In a matter of seconds he was quartering towards me while weaving in and over brush and dead falls. He began to pass me at just 10 yards. Some twigs to clear. . . he's walking. . . I got this. . . keep it low. . .a slam dunk. . What??? The white fletching looked like it actually slaps his white hair on his arm pit (deflection?? Miss?? Heart??) He bounds 20 yards and stands there looking around, “What was that?” Oh my he is looking even better than 145” . . . He walks off.
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Are you kidding me? What just happened? The entire thing unfolded in less than 10 seconds. . . I look down and there is my arrow stuck between 2 logs just 10 yards away. That can’t happen! I missed!! Did I mention I was an idiot?
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My phone has cost me before. It seems at least once a year. Ugh.
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I sense that there is more to this story.... :campfire: ....thanks for taking us along!
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I spent the next hour licking my wounds and reliving the surreal misery of a missed opportunity over and over. . . I was just sick. Did that actually happen? (I am still sick by the way!)
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Seventy-five minutes passed with no activity. . . except me trying to keep from puking! . . .when about 1:30 I saw another lone dark colored deer coming quickly up the ridge.
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I couldn’t believe it. . . it was my "Legend." This was ¾ mile from where I saw him 2 days before. Unbelievable. Wet, dark colored coat. . .Hair notably missing on various areas of his neck and shoulders. Just a really cool big tough older looking deer. So. . . Do I shoot him?
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I am loving this story, keep it coming Dan..... :campfire:
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Heck yeah, shoot him! :campfire:
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Here I am 57 years old, but as the deer hustled up the steep almost vertical ridge (the actual access point I used that AM to access this remote pristine ridge) my dad’s words rang in my head as we had discussed this buck just days before. My dad could not believe I would pass him. As he had said, "What a buck to shoot. What a story. . . Just imagine the fight that broke him. Who can say they shot a deer like that!" (Do we ever get out from under the power of a dad's words??)
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Having fun telling you all the story. . . but feeling pressure to get going to go get a late season doe. . . .
. . .BUT I will hurry here. :)
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Like the earlier blown encounter, this was unfolding in a matter of seconds. But, as he came up the ridge my heart did not even jump a beat as it seemed pretty apparent I would not get a shot as he was headed right to the drifting scent stream where I had a smaller buck wind me earlier. . .
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. . .but then he took a short 3 yard “J-hook” to the south. In a manner of 2-3 seconds I had the “Legend” abruptly stop at 23 yards, fully broadside. I could see his body begin to tense as he caught my faint scent as it was slightly swirling. . . maybe even a little in my favor.
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I started drawing very slowly, though the entire time I was questioning. . .Should I shoot him?. . . Should I shoot? . . .I felt the anchor. . . the arrow was gone! Low and tight with a dull- “thud.”
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That's the trouble with the phones. You can't stay off them. And you weren't even using it AS a phone, were you?
Great story telling. I'll stay tuned.
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He spun almost instantaneously, but something looked odd as the arrow flipped up through the air as the deer steam-engined down the slope where he came from.
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I was using it to look for reviews on warm boots! LOL
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My binocs revealed bright red on about 6" of the arrow as it lay on the ground within feet of where I shot him. I was left with those quiet moments in the quiet woods trying to replay what just happened. Goodness, the prior 90 minutes seemed almost unreal. A missed monster. . . and now the “Legend” with this strange arrow response. . . limited penetration?? Another blown opportunity??
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Forty-five minutes later I get down to inspect the arrow. Sure enough, 6” of blood and the broadhead is snapped right off the shaft. ???? This was not one of those confident moments. . . but 6” low gave me a small hope that perhaps I did get the heart. I assembled my portable gear and headed down the ridge with kicked up leaves and an occasional drop of blood for 50 yards.
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I was not overly encouraged. . . . feeling a bit sick again. . . questioning. . .
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If your feet are really cold try a pair of Lenz electric socks. They are pricey but I use them for more than just hunting and this season used them only once....On with the story.
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Then. . . suddenly I looked ahead as I see the trail of what looks like someone punched a hole in the bottom of a red paint can.
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Another 50 yds. . .
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The photo says the rest. It was a heart shot.
(https://i.imgur.com/JFAF6P1.jpg?2)
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The “Legend” now sits on my shelf as a European mount. . . 85+# of meat packaged in my freezer.
And "YES"- my dad received the first call and actual photos! :)
BTW- Realize I am a 6'4" 220#. Gives you some sense of the size of this rascal.
Time to go get a late season doe. . .
Thanks for following along.
Dan in KS
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Awesome Buck....I agree he is a legend. Any ideas on what happened with the strange arrow reaction?
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Gen-
15' in a tree. Though he made it to the top of the ridge he was still "down" from me. The arrow went low (almost too low- game of inches!). It hit the bottom of the heart (thanks for Magnus bleeder blades!), and the "thud" I heard was the broadhead lodging where the ribs connect to the sternum on the opposite side (only a few inches across there really!)
The deer was starting to tense ( I could see his muscles ripple) and I am thinking that almost instantly as I shot he was starting to duck and turn (which would have been down the steep ridge). His leg-elbow certainly sheared off the shaft.
Folks- when it is all said and done I truly feel that these experiences are a Divine gift. CHRISTmas is the real deal. 1" different could have been a completely different and miserable outcome.
Be grateful friends. Don't take too much credit. Some of you worked far harder for a spike or a doe this season than I did.
Its all a gift!
Dan in KS
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Fantastic buck and story! Congratulations! Pumped now for my last few days of the season.
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That’s a hoss!
Congrats,
Bisch
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Agreed a hoss of a buck. Very nice story. Hope you had help dragging him out. Congrats.
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Congratulations on a great buck!
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A great gift, brother.
G
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Congrats he is a fine buck
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Great Buck Congrats. Bummer about the land being sold....
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:thumbsup: He is a brut..........
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Katman-
I haven't dragged a deer in 15 years!
I quarter them out with a gutless method! I carry some of the meat in my turkey vest (which I wear all the time) and strap the quarters to my tree-stand which is equipped with true full hip belt and pack straps from a pack. These big bucks do take a friend or 2 trips.
When they are within decent distance or terrain- I do occasionally use my Ameristep Non-Typ Aluminum backpack cart to wheel them out. It folds up like a back pack, weighs 20#, and when unfolded it has canted wheels.
Dan in KS
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Excellent job Charl...err Dan! :D :clapper: :clapper:
Thought Mr. Lamb was telling this story ! But it makes it more exiting waiting for the next installment! LOL
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Well done.....
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Nicely done! I'm in KS too.
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Great story telling!!! That was fun. Congratulations , you are correct that they are gifts :thumbsup: Merry Christmas
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Nicely done. Beautiful buck. Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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What a trophy! Congratulations on an outstanding buck! :clapper:
Bernie
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Dang that's a big deer!! Congratulations
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What a great story and a Dandy buck to boot!!!!
Well Done :thumbsup:
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Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas!!
Dan in KS
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Good story and picture, congratulations on a monster buck. Could there be a larger buck around that broke that antler?
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:thumbsup:
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What a HOG. Congrats. I passed a deer in a similar circumstance about 15 years ago that I still regret daily. Half of what would have been a 250# 170" 8 pt at 15 yards dead to rights. Thinking he would be back next year huge with both horns. Only to learn later that he didn't grow a horn on the one side period. That deer really screwed the genetic pool up around my place. I do have 3 offspring of his on the wall though. If you can beat a mature old stud at his game you've got a great trophy regardless.
John
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Congratulations and he sure is a big body buck !
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So, maybe using the phone is a new "good luck" piece?
Congrats on a great buck and thanks for the fine story telling.
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Great story. Great buck.
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Hud-
Yes. A couple others around including one my son got which was a beast w an extremely heavy rack. It had a broken brow tine and had an infected wound on his scalp. Considering what must have busted a heavy beam like that was in part why I was hesitant to shoot him.
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Was wondering how your season was going, great read and thanks for taking us along....super buck!!! :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
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That's great and what story! Congrats!
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Congrats Dan!
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Great story and great buck! Congrats!
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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That’s awesome Dan. Merry Christmas to you.
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Great deer and awesome story
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Congratulations Dan. A good tale well told. :thumbsup:
And, Merry Christmas.
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Congrats again Dan, Nice buck!! :thumbsup:
Tracy
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Great story and great buck! Congrats!
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Great story, Dan! But how am I supposed to function now that I chewed my fingernails off waiting for the conclusion...?
Seriously, though...great buck. I would not have hesitated one second to drop the string on that one.
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Dandy , Congrats sir....
,,,Sam,,,
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Awesome Job Dan--God Is Good!!
Rick
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BEAST
Good job buddy!
:thumbsup:
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Great story telling and a tremendous buck! Congrats! :thumbsup:
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Great story and a stud of a deer! Congrats!
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Excellent , congrats..
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He's the exact same buck as he'd have been with both sides of his rack...just with a little more character. A real beauty Dan! Congrats!
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Thanks again guys.
Aaron- that's one of the things that had me thinking serious about him. To encounter and harvest a mature deer is such a challenge. Pretty special/blessed to have a few encounters and actually have the chance to close the deal.
Have a great New Year guys. . .
Dan in KS