For 4 years I've tried to teach myself to hunt whitetails. Year after year I've watched the snow close out another season of hunting much to the disappointment of my eager hopes of success. In the beginning it was shotgun. Then last year what was much to short and much to crowded of a hunting season soon turned into the peaceful bliss of bow hunting. Sense then I've read books and magazines for information and headed for the woods trying to apply what I've learned. Twelve months later I found myself in the crisp cool woods of Ohio meeting a group of tradgangers. Eager to soak up knowledge and enjoying my first deer camp the final piece of the puzzle was about to be laid.
I arrived at camp on friday evening. Everyone was out hunting except Jim and I introduced myself and proceeded to set up camp. Meanwhile everyone came back from hunting and we proceeded to gather around the campfire and exchange stories of hunting seasons past. I listened intently on the experience sitting around the fire that night. Looking for bits of info hear and there. As the fire died down for the night and the air got colder I wasn't sure if I'd gotten the info I was looking for. After all if I knew what I was looking for I wouldn't have to look for it. Then Charlie and I brought out the maps of the area. We looked over them picking out 4-5 spots of interest. The night wrapped up quickly and an exciting tomorrow was waiting for us.
I got up at dawn and decided to look over the maps . Carefully looking over them and trying to apply all the stuff I've learned and the mistakes I've made over the years. I picked my spot on the map and Kevin (hunting partner)and I quickly headed out to scope the land. We arrived after a 20 minute walk and our suspicions were confirmed. This spot was perfect!! (Of course I've said this before only to find mistakes in the plan.) But this spot was different. It was the top of a long ridge. On either side were 60ft drops almost straight down into two long ponds and if the deer wanted to get from one woods to the other they had to walk this ridge. Sure enough the top was heavily worn with a deer trail. There were a couple rubs and two scrapes. It looked like our buck was bedding high and following the trail down to the bottom to meet up with his lovely ladies. So we picked our spots for the evening hunt and preceded down. Going down the ridge all I could think was it doesn't get any better than this. At the bottom of the ridge we kicked up a bedded doe. While she didn't give us a shot opportunity she did confirm my theory. His ladies were bedded at the bottom!
Later that day the group went out scouting for more hunting spots. Everyone quickly dispersed into there own hunting directions. Charlie, Kevin and I stayed looking at the terrain. We discussed different strategies and wondered which would work best and why. Charlie is a guy with tons of knowledge on reading the land and I tried to learn as much as possible. He chose his spot and away he went in hopes of a chance encounter.
Kevin and I decided our initial spot was best and decided to head back to camp to eat lunch, get firewood, and prepare for the evening. Before we knew it it was 3:00pm and we were headed to the ridge top. The feeling was deep inside me. It had to come together tonight. There was no more room for mistakes I had finally picked the perfect spot. The sign was there. The funnel was there. Now all I needed was the buck to be there. I settled into my spot at about 3:45pm. I was at peace. Sitting in the woods surrounded by natures beauty that only God could create. As I sat there I kept replaying in my mind the scenarios I'd envisioned all day. Then at about 4:30 I heard it. The unmistakable sound of a deer in the distance. He was about 60yrds away. I motioned to kevin 30yrds away on the other edge or the narrow ridge top. We were ready. Twenty minutes passed and I still heard the leaves crunching behind thick brush 60yrds away. I began to wonder if my ears were playing tricks on me. Was it just a squirrel messing with me? Then He started walking with a purpose. He popped out on the main trail 40 yards in front of me and came straight down leaving me to thinking it can't get any better than this. He was incredible. Not only was a buck running this ridge but he was the biggest buck I've ever seen while in the woods. A commanding eight pointer. But 30yrds out he cuts of the trail and into the thick undergrowth directly in front of me. "Wait" I think "you're not supposed to do this!" His nose is straight to the ground and he's coming around to my left. The tip of my woodsman following his every move. My mind is racing. "I can't believe the plan has worked!" Eight yards away at a front 45 degree angle he stops and his head shoots straight at me with his eyes locked. "What happened? I feel the wind in my face. How does he know?" I'm frozen in excitement and fear with my bow 25% drawn. He stares at me while I think "It's alright we can get through this. Maybe he can see me but he can't recognize me" His foot hits the ground in a thundering stomp! Instantly my mind is made up is he breaks I will come to full draw and hope he only jumps a few yards. He does just that and I come to full draw only to have a tree in the way. Two seconds later he's hopping to the other side of the trail and out of range. I let my bow down. He snorts again and again! Trying to figure out who or what I am. He snorts, stomps and begins to tare apart the brush and trees near by. Clearly this was one upset deer. For I was standing in his only path between him and his does. Frusterated he runs dead at me and stops head on at 20yrds. Stares straight at me, neck swollen with rage and stomps and snorts some more. I can't believe it. " Is he going to run away, try to break through my blockade, or was he crazy enough to want to fight me?" He finally has realized I'm not budging and he snorts as he bounds off from where he came. Leaving me standing there catching my breath and controlling the adrenaline rushing through my veins. Fifteen minutes later I finely sit down again. I wonder if he will be back to try and sneak through again. After all he has no other way around except to go miles out of the way. About 10 minutes after I sit down I heard the leaves again. Again he comes down to inspect his trail. Again he finds me blocking the way. Highly agitated he destroys the brush nearby. While being smart enough to never leave me a shot he snorts and bounds off. With only 20 minutes until dark I figured he would probably wait and I wouldn't see him again. Sure enough I didn't see him again that night.
But as I made my way down the ridge that night I peered into the darkness and was happier then I ever thought possible. No I didn't tag a trophy. But with the help of some tradgangers I found a big piece of the puzzle and for the first time my plan had worked perfectly. From the beginning to the end everything in my plan worked out. Not only did I have an exciting hunt but I got to go back to camp and relive it around the fire with a bunch of tradgang brothers. It truly was the best hunt of my life. So thanks guys for sharing your camp fire with me! :banghead: That's why the deer locked on so easily. Oh well. A great hunt and another lesson learned.
TJ,
Glad I was there for it!! Being with other guys who understand and are eager to hear your stories makes all the difference. I can't wait to get out there next year. It sure is fun when it all comes together. Wish I had been up on the ridge with ya', but it sure is good to hear of that encounter again. Congrats on getting that close.
-Charlie
By the way, what was the name and specs on your bow again?
Nice write-up, sir!
So was he coming at you from the north or south on that trail? When my son and I were up there, we were kind of wondering which way they would be traveling.
Oh - there were 8-10 more scrapes up there (that wae saw, anyway - probably others). That buck's busy. :-D
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us T.J.!!!!!
A great hunt,with great friends,is as good as it gets!!!!! :campfire:
TJ
Great story! ever think about becoming a outdoor journalist I'll be looking forward to more in the near future. Mike :thumbsup:
Great story thanks for sharing.
Scott
Thanks guys!
Kahn- He came from the north. Which was just what we were hoping. I wish I could make the drive this weekend to get back up on that ridge.
Bowmofo- Editors would tear this thing apart lol I don't think I have that kind of talent. But it would be fun
Charlie,
My bow is a Tamars Mangart Hunter. It is #40@28" and is 62" long.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u132/fhorn23/2007_0818armguard0004.jpg)
Also my silver fox should be done within a week or so. Abe sent me a pick or it and he's spraying it now. I will be in florida right after thanksgiving but when I get back I'll shoot you a pm if you still want to get together to shoot it.
Good hunt!! Well told. Nice gear, too.
You going to be around Thanksgiving week TJ? I'll be in Canton and need someone to chase the deer with on Thursday if you are interested at all.
Great Story! Thanks for sharing.
Vermonster13,
PM sent
Awesome story! Thanks for sharing.
Well I finally read what I worte and realized a couple words were missing here and there. I fixed it and hopefully should make for easier reading
Aw man I can see what's wrong...your stuff is too nice! Throw that bow down in the gravel and scratch those arrows up. Ding a few feathers and get some mud on that quiver. You'll be alright.............
Haha it's not that nice anymore. Them pics were taken when everything was new.
Hey, TJ, great story! if you ever want to wander out to the Sierra and hunt mule deer with us, You'd be most welcome!
TJ,
You better take up Angus on that inite! It isn't often an offer like that comes around.
-Charlie
Wow that's one heck of a generous offer! It means a lot. I've never been out west but if I go I will definetly look you up and maybe I'll be lucky enough to have that offer still standing. Thanks
QuoteOriginally posted by T.J.:
Charlie,
My bow is a Tamars Mangart Hunter. It is #40@28" and is 62" long.
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u132/fhorn23/2007_0818armguard0004.jpg)
Also my silver fox should be done within a week or so. Abe sent me a pick or it and he's spraying it now. I will be in florida right after thanksgiving but when I get back I'll shoot you a pm if you still want to get together to shoot it.
T.J. - Who made that armguard?
hey, TJ, we've got plenty of time before next August rolls around! What about you, Charlie? We just need to save enough room in the backpacks for some single malt and a few see-gars! It would be a great experience to get together a few Tradgangers for high country stroll.
It looks like birdseye maple on the knife-intriguing design. I may have to attempt something like that myself!
I REALLY enjoyed your story!
Good luck,
Rich
Angus this is really tempting! I just looked up plane tickets to sacramento. It's only $400. I'm going to have to put serious thought into this. If you seriously wanna do this pm me with a rough estimate of other expenses. Thanks!
JD- The armguard was made by Steve Catts "The Leathersmith"
Rich- Thanks a lot. I had no idea so many people would like the story. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
TJ, I'll try a pm to you this weekend-never done that before. I'll look into license fees, etc, but we always try to keep the costs as low as possible. Sac metro airport is only about 20 minutes from my place. maybe I can talk David-Kingwouldbe-into coming up from socal. With his luck on hogs, they should be following him up Interstate 5, and we wouldn't have to leave the front porch except to fire up the BBQ!
TJ, its the little details that get you busted. You might be right about the UV. As far as getting drawn on an animal, you have to do it enough times to know what not to do. You kind of have to read his emotions at the time. I feel you pain, it seems like sometimes they have a sense that something it just not right. They might of got a wiff of your scent on entry to the stand. Leave no details. It sounds like you well on your way. Sounds like your deer camp was a good time and makes all of us want to be there. Tim in NC