Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 06:20:00 AM
Remember this from my "Season Opener" Thread?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/gc3.jpg)
Well, same tree, no tree stand - That's right my first deer taken from the ground with my traditional bow (told ya it was Li'l).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/smdoe1006061.jpg)
That's my ACS, "Someone Special". Wanta hang around for the story? I'm a happy hunter anyhoo!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/smdoe2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/smdoe3.jpg)
Post by: Danny Rowan on October 07, 2006, 06:23:00 AM
Danny
Post by: cjones on October 07, 2006, 06:25:00 AM
Post by: Guru on October 07, 2006, 06:29:00 AM
PS...the little ones are harder to hit ;)
Post by: Matt E on October 07, 2006, 06:34:00 AM
Post by: buckracks7 on October 07, 2006, 06:36:00 AM
Post by: mike hall on October 07, 2006, 07:22:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 07:43:00 AM
OH - ya talked me into it ;) .
Picture this. Here it is the last night of bow season, and it is the night before full moon - plus last time out I saw nothing. 'Course I hunt bow all year but still in NC Black powder starts this AM and the only way you get to use bows during this next week is in "bow only" areas like the base has. That's where I had been for the last two years because, while I was seeing deer (like this year), no shot opportunities at legal shooters. So ---"Still" it was "last day of Bow Season" - ya know what I mean? Well, now turns up they are talking a front coming in with possible bad showers and cooler weather in the afternoon and evening. Even my wife said, "Did you hear that?" Yep! I decided I would take my after lunch nap, and when I got up, if it wasn't too sunny - or toooo rainy, I'd go and give it one last bloody go. Looking pretty good when I got up - meaning right overcast. Shortly, I was on the road to the base. About half way there it started raining and by the time I got to my parking area it was pouring cats and dogs and there was Poodels in the street, as they say. I struggled into my rain suit and called the wife to tell her the situation. I knew she'd be wondering about the heavey rain (and lightning - in a metal climber). I told her my "plan" was to sit right where I was until and if it slacked up - I couldn't hardly make out the greens on the Golf Course. If it slacked i would just take my bow and leave my climber in the truck so that I could get out in a hurry if it started up bad again. I lamented that I hadn't put my Torges tree seat in the truck (as I'd meant to a week ago)but I would stand with my back to the big pine and the understory for cover and hope for the best. After all, if it let up and with the front approaching - the deer should walk. Yes!
It did slack up, and by the time I got to my tree it was only very light rain - and cowflap size spatters off the trees of course. Within about 30 minutes I caught movement to my front left that I was sure wasn't squirrels. Sure enough a decent deer that looked to be a doe was working its way through the heavy brush across my front. I was really traveling light so had only stuck my flashlight in my pocket and left my fanny pack at the truck. That meant I'd forgot to grab my bleat can. Rats! I made a low attempt at a fawn bleat or two with my mouth. Directly the Deer worked it's way back from my right towards the road in front of me. Somehow I kept myself from fainting - mouth calls are not my forte. As the deer cleared the brush i imediatly saw it was one of the spike horns that i have been seeing in the area. This one's spikes sort of lay back along it's neck and explained why I thought he was a doe in the brush - it wasn't the first time he'd almost got me in trouble this season. Bucks gotta be five points in bow areas. I watched the nice sized fellow, not 12 yards from me in my shooting lane, as usual giving me pleanty of shot opportunities. He was pretty sure the base of that tree looked different and was doing a look of head bobbing and keeping his eye on me the whole sequence of the evening but he never busted me. As my old friend, Eddie, in Maine used to say, "I was standing so still dust was forming on my eyeballs." After about five minutes or so of this posturing and milling about he suddenly looked towards where he had first appeared to my left. Now he was really offering it up - broadside and his attention fixed over there. I turned my head slowly (resisting the urge).
Post by: Tom on October 07, 2006, 07:44:00 AM
Post by: swampbuck on October 07, 2006, 07:50:00 AM
Thanks for shareing ya put a smile on my face this mornin
Post by: **oneshot** on October 07, 2006, 07:57:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 07:58:00 AM
Post by: 4runr on October 07, 2006, 08:09:00 AM
Post by: Killdeer on October 07, 2006, 08:14:00 AM
Post by: Stickbow98 on October 07, 2006, 08:17:00 AM
That smile on your face proves the real meaning of a trophy is what it means to YOU...not to anyone anyone else or how much it "scores", but how proud you are of it and should be! :notworthy:
Happy as hell for ya,
>>--Ron--<>
Post by: Terry Green on October 07, 2006, 08:23:00 AM
Hot Dang way to go Bernie!!!!!!!!!!!!
Waiting for the next 'instalment'.
Post by: SHOOTO8S on October 07, 2006, 08:32:00 AM
Post by: Golden Hawk on October 07, 2006, 08:39:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on October 07, 2006, 08:48:00 AM
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on October 07, 2006, 08:51:00 AM
Post by: sticshooter on October 07, 2006, 08:57:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 09:00:00 AM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Again I saw Deer moving through the thick brush and trees to my left front. About the same time the Spikehorn decided to go join them, I realized there appeared to be at least three more Deer. Again they started moving across my front at an angle towards the Golf Course but the Spike must have conveyed something to them as they all changed course towards my shooting area. He swung around behind them to follow. As they moved into the clear and near-clear areas dirctly in front of me, I could see there were actually six Deer, counting him. Yes, Sir, for the next 25 minutes I had six deer in front of me milling around. Twelve eyeballs, and that pretty Spikehorn acting like the biggest buck in the woods, watching over his herd of two medium sized doe and three fawns - one with very faint spots now. That rascally Spikehorn was stil, doing his best to fake out whatever that was at the base of my tree, with all the maneuvers in his young book. The fawns were less skittish but also were staying pretty darned alert, what with him setting the mood. While those four gave me chance after chance, the two doe just plan never did give me a shot. they would come in from the perimeter and as soon as he or a fawn would move they'd dodge back out - first one and then the other. Finally, after the twenty five minutes of exquisite pain, I took stock. I'd enjoyed about as much of this as my poor ol' heart could stand. It couldn't last forever, no matter how much I had settled into enjoying the game. Again, it is last night of bow season, night before Full Moon, I am on the ground, scoreless, and being watched by all these deer without being busted yet, and I don't want to get busted, perhaps resulting in no shot and screaming deer running off in fright over this site. It didn't take me long to decide that I was going to take the next opportunity that wasn't on the Spike or the Fading Spots Fawn. One of the fawns looked good for it, so I started working my bow and knocked arrow up and into place, a little at a time, while watching the spike looking up at me and then down at the grond. Once in position I split vision between the Spike and the Fawn while sneaking in a full draw. Thankfully I remembered to focus full attention at the last minute on the spot I'd already picked on the closest fawn. The arrow was away and almost imediatly the Pumpkin-whop sound of a solid hit at 11 yards told its tale. Miraculously, all five of the other Deer bolted to the right front into the thick, and my prize went to the left. Not a sound out of any of them - that's gotta be good for the site. I could see my 1913, tipped with the incredible Silver Flame, hardly having been put to any task, stuck in the dirt right in line with where I had pictured on the off side of the fawn. I heard a little thump to the left where the hit deer had run - but even at that there was still that one second when you say, "I couldn't have shot under her!" I moved away from the tree and out into the clear road, As I splashed across the puddle I could see the reassurance of the blood soaking the fletching and shaft. All was right in my world. I repeated my usual silent (most of the time), "Thank you, Lord." and retrieved my arrow. While putting the blood soaked arrow back in my bow quiver, I looked over where the hit Deer had run. At that moment it crossed my mind, "If that isn't a log there, that could very well be my Deer". I angled towards the suspect lighter hump but hadn't covered half of the scant 20 yards before it was apparent it was indeed not a log. "Thank you - again, Lord."
It was still daylight at 6:15 as I grabbed the small Deer's legs and dragged it out of there as quickly and with as little disturbance as possible. What a special hunt for this ol' hoss!
Post by: the Ferret on October 07, 2006, 09:10:00 AM
YAHOOOO!!!!!!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Post by: Littlefeather on October 07, 2006, 09:11:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on October 07, 2006, 09:11:00 AM
Post by: Dano on October 07, 2006, 09:18:00 AM
Post by: sticshooter on October 07, 2006, 09:27:00 AM
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on October 07, 2006, 09:35:00 AM
Post by: southernarcher on October 07, 2006, 09:35:00 AM
Post by: Killdeer on October 07, 2006, 09:40:00 AM
What a great hunt, it has everything a hunt should have.Nothing like unsettled weather to bring the deer out, and nothing in the world like watching truly wild critters that close from the ground. Congratulations on keeping it all together for that perfect shot. I'm sure that when you got home, there were some deeply proud feelings in your heart as you wiped down your bow, (and found a place for your arrow that wouldn't gross out Rose).
Killdeer :wavey:
Post by: BaldingEagle on October 07, 2006, 10:01:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 10:39:00 AM
Killie, I do save some of my "Firsts" arrows but this time the arrow, fletchings, and Silver flame cleaned up so quick and purty that it's already back in my bow quiver this AM - but I did pop all my buttons -
!["[laffsmyl]"]("graemlins/laffsmyl.gif" "\"\"")
.
Post by: knife river on October 07, 2006, 10:39:00 AM
Post by: Big Dave on October 07, 2006, 11:01:00 AM
Post by: mike g on October 07, 2006, 11:12:00 AM
Now you can have some Back Strap with your Turkey soup....
Post by: bayoulongbowman on October 07, 2006, 11:18:00 AM
Post by: Shaun on October 07, 2006, 12:02:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on October 07, 2006, 01:28:00 PM
Post by: Pat B on October 07, 2006, 01:44:00 PM
Post by: sgrogg on October 07, 2006, 01:45:00 PM
Post by: Sant-Ravenhill on October 07, 2006, 01:47:00 PM
Post by: John3 on October 07, 2006, 01:47:00 PM
Great job..
John III
Post by: razorsharptokill on October 07, 2006, 01:51:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on October 07, 2006, 02:01:00 PM
Post by: RickD on October 07, 2006, 02:04:00 PM
I think someone would be very proud of you about now..
Post by: kojac on October 07, 2006, 02:19:00 PM
Post by: Kevin Bahr on October 07, 2006, 02:26:00 PM
Post by: John Dill on October 07, 2006, 02:53:00 PM
Good to see your hard work has paid off! Should be some fine eatin too! Keep up the good work! I like your equipment choice too!(LOL) :D ;)
John
Post by: bentpole on October 07, 2006, 03:53:00 PM
Post by: Huntrdfk on October 07, 2006, 03:53:00 PM
David
Post by: Killdeer on October 07, 2006, 04:23:00 PM
Someone just whispered that to me.
Killdeer
Post by: CheapShot on October 07, 2006, 07:03:00 PM
Post by: Lee Viv on October 07, 2006, 07:58:00 PM
Lee
Post by: Guru on October 07, 2006, 08:04:00 PM
Post by: WildmanSC on October 07, 2006, 08:37:00 PM
Congratulations on the great hunt, the sweet harvest and thanks for sharing your adventures with those of us at TradGang! :D :bigsmyl: :archer:
Semper Fi! from an old sailor to a lil' ol' Marine!
Bill
Post by: joe skipp on October 07, 2006, 09:09:00 PM
Post by: Shadow Hunter on October 07, 2006, 09:16:00 PM
Shadow Hunter
Post by: snakewood3 on October 07, 2006, 09:16:00 PM
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 07, 2006, 09:22:00 PM
Post by: Mr.Magoo on October 07, 2006, 09:22:00 PM
Post by: el cazador on October 07, 2006, 09:46:00 PM
Post by: Steve G on October 07, 2006, 09:53:00 PM
Post by: TXRED on October 07, 2006, 09:59:00 PM
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2006, 10:01:00 PM
Post by: 4runr on October 07, 2006, 11:03:00 PM
Man, you had the patience to wait it out. Good on you.
Sir, I salute you! (a former Squid)
Post by: cjones on October 08, 2006, 12:03:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 08, 2006, 12:30:00 AM
The Deer Hair in cone jingles sounds good, Killie - maybe I'll save her tail (I used to save them to tie flies up North) - thanks for reminding me of a "new" reason to save a special one again, now and then.
("from Raleighwood" huh, Mr. Magoo - never heard it called that - LOL)
Post by: James on laptop on October 08, 2006, 06:41:00 AM
Post by: PaPaFrank on October 08, 2006, 07:06:00 AM
Frank :thumbsup:
Post by: Flatstick on October 08, 2006, 02:40:00 PM
Post by: billy on the road on October 08, 2006, 06:02:00 PM
Any of "us" who spent time in Jacksonville could almost re-smell the pines and salty air in that story. Thanks again, and Congrats!!
Post by: DarkeGreen on October 08, 2006, 06:19:00 PM
That is one really nice deer. I don't think I've ever seen a deer with a black tail like that. Is that a whitetail, blacktail or a mix? Is that normal in your area?
There is going to be some good meals in that doe!
Congrats!
Post by: woodchucker on October 08, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
That "Little Old Deer" is just about the same wieght as a loaded ALICE pack isn't she????? I'll bet an old Hard Charging,Gung-Ho,JarHead such as yourself probly tied her legs together and humped her out of the woods on your back!!!!! :notworthy:
She's a BEAUTIFUL deer Bernie,Congratulations Again!!!!!
Semper Fi Brother!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ber643 on October 08, 2006, 07:57:00 PM
I'm also going to put the story on my current Journal Page on my web site - soon.
Post by: LeeNY on October 08, 2006, 08:05:00 PM
Post by: jcsnapshot on October 08, 2006, 08:16:00 PM
Shoot Straight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jim
Post by: hilltoparcher on October 08, 2006, 08:18:00 PM
HTA
Post by: Longbowwally on October 08, 2006, 09:18:00 PM
Post by: Leland on October 08, 2006, 09:23:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on October 08, 2006, 09:26:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on October 08, 2006, 10:03:00 PM
http://residents.bowhunting.net/bsdunn/index.htm
Post by: Woodduck on October 09, 2006, 02:14:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 09, 2006, 08:47:00 AM
!["[dead]"]("graemlins/dead.gif" "\"\"")
:D
Post by: John Scifres on October 09, 2006, 09:39:00 AM
Post by: JC on October 09, 2006, 09:45:00 AM
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on October 09, 2006, 10:32:00 AM
Post by: Roadkill on October 09, 2006, 02:03:00 PM
Post by: MI_Bowhunter on October 09, 2006, 04:20:00 PM
Post by: Brad_Gentry on October 09, 2006, 04:24:00 PM
Post by: Brian Halbleib on October 09, 2006, 05:25:00 PM
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
Post by: waknstak IL on October 09, 2006, 06:32:00 PM
Post by: Dawn Patrol on October 09, 2006, 07:59:00 PM
Post by: countrygirl on October 09, 2006, 08:06:00 PM
Post by: kennym on October 09, 2006, 09:53:00 PM