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Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Mohillbilly on November 11, 2006, 09:09:00 PM

Title: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Mohillbilly on November 11, 2006, 09:09:00 PM
Got my first buck from the ground with a bow.  Here are the pics, I will tell the tale later.

Bret

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/Dogvet99/BackyardDeer00010.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/Dogvet99/BackyardDeer00001.jpg)
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: adkmountainken on November 11, 2006, 09:11:00 PM
congrats, awesome buck!!!!!!! can't wait to hear the story!!!!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Steve O on November 11, 2006, 09:16:00 PM
Man Mo, you are having a GOOD year    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Marblesonac on November 11, 2006, 09:21:00 PM
NICE BUCK!!!!

WOW that sure is BIG!!!

The only downside I see is how are you going to top that next year????

Way to go!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Pasty Face on November 11, 2006, 09:26:00 PM
Mo, you da man. I cant even get a doe in range. That buck is great, way to go. You give me hope that this can be done from the ground.

That rack is perfect.  

DID I SAY WAY TO GO
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Steve Kendrot on November 11, 2006, 09:37:00 PM
Awesome. Don't know if I could hold it together with a critter that big from the ground... or from a tree for that matter! How far was the shot? I shot my first "on purpose from the ground" deer this year. It is intense isn't it? Look forward to the story. He is impressive.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: the Ferret on November 11, 2006, 09:42:00 PM
Dandy! Congrats   :thumbsup:    :clapper:  

Waiting for the story!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Dalebow on November 11, 2006, 09:52:00 PM
WOW!!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: kennym on November 11, 2006, 09:55:00 PM
Super buck Bret!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Cutty47 on November 11, 2006, 11:02:00 PM
Very nice animal...can't wait for the story...
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: mqqse on November 11, 2006, 11:13:00 PM
Nice buck neighbor!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Pat B. on November 11, 2006, 11:36:00 PM
Great deer....

Tell us the story...  

And on the ground, nicely done !
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: cjones on November 11, 2006, 11:49:00 PM
Bret, That is an awesome buck. Congrats  :thumbsup:   I can't wait for the story.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: 2-BIG on November 11, 2006, 11:52:00 PM
Congratulations!  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Mohillbilly on November 12, 2006, 12:30:00 AM
I have been hunting this piece of urban ground with a small woodlot.  The area is surrounded by homes and schools.  

I have had one run-in with this buck in the past.  It was about 2 weeks ago, before I left for Alaska.  I made the mistake then of using a small nylon blind on the ground as cover.  The buck jumped a small fence and proceeded to rub a good sized tree.  I got the honor of watching him for 10-15 minutes.  This allowed me to calm down a titch and focus on putting one in the goodies.  However, as soon as he was done with the tree he proceeded to move toward me at about 25 yards and lock up dead at the site of my blind.  I am sure he was wondering what the heck this thing was in his backyard.  Needless to say he turned and vanished.  I did hunt the next day and relocated myself behind a large double trunked tree, minus the nylon blind.  However, no buck.

Well, while in alaska I thought about the location and how best to capitalize on my now arch nemesis.  I decided that I would build a ground blind out of the underbrush and relocate myself further back from his living room.  

I guess I should also tell you that all over his living room are rubs, 4-6, some as big as my thigh.  Now, my thigh isn't overly huge.

Well, there I am pruning brush and limbs for a blind.  I am using a pair of pruning shears and a small saw that my fellow bowhunter and friend Darren Haverstick gave me.  I locate this blind about 20 yards back from my previous encounter and clear away some leaves and place my little fold-up stool for comfort.  The wind was quartering into my face and the sun was in and out from behind the clouds.  

I do have to tell you that about 2.5 hours into the sit I was getting the urge to get up and stalk around a little.  However, not being a ballerina or even remotely light on my feet I used some will-power and decided to sit it out.  About 30 minutes before dark I heard this crunching and scratching behind me and to my right.  A slow turn revealed the buck horning a tree about 20 yards behind me.  Luckily, this kept him out of my scent due to the quartering wind in my face.  

Now, I am nervous.  I looked at the ground and remembered some of the advice given on this wonderful forum,  "aim small, miss small",  "pick a spot",  "don't look at the horns",  and by all means, "don't lose control of your bowels".   :help:  

For a short while I thought he was going to move behind me which would have made for alot of movement and a tricky shot due to all the brush.  However, he moved ahead off to my right.  At about 15 yards he moved behind a bush and I stood.  My breathe was coming ragged and deep now and I had to stare at his hide and forget his head.  Completely oblivious to my presence he moved ahead nose to ground and stepped into a clearing at about 8-10 yards.  I drew and released and saw the arrow hit low behind the shoulder.  I thought it looked actually lower than it should have but saw the arrow stick in the ground on the other side of the deer.  

He bolted forward about 25-30 yards and stopped looking dead away from me.  He didn't even know what happened.  I was reviewing the shot and waiting for him to move.  Next thing I know he begins to sway a little.  Not much but definately not normal.  A little sway turned into a big sway and he tipped over right there in plain site.  

Now let me tell you I was a moist pile of used acorns.  I sat down in astonishment and awe.  Guess what,  I heard another sound beind me and to the right.  His younger partner came the same trail he did.  He was an 8 to but just a little smaller and his body wasn't as big.  He walked up about 25 yards from his buddy and got real spooky.  He walked by me at 10 yards completely unaware that I was there.  Next year.  

Can't wait to dig into the loin and backstrap.  

Bret
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: the Ferret on November 12, 2006, 06:32:00 AM
The story was worth the wait. Nice job of telling it.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Adirondackman on November 12, 2006, 06:54:00 AM
Congrats - Very nice Buck and from the ground no less! There was a sense of accomplishment and excitement that I can't even begin to explain when I shot my first deer from the ground. It felt better than when I shot my first deer as a kid. I was wondering if you felt that way?
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Tom on November 12, 2006, 07:04:00 AM
Great buck and story.Glad you kept your bowels in order, don't think I could with a clean big 8 like that one. Good going!!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Tradesmen4 on November 12, 2006, 07:17:00 AM
Bret glad your plan came togeather. Couldn't have happen to anicer guy. I knew if you got the shot the deer would be yours. Stay in touch Greg.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: bentpole on November 12, 2006, 07:20:00 AM
great stort bret and an outstanding buck!congrats this is my next phase in traditional archery a buck from the blind!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Bill Carlsen on November 12, 2006, 07:42:00 AM
Sounds like a heart shot, to me. Nice...and from the ground...awesome.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on November 12, 2006, 10:21:00 AM
Very Nice Buck. Congrats
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: John in MO / TX on November 12, 2006, 11:30:00 AM
Way to go Bret! When you told us about this buck when we were in Alaska, you made it sound like a he was a little guy! That is an AWESOME buck! Congratulations!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Shaun on November 12, 2006, 12:32:00 PM
Nice shooting. Nothing better than when they start to sway and fall in sight. Good story telling too. Thanks.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: white feather on November 12, 2006, 01:09:00 PM
Great hunt bret!!  You really put it all togeather, thats a high you just cant beat. Nothing like success from the ground .
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Randy Morin on November 12, 2006, 01:22:00 PM
Thats my kind of story.  Right to the meat of it!  Great job tellin' and great job doin'.  What a buck and what a hunt.  I share your aversion to ground blinds by the way.  Way-too visually confining for me especially in the  deer woods.  

Did you plan on standing, or did it just happen without you thinking? Risky, but you da-man. Nice work my friend.
  :clapper:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: JEFF B on November 12, 2006, 01:33:00 PM
hey man real nice buck congrats nice shot to  :thumbsup:    :notworthy:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Huntrdfk on November 12, 2006, 01:38:00 PM
Whoa!  Great job Bret, you set the bar pretty high with your first ground kill.  :clapper:   My first from the ground was a little spike, don't know what would have happened if her had walked in at 8 yards......congrats on a job well done.

David
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: Mohillbilly on November 12, 2006, 01:40:00 PM
Thanks everone, I still can't believe it myself.  

Randy, I would have had a tough time shooting from a seated position.  I guess I didn't even think about standing, I just did when he went behind the bush.  

I am a firm believer in having a good screen of tree/brush/etc. behind you when on the ground.  I think it helps to really blend you in.  Neither of the two bucks saw me, even at close range.  WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a rush!

John, thanks again my friend.  He didn't appear to be that big to me either.  I guess it is ground Growage.  Glad I got to know you on our trip to Alaska, can't wait for our next hunting adventure.  

Adirondack,  I do feel that sense of accomplishment, but I am still in complete shock.  Almost doesn't feel real, or may surreal.  It does make you feel a bit invicible.    :smileystooges:  


Bret
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: BaldingEagle on November 12, 2006, 03:19:00 PM
congratulations!!!
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: bayoulongbowman on November 12, 2006, 03:30:00 PM
Again , if that doesnt get you excited maybe you should have someone check ur pulse..LOL...thats why this site rocks, again...great story bud...and a dandy buck!  :thumbsup:    :campfire:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: david janssen on November 12, 2006, 04:11:00 PM
Congrats, I loved your story.
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: kojac on November 12, 2006, 06:02:00 PM
congrats.....looks like a great deer and ya told a great story to boot.  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

ps. you should fill us in on your alaska trip too!!  :pray:
Title: Re: First Buck From The Ground---pics!!!
Post by: dhaverstick on November 13, 2006, 01:07:00 PM
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! I'm proud of ya, pardner. Now if you can just get the missus to turn that into quality vittles like Zach did up in Alaska:) Let's go to Dad's soon and stick some slickheads!

Darren