Ok, just a teaser.
This was taken this past Wednesday.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/DaveBulla/IMG_2921.jpg)
Well, okay....
Some more pics and stuff.
I was on stand before sun up and got to see this first thing. No deer, just the sunrise.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/DaveBulla/IMG_2915.jpg)
Looking southwest, I saw a deer crossing the mud flat (dark strip across middle of field) just as the sun was coming up but the wind was wrong and he didn't come in. This pic was taken a bit later.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/DaveBulla/IMG_2916.jpg)
Here's one of my bow hanging from the tree with some rattling antlers.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/DaveBulla/IMG_2918.jpg)
Nice photos, Dave!
thats great dave... Love it
That first photo is a great shot Dave! Did you take that pic yourself or was someone with you?
Did you get the deer?
Nice pics Dave. Now whats the story with the 1st one?
Is the first picture a decoy, or was someone along with you? I would hope you didnt set the timer and then pick up the bow to shoot!!!
Cool, those Montana Decoys are slick.
Love to see pics, thanks for sharing.
Cool
Big Ed guessed it!
That's my Montana decoy. I'm really starting to like that thing. They really look real. I've had it set up and got a little sleepy in the stand only to start myself awake and do a double take thinking there was a buck under my tree.
So far this year, I've had bucks come in twice when I had it set up. The first one was about a 13" spread 7 or 8 point. I was up in a pretty small tree and had the decoy only 9 steps away facing edgeways right at me. This buck comes meandering along about a half hour before sunset. He's to my right and a little bit back over my shoulder. Bad place for me. Well, he was far enough out that I was able to stand up while he had his nose to the ground but I was facing right at him instead of being bladed off 90 degrees like a shooting stance. I'm expecting him to come across my front where the trail is and give me a shot but he keeps bearing right. At about 40 yards out, he locks up on the decoy and does a couple head bobs then turns to come in. At 30 yards out, I took a chance and turned just slightly in the stand and got busted.
Now, I said I was in a small tree okay? To give you an idea how small, I was using my Rapid Rails and twice while climbing up or down I had the feet on my middle step section slip PAST the trunk because it was too narrow! If I moved to get comfortable, the whole tree top shook. And I'm about 6'2" and 250lbs so... I don't look like a squirrel up there.
Anyway, he locks up on me and luckily, I'm standing real close to the trunk, my face is camo'd and I'm squinting my eyes a bit. I could almost SEE him thinking. He was getting that "Uh oh" look but then he glances back to the decoy which has quite a bit bigger rack than his and I could literally see him give a mental shrug. It was as if he was keyed up but then looked at the decoy and just said "Oh well, must be okay." Then he comes in to about 15 yards and looks up at me again and does the exact same thing! He looks at me, looks at the decoy and just shrugs. "Huh, okay." and turns broadside right towards the decoy. He lays his ears back a little and walks in kinda stiff legged but not overly so. I'm sure he knew he was outmatched but in he comes to 9 yards. He started out going towards the decoys head but at about 3 yards from it kinda turned towards it's hind end. I don't know if he was going to try to gore it or do the dog thing and sniff butts but either way, I took the shot and blew it.
Sure was fun though.
The following week, I hunted the same tree set up the same way and a different buck came in that was quite a bit smaller. He was still a 7 or 8 point but only about a 9 or 10 inch spread. When he saw the decoy, he changed course and swung a wide circle to the down wind side. He didn't really spook, but I think he was intimidated.
Here's another pic of the decoy.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/DaveBulla/IMG_2923.jpg)
So, the decoy is at 50% so far. Two encounters with one buck pulled in and one intimidated. The one that was pulled in was pretty cool.
Great Pics!!! That first one was a heart pumper-----then you break the news about the decoy! :bigsmyl:
Great story and picks. Nice looking longbow too, who makes it?
Good to see you are getting out and seeing deer Dave. Nice pictures... :thumbsup:
Yea Paul, I'm seeing a lot of deer on the KS turnpike that are just as flat as that Montana....
Dave Lewis, that bow is a Lonetree Ocelot by Wade or Ralf (can never remember) Castoe from Oklahoma. He's no longer in business here on earth.... Shoots real smooth and it's tough too. Drobe over it with my wife's '98 Expedition two weeks ago and still going. :eek: :banghead:
Cool pics Dave! Glad to see the bow alive and kicking :thumbsup:
Glad that the bow is still OK Dave.
The road is the ONLY place that I've been seeing deer... :(
Nice pics and good shooting tips. Thanks, Dave.
Great story, Dave. :)
"Drove over it with my wife's '98 Expedition two weeks ago and still going. :eek: :smileystooges: :wavey:
Aw gee Killie.....
If it wasn't HER Expedition, it would have had to be my Hyundai.... I might have gotten high centered on it. Could you imagine calling a tow truck for that? Of course, it wouldn't have gotten the scratches like it did but come on!
p.s. Had to sell my "manhood" recently due to a new job and driving 73 miles each way to get there. I'm sure I could fit at least one good deer in the trunk though....