Well the season has been very trying for me....lots of hours in the tree with only one mature buck sighted. I passed on a numerous small bucks but couldn't buy a mature one as hard as I tried. This morning during a snow storm and some awefully cold temps I managed to see mature buck #2.
I was up in the tree well before light (as normal for the last 2 weeks) and wrapped in my new home brew heater body suit as the snow pounded on my left cheek. Happy that the wind was from the SW, as we've had 2 weeks of easterly winds, and most of my set-ups are for west winds. Checking the forcast every day had become depressing as all the spots I needed to hunt were absolutely un-huntable with east winds. It was almost the time to have a frozen peanut butter and jam sandwich (which are sweeter frozen) when I noticed a mature doe making her way from the north along the edge of the clearcut I was set up on.
I guess I should explain that I'm hunting an area that has no agricultural fields but rather just big woods and swamps with no elevation changes. Figuring out what the deer are doing is very tough as they have no real designated food sources, bedding areas, or travel routes. I've keyed in on clear cuts and figured out that the deer like following the edges as well as crossing the clear cuts in areas that have slightly more cover than other areas. Pairing an 'edge" with a possible pinch point of cover has proven to produce the best results.
So the doe browsed to the south 12 yards in front of me looking back occassionally. Excited to see what was following I was slightly disappointed to see a button buck in tow. As they fed south behind some snow laden hazel brush I noticed movement to the west across the clear cut. Through the driving snow I could make out as buck with a nice rack and solid body. I slowly stood up pulling my arms out of the suit and grabbing my Tall Tines all in one motion. The buck came directly towards me hitting the does track and turing 90 degrees offering a slight quartering away shot. I have a shot sequence that ends in "Amen" on release and I watched the arrow zip through the deer right where I was looking. The buck bolted 70 yards, stopped, wobbled and went down. He jumped up out of the snow and hit the ground one more time before lying motionless in the middle of the clear cut.
This is the point when I lost it. I sat down, mostly because I couldn't safely stand and burried my face in my hands. (there may have been a tear) I prayed to give thanks and took in the moment.....Man is bowhunting awesome!!!
For those who would like to know...My bow is #47@28, myrtle limbs, and phenolic riser. It has withstood me dropping it out of the tree, throwing it in back of the truck, and constantly being covered in snow and ice. I used FMJ 500's with 200 grain magnus heads. The arrow is 520 grains total. I also gotta say that those Kanati quivers are by far the best I've used. Thanks to Brian for building such an amazing bow.....you shoulda seen that arrow blow through that buck!!
Pix soon....Ryan
Congratulations! Can't wait to see the pictures! :thumbsup:
Ya done it son. (Ole guy to young guy)
Great hunt... great story... I know that "sit down" feeling... It never goes away.
way to go Ryan!
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/ryanBuck2010009.jpg)
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/ryanBuck2010012.jpg)
Awesome deer and great pictures! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Way to go man!! That is one thick deer!
That looks cold but your smile warms the whole picture.
Congrats.
Tim
Congratulations and nice shooting! What a HAWG!
That's persistence personified!!! Great buck and photos, Stickflinger!
Oh yeah...the moustache is for Movember...to raise money for prostate cancer!
Great deer and a great story thanks for sharing
That's a nice one....... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Way to go Ryan. Great buck and stache! :thumbsup:
Great story, and congrats on a dandy buck!!
Way to go Ryan,One for the North guys !LOL.Ps-I love that bow.
NICE JOB Ryan, love the snow pix! Can't wait for some snow here!
chris<><
Congratulations Ryan, nice buck!!!
Great buck congrats!
Nice buck Ryan - good story!
very nice
Super buck, great story and pictures. Well done all around.
Way to go on the nice Buck! Had to be some hard hunting in the Manitoba conditions....well deserved!
Nice buck. I hunt similar terrain over here in Ontario and I know how challenging it is to get deer within bow range (17 days without seeing a buck yet this season). Well done.
Great Job, beautiful buck! When are you going to start your deer hunting outfit? You could be a two season guide!
Congratulations!
GLENN
Great buck! Way to stick it out! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Lets see your home brew Heater Suit!!
GLENN
great buck Bro
I think the MO made all the difference! :D
That's a dandy one for sure! Congrats!
Those are great pics that are worth more than 1000 words. How far are you from my brother, Jason Lambley, who lives near Fisher Branch?
Thanks everyone! I'm a happy guy right now!
Hi Bryce! I'm east of Fisher Branch across the other sie of the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg. Not very far as the crow flies! I actually work (Winnipeg Fire Dept) with Murry...one of your brothers guides, and Ted...another FF/guide. I do however hunt elk at FB. (too bad that whole area is a lake this year) Ryan
Great Job! Great Pic's as well, love that snow hunting.
Great job Ryan. Looks a little cold up there. Good luck with those remaining doe tags.
congrats Ryan, great buck. I had to do a double take, didn't quite recognize you at first.I'll be freezing my butt off tommorrow. Hope some of your good luck comes my way.congrats again. :notworthy:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Very nice buck. Well earned. Congrats.
Congrats...beautiful deer!
Here's the home brew heater body suit. I can't believe the difference this thing makes. Why have I froze for so many years???
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/ryanBuck2010013.jpg)
Congratulations!
Awesome Buddy........ Now i have three days to sit in your stands !!!! Damn, i Forgot, you still have 2 doe tags left. See ya next week.
Congrats Ryan,perseverance pays off!Nice buck.
Great story and congratulations on a beautiful buck. When I saw your name, I perked up and knew something mighty had fallen to a Talltine. I look forward to your pic in the place of honor at the top of the page. I just hope to do as well with my new TT someday. Lin
Way to go Ryan, congrats brother!! :notworthy:
Tell us more about you "home Brew" suit...
Nice buck! Congrats.
Beautiful buck...and some really great pictures.
Your attire is quite different than your bear hunt video with your dad. You get to hunt in summer like heat, and arctic cold! :thumbsup:
Congrats Ryan :thumbsup:
Great buck, thanks for sharing.
Margly
Great job Ryan..Will be talking to you soon :readit: :thumbsup:
nice deer!
Congrats on a great buck!
I would also like to hear some details on the home brew suit.
Bill
Very pretty buck! Congratulations!
Good job Ryan!!! Congrats!!!
Nice deer Ryan!
Now that is a great story. Persistance in spades. Beautiful buck taken by a guy who deserves it. Congrats. Oh...and ad me to the list of guys who wants to know about your body suit. It's getting cold in Illinois. Can't imagine what it is like in Manitoba!
Great Buck, and thanks for sharing your story!
That is and awesome Buck Ryan.
Alrighty then....the "home brew" suit has been in the making for a couple years now. My cousin from Saskatchewan was the one that got the ball rolling and started looking into what we needed to build our own.
The biggest issue with most camo, especially here in Canada, is that it doesn't blend in with our multitude of poplar trees (which are white) and our November snow. Also, we hunt largely from treestands and we've found that when you look up into a tree, a very light colored camo is needed. (to blend in with the sky)
My cousin found the pattern we needed and ordered enough for 4-5 suits along with insulation and camo fleece material for a liner. We found we needed fleece for the liner for quietness....especially when bowhunting!
Personally, I liked the idea of a suit as we all know how shooting a Trad. bow is tough with bulky clothing on. The suit allows me to wear less clothing and still be warm inside the suit.
The suit consists of a pair of insulated booties (like boot blankets) that go over your hunting boots. These are the 1st things you put on when in the stand. With the booties on you step into the suitand zipper it up to your waist. Next, I transition my safety strap to the ouside of the suit. I wear a waist only safety strap (I know, I know) as I can't shoot with a full harness on. I am also fit enough to get myself back onto my stand even if I'm just hanging by my waist (one of the joys of being 165lbs)
The suit has elastic straps that my arms go through almost as if I was wearing the suit like a backpack. This allows the suit to stay up and not fall to my waist when I pull my arms out to shoot. There are tabs on the zipper both internally and externally for zipping up the suit. We also found that heavy duty plastic zippers were quieter than metal...also less chance of freezing.
We found a lady with a heavy duty sewing machine (for quilts) and sent her our supplies along with a brand name suit to copy...voila...our suits were born!
Our main reason for "home brewing" a suit was for camo pattern. It wasn't cheaper than buying one, and I'd recommend buying one if you could find the pattern you like. It's the whole concept of retaining body heat within one compartment that makes it work. I can honestly say that it is such a dramatic difference in staying warm that you won't believe it until you try one. My father hunted last night wearing mine (as I already filled my buck tag) and after talking to him about how warm he was I doubt I'll get the suit back. Needless to say I hunted this morning without the suit and froze.
Hope this helps....Ryan
That is cool...I mean cold!!!! that suit must work really good...congrats
nice buck,awesome job ryan.
Congrats Ryan! That is a great buck!! :thumbsup:
Wow! What a buck! Good going! :thumbsup:
Thanks for the info.,Ryan.
Bill
Congrats , I know you put in the effort to take such a nice buck .
Jack
Great Buck!! Congratulations!!
Yes sir that's an awesome deer. Love the trapper hat
Shawn
Congrats Ryan on a nice buck!!!!
Super Buck Ryan!!! Sure nice when everything falls into place. Conditions haven't been ideal but you made it work. Congrats
And whats up with all the winds from the east this season?
Take care Mo
Congratulations on such a nice buck, it is nice to see that I am not the only 1 out in the snow and -17c weather trying to harvest a buck.This is my first season trad and first time for deer(always been moose,bear,small game with a compound)so the learning curve has been very steep and there have been alot of mistakes,therefore seeing you with this buck in the snow is very inspiring to say the least...again congratulations
That's a monster, congrats.
great story and awesome deer
NICE BUCK!!! great job in tough conditions CONGRATS!! TD.
what a great buck, ryan! great story too and congratulations!
The reward is so worth the hrs put in!
that is awesome! love the picture
NICE!!
Great buck...and sweet moustache...
Over here in Saskatchewan we call that a Spike !lol.in all honesty a great deer done the honest way,way to go!
Great deer, story, and awesome pic. Congrats.
Dan in KS
Great buck for sure he is 1 to be proud of
Thanks guys...pretty overwhelming feedback!
Steve C....I know what you mean about Sask. The first time I bowhunted there I shot a gross 190. (with wheels) It's easy there...LOL!!
What a pig! You guys that enjoy hunting in that kind of weather...more power to 'ya!
Excellent, lets see more pics of that bow
:thumbsup:
Another awesome trad buck buddy, I knew it was only a matter of time before you brought one home. Congratulations on a great buck, you deserve it. I don't know anyone who hunts harder than Ryan.
Ryan
Great job.....nice buck!!!!!!!!Got the pics....I'll get them posted on the web site. Great lookin rig!!!
Ryan,
On the way back from Kansas. I was hoping to be as persistent as you, but could not close the deal...great buck and super photos. Looking forward to seeing him in person in the spring :thumbsup:
Those TTs are special--wait until you shoot the longbow!
Man that is so cool. I wish so many bow hunters could understand that this is what hunting is all about. Doing it your way in the deer' woods. :clapper:
Wow, great deer and a perfect shot.
Ryan, GREAT story,NICE BUCK, and pictures.I also enjoy your trad. bear videos. :clapper: :archer2: :archer2:
Great job Ryan. Like I'm really surprised! It was only a matter of time. Remember good things happen to good people, karma buddy. You are the hardest hunter I have ever met. Take care Rich.
Pretty cool. That's a great snow camo pattern.
Way to go Ryan! I haven't been on here in quite a while. Still see you are still having great success. Still enjoy watching the video of your bear hunt!!!!
Great buck! I will be hunting those big woods Manitoba bucks this November myself. You guys up north are blessed with some beautiful country filled with huge bears and bucks. Congrats again!!!
love the story. Great job!
Surprised to see this up top! Bannock...where you heading here in Manitoba?
I hunt on the southeast side of your province. I've been heading up to manitoba at least once if not twice and a sometimes 3x's a yr to chase big woods bears and bucks. Let's just say I've been a good client to my outfitter. No doubt you will develop great friends and clients just like myself with your new business. I have been following your posts and I can tell that you have the passion it requires to be succesfull. I look forward to reading your future stories and following your posts of what I am sure will be sucessfull bear hunters this year. . Congrats on your buck and good luck with your new camp.
Thanks Bannock! You gotta love that terrain in SE Manitoba for big deer. The body size and dark antlers are enough to keep a guy coming back. More and more of my whitetail hunting has been to the east each year. Best of luck when you come up again...Ryan
I will be up for 10 days in may looking for a trophy bear this year. Please keep the Manitoba posts coming. Maybe some new posts about how your camp is shaping up or something about baiting those big bruins up there. Keeps the wait between hunts slightly tolerable.
Deal!
way to go Ryan..
You cant beat south east Manitoba. I will be cutting a trail in the next month or so to one of my "honey holes" for whitetail once the ice breaks. The only down fall this year, is that the government is opening up the muzzle season on the first of October till mid november. and the rifle season from mid november till the end of december in area 26 and 36. Great !!! lets kill ALL the deer so the odd moose comes back. I even herd a rumor of a 3rd deer tag as well. Remember how well this went over in 33 Ryan. Now we get to add rifles for 7 weeks strait.... Oh Goodie
Let's bring this one back up for a second look too.....
:thumbsup: Great deer.
Great shot, that deer is a brute! Congratulations
Nice soup strainer Ryan!
D.P.
Great hunt! You were the #1 reason I went with Tall Tines for my first bow. Couldn't be happier with it.
Thanks!
Good story & a real nice buck.
great deer, great bows, great guy :thumbsup:
Good to see this back up.
Gotta look into the Heater Suit idea. An all day sit would be doable even in "not so cold" conditions.
Hi there Ryan,
Way to go bro! I also tried to buy a Tall Tines in the classifieds, but the seller didn't react, that was a pity... Now I ended up with a RER vital, being delivered today....
Awesome Deer,Great story. I have a TT on order!!
That's still an awesome hunt story...says alot about patience through the season and persevering to the goal....Thanks for pulling it up
Beautiful buck!!!!