I thought I might share a reflection of a fantastic hunt I had this past fall. I harvested a beauty of a whitetail I couldn't have been more proud of. It was a fantastic hunt...
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/jgoemaat1/IMG_1284.jpg)
I dream about fall all year long. I love the anticipation of the hunt, the sweet smell of the forest floor, and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. I treasure the moments before sunrise, as I sit in the silence of the forest before light. I love the adrenalin rush that I get when a whitetail slips into view.
Movement caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye the shape of a deer materialized. I slowly peered 40 or 50 yards, trying to make out the culprit. Two bucks worked their way through the brush. Mature buck was my first thought, and predator mode switched on. I let the bucks gain a safe distance before I rattled. A quick tinkle of the horns and a soft grunt was all I dared muster. A minute or two past before I saw this buck begin to lumber in. He was a sight to behold. He had a kingly appearance and I knew I was on his turf.
He stood ears pinned back for minutes gazing past me. This was not the kind of buck who passed up a fight. I breathed slowly. Trying to release the tension building in my body. Finally he began stepping passed me, convinced the fighters had fled. At eight steps I drew, anchored, and the arrow began its flight. The cedar shaft buried deep on its intended mark. The woods erupted in chaos for a second, and calm returned as leaves fell back to the forest floor. The buck only made it some 60 yards.
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/jgoemaat1/IMG_1291.jpg)
As I approached I was filled with many emotions. As fellow bow hunters you know understand what I am talking about. I still get excited relating the story. I guess sharing it with tradgangers is a great way to close out the experience.
Man that is a brute...
Congrats on a great deer
More pics from the hunt.... A small fire helped keep us warm while we cleaned up the buck, and made for an interesting picture.
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/jgoemaat1/IMG_1298.jpg)
The bow I used was a Kota Prairie Swift. The bows pulls 52lbs.
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/jgoemaat1/IMG_1274.jpg)
Mighty nice buck! Way to go!!
Nice job Justin! Great buck and pics! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
WOW!!
Congrats!
:clapper: :clapper:
Congratulations,
You done good! Great pictures, especially the last one.
Wow what a hoss, nice bow too. Congratulations....Phil
Fantastic! Very happy for ya!
Congratulations, very nice buck, awesome looking bow and beautiful pictures as well..
Very nice
Outstanding deer! Congratulations. I would imagine that one will bring excitement every time you think about it for a long, long time!
Congrats great looking buck. :thumbsup:
congrats- he's a dandy for sure....love the fire picture
That is awesome! Especially the pic by the fire. :clapper:
It makes work easier to get through the day when you have great experiences to mull over during the day... then again it makes it worse to cause I just want to leave :)
Great story and pics. Thanks and congrats. :thumbsup:
Exceptional deer!
While not practical for most, your deer would make for an extrodinary full body mount.
Congrats!!
Justin - well done on all counts! - Taking a fine animal, telling a story revealing your respect and enjoyment of the hunt - and great pictures to fill out the experience.
In a year where my wife's health has prevented me from getting into the woods - the time you took to share this - and the time many others here have done so as well is greatly appreciated! Next season can't come too soon!
Terry
Super buck. Many congrats.
Wow! what a nice deer
Congrats and awesome pics.
Nice Buck!!!
Good Job! Nice story and pics.
thats a big thick buck! love the pics! the fire pic is very cool almost primal. i can hear the drum beats now! ruddy
:thumbsup:
That's something to be proud of ..Congrats on a great deer and I really like the looks of your bow...That is a buck that nearly all of us dream of and to get a perfect shot just tops it off...Hold on to those pics to share with your grandkids someday...I know deer mounts look good but a pic really tells the story,Not to mention the smile also shows it..God Bless :thumbsup:
Excellent buck! I'd be proud too...congratulations!
very nice, justin! you did well and congratulations!
:clapper:
A beauty for sure. Thanks for sharing the story of your hunt!
Congrats on the great buck and hunt!
That is why we hunt, Congrats! :thumbsup:
I guess that answers the question"Is 50 # enough to hunt with?" lol
Awesome..I can feel your excitement along with-ya. Congrats on a great Buck. I really enjoyed your pics. :thumbsup:
Nice deer!!
Great story and buck!
Well done... Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Indeed a beautiful Iowa Whitetail Experience.
Terry in Mn, I hope your wife's health improves. I love deer whitetail hunting, but thats nothing compared to the one's we love. Hopefully by next year you can enjoy time in the woods, and health issues only made you more aware of how much we take for granted. God Bless.
That is an Awsome Buck! Congrats........KY
You tell one heck of a great story. I felt like I was there with you. Great shot, and fantastic deer. Good job brother!!! :readit: :notworthy:
Buckeeboy, I too was a little anxious about 52lbs being enough. I shoot telephone pole sized cedars and a dacron string so I was a little nervous.
Not anymore. The shaft passed through both sides of the chest cavity, just passed the fletching. The blood trail was such that a blind man could follow it. Also I used Bear Razorheads I found on some old arrows at an archery shop. It was a broadhead I could actually get sharp.
Here is another pic of the bow I thought turned out to good not to share.
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu323/jgoemaat1/IMG_1277.jpg)
WOW!!!
I`m getting ready to spend the day Christmas shopping, but now I just wanna` go huntin`!!!
Beautiful buck...a memory for the duration.
Nice buck thanks for sharing.
DD :thumbsup:
Great job on a dandy buck, gotta love that awesome one piece recurve too!!
Congrats!
Really nice buck. Congrats.
Thats a Hoss!! Beautiful pics. Congrats Joe
What an nice buck and a great tale to tell. Congrats.
Congrats on a fine buck, story, and pics!
NICE!!!!! great pics and story
Great story and great buck...congrats! :thumbsup:
What an awesome sized buck! I am not sure that I have ever seen one that big while I have been hunting and we have good size deer in SW Ontario. A job well done. Congratulations! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome animal! Great pictures and beautiful bow! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations! Great buck and pictures.
Justin,
Now be honest...is that buck as big as it looks? Or are you just 4 foot 3 inches tall and weight 75 pounds?
:thumbsup:
Wonderful pictures and story. I love good trophy pictures and those are all great. Those are pictures you could share with almost anyone and they would enjoy. Wonderful use of the lighting on your photos. That is something I always try to do but don't always get them the way I want.
Thanks for sharing. By the looks of your avatar it isn't the first time you've gotten a buck like that!
Chris
the camp fire pic is a cool pic! congrats on a great deer.
Awesome buck and i love the pic's! :thumbsup: :campfire:
amazing deer...
Great job! :clapper: :clapper:
Nice buck!!
Very nice Buck and story. Thanks for sharing.
Also 52# is plenty for deer. I killed a 35" Bull Moose with that weight this fall. Buried the arrow to the fletch. It is the only Moose I haven't passed thru but did the job. My normal weight is about 5#'s heavier but have been having a bit of arthritis issues lately. Again Congrats.
wowwwww!
Congrats! Nice bow and buck.
Awesome buck!! Nice story for a another great Iowa giant.
Outstanding!! Congrats on another great Iowa buck :clapper:
Very nice. :clapper:
Great Buck! Congratulations
GLENN
outstanding buck! :notworthy:
Thanks guys. I hope your late seasons are all full of success. Here in eastern Iowa we got 8'' of snow today. Nothing like chasing whitetails in the snow!
sweet pictures! congrats on a good hunt
Great buck, Thanks for sharing....
Good photos,like the fire shot....
Later.....Buzz
Congrats :thumbsup:
Great buck and very well told story...congrats!
Whoa! Dude, I would be stoked for the rest of my life. You have been holding out on us :thumbsup:
Great deer, great stories
Very nice :thumbsup:
that is one DANDY buck.
:clapper: Great buck congrats.
This thread has it all,great story and photo's,super buck and a nice bow.Thanks for sharing and congrat's. :clapper:
Great deer and beautiful bow! Congratulations
Wow! What a nice looking buck! I really liked your bow pictures. Great colors..Congratulations!
Bernie Bjorklund
Nora Springs, IA
48# Spirit longbow
45# Martin Hunter
Bernie,
I grew up in Belmond. South of Mason City 45 mins. Good luck hunting in those parts of Iowa. It's flat country for sure!
Awsome buck awsome bow and a great story.Thanks for sharing and big congrats on a fine bruiser buck.Great Job!
Awesome, Congratulations!! Nice pics too!!
Very nice good luck
Very nice - Good Job :clapper:
Very nice deer indeed!
Awesome!
Josh
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice buck, cool pics really like the shot with the fire.
Good for you! Mike
OUTSTANDING One heck of a buck :thumbsup:
That is awesome! :clapper:
Awesome deer, congrats. I really like the picture with the fire in the back ground.
Great deer Congratulations!
Very neat picture by the fire as well!