Trad Gang

I've been scouting any and all public land within an hours drive of my house.

Well last week I was out on one of those WMA's scouting/hunting with my Bamboo Backed Osage Longbow (one of the few I've made).

The reason I had a bow is because I still have one last doe tag (no buck tags). I've never taken a deer with this particular bow and would really like to, so I'm doing more hunting than scouting.

Last week in the morning, I put my face in the wind and was stalking trails between bedding and late season browse, and was able to get nearly in range of a small group of nanny goats (does). I also found a very promising ridge that I felt was one of those "overlooked" areas, and maintained I would return in the evening one day.

Today, I found about 30 minutes before dark to escape out to my newly found honey hole.

Longbow in hand, wind in my face, I was slowly working my way across the ridge hoping to catch one slipping across, and I heard the familiar rustle of dead leaves. I slowly turn my head to the south, and make eye contact with a buck that was bigger than either of the bucks I killed this year. (130ish and 140ish).

He gave me a broadside 12 yard shot, and all I could do was smile. 3 or 4 seconds felt like an eternity and he blew out of there, but I got a great look at what was easily a 140+ inch 10 point rack.

It was a good day, but kind of sad. Thank God for a great season.
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Well, I'm an optimist...........he'll go 150" next year!

Nothing sad about that story...something to look forward to for next season.

With most seasons ending soon chances are he'll be bigger next season.

Dang, nothing to be sad about there! I'd love to see one that big myself.   :thumbsup:

What great way to end the season, with a view into next year.

Bittersweet,maybe.Sad,no way...

Same spot next year and take him home.

Did he have a state game syllabus and calendar in his hooves?

Our house is seperated from the barn by a small creek.  We have a 32ft x 4ft bridge that spans about 8 ft above the creek to get across; this end is within 20 feet of the corner of the house.  Two mornings ago there were the tracks of two deer that had crossed over the bridge during the night in the new snow.  They turned and passed within 12 feet of our bedroom window.

I could not believe deer would cross that tiny, narrow bridge.  Next year maybe I'll wear a troll outfit instead of camo!

I wouldn"t be sad, i"d be happy!

Ending each season on a high note like that will keep you coming back!     :eek:  

Sounds like you had a good season too!  Killed two bucks....now that ain't too shabby dude!   :thumbsup:  

I envy your freezer...getting sick of rice  

I am not seeing the sad part about that hunt. Sounds like a great time to me.

Yeah, sad was the wrong word. I spent the rest of daylight with a BIG grin on my face.

Plus I've located his home range, and a dandy late season spot.

Under closer inspection, I realized he had been eating the bird seed from a feeder put there by the game and fish. This WMA is managed for quail so people can train their dogs. I guess this late in the season bird seed is as good as anything for a big 'ol buck.

There were 6 or 8 deer in our back yard about 4 or 5 this morning.  Saw them during one of my trips to the door to let the cats in/out.  They were between the pond and the house, which means they were very close.  Kinda makes me wonder what they were after.  I had tossed out several pans of ashes from the woodstove.  Wonder if they were using that as a sort of impromptu mineral lick with the increasing demands of pregnancy and less nutrient avaliable elsewhere.  Always neat to see them late in the season.  Surprising where they turn up.

QuoteOriginally posted by AMB:
Well, I'm an optimist...........he'll go 150" next year!

That is a great response   :clapper:

The only sad thing I see is no buck tags.  He'll be bigger next year.

sounds like a good day in the woods to me

a couple of seasons ago I killed a 5X5 bull elk opening day.  18 days later a massive 6X6 stood in front of me broadside with the sun shinning on his side for 2 or 3 minutes at 10 yards.  It was wonderful.

Thanks for the responses guys. I've definitely got something to look forward to.

It's the teaser for next season. Always a carrot just hangin' out!

He may go 151 next year. We'll be waiting for pic's of you and your quest! Good luck.

That's how it goes.  Woulda happened had you been out there without your bow as well.

Lot's of folks went all season without seeing anything in that class, bow or not. You did well being that close.

Hey Mike, sounds like a great place to hunt.  WMA's are very overlooked areas, especially in late season when most hunters are done for the year.  Duck season closes next week, and I'll be back in the deer woods in Feb.  Can't wait to get back at it.  

BOB

Well Arky, take it from me there are some survivors. I'm from Conway as well, and if I still had a tag I'd be spending my time on Camp Robinson SUA, or Ed Gordon Point Remove. Great deer on both those places.

Nothing sad about that. I would rather have that memory that a memory of dragging an old doe out of the woods.

By the way kmc and arkie, I live in Conway as well about half of the time.

Sounds to me like you had an awesome scouting trip and you exercised your Bow by taking it for a long walk. I do this a lot myself, helps clear out the cob webs. Also you met next years possibilities. Good Luck Don

Time to be looking some nice sheds soon!! Then you will have two nice bucks next year to show off... Good Luck!!

he'll be a monster next year =)

Mack,

I have already made plans with a hunting buddy of mine to put in a little legwork sometime next month in search of his sheds. It would be nice to know exactly how big he was, and dream about what he could be.

Hopefully he makes some more like him before you get him!