The Southern Illinois boys are getting a little antsy. Seeing a ton of bucks but the season is more than a month away. We all got together for a good feed put on by brock donald and attended by myself, Sheltoncreeker, Paul Rapp, and a recent convert to the single stringer, Donnie.
After gorging on wood hog killed at last years hog hunt in Arkansas and a little smoked mule deer rump, we flung a few arras. With Sheltoncreeker set for a bear hunt in 2 short weeks and myself shovin' off for a cow elk hunt in 10 days, we were quite anxious to dial it in. The other fellas were shooting in mid-season form, Paul with his new Shrew and brock with his Centaur. The newest convert Donnie held his own as well. Noah, Paul's son brought along his long curve and shows promise and our mascot Trevor (the little fella) rooted us on. Here's the whole gang:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1830.jpg)
And another at full draw:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1831.jpg)
We won't go into how many times SOMEBODY missed the target and hit the grain bin behind one of the targets. Let's just say Brock is gonna need some welding work done on the holes or some type of super epoxy to hide it from his father-n-law. But hey that's a different story :goldtooth:
So after shooting a ton of arras and with twighlight approaching the frogs started their nightly song. We knew all it would take was one person shooting one arra and the hunt would be on...showing restraint was tough for me, and thankfully Sheltoncreeker bailed us out. Across the pond about 30 yards sat a fat frog. The first arrow was loosed and it was game on!
With Daves first arra coming up short I was the next to try the bully as he sat unaware there was killers about. I too wore the collar and before we knew it there was a pile of arras surrounding this frog. As a matter of fact, ALL our arrows were surrounding this darn frog. When we finally cried uncle he jumped into the pond leaving 5 archers and many arras stuck on terra firma...well except Dave's first arra. It went swimmin' :banghead:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1822.jpg)
*Yep that's a pile of arras for one lucky frog.
I'm seeing the clip in the new "300" film where the Persians fire their arrows and block out the sun for that frog.
Well, there were lots of bullies in this little farm pond and after Sheltoncreeker took a little swim and rescued his bear practice arra, we set about looking for another 2 or 12 frogs. Here's the boys lookin over our pitiful shots right before Dave went swimmin':
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1823.jpg)
Well, we just coudn't let that one go. Sitting in the bend of the pond about 25 yards away was another frog. A bit smaller but worth the effort. I got first dibs and missed the critter by a wisker. Dave fired second, and well, let's just say he was glad he was already wet :)
With no one else nutty enough to give it a ride (or perhaps I was just frog-hoggin') I loosed a perfect arra out of my Talltines. Doublelunger, quartering to, slightly.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1826.jpg)
good stuff right there.
"TODAY WE WILL FIGHT IN THE SHADE" :) Like it!
So with one frog down, a bowhunter wet, and plenty of hunting light left, another frog was found. This time I held up. I figure I had my limit with enough meat to fill me up, so I let Paul give her a go. Instead of tryin' the long shot, Paul showed amazing stalking ability as he eased up to 5 yards on the giant. Like a lion on the Savanah, he waited until the animal was relaxed, then pounced! 600 grains of lethality out of a fairly quick half-stolen Shrew found it's mark. The arra covered the 5 yards so fast I couldn't see it...another bully bites the dust. He agreed to pose for a pick with me after (and only after) I agreed he killed the booner of the pond and that his bow was quicker. I told him it was quicker but uglier (after the pic) and that my shot was longer (after the pic). Here's the grip-n-grin:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1828.jpg)
Here's another of mine with my model who agreed to pose with the P&Y beast.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1827.jpg)
Notice Dave in the background. He's still lookin' for his arra I think :) He's a good sport though and the only one brave enough to bear his manly chest in front of the women folk.
good stuff, i just lost one of my arrows on a frog today.
Looks like fun.
We managed to shoot at a few more frogs (well they...I had my limit) but no more fell. More arras were launched at foam and more lies told and we agreed we'd have to do this again soon. Season was approaching and we had deer on the brain: 'cept me and Dave...we got cow elk, mulies,and bears on ours. See you next week fellas and don't forget: he's out there. We gotta be ready!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1783.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1791.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/IMG_1770.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muaygrandecropped.jpg)
Well, if I would have known I would have tried to come by and visit a spell...
Good shooting guys... Watch those bean fields...
Hey Mike, I worked years ago with a Vera Davenport in Carbondale... any relation?
Bruce, I am a transplanted Tennesseean who followed my yankee wife to the promised land :) My folks hail below the Mason/Dixon or what it was known before the War of Northern Aggression. I miss grits, fried green tomatoes, and real Memphis Barbeque but not the whitetails. Besides my wife is real purty :p Good to hear from you bud! Brian Lance and I had a blast on our bear hunt. We need to share a bottle soon with the new bear killer!
grat pitures guys. looks like alot of fun!
That first frog was a darn lucky frog. several barely missed and he just sat there teasing us.
This is great stuff. I waited for this thread all day! I was the only one brave enough to bare chest because I was the only one who sent an arra a yard short and 4 foot deep in the pond after the first frog. So once you got bare feet and wet pants no need to be shy! Yes I believe I owe Brock Donald and Dennis a little time on the welder or little JB weld for a few new "breathing" holes in that grain bin. My brain isn't dialed in for 32 yards right now. What a blast! Glad to see you are still seeing the big boy regularly brother!
Nice!
God bless,Mudd
It WAS alot of fun! Great having pals nearby to shoot and hunt with for sure :thumbsup:
Looks like you guys had a fun day.
HEY!
I know those arras!
:goldtooth:
U know it! Hope they get to meet a nice fat cow elk in about a week :) That splice idea with the wraps is the cat's arse...so I stole it! :archer:
That sure was lots of fun. I still can't figure why nobody joined in the swimming! Water was great!
looks like a good time! let me know when you do it again. i don't know if i am more amazed at the deer pics or paul wearing shorts. :biglaugh:
I've done another dozen and a half, same white/burgandy, but with all white instead of barred. They can be seen from outer space, tho.
I am suprised I haven't screwed up a single butt joint.
:thumbsup:
Noah, you bet man! Paul in shorts...that's like seeing Bigfoot in town on roller skates at Huck's :)
Paddy, Love those arras. I take the rose color to match the riser stripe in my bow and the Kanati quiver I have comin'. Gonna be a 2 tone killin' machine :thumbsup: