Title: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 09:48:00 AM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 09:48:00 AM
I didn't grow up in a hunting family... was kind of a "city kid"... but I always dreamed of living in the country (like Timmy on "Lassie") - on a farm or a ranch. I spent most of my life with music (becoming fairly accomplished on keyboard instruments) and computers (working for the world's largest IT company)... yep, a music & computer geek! It wasn't until I was 45 years old that I started hunting and got my first deer with a compound bow. I was hooked! Over the ensuing years, I took quite a few deer with the wheel bow, CF rifles, and flintlock. Always being one to enjoy "upping" the challenge, I started shooting a longbow a couple of years ago. Being a musician, I think I've developed a mindset to know how to practice and I've been shooting my bow just about everyday for the past two years... going so far as to shovel a path in the snow to my target... and even taking my bow, arrows and target on vacation to the Outer Banks, NC with me!
Last year, I had a great disappointment with not being able to recover a deer, prompting me to "pack it in" for the rest of the season. Well, this year I'm 57 years old and not getting any younger... arthritis is trying to get the best of me, I had cataract surgery on both eyes a few months ago... I'm wearing out! Well, I was more determined than ever this year...
So, yesterday...
Last year, I had a great disappointment with not being able to recover a deer, prompting me to "pack it in" for the rest of the season. Well, this year I'm 57 years old and not getting any younger... arthritis is trying to get the best of me, I had cataract surgery on both eyes a few months ago... I'm wearing out! Well, I was more determined than ever this year...
So, yesterday...
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: KodiakMag on October 06, 2011, 09:51:00 AM
Post by: KodiakMag on October 06, 2011, 09:51:00 AM
:campfire:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Pon on October 06, 2011, 09:55:00 AM
Post by: Pon on October 06, 2011, 09:55:00 AM
:coffee: yes! continue please
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: 2treks on October 06, 2011, 09:57:00 AM
Post by: 2treks on October 06, 2011, 09:57:00 AM
I just got in from hunting and now I am :coffee:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 09:59:00 AM
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 09:59:00 AM
You really didn't need to give your age as you gave yourself away with the "Timmy and Lassie" comment...lol
I can hardly wait to hear the rest of your story and hopefully with pictures.
God bless,Mudd
I can hardly wait to hear the rest of your story and hopefully with pictures.
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: rolltidehunter on October 06, 2011, 10:42:00 AM
Post by: rolltidehunter on October 06, 2011, 10:42:00 AM
????????
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: wingnut on October 06, 2011, 10:47:00 AM
Post by: wingnut on October 06, 2011, 10:47:00 AM
Dang I hope the old fellow didn't keel over telling the story. LOL
Mike
Mike
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 10:52:00 AM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 10:52:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut::biglaugh: I had to take a nap!
Dang I hope the old fellow didn't keel over telling the story. LOL
Mike
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 11:12:00 AM
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 11:12:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Kapellmeister::campfire: :coffee:
quote:
Originally posted by wingnut:
Dang I hope the old fellow didn't keel over telling the story. LOL
Mike
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 11:22:00 AM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 11:22:00 AM
Let me back up a bit...
When scouting around last month in some property adjoining my church, I found a nice deer trail following the edge of the woods in from a field by only around 10 yards. Just in few yards further, a bank went down into a creek. Then, a few weeks ago, I went over to the woods after a morning service (around noon) just to take a peek... and kicked up a doe just on the other side of the creek... hmm... good bedding area.
Last week, I went in for a morning hunt and got in the woods much later than I wanted... around 9am. I had just gotten to my spot but I noticed that the brace height of my H. Hill "half Breed" looked a tad lower than I like (6.5"). I took the string off and was giving it a few twists when... a doe trotted by at around 10 yards! She seemed to realize that something was amiss and stopped broadside at around 15 yds. You can imagine how stupid it felt to be standing there with my bow in one hand and the string in the other! :knothead:
Well... getting back to yesterday...
I thought I'd try the spot in the evening and got to my stand at 4pm. It was pretty warm and I was glad to have a Thermacell with me. (Those things really work!)
As time passed, I saw a groundhog about 50 yds away... then I saw another one... and yet another at around 20 yds! Since I had an arrow with a field tip backed with an adder point in my quiver, I nocked it and took a practice shot at the groundhog... well, he didn't even flinch when the arrow stuck in the tree next to him. :rolleyes:
A few minutes later, I look straight in from of me, and there's another 'chuck about 12 feet up a tree! I couldn't resist trying another and... missed again! At that point, I'm thinking that I'm glad a deer is a bigger target than a groundhog! :banghead:
Be back... I need another nap! ;)
When scouting around last month in some property adjoining my church, I found a nice deer trail following the edge of the woods in from a field by only around 10 yards. Just in few yards further, a bank went down into a creek. Then, a few weeks ago, I went over to the woods after a morning service (around noon) just to take a peek... and kicked up a doe just on the other side of the creek... hmm... good bedding area.
Last week, I went in for a morning hunt and got in the woods much later than I wanted... around 9am. I had just gotten to my spot but I noticed that the brace height of my H. Hill "half Breed" looked a tad lower than I like (6.5"). I took the string off and was giving it a few twists when... a doe trotted by at around 10 yards! She seemed to realize that something was amiss and stopped broadside at around 15 yds. You can imagine how stupid it felt to be standing there with my bow in one hand and the string in the other! :knothead:
Well... getting back to yesterday...
I thought I'd try the spot in the evening and got to my stand at 4pm. It was pretty warm and I was glad to have a Thermacell with me. (Those things really work!)
As time passed, I saw a groundhog about 50 yds away... then I saw another one... and yet another at around 20 yds! Since I had an arrow with a field tip backed with an adder point in my quiver, I nocked it and took a practice shot at the groundhog... well, he didn't even flinch when the arrow stuck in the tree next to him. :rolleyes:
A few minutes later, I look straight in from of me, and there's another 'chuck about 12 feet up a tree! I couldn't resist trying another and... missed again! At that point, I'm thinking that I'm glad a deer is a bigger target than a groundhog! :banghead:
Be back... I need another nap! ;)
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 11:38:00 AM
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 11:38:00 AM
Great intro!! Impossible to wreck from there. Good stuff K-meister! Figure this will be a good one.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 01:27:00 PM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 01:27:00 PM
Well, only an hour had passed since being on stand... but it was plenty of time to be humiliated by two groundhogs!
Fifteen more minutes and.. out of nowhere... a deer is coming toward me from my left. It happens so quickly... time seems to stand still. Looked like a mature doe to me... quartering toward me... not the best shot but getting really close!
One thing I love about hunting is "invading their world", totally unoticed, in a close encounter!
The only thing going through my mind was a mantra picked up on TradGang... "pick a spot". I guess I was also trying to think 3-dimensionally of the deer's vitals from this vantage point. When the deer got around 7 yards from me, I focused over the front shoulder, drew back my #55 at 28", and let my arrow fly. Surprisingly, the 29.25" arrow looked like it only penetrated about half way but it sure seemed like it was enough to take a lung out!
Unexpectedly to me, the deer took off out of the woods and into the 150 yard long, wide open field. It left my field of view at around 75 yards but I thought that it would probably expire in that last 75 yards of high grass.
A minute or two later, two young'uns caught up and also looked a little perplexed as to why mama ran out into the field. But they followed. I regained my composure and retrieved the two arrows stuck in nearby trees.!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
About 40 minutes later, when I made my way across the field, and searched all through the tall grass... and didn't find a deer... or any blood... I started feeling a little disheartened. I started questioning my shot... oh, no...
Fifteen more minutes and.. out of nowhere... a deer is coming toward me from my left. It happens so quickly... time seems to stand still. Looked like a mature doe to me... quartering toward me... not the best shot but getting really close!
One thing I love about hunting is "invading their world", totally unoticed, in a close encounter!
The only thing going through my mind was a mantra picked up on TradGang... "pick a spot". I guess I was also trying to think 3-dimensionally of the deer's vitals from this vantage point. When the deer got around 7 yards from me, I focused over the front shoulder, drew back my #55 at 28", and let my arrow fly. Surprisingly, the 29.25" arrow looked like it only penetrated about half way but it sure seemed like it was enough to take a lung out!
Unexpectedly to me, the deer took off out of the woods and into the 150 yard long, wide open field. It left my field of view at around 75 yards but I thought that it would probably expire in that last 75 yards of high grass.
A minute or two later, two young'uns caught up and also looked a little perplexed as to why mama ran out into the field. But they followed. I regained my composure and retrieved the two arrows stuck in nearby trees.
About 40 minutes later, when I made my way across the field, and searched all through the tall grass... and didn't find a deer... or any blood... I started feeling a little disheartened. I started questioning my shot... oh, no...
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Apex Predator on October 06, 2011, 02:27:00 PM
Post by: Apex Predator on October 06, 2011, 02:27:00 PM
Gene, you're killing me here buddy! Get on with it! :)
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: dirtguy on October 06, 2011, 02:33:00 PM
Post by: dirtguy on October 06, 2011, 02:33:00 PM
:campfire:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 02:39:00 PM
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 02:39:00 PM
With Marty here G. I'll give you old no problem. Just wondering if I need to send someone over the check for Rigor?
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: RM81 on October 06, 2011, 02:52:00 PM
Post by: RM81 on October 06, 2011, 02:52:00 PM
We need to add a little smiley face guy falling asleep. Can't wait to hear the rest.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 04:45:00 PM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 06, 2011, 04:45:00 PM
I started to pray... Dear Lord, thank you for providing for us and for directing this deer into my path... please help me find it! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
No sooner had I finished praying when... there it was!... a spot of blood on a leaf at the edge of the woods on the other side of the field! A little further into the woods and another spot! Then another! And another! I'm on to something! 50 yards into the woods, there she was... taking a bath in the creek! The Woodsman Elite 200 gr. broadhead had gone through the shoulder blade(!), through one lung and into the stomach. The GT Trad 35/55 arrow had broken in two places... half the arrow was laying in the creek next to the deer and the front two pieces were inside her. I'm guessing that it took a while for the blood to start coming out through the scapula... but when it did... it bled heavily.
(http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc515/KapellmeisterCherrytree/Hunting/df497814.jpg)
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! :archer:
And thanks to all you TradGang'ers for the shared knowledge and the encouragement you provide!
Hmm... come to think of it, I'm feelin' a little sleepy...zzzzzzzzz
No sooner had I finished praying when... there it was!... a spot of blood on a leaf at the edge of the woods on the other side of the field! A little further into the woods and another spot! Then another! And another! I'm on to something! 50 yards into the woods, there she was... taking a bath in the creek! The Woodsman Elite 200 gr. broadhead had gone through the shoulder blade(!), through one lung and into the stomach. The GT Trad 35/55 arrow had broken in two places... half the arrow was laying in the creek next to the deer and the front two pieces were inside her. I'm guessing that it took a while for the blood to start coming out through the scapula... but when it did... it bled heavily.
(http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc515/KapellmeisterCherrytree/Hunting/df497814.jpg)
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! :archer:
And thanks to all you TradGang'ers for the shared knowledge and the encouragement you provide!
Hmm... come to think of it, I'm feelin' a little sleepy
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: on October 06, 2011, 04:56:00 PM
Post by: on October 06, 2011, 04:56:00 PM
congratts! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: KSdan on October 06, 2011, 04:57:00 PM
Post by: KSdan on October 06, 2011, 04:57:00 PM
sDg- yes! Congrats! Pretty amazing what a trad bow can do- even on a shoulder blade!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Bob Palmer on October 06, 2011, 04:57:00 PM
Post by: Bob Palmer on October 06, 2011, 04:57:00 PM
Good Job!!!! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Son of Texas on October 06, 2011, 05:37:00 PM
Post by: Son of Texas on October 06, 2011, 05:37:00 PM
Congrats!!! Great Job!!! praise be to GOD!!!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 05:41:00 PM
Post by: Mudd on October 06, 2011, 05:41:00 PM
Thanks for sharing your story and testimony!
Good job!
Congratulations!
God bless,Mudd
Good job!
Congratulations!
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: ozzyshane on October 06, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
Post by: ozzyshane on October 06, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
Great read thanks for posting Shane
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: BoonRoto on October 06, 2011, 06:23:00 PM
Post by: BoonRoto on October 06, 2011, 06:23:00 PM
Good work.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: yellow bow on October 06, 2011, 06:38:00 PM
Post by: yellow bow on October 06, 2011, 06:38:00 PM
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Cookus on October 06, 2011, 06:42:00 PM
Post by: Cookus on October 06, 2011, 06:42:00 PM
Congratulations on your "first"... Using a Hill to boot :thumbsup: !
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Three Finger on October 06, 2011, 06:47:00 PM
Post by: Three Finger on October 06, 2011, 06:47:00 PM
Great Job. And great story.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: huntingarcher on October 06, 2011, 06:51:00 PM
Post by: huntingarcher on October 06, 2011, 06:51:00 PM
Good job :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: DannyBows on October 06, 2011, 06:56:00 PM
Post by: DannyBows on October 06, 2011, 06:56:00 PM
Well Done and Congrats! :clapper:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Bow man on October 06, 2011, 07:15:00 PM
Post by: Bow man on October 06, 2011, 07:15:00 PM
:clapper: Congratulations and a great story :clapper:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: jrbb00 on October 06, 2011, 08:12:00 PM
Post by: jrbb00 on October 06, 2011, 08:12:00 PM
Congrats and loved the story
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: xtrema312 on October 06, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
Post by: xtrema312 on October 06, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
Great job and loved the story. Well done all around. I would have thought you have more story telling practice based on this first one.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Stump73 on October 06, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
Post by: Stump73 on October 06, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
Nice doe congrats!!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Hooper on October 06, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: Hooper on October 06, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
Nice! Congrats!!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: RedShaft on October 06, 2011, 10:10:00 PM
Post by: RedShaft on October 06, 2011, 10:10:00 PM
great story congrats! nice deer too
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Barry Rowland on October 06, 2011, 10:20:00 PM
Post by: Barry Rowland on October 06, 2011, 10:20:00 PM
Outstanding deer and even better story! Great work sir!!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: jhamilt on October 06, 2011, 10:22:00 PM
Post by: jhamilt on October 06, 2011, 10:22:00 PM
Great story! congrats on the meat!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 11:34:00 PM
Post by: straitera on October 06, 2011, 11:34:00 PM
Fine work Kmeister all the way around. You deserve proud. Much thanks.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: imhntn on October 07, 2011, 12:12:00 AM
Post by: imhntn on October 07, 2011, 12:12:00 AM
Very nice story Gene. Glad it ended well.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: koger on October 07, 2011, 12:16:00 AM
Post by: koger on October 07, 2011, 12:16:00 AM
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the great story. Sam.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Dogboy900 on October 07, 2011, 01:21:00 AM
Post by: Dogboy900 on October 07, 2011, 01:21:00 AM
Well done. Like your writing style too :)
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: GRINCH on October 07, 2011, 01:35:00 AM
Post by: GRINCH on October 07, 2011, 01:35:00 AM
Very well done.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: babs on October 07, 2011, 02:18:00 AM
Post by: babs on October 07, 2011, 02:18:00 AM
awesome congratulations on your deer
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Gator1 on October 07, 2011, 06:27:00 AM
Post by: Gator1 on October 07, 2011, 06:27:00 AM
Way to go and fantastic you took us along on a great hunt....
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: pitbull on October 07, 2011, 06:47:00 AM
Post by: pitbull on October 07, 2011, 06:47:00 AM
Awesome, congrats on a fine doe! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: dirtguy on October 07, 2011, 07:13:00 AM
Post by: dirtguy on October 07, 2011, 07:13:00 AM
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Apex Predator on October 07, 2011, 09:40:00 AM
Post by: Apex Predator on October 07, 2011, 09:40:00 AM
Great job Gene!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Talondale on October 07, 2011, 10:07:00 AM
Post by: Talondale on October 07, 2011, 10:07:00 AM
:clapper: Congrats!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: maineac on October 07, 2011, 10:52:00 AM
Post by: maineac on October 07, 2011, 10:52:00 AM
Nice. Congrats!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Gen273 on October 07, 2011, 11:08:00 AM
Post by: Gen273 on October 07, 2011, 11:08:00 AM
that is great!!! thanks for posting! Congrats!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: glass76 on October 07, 2011, 11:13:00 AM
Post by: glass76 on October 07, 2011, 11:13:00 AM
Congrats on a great job. :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: mcgroundstalker on October 07, 2011, 11:27:00 AM
Post by: mcgroundstalker on October 07, 2011, 11:27:00 AM
Thank You Much! :thumbsup: I'm still working on my first also...
... mike ...
... mike ...
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: KentuckyTJ on October 07, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
Post by: KentuckyTJ on October 07, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
Fantastic read and deer. Congrats to you Sir.
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 07, 2011, 01:36:00 PM
Post by: Kapellmeister on October 07, 2011, 01:36:00 PM
Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words! You guys are great... and TradGang is a great way to share our interests.
I'm sure you've all experienced this as well... but I wish I had a dollar for all the times I've said to myself, "If I was using a rifle, or a crossbow, or even a compound bow, I'd be able to take that deer." Well, I've come to the point where I'd rather take that one deer with a longbow than 20 by any other way.
After my shot, I remember thinking, "That felt really natural... I wasn't even thinking about the shot... it's like an extension of my own body."
I really regret that I didn't pursue traditional archery 40 years ago... I had no idea how much I'd love it. I took my ten year old son out this morning for his first sit in a (ladder) tree stand on a wooded hillside. (I used a climber in a tree about 10 yards away.) We spooked some turkeys off the roost walking in; then we saw 4 deer immediately after climbing into our stands; one doe came within 10 yards right in front of him at eye level! He did great... didn't bat an eye! (I was about 20 yards away and just wasn't afforded a good shot.) Then we saw two turkeys... a while later, two red foxes... and a few squirrels, of course. I was really glad we saw so much action... it was enough to make his time (3+ hours) on stand go by quickly. And I've got to say, that time this morning was just as rewarding!
Thanks again, fellow TG'rs!
I'm sure you've all experienced this as well... but I wish I had a dollar for all the times I've said to myself, "If I was using a rifle, or a crossbow, or even a compound bow, I'd be able to take that deer." Well, I've come to the point where I'd rather take that one deer with a longbow than 20 by any other way.
After my shot, I remember thinking, "That felt really natural... I wasn't even thinking about the shot... it's like an extension of my own body."
I really regret that I didn't pursue traditional archery 40 years ago... I had no idea how much I'd love it. I took my ten year old son out this morning for his first sit in a (ladder) tree stand on a wooded hillside. (I used a climber in a tree about 10 yards away.) We spooked some turkeys off the roost walking in; then we saw 4 deer immediately after climbing into our stands; one doe came within 10 yards right in front of him at eye level! He did great... didn't bat an eye! (I was about 20 yards away and just wasn't afforded a good shot.) Then we saw two turkeys... a while later, two red foxes... and a few squirrels, of course. I was really glad we saw so much action... it was enough to make his time (3+ hours) on stand go by quickly. And I've got to say, that time this morning was just as rewarding!
Thanks again, fellow TG'rs!
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: twitchstick on October 07, 2011, 03:13:00 PM
Post by: twitchstick on October 07, 2011, 03:13:00 PM
:clapper:
Title: Re: A late bloomer's first trad deer!
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 07, 2011, 03:21:00 PM
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 07, 2011, 03:21:00 PM
CONGRATS To You Sir!! :archer: