Nov. 2, 2:30 - I'm walking into my chosen setup for the evening hunt. My destination is a Honey Locust tree loaded with 'pods' or 'Buck Candy' as I like to call them.
I stopped about 40 yards out from where I wanted to setup to pick out the tree I would climb and choose a route to the tree that would spread as little scent as possible in the area.
While standing there, a nice buck walks to the Honey Locust, noses around some and then meanders down through the woods. Ok - bucks are walking today - great way to start off the hunt.
I get settled into the tree - a little lower than I normally like to hunt - 16 feet - but I feel like I'm good with the cover around me.
At 5:00 p.m. I see the buck coming down a mowed lane. He's going to pass by me between 20 and 25 yards. I have one hole to shoot through - even though he's in that rut walk and I don't like to shoot a walking deer that far, its to late, I'm in kill mode and the ancestral drama that has been performed for thousands of years is about to unfold.
He stops just before the opening. I tense as I prepare for the shot. I have to time it just right as the hole I'm shooting through is not very big.
Just before he steps into the opening I draw my Black Widow Osage longbow, Yellow Bird, and then the arrow is on its way. It propels the 530 grain arrow with 49 pounds of thrust and the Snuffer is in the buck.
The hit is about 12 inches further back than I like, but its done. Now begins the work.
I wait 45 minutes and get down. I find blood quick and my arrow within 50 yards. No gut on the arrow - that surprises me. I trail a little further and decide to go get a buddy's beagle to track the deer.
Two hours after the shot, I'm back with the Beagle known as 'Ben'. He starts off slow but then gets excited. Dragging me through the woods, tail up and occasionally baying. This is exciting. He takes me to the creek and then down it. Seventy-Five yards of walking in the creek and I begin to doubt what the dog is trailing. Back in the truck he goes and we decide to blood trail further.
The blood trail proved Ben was on the trail but must have gotten confused when the deer crossed the creek. I leave the trail and vow to return the next morning as I now have an idea of where the buck is heading.
The next morning my son-in-law and I walk a grid pattern in the area the buck had been heading to. I find him on his back, antlers buried in the ground and very stiff. He must have died pretty quick the night before - for that I'm grateful. He had traveled 300 - 400 yards from the shot.
The big 160 grain Snuffer had indeed penetrated the gut, but once again showed its effectiveness.
Good luck to all this season and thanks for listening to my story.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/wallyholmes/2011BWLongbow7PointPic1.jpg)
:thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Good for you Wally!
Great recovery, :thumbsup: :clapper:
Way to GO!
Glenn
congrats Wally. Glad you found him. Don
Persistance prevails, great job and congrats!!!
Congrats and kudos for your persistant effort in retieving him. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Great story and nice buck!!
Nice deer sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Fantastic, congrats brother.
Beautiful deer. Congratulations! Always good to hear when diligence and hard/smart work pay off.
:thumbsup:
Way to stick with it!
Nice buck, congrats!
Congratulations Wally!
Good job Wally.RC
Way to hang in there and close the deal,congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations! Nice recovery
Well Done!
NICE Wally!!
What county?
Glad you found him. Congratulations!
Way to go, congrats!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Bud B. - I live in Franklin county.
Thanks everyone - you guys are the best...
Way to go, Wally! Nice buck & great tracking! :clapper:
Good on ya, Wally. Outstanding recovery, and I'm proud on ya!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice deer Wally and great tracking ::: CONGRATS :thumbsup:
Nice going, and congratulations!
I must also add---Congrats on your deer!!!
Congrats...great job on the recovery! :campfire: