Been hunting behind my house the last three days without success. Although I did have a small buck under my stand for close to 30 minutes Monday afternoon.
I needed a change of scenery, so this morning I headed up into the national forest to some country I've worked in and hunted in the past.
Last weekend it had dumped close to 2 ft of snow in the higher ridges, so I figured the river bottom might be a good place to start. The road was a bit greasy with wet snow, but I began noticing quite a bit of deer traffic going back and forth, so I found and old road and pulled off as it was getting daylight fast.
I found an old skid road winding through the timber and had gone about 1/8 of a mile while seeing numerous deer tracks, some small, some big!
I was scanning the timber for movement for about the fourth time and saw something off to right and up ahead that caught my attention. Bringing my binocs up I watched the area and finally picked out a deer moving in my direction, which turned out to be a doe as it got closer. The first doe was followed by another doe and a small forked horn buck.
I slowly nocked one of my homemade douglas fir arrows, slipped off the trail and waited to see where this might take me. Everytime the doe would stop the buck would approach her and she'd jump forward, not falling for his advances. This went on for 10, maybe 15 minutes and the deer slowly got closer to my position.
The rest is sort of a blur, but I can kind of remember the doe's going by and the buck entering a shooting lane. It was 15 yards or less between me and the buck as my arrow quickly did it's job. The buck made it about 60-70 yards after my broadhead sliced through it's heart.
This was a bit of an emotional moment for me. Last year I was unable to hunt after having a heart attack and quadruple bypass at the end of August. One year ago I really had no idea if I'd ever be able to draw my bow again, let alone be out hunting my beloved Blacktail's.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/trophy%20photos/2011buck3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/trophy%20photos/2011buck2.jpg)
Awesome TK. So glad you got out and had this experience. Really cool. Thanks for posting.
Great job beautiful deer.
Way to go sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice deer!
Good deal seems you are doing well , nice buck sir..
,,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,,,,
TK,
Congratulations on both the deer, and being back in the woods :clapper:
Glad for you, always sweet when you can again do the things you love. Nice deer as well!
Nice!
OUTSTANDING..... :thumbsup: Well Done!!
Congratulations Sir. I'm glad your back after 'em.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't look forward to your Blacktail vs. Blacktail threads each fall Ron. Us flatlanders can only dream.
Great Job TK, Yet another blacktail in the snow. Love it.
Congrats!! A great way to celebrate your recovery!
Good job! Sweet!
That is a hunt I need to do someday.
Great photos Ron, glad you are back in the saddle enjoying success at doing what you love!
Great Job Ron!!!
Bob
Way to go!!
Ron,I am very glad for your deer and more for your recover;I understand your feelings of not being able to hunt again.I wish you many more seasons and successes with Blacktail/blacktail
Nice! Congrats!
Ron I am so happy for you man! Congrats on a beautiful buck and makin' memories once again :campfire:
Man they are a beautiful beast.Congrats.
Ron... congrats on the deer. Also, now that you are a member of "The Club" congrats on your recovery. It took me some time but it worked... Good luck buddy.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer2:
Congrats on the hunt and the deer.
Good shooting brother, I know, it does take sometime to come back. Stay healthy and give us some more hunting stories.
You don't look old enough to have gone through those heart problems...tell us you didn't drag that big guy out!!!!!
Sweet isn't it? :) Didn't have the heart attack but had quad bypass 3rd week of Oct 09. Couldn't pull a bow until late Dec 09 but first hunt was lucky and got a small 7 pt ( 9 1/2 weeks after surgery).
Keep after 'em. It's all good :) Nice 9 pointer this year :)
Nice deer,great pictures!
---
Way to Go Ron. God is good.
God bless you and have a great Thanksgiving.
Steve
Congrats Ron, great hunt--Thanks for sharing :)
Congrats TK!! Awesome job!
Congrats, nice buck.
great story, Congrats!!
Congratulations, good come back I'd say!
SWEET!! Congrats and glad you are back doing what ya love! Shawn
This makes my day right here :bigsmyl:
I know what your feeling buddy and been hoping for a hero shot from you anyday :wavey:
Great job, glad you are back at it!! Congrats! :clapper: :clapper:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Wat to go Ron!! I am very happy for you :thumbsup:
Great job and glad you were able to get after them again! Congrats!
Thank you everybody, I appreciate it!
It must have gotten more excited then I thought. Got home, the deer skinned, and wham! All the adrenaline was gone out of me and I'm totally exhausted. But it's a good feeling for sure! :)
Congrats!!
Bisch
I had some health issues this summer, nothing as severe as yours, but thought my mobility would be compromised beyond repair. Not so and am back on the trail hunting and in the woods working.
Good on you. Those setbacks really make a fella sit up and take notice. More fun, less work is not a bad conclusion.
..SWEET !
Excellent report. Very nice photos too. Thanks for sharing.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Congrats!
Great story, and a great come back!
Now that's awesome right there!!!
Congrats on your recovery, and your buck!
What a sweet reward! Congratulations on a fine deer and a full recovery!
Congrats!!
great deer and I like your coat.
It's nice to see you back in action.
Congrats Ron.
Thanks again guys!
Yes, I have so many things to be thankful for!
I have to say though, this was the slowest gutting jobs I've ever done on a deer. The doctors have me on a mega bloodthinner. So sharp things like broadheads and knives are risky for my well being. I used my Havalon knife for butchering, and that thing is scary sharp!!! I had Super Glue in my pack, but I really didn't want to slice my hand open since I was over an hour from town and all by myself. What normally is a few minutes took me about 15 very careful minutes!
Very nice! Glad you are back in the saddle!
i was wondering what the heck has been taking you so long..lol....thats great daddy-O...WITH out giving each other crap...it really is good to see YOU back in the woods hunting...john
Nice forkie Tree! There isn't a prettier deer and they are tough to hunt.
Hey Ron, so happy for you! Know what the blacktail addiction is like and was hurting for you last year, not getting out. Check your e-mail ;)
Thats great Ron, Congrats again bud! :clapper:
You've got me really smileing Ron, Thanksgiving for sure.
Your way to good in the woods to be down long, congrats Bud.
When you come to the dry side just holler, I'll get my packboard ready.
Nice shot Tree Killa!
WAY TO GO!!!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
That's Awesome!
Alot can happen in a year.
Many, many happy returns! :campfire:
Congratulations on a nice one!
I have a similar size forky and a bit smaller spike enticing me behind and below the house, as the season just opened again yesterday...
However, I also have a monster 4x4 cruising the property here and near-by.. I don't get to see Bucks this big very often, as they usually are very nocturnal ..The rut is still holding out and so am I..
I hope I'll soon be posting pictures as nice as these you have just presented to all of us.
Thanks' for the great pictures and again.. Congratulations on a great buck.
I'm not sure guys not familiar with Blacktails, can realize the feat you have accomplished. Great Job! :thumbsup:
Gene
Thats real cool. :thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
"I'm not sure guys not familiar with Blacktails, can realize the feat you have accomplished. Great Job!"
How true! I'm still trying........
Very Nice! Congrats
You'l be back after them in Full force now!
Awsome job! :thumbsup:
fantastic!
congrats :clapper:
Great looking deer and a beautiful spot to hunt. Congratulations.
congrats to you for both being able to get back out and hunt and on a fine buck.
What a great story !!! :clapper: Thanks for sharing.
Bill
Nice buck and a beauty of a bow!Congrats!!!
Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the kind words. :archer:
nice buck. Hope to hunt them some day.
do you use any calls for your blacktail- we use calls up here for 'em.
Tree Killer,
Thats a beautiful blacktail. Congratulations and im glad that you are able to continue hunting