Ok, where to begin? My wife and daughter told me last night that they were going shopping today and I would have to find something to do....Uhhhh yeah.
So this morning after my coffee and some time gathering all my gear. I headed out to find a new spot to hunt as I haven't been out much lately due to the gun season. I get to the farm and spent most my afternoon finding a great new spot. It was a small draw right next to a very large overgrown bedding area with a old fence separating the two. This fence and the steep washout in the bottom of this draw made a great funnel area. With about 40 yards separating the two I found three worn out trails coming from the thicket around the head of this washout. In the middle of this intersection was a honey locust tree that the deer where really hitting. Crushed chewed up bean pods everywhere. THIS is the place. I hung a stand in the center of the three trails in a cedar tree. I was covered up like a new born baby sitting in there when it was finished. I headed back to the truck and drove up to get a drink.
On my way back I stopped about a half mile away from the spot, got dressed and told my wife where I was. Grabbed the Zipper and headed to the tree. On my way back to my stand I look over in the thicket and look what I see. Now in Kentucky we only get one buck tag and although I am very happy with the buck I took back in September this site kinda made me a little sick. Bedded about 18 yards off the two track....
(http://i.imgur.com/KAKjJ.jpg)
The wind was pretty strong and I would have had no problem slipping up on this guy as about 15 yards behind him was a fence next to a wide open field. He just laid there like he knew. I snapped 3 or 4 picts of him and just kept moving. Oh well it is what it is. Hopefully he will make it through one more day of our gun season. I figured him at around the 150" mark. I had driven right by this deer twice.
Oh well, after that I made it to my tree and got hooked in. Here was my view, you can see one of the worn out trails in this first shot.
(http://i.imgur.com/Hnuuf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ulVPl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yw0AC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QRQ2i.jpg)
About 5 o'clock I see a doe coming my way. She was very skittish (like she had been harassed for the last month) and finally turned like she heard something and disappeared back into the thicket. Around 15 minutes later what I think was the same doe appeared again and heading my way. She milled around for a while on the other side of the old fence and then finally jumped it. Oh that clanging fence noise is beautiful. She stepped onto one of the trails that would lead her to my setup and I knew it was on. She got to an opening about 15 yards in front of me and perfectly quartering away. I tightened the sting and the Zipper sent the shaft quick and the lighted arrow nock told me the hit was perfect.
(http://i.imgur.com/zTw3S.jpg)
She tore out of there and I watched her stop in the draw behind about 60 yards away. She stood there for a few seconds and tumped over. What a fantastic end to a great day. I remember thinking as I walked up on her Whoa she's a whopper. I had to weigh her because I knew you guys would ask and she pushed them down at 153 lbs. gutted.
(http://i.imgur.com/MNdrH.jpg)
Whoa what a giant doe! Way to go sir!
Great pictures and awesome buck! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great pictures! That's a nice buck and a great doe!
great day for sure.
Man thats a big doe! Sometimes them older does can be pretty tough to get. Great job.
TJ, You are "Da Man!!"
TJ great shot,what bow did you use.
Grinch, that's is my Zipper SXT - 58", 52@28
Beautiful whitetail... that deer has a head like a moose! Congrats.
Wow that is a great big old doe. I was out in LBL today, no hunting just sightseeing with my son who returned home from Afghanistan. Lots of guys in orange running around but I we couldn't help but wish we were out in the woods with thme carrying our Hill's
Wow TJ, she's a whopper! And so is that buck. Great story; always cool to find a new spot and have it work out so well. It gives guys like me some hope.
That is a huge doe! Congrats :thumbsup:
Great stuff TJ !!!! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing with us. What broadhead were you using?
Bill
Wonderful pic of the buck. I think that could win a photo contest for you somewhere!
Good job on the hunt and on the story told.
Whoa! Nice doe!
Holy cow TJ, are you sure that isn't an elk? LOL
Nice job on your doe, shes a biggun. Hope that bucks makes it till next year, very good looking deer!
TJ congrats for another fine deer,but more for founding a new hot spot!
nice big doe, lotsa meat for the freezer.
congratts. :thumbsup:
Very nice Tom!! :notworthy: :notworthy:
She is a whopper of a doe!
Man, I love that Zipper, TJ. Mines in the works, as your earlier thread inspired me.
You sure know how to make it happen. What a day is right. Congratulations.
ya's Big Doe congrats
Man she is big. Nice job.
Definately a most memorable day.
Are you sure that your harvest hadn't dropped its rack early or are you just possibly not telling us?
Thanks much for sharing your eventful day.
A great day indeed! Congrats!!
That spot looks like whitetail heaven.
Bill
Great job!
Thanks for the pics!
You've had a great season! Congrats!
Congratulations T.J,
That doe should be entered in the "Z" givaway for the biggest doe contest where you can win some arrows and looks like you'll be needing more arrows by the way you're knocking em down ! Are you going to set up some trail cams to keep an eye on that buck for next season? He looks to be a nice 10 point or even may have another we can't see but very nice buck and pic...Keep us posted when you look for those sheds this spring... :thumbsup:
Great pic of that buck!
Good shot on that XL doe!
Very nice!!!
What a mega doe - congrats :)
All I can say is, WOW! That is one monster doe right there. Congrats my friend.
Now, about that buck. I'm no expert when it comes to scoring racks and I know you are a very good field judge on the subject, but I think you are being very conservative on your estimation of that buck's rack! He looks like he'll go 160 or maybe even more to me. He's got it all: long tines, long beams, good spread, good mass, symmetry, you name it, he's got it. He sure looks like the buck of a lifetime to me. I sure hope you get him next year.
Congrats, TJ!!! That is a big old nannie. Great pics and story!!! Love the pic of the big boy. Hope to hear a story about him next yr! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Are you sure you didn't shoot that buck and just cut its antlers off? That is one massive doe- what a trophy. Congrats and great shot.
What a whopper of a doe TJ congrats!!
Thats awesome brother! What a beast, she's HUGE..... :thumbsup:
Well played Tom! Things just couldn't have gone any better for you. Dont you just love it when a plan comes together . Congrats on fine doe.
I just can't see how that was better than shopping. :rolleyes:
Congrats on a really BIG doe!
Love all of the pics. Great story telling.
That is a MONSTER doe. Congratulations, sir, that's a dandy. TRW
Beautiful story and what a big 'ol Nanny Doe! Congrats TJ on a fine hunt :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Jwilliam:
Great stuff TJ !!!! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing with us. What broadhead were you using?
Bill, I am using the 150 grain VPA's with a 50 grain brass insert. It slipped through her from the back rib and came out her arm pit on the other side and stuck in the ground. I really like them, they are super easy to sharpen for the sharpening impaired like myself. They are tough as a broadhead can be and they are very well made. I had some concern that they weren't more of a 3/1 ratio as their heavier versions, but after shooting through this deer that fear is no more. A complete pass through and it stuck deep into the ground. Here is the head. I'll sharpen it and it'll be ready to go.
(http://i.imgur.com/Hm12T.jpg)
Never heard a doe called the, " Freak Nasty ", but that is what we will name her Tom ! I am with you as far as hunting and shooting..... The real hunt starts the day you scout a new spot and find, "the tree". After that it is the, "shooting" part of it. My favorite is the hunt, just got to get better at finding, "the tree". I am close but no cigar. Usually I am off by 20-30yds seems like, just cannot get them to follow the script most days. Thanks for sharing about the locust trees and bean pods. Do Black locusts have bean pods too and if so will the deer eat both Black and Honey locust pods Tom ? We have NO mast this year and I know where a locust thicket is that is surrounded by honesuckles too. We even named this thicket, " The Graveyard", last year when we found about 20 dead deer there. Guess it was blue tongue disease.
Sure hope you find that buck's sheds in the Spring and assign him the proper spread and score him for us ! Great pics and story as always, thanks for sharing bud !
Way to go Tom! That doe is a true trophy,if she got that big! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
On them, with bigness comes smartness! :campfire:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: good job on a BIG doe
Wow shes fine? What is that bright green vegetation on the ground near your stand, kudzu?
WOW thats a doe!Very well done TJ! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Izzy, we don't have any kutzu around here thank goodness. Not sure what that stuff is. It was low growing with no vines and doesn't climb like kutzu does.
beautiful animal!Lots of meat for the freezer.
Leland
Looks more like a small pony! Nice job!
Very nice
Great job Tom :thumbsup:
Very Nice!!
Nice kill T J , wow thats a lot of meat. Congrat's!
Got to love them trophy does! :bigsmyl: Big old girl.
Great picks and nice shooting, Congrats! :thumbsup:
Tracy
Doezilla
Dangit! While I'm taking my boy gun hunting...the old man goes one up on me in our high stakes doe contest!!! Congrats Thomas!
There's a lot of food right there! Congrats on a fantastic hunt and a great shot!
that deer is a giant!
:clapper: Beautiful doe and hunting area, the bow isn't too shabby either.
That sure is a big old doe.
Great job! Hope that buck makes it till next year, could you imagine him in velvet!!!!
WOW, That is a Big Molly Head Doe!!! Congrats!!! Also, that is a nice Zipper!
Nice fat doe and if he makes it through the winter, you will have one heck of a buck next year to go after.
Great doe , good going . :thumbsup:
Way to go Tom. That is one big doe. :clapper:
Nice doe. :thumbsup:
Holy Cow.......literally! A monarch doe in every way. Congrats Tom!
These old does are just as smart as ANY buck.Quite a deer!
Excellent shot on the doe!
What a great day in the field - spottin' that nice buck and capturin' a photo as well!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Wow TJ, that doe is HUGE ! Did you age her? Gotta be 4-5 yrs old at least. Good job man!
Randy, I didn't have her aged that would have been smart looking back though although I doubt the processor could have done it. I suppose I could have mailed in a jaw bone but what a hassle.
Way to shoot TJ!
Tom,
You have sliced "Granny Nanny" my friend. Congrats to you!!
Lanier
Well Done TJ! You've gotta love it when all the work and preparation pay off in a great season.
Massive Doe, Congrats! :clapper:
Very nice.
Nice story, and a great "shot" of that super buck! Congratulations on the queen of the forest!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
You had one heck of a day, congratulations!
-Jay
Congrats. That is a huge doe.RC
Nice Doe. Gratz
What a toad! Congrats!
Way to go brother!
Nice! Congrats TJ
Wow TJ, didn't ya get in trouble for shootin that cow :scared:
Great job!!
Congrats!
Good job on that swamp donkey. And hopefully you will see that buck next year when you have a buck tag in your pocket.
Congrats on that big doe!
Congrats TJ. You have certainly have a great year.
+
she's a whopper. :thumbsup:
Good lookin" doe, it's huge! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
CONGRATULATIONS TOM!!!! Thats a good one!
Awesome Tom, congrats bud!
Thanks a lot guys.
Big ol' doe there Tom, nice work as always bud!
Way to hang in there and get it done!
CONGRATS TOM! :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :clapper: :clapper:
Great doe. Nice job on scouting out a new spot. I bet you use it again.
Congrats again Tom ! :thumbsup: