God continues to bless a Swamper and I am thankful. I hunted the Post oak ridge again this evening that I killed a doe on a week or so ago. The acorns have all fallen and the Turkeys have near wiped them out. A big Flock of Birds will clean a ridge of acorns up quickly just like pigs and the deer were having to scrounge for acorns on this ridge now....
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1919.jpg)
Notice the acorn split in half. A sure sign of deer feeding.
I got on stand and was sweating. It was hot and humid this evening and I almost did`nt go hunting. The wife was beginning to think of Honey-do`s so I decided it was best to escape while I could....
About 5:30 squirrels begin to stir and I could hear Wood Ducks coming into the creek. It is awful dry here this year but the Beavers have a couple of spots dammed and holding enough water for the Ducks.I could hear my Uncles Beagles chasing a Rabbit across the creek in a Rabbit "pen" .About 15 acres fenced in. He is retired and has been a Houndsman for life.His younger Brothers built the Rabbit pen for him so he could enjoy his passion without having to chase his dogs all over the County.He never shoots one just listens and Grins.
The sound of dry leaves crunching brought me out of daydreaming of past fox hunts with the Old Man and I soon realized a deer was nearby. I cupped my hands to my ears because my directional hearing is poor and finally located a direction of the deer and spotted it. It was making circles under a post oak and then started my way. It got almost sideways when I heard another behind it. I let the doe go by and then the next deer appeared it was a yearling. I quickly looked back at the first deer that had stopped behind some bushes and then heard another deer coming. It was a huge Doe. I was hoping it was the Big 8 pt I had seen here several weeks ago.
The big doe was circling wide...the yearling was walking under my stand and the 1st Doe was almost through my "gap". I shifted my leg a bit to be able to lean over for a shot at the first doe and must have made a bit of noise because she locked up. I was sitting and leaning with my bow shoulder pointed at her with my bow up.She stomped one time and was looking at the yearling under my tree. I knew it was about to over so I started drawing slowly.
Just as I got about half draw she looked up and stomped again. I came on back to anchor and picked my spot very low knowing she was gonna drop.
At the shot she dropped and whirled and the arrow looked to have went in mid body. I heard her run a bit then all was quiet except for the yearling snorting and the Beagles.
I waited about 30 minutes and got down not wanting the yearling to figure it out. Walked over to where the Doe was standing..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1916.jpg)
Not to bad. I knew the shot was back a bit but was glad no stomach matter was on the arrow. A liver shot for sure I thought.Gonna have to give it a bit of time.
The feathers on the arrow are from a Jake I killed last Spring with a Howard Hill longbow.Hand sanded and trimmed by hand.
After about 1.5 hours I took up the trail...
A whole lot like this for about 100 yards...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1918.jpg)
Entry...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1922.jpg)
Exit
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1921.jpg)
And a pic of an awful Lucky feller...With a Mohawk Vince built some kind of mojo in...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1923.jpg)
A learning tip for me and maybe some beginning bowhunters. I waited because I was not sure before taking up the trail Experience let me "read" the arrow and know that it was not a lung hit.Had I pushed the deer it would have no doubt covered a lot more ground faster and probably hit water. I know this because I found several places where the deer had stopped and stood for long enough the blood puddled. I always wait a bit unless I hear the deer crash. Thank You Lord. RC
The Lord surely has blessed you. You got some good stuff going on down in Ga.
Great job! :notworthy:
Rob
Congratulations! God bless you RC!
You need to buy a lottery ticket. You sure get lucky alot. :D
Good job RC!! Yoo da man!!! :)
Great read and another "nugget" or two to put back in the war chest, thanks RC!
I was happy to read that you called in the "Hawk" from the bench.
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.
Congratulations!
God bless,Mudd
Love your stories... keep 'em coming RC.
Congrats!
Thanks again RC for the pics and story. I always learn from you and get to experience second hand the success I don't get, first hand!
Most excellent RC!! :notworthy:
Well done!!
Very nice! Congrats!
Congrats, So whats for dinner hog or venison. :bigsmyl:
great write up. congrats!
Your the man, fine job!
Way to go RC! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Awesome job!
RC, you are a great hunter and an even better shot! Congrats :thumbsup:
Hope some of your luck rubs off on me! Congrats!
You're the real deal all right.. Way to go.
Hey, I'll trade you some of the warm weather for some of this freezing mess we have !
Congrats again, RC. Thanks for sharing; we always enjoy our stories and ramblings.
Thank you for takin' us along on your hunt Brother!
And a most-excellent one at that.
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Dang, RC! You just keep racking them up! That is great. It is always wise to wait if you know your hit was not dead on. For me, my first instinct of the hit is usually correct. If I think I saw the arrow hit high or back it usually ends up actually being just a little higher or further back than I thought.
Congrats on the doe, brother!
Bisch
P.S.- I LOVE your story writing ability!
Very nice and informative,congrats you just keep racking them up.
Robert,perfect,like always! :thumbsup:
Congratulations RC! Great read!
Well done once again Robert, congrats my friend :clapper:
Nice shooting RC :thumbsup:
Great Job RC. You have some great hunts.
You da man!
way to go. RC what broadhead were you useing?
looks like a good hole..
Always look forward to your stories R C thanks and nice shot
Another great hunt and story! Thanks RC.
Thanks Fellas.Not really proud of the shot because it was back some and only 11 yards.I was in an awkward position but I practice for that.
Plumber, I was using a Simmons Tiger Shark.These kind of shots are the ones where you are glad you were using a Big Simmons or maybe a snuffer. With a smaller head the blood may not have been as good.BUT if I had lost the deer using a smaller broadhead I would not have blamed the broadhead I would have blamed it on a poor shot.RC
:thumbsup: Awesome!
Congratultions Sir. Thanks fir the story and pics.
Thanks again RC for sharing. A good tip on studying the arrow blood and holding back a bit. Gotta love those swamps.
nice, congrats!
Congrats RC and thanks for sharing :)
Nice shot, and nice deer. Congrats.
Fine job,congrats on some fine eatin and thanks for sharing,always enjoy your post's. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
Congrats!
wow
Congratulations on another fine deer! I really enjoy your hunts with pictures. You also always give a lot of good advice that all of us need to remember from time to time. Nice job!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Great job RC. A fine GA doe.
Nice deer, RC!!
Nice!!
Way to go RC!!!
Thanks for taking us along. :campfire:
congrats!!
Congrats!
You are indeed a true woodsman. Your knowledge of the area and your experience always pays you dividends.
Congrats RC!!!! Hey whats with the snake boots? I didn't think those stinkin snakes bothered you, only us northern boys.
I got to admit...I hate snakes worse than Yanks do!!Of course I`ve seen first hand what happens when bit. Never me but some Buddies have had bad luck.If you ever come hunting with me and catch a snake and try to put it on me...I`ll cut you and pray for you to stop bleeding.RC
:thumbsup: :archer:
Congrats RC and thanks for the hit / tracking lesson.
Nice Shot RC!
RC, Aren't you glad you listened to me when I taught you how to shoot? Someday, I'll teach you the rest but for now, you've done well grasshopper.
Thanks Old Man....
:biglaugh:
:notworthy: