Sometimes a kill means more than just the size or rarity of the animal. What's the story behind your special hero shot the picture doesn't portray.
>>>----->
In 2004 I had hung my stand at my family farm down in a little wood patch that was next to an old delapidated homestead.
(http://i50.tinypic.com/94rs.jpg)
You see this old home was build by my Great Grandfather. I never knew them but everytime I am in this little piece of woods I feel a deep connection with it and the land. It is littered with acorn trees and when they start falling it is a good thing to be there.
This is the only deer I have killed in the little woodlot by the house. I'll never forget this hunt, she walked around feeding underneath all these trees for a long time before I ever saw her. With the thick leafy canopy so low my stand platform was maybe 10' off the ground and I could hear her forever meandering around crunching nuts before she finally appeared about 15 yards away. Head down rumaging through the leaves for her prizes she feed her way right underneath me. I was 10' over her and the shot was maybe 5 yards.
(http://i49.tinypic.com/314qc03.jpg)
In 2008 a friend of mine had 6 or 7 of us out to thin down his overpopulation of does. We had a contest for most and largest. Great campfire that evening with many close bowhunting friends. As I usually hunt alone, this photo brings back a bunch of good memories.
(http://i46.tinypic.com/1zefrzo.jpg)
Great pics and great memories.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Dutch4duck/P1010013.jpg)
This would be it for me. I lost my grandfather a few years ago and I shot this doe after his funeral on the property he farmed his entire life. The pants I'm wearing were my Uncle's who passed away unexpectedly when I was in college. The last time I'd seen him, he had helped me look for my first bow shot deer on this farm, which he was taking over for my Grandfather. He had just gotten interested in hunting that season and then, out of nowhere he was taken from us. I've worn those pants in many states and on many various hunting adventures.
That is exactly where I wanted this thread to go Duckbutt. Fantastic stuff Brother!
One of my all time fav pics.
Adam was 45 mins into his first big game hunt 2 weeks after his 12 th B'day.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN3271sm.jpg)
In CA you havta' be 12 to get a Pig tag. Adam had worked out all summer so he could pull back the bow-a St. Charles T Bird.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/Robdeer310-3.jpg)
My first from my grandpas old farm. Grandpa has been gone awhile and the farm is state land now.
Rob
Great stuff guys! Awesome idea TJ!
My "Hero" Dave with his first hog. I've been working together from the start with Dave and culminating in a harvest sure is sweet!
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2081.jpg)
For those interested in the rest of Dave's story, I have it here on the blog. Scroll to the bottom, the blog is in reverse chronological order.
http://strictlysticks.com/category/fresh-start/david-boesing/
Aloha!
Ryan
My last hunt with Ken Jr. 2005 in NE
He passed in 2008.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/KenmuleyKennySmallWebview.jpg)
His last deer 2006 in NE.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/NEwhitetail060104MediumWebview.jpg)
Yes Sir, those are special HERO pictures!
God bless.
Hands down Hero pics!! Great thread :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Great thread! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Lets see some more. :campfire:
Holy WOW! Powerful stuff!
Gentlemen, thank you for sharing your very special photos and memories. Perfect thread.
Great idea TJ. :thumbsup: Looking forward to seeing more !!!
Bill
I am really liking this thread...
The 2010 season was like a revival to me when it came to my bowhunting. It had been since 1997 since I took my last and only deer since taken up Traditional bowhunting. The below series of pictures were all taken the same day Oct 18, 2010. The morning hunt was uneventful till walking out I meet this joker.
(http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy235/jalmay5th/2010%20Bow%20Season/IMG_8292.jpg)
At that time had one those moments when you just know there was more in store for the day. And then while walking out to my evening stand theres and old rail road tie bridge that crosses a small creek and I see this fellow.
(http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy235/jalmay5th/2010%20Bow%20Season/IMG_8302-4.jpg)
Although we have plenty of Alligators in MS it was strange seeing this one on the property as the water we have is only small drainage creeks and most dry up during the summer.
After climbing in the stand and getting settle I was just overwhelmed with a feeling that tonight would lead to an encounter, but I wasn't sure of what variety after the copperhead and alligator. At sundown and only enough light remaining to see out to about 15 yards I was needing to get down, but hung in a few extra minutes knowing something was about to take place. About that time I hear rustling leaves and see the shape or shapes of something moving my way. It turns out it was 4 doe's and they came right under the stand and then moved directly in front of the stand for a 13 yard shot. I was able to make good and the curse was broken! Such an emotion came over me it was a reverend spiritual moment I'll not soon forget.
(http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy235/jalmay5th/2010%20Bow%20Season/IMG_8318.jpg)
This is a very good thread. I wish i could add to it but i havent harvested anything yet with my traditional bows.
Great thread! :campfire:
After some prodding from my buddy I bought a Super Kodiak and practiced all sumer with it. I was shooing great but still didn't have confidence in hunting with it. I hunted the first week of season with my wheels and had a couple deer in the freezer before I took the Bear out. I hunted 2 days with it and had a few deer out of range before I went back to the wheels. A few days later I had a gut feeling to take it back out. I had a great stand set up but all was quiet until about 9am when a neighbor came through for a walk only 100 yards behind my stand. I knew my morning was over but knew my best friend wouldn't be back at the truck until 10:00. At 9:30 I looked up to see a HUGE bodied deer headed my way through the foliage. He stopped around 17 yards, scent checked the area and turned to leave(quartering away). I came to full draw and sent an arrow. I hit him just high and he went down. I quickly sent another arrow and my aim was true and he lay still. I had to sit down and started to laugh, smile and cry. I have never felt emotions like that while hunting. I could barely form a sentence when I met my buddy at the truck. Even more special is the fact that he and I shot the same deer at the same time for our first deer many years before. The buck weighed 250#'s and was 6.5 years old. Quite a deer for my first and only 3 days hunting with Traditional.
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/skipmaster1/00small21714058.jpg)
This deer was very special as well because it was my first with a longbow. I took it on a a piece of land that quite a few other guys hunted and the last day of the CT January season. No one had any luck getting near deer in the late season because the deer were in a bedding area well before daylight and impossible to approach. In mid January I went in and hung a stand right in the middle of it and waited a week or two. I came back the last day of season way before daylight. I even found a shed on the way in with my red headlamp. I knew it would be a good day. Before daybreak I heard deer moving around me. At sunrise I looked down and saw this young doe standing beneath me. I watched as she crashed just 30 yards or so from my stand, proving the shot was good. It was awesome to have a plan like that come together and to see the faces of the other bowhunters who ended the season with tag soup and had made fun of me for taking "that thing" into the woods after deer.
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/skipmaster1/IMG_11141.jpg)
This one is special to me. Killed it last season... it's the first buck I've killed with a recurve after over a 40 year hiatus. Last season was my second year back and had my share of misses the year before.
Also killing it in my public land smokehouse..walking distance from where I live, makes it even more special.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Iflytrout/DEER/Quinn8pt1rs.jpg)
Very good stuff guys!
Best hero thread to date!!!! Keep em coming folks!
Great stories....Great Pictures... :campfire:
This is my twin brother Donald, aka Nakohe.
This was a special hunt as I had just gotten him back into Traditional Archery after many years of absence. He killed this doe in Texas I think it was in 2003, on a hunt with me and I could not be prouder. But I think I created a monster,LOL he is so addicted to Trad Archery now,LOL.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Hunts/DonnyRowanWtDoezTN.jpg)
This is myself and my good friend Glenn "Smitty" Smith on his ranch this past November along with two other friends Eric Zuniga and our very own yononido from Austria. Smitty on the left, me, Eric, then Daniel aka yononido. This was a special hunt as it was the last time that I was able to visit with my dear friend Smitty's wife Cherry, she passed away after a long battle with cancer in January.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Hunts/Daniel-4.jpg)
Here is my "hero" shot...
Traditional archery has always been more to me then just "archery". It goes well beyond just watching an arrow fly, all because of 1 man....
Back in 2008, Dad was in and out of the hosipital alot due to congestive heart failure. One afternoon I just happen to recieve my Black Widow Fall catalog in the mail, this gave me an idea.
I grabbed it and brought it up to the hospital. I told Dad to pick out whatever he wanted. I didn't care if it was a longbow, or a Recurve. I didn't care what woods he picked or which grip he picked out . It wasn't about me, it was about me honoring a man who is responsible for the man I have become. I will hunt with it until I harvest a deer for him, with "his" bow. Wether it takes 1 year or 20, that bow would not leave my side during the hunting seasons until I honor that bow.
He had picked out a Osage PLX longbow. The next day I ordered it and Had them put his name on it under mine. I ordered it 58# because that is how long Mom and Dad have been married at the time. I had stayed up all night thinking about a dedication I can put on the bow for him. I had them put on "forever by my side in all the journeys I take".
A short time later I had recieved a call telling me that dad had started his journey home. I was there in his most vulnerable time while he made his journey home. We laid him to rest a week later. the next day I called Black widow putting his birthdate and the date he went home on the bow. 5 weeks later Dad's bow came. I took it to the cemetary and showed him. The first year I had some close calls, but was not able to close the deal. The second year, I had missed some shots. I went home dejected because I wanted this so badly. My wife had told me to relax, I wanted it so bad that I was putting to much pressure on myself. It will happen its just a matter of time.
A week later I was in the stand on a beautiful afternoon and I got presented with a shot on a doe, that to be quite honest with you, I got away with murder on the stand. I was fidgity, nervous, and if it was any other year without these circumstances, she would have bolted. I just felt that it was dads deer, a gift from him. Before I knew it, the arrow was in her side. After a short bloodtrail, I finally put my hands on Dad's deer....
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00665-1.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00675.jpg)
Love you dad....
What great memoriess :thumbsup: very touching :campfire:
This Thread is as good as it ever gets! All heartfelt and touching stories.
Lots of good stuff here...
Sorry Dad's Log in :knothead:
This Thread was titled "Chris and I had a Good Weekend"
This was a special hunt for many reasons....which I will explain in detail....
I woke up Saturday not feeling great, but it was a good morning so I decided to go. Dad had to be at work kind of early, so I was on my own. I was going to hunt "The Skeeter Hole", a stand over a salt lick that I had never hunted before. We had gotten over 100 pictures here in about a week and we knew the deer were coming to it good. It was one of the coldest mornings we've had this year. I got in my stand a good 20 minutes before shooting light, so I got everything set up. At about 7:30, I looked over my left shoulder and saw a small doe walking on a trail about 30 yards away. Suddenly, I felt a pretty strong gust of wind....blowing right to the deer. She stopped, pawed the ground, then blew several times and ran off.
I honestly didn't have high hopes of seeing anything else after all that blowing, But about 20 minutes later, I heard something moving in front of me and then I saw them. There were 2 deer, a doe and a spike, walking right to my salt lick. They were coming right at me, so I knew I had better not move until they got there and relaxed. As soon as they got to the salt lick, both deer immediately put their heads in it. I eased up and got my bow off of my hanger. The spike wandered off and started feeding, but the doe was quartering away at 15 yards. I knew this was the best opportunity I would get, so I picked a spot, drew back to anchor, and released..........
For those of you that don't know the story of my Kwyk Styk...........
At the time of Chris' passing, we found out that Chris had a new Kwyk Styk ordered from Jack. While we were at Solana this year, Larry, Curt and Dad hatched a plan to let me take Chris's place in line for the new Bow. Larry called Jack from Solana and the plan was put in motion. I did not realize what was going on at first but when Curt let me Pheasant hunt with his Kwyk Styk, Cy, and then left it for me to shoot for a few months when they returned to New York, I started to suspect something was up. I had always been able to shoot Cy well and had my best day ever shooting and connecting with the Pheasants on the wing. I was also able to win the Twin Oaks Classic with Cy.
The Bow is wonderful....Jack built it with a "GURU" grip and the limb tips and Jacks "signature" Arrowhead are made from the Antlers of an 8 point buck that Chris took on Fort Benning.....I have a feeling that this Bow is gonna be in for a serious Ride. It's going to be Fun!
I want to thank Larry, Curt, Jack and Dad for making this happen.
So back to the story...
My arrow entered pretty far back..farther than I wanted. The first thing that entered my mind was "oh no...gut shot." The deer ran in a small loop and then it stopped and started walking very wobbly. It was about this time that I remembered that the deer was quartering away a good bit and I probably got the back of the lungs. She walked behind a tree about 30 yards in front of me and I heard the crash. I waited about 30 minutes before I climbed down...I don't think I could have gotten down any sooner because I was shaking so bad! I nocked another arrow and walked to where I last saw the deer... There she was laying up in a pile of logs! It was a great day, and very special to me. I was using my Chris Kwyk Styk, Easton Full Metal Jacket arrows with some Chris arrow wraps, and one of Chris's VPA 1 1/4" 3 bladed broadheads that were sharpened with a Jewel Stick that Chris gave me.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/2011/P1040720.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/2011/P1040725.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/2011/CIMG4020.jpg)
Great stuff! :campfire:
Great Stuff. Thanks to all for posting.
My brother David took this deer after hunting many years on the same property. I remember he was so happy this day taking a 5 1/2 year old buck that we were after. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/WhiteyandMike-1.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting137.jpg)
The first deer I killed at ShrewHaven
Great ideas for a thread Tom!
Some excellent stuff here gentleman!
My wife loves to bow hunt. Every time she shoots something it is special.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Laurabuck2.jpg)
Her first bow kill.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Bearlo2.jpg)
Her first whitetail.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Lauras1stbuck.jpg)
I love this thread. Much good medicine in this one.
i knew I had this photo somewhere...
This is the first and only hunt which the four of us boys all got together to hunt elk. We had done it for deer, and speed goats on occasional evenings, but not for elk. That was usually just me and my dad, my brothers always having school or football or who knows what else they wanted to do it. MY littlest brother is not pictured, he was just a tyke at the time. I took this bull with my saluki Ibex, which my wife had given me as an anniversary present. He came in so fast and suddenly that my brother and I hit the deck on top of each other. Everyone was pinned to the ground, he caught everyone off guard. We were all with in 5 yards of each other, laying on the ground! Kevin and I are the only to who shoot stick bows, but it was his first hunt with a stick.
So, when he came in we were all caught stuck to the ground laying low. The wheelie boys had no shot. But I was able to sneak an arrow out and shoot him wtihout getting off my belly, with all my brothers and dad so close they could hear me breathe! what an experience. Brings a tear to my eye.
You can see in the photo, this bull was close, I hit him from the gorund up at 6 yards or so, the exit wound was way high! thats called shooting them from the ground. the wound channel is like a treestand shot in reverse.
I wish everyone wasn't so busy and would take the time to get out with Dad and I just once a year.
Its not football anymore, now its school and their various important careers.
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn33/elkbreath/IMG_4294.jpg)
Awesome idea for a thread TJ. Some of these are way above my league, but this place has provided me with memories I will never forget
My first turkey and my first trad harvest. I was so excited to have done what was deemed "impossible" by all my hunting buddies. I walked out of the woods that morning towards one of my trail cameras, hoping to get a pic for the scrapbook. Turned out just like I wanted.
It was only days later that I found this wonderful place called "Tradgang".
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/MDGC0005.jpg)
My first deer with a wood arrow made by my own hands. I fletched it with goose feathers I collected, ground, and chopped myself.
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/CIMG02781.jpg)
My biggest buck to date with any archery equiptment. I hunted hard and long through the rut and finally put it together in December. The look on my face says it all. I try to maintain some composure but its hard when you reach a milestone without compromising anything to reach it.
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/IMAG0264-1.jpg)
I'm with you Tom, I've had 2 special occassions that come to mind right away. Each left me with incredible memories.
This deer was taken the afternoon I buried my best friend and hunting partner. The first time we ever hunted together, we hunted this property. The night I shot the deer, I shot it from a tree he always preferred. I never hunted that tree in the 20 years we hunted together, until that afternoon. Strange how life plays out. The deer holds a special spot on the wall in my family room.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/IMG_0726.jpg)
I remember that thread Tim...it was a great Tribute to your Friend.
Number 2 would have to be that day in late January on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My 12 year old son Tim had hunted all season with a longbow and he only had a few days left. He had plenty of "almosts" all year but the shot had to be close or he wasn't going to shoot. This doe came by just before dark and gave him a 12 yarder. We searched for quite awhile before we found her in the river 30 yards off shore. She didn't go far and the shot was perfect. We kept walking past her, never stopping to take a good look in the water.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/MDDoe.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/MD2Doe.jpg)
I remember seeing the pic of young Tim somewhere before. I also remember seeing the pride in OLD Tim's face. Great stuff.
There are ways to recover a wet deer without getting your pants wet too ya know.....
<----------------
One of my favorites...good friends, great hunt, and cool photo! Thanks Yohon for capturing the moment!
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/Palmer234/BobSika.jpg)
Link to Story ;)
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=109459
Adam and his 5x5
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN1573.jpg)
One of my favorites!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEbxXTw2pRs&feature=player_embedded
Great one Bill !!! :thumbsup:
Bill
:campfire: :coffee:
That's a great one Bob. One you'll look back on for a long time.
All of these are really incredible......
Bob wasn't that the pennisula deer? I remember that thread. You should edit your post and include the link to that one.
Awesome video Tracy! Heck the second shot's always harder than the first.
Edited as requested :D
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l544/dwilber88/Mobile%20Uploads/0818110824.jpg)
My sons first hog!Even though it was a piglet this hunt i will never forget.He was so happy to get a hog before dad did.23yd shot with 45# Chiron long bow.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0420.jpg)
This is a pic of my Dad's first trad kill. This is very special to me because although my old man is a great hunter, he just doesn't seem to connect much. And when he does, no one is around to take a picture. I happened to get to watch the whole shot and everything unfold on this one. It is the only kill pic that me and my Dad are in. It's a very special pic. Thanks to my hero, my old man, who always put me first and took me hunting every chance he got :clapper:
The 2 loves of my life and my 1st trad deer from my 1st trad hunt. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_0719-2.jpg)
Great idea for a thread TJ! Really love all the posts. Fun to see how many special trophies are does and small bucks. In a day and age increasingly overwhelmed by P&Y scores it is nice to see a bunch of like minded folks who appreciate the experieence regardless of any measurements!
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e252/bohuntr/Resizeof2007AntelopeHunt002.jpg)
This is a picture of my dad and I on the last hunt we ever went on together. Dad has been gone a little more than 2 years now. Dad taught me how to hunt and encouraged me but was never a bowhunter. This hunt was actually a rifle antelope hunt but I had an archery deer tag so I brought my bow along. I spotted this forkhorn mulie crossing the road ahead of us and stopped the pickup to see what he would do. He eventually got into a crick bottom about a half mile away and bedded down. I pulled the pickup over, gave my dad my bigger set of binos so he could watch and set off on the stalk. It ended up taking me a goood 45 minutes to an hour to close to 20 yards from the buck. I had no shot because he was bedded in some tall fireweed that obstructed his vitals plus he was quartering to me. I finally decided to push the envelope. I got all the way in to 5 yards when he jumped up to leave and I shot him at a whopping distance of 3 yards as he was attempting to escape! The deer went about 60 yards and expired. My dad got to see the whole thing through the binos! What a great experience and it gave him a chance to see what it was that I really love about bowhunting.
This is a collage that a friend of mine made for me showing all of the pictures from that hunt. I gave this collage to my dad that Christmas. There wasn't a dry eye around the Christmas tree. I love to look at these pictures and remember all the good times we had hunting.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/bohuntr77/ResizeofCollageforDanFox5.jpg)
This just keeps getting better! :campfire:
Awesome thread guys!
great stuff :thumbsup:
(http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp343/nyazel/IMG_2308.jpg)
Here is one of my youngest son last season with his first bow killed buck. He was pretty darn happy after finding him. Even had a downhill drag out.
Great stuff right here!
This is one of my all time favorite hunts because I killed this cow elk while my brother was with his SF A-team in Afganistan. As I packed the elk off and struggled some all I could think of was my brother doin' his job in the mountains with people shooting at him. I kept telling myself getting the animal off was nothing compared to his daily walks in the mountains. Little did I know he'd get hurt on the job the next week and need a helicopter to get him outa those same mountains. After he was home and fully recovered I showed up with 2 very good elk steaks and a bottle. We ate like kings and toasted the heroes still doin' there job and others that died doin' theirs. Finest meal I have ever eaten with the finest man I know.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/WY10019.jpg)
Wow the pic is great Mike in and of itself but now we know what you think of when you look at it!
Good stuff!!
Good stuff!!
Good story Mike. Nice elk. Give your brother my best & thanks for the service!
This is my favorite hero picture. My wife Nancy (RedBird) and I on the first MLA rabbit hunt in northern Michigan in March. Her feet got cold so I build a little fire for her.
(http://shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/ronandnancy.jpeg)
Another one of RedBird and I with her buck. She's been my hunting partner for 53 years.
(http://shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Nancys_buck.jpg)
1959
(http://www.shrewbows.com/2008_images/R-N-before.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/LinRheasWyatt2.jpg)
Love it when a plan comes together! Even if by accident, eh, Lin!
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/RAY-elk-small-1.jpg)
This one, because i worked hard, on public land, at high elevation, and the last minute of the last day of my trip!
Great stuff guys awesome stories
TJ,
These type stories are what Trad Gang is all about. Gear, techniques, and all the other stuff is ok, but this is good stuff. Great idea and thanks for sharing!
CK
This would be my personal favorite as it was the fulfillment of a personal dream to at some point hunt in Alaska.
This was a 'spot and stalk' Black Bear hunt taken in May of 2010 with 5 other Trad types and using the services of Homer Ocean Charters of Homer Alaska.
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/BrokenArrow-03/DSC_0689.jpg)
Thats a pretty cool picture Gene.
TTT :campfire: :coffee:
This is my all time favorite. I was there when Whip shot his first elk in 2007. He was so excited it was phenominal to just be there!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/NM%20Elk%202007/CopyP1010362.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/HPIM1392-1.jpg)
9 1/2 weeks after quadruple bypass. It was pretty sweet. Muzzle loader season was open in MO and I was going to hunt with a gun. I popped a cap before loading it and the bolt froze up so I had to bowhunt. Right side antler popped off when I grabbed it. I'm holding it on in the pic. 70's Kodiak Hunter.
Hear's some pic's I not sure their hero shots but they are to me
This is my Mattie Mae
1st pic is our first deer hunt together and she's 5 years old
2nd pic she 8 and this is our first turkey together
3rd pic she 10 and our first deer together.
All the arrows are on the wall saved for her with date's written on them.
(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad298/doug7759/IMG_2208.jpg)
(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad298/doug7759/IMG_0615.jpg)
(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad298/doug7759/Mattie64Kodiak2.jpg)
Very cool pictures Doug!
ttt
Well I only have a couple hero shots with a trad bow so here is the most recent and the most special. I've been trying to get a turkey with a bow for 8 years (6 with compound, 2 with trad) and I finally connected this spring. I not only got my first turkey but my second in one shot. I was carrying a quiver that was originally Big Fred's (Tim's late best friend) and I was shooting an original Silvertip that a great friend gave me. I can't describe the feeling I got when I saw that arrow go into the bird, even as I type this I get overwhelmed.
(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k567/snakebit40/DSC00206-1.jpg)
1st trad buck, 1st velvet buck, 1st time my buddy's got to help me track, all with a bow I built with the help of my lil guys. Oh yea and it was 9/11/11 just a special kind of day.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j377/armucheelongbows/IMAG0230.jpg)
first bird with a round ball, suprised the boys with this one....
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j377/armucheelongbows/IMG_0011.jpg)
These don't have a great story behind them...but for me they will last a lifetime. All firsts for me...first deer and elk and turkey with traditional gear. On two of these hunts I was wearing a hat my father gave me years ago when I first started hunting...I will always have that hat.
The deer was taken during a hunting/camping trip with my wife and we both agree with live on as the best week of camping/or anything we have ever had together.
The elk was pretty special as well - again shared with my wife during a week of hunting/camping and I killed the elk with a very special bow.
The Turkey was taken with my Father's bow.
(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/149/deerc.jpg) (http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9875/picxe.jpg) (http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/6302/hat003.jpg)
Great stuff guys. I've enjoyed seeing all these pictures. Interesting the common themes of family and the connections to the land that are in many of these post.
Here is mine. This is the first decent buck I have ever shot and it was on the farm I grew up on. My brother still lives there and it is always good to share a hunt with him.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/CopyofBeartrackBuck027.jpg)
This next one is a doe that my friend Tom Porter shot. We had lost the blood trail after tracking it for a considerable time. All of us who have hunted for long enough have unfortunately encounter a similiar situation where you are wondering who is going say what everyone is thinking...that the deer is lost. I think Tom and I were both thinking the same thing. Just as it seemed all hope was lost then suddenly fortune shone on us and we found the deer! Nothing Better!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TomsDoe.jpg)
This is the work of a very special broadhead!
It is in the St. Judes Auction
http://auction1.tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=167;t=000010
(http://i48.tinypic.com/309r788.jpg)
Great pics and stories,congrats everybody.
Great memories! Thanks for sharing!! :thumbsup:
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Here is my newest addition. I have longed to have a kill pic with my Dad (pic on previous page) and all of my sons. I blew a great opportunity with my son Tyler several years ago (see signature line) But on Monday night it came together with my oldest. Even better I watched it and he made a great shot. It's his first Archery kill. I am very proud to say the least
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/Smityandmehishog1.jpg)