Man, what a hunt! I can't believe how GOD has smiled on me this past week. Killed that big buck last Friday, and now this. The whole thing seems unreal!
Monday afternoon, at Horse Creek WMA, I strapped on all my gear and decided to make the long walk back to the spot me and Robert call the "2 Mile Oak". On my way back, I came across a Swamp Chestnut that was dropping hard, and showing a good bit of sign. I knew that a lot of the sign was from hogs, but some of it had to be deer. I found one pile of droppings, and saw some deer tracks here and there around the tree. I studied the spot for a while, and finally picked out a tree to climb that would give me plenty of cover.
From the time that I got on the stand, I didn't like the setup. I had plenty of cover alright, so much that I couldn't shoot under a good portion of the chestnut. The limbs that were blocking my shots were out of reach. I contemplated climbing down and drilling another tree, but kept debating the move until it was too late to do it. Right at that time when you expect to see one, a doe came in and fed under the tree for a good 10 minutes, all the while within 15 yards. I was upset with myself for making a rookie mistake, and just as soon as she eased off, which was right at dark, I climbed down, picked out a better tree, and drilled my holes and got set up for the next morning.
My clock went off at 5:45 this morning, and I jumped up and hit the showers. I wanted to go in as clean and scent free as possible. As soon as I could get dressed, I headed out so I could be on stand and settled in before daylight.
I had on about every layer of clothes I had brought, but almost froze as I hurriedly made the 15 minute walk to the chestnut. Once I got on stand, I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and waited for day to break. At approximately 7:10, I thought I heard a deer grunt somewhere in the blackness out in front of me. It was only one time, very faint, with no other sounds accompanying it. I got to thinking that maybe it was a bird of something and wrote it off. About 5 minutes later, I heard it again. I pulled my hood off my head so I could hear better. Nothing for the next several minutes...
All of a sudden, I heard the unmistakable crunch of a chestnut acorn. Only two critters in the woods, that I know of, to make that sound. Deer and hogs. At this time, it was just light enough that I could shoot to about 5 yards, and couldn't see much past that. Several minutes, and busted acorns later, I glimpsed movement and saw a deer easing in under the offside of the tree. It looked like a doe, but the light was so dim it was hard to tell. I watched it for several minutes, then suddenly saw another deer further out on the edge of the slough. It looked like a cow! I couldn't see antlers, but knew by the discrepancy of size between the two deer that this one was a buck!
I eased my hand up and flipped on the video camera. The bright light from the LCD screen lit up my arm. I hit record, and then slowly, like molasses in the winter time, moved my hand back down to the bowstring. It was still so early, the video screen was solid black. I left it recording thinking that if these deer fed for a while, eventually there would be enough light to film.
About 10 minutes later, after having ample opportunity to shoot the doe at 5-7 yards, she decided her belly was full and started walking away from the tree. The buck was still on the offside of the tree, but I knew he wouldn't be far behind her. Luckily, the route of her departure would bring him through a clear lane where I could shoot. By this time, I was able to see the deer clearly in the camera, and was following him along. There was still a bunch of foliage in the way, and I hadn't had a clear look at his rack, but he was coming. I shoved the camera ahead of him, in the hole where I hoped to get a shot. He was coming fast now, and I had to scurry to get on the string.
When he hit the hole, I drew, and simultaneously mouth bleated to get him to stop. As if on cue, he stopped on his mark. I can remember baring down hard on the spot I wanted to hit, and the next thing I know, yellow feathers were sticking out from there.
I watched him run for a few yards before he disappeared from view, and then a few seconds later I heard him crash. The sounds of a sucking chest wound filled the air momentarily, and then all was silent. I gave him a few minutes and then got down to take a look at him. I stepped off 12 yards to the spot he was standing, and saw blood at the hit. A short 55 yards later I was standing over him.
Can't believe I've killed the two biggest bucks of my life within 5 days of each other. He's probably a hair smaller than the one I killed last Friday, but to me he's even more special. Heck of a buck on public land.
Thanks to Dennis and Robert for helping me get him out. I probably could have done it without them, but I sure didn't want to! Lol!
Robert has some better pics. Maybe he'll post them up.
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/hookedn21/Deer/012copy_zps912a153b.jpg)
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/hookedn21/Deer/001copy_zps82aba054.jpg)
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/hookedn21/Deer/002copy_zps43e02f85.jpg)
Another nice Buck,now I know where my 4 leaf clover went,congrats. :thumbsup:
Great work Brother!
Nice buck Chris and great story. :thumbsup:
:notworthy: :clapper: I hoping to fill my one buck tag this season! Congrats on another!
Wow, what a weekend to remember for you! congrats
Nice one again!!!!
Alright, now just where is it that your hunting? :saywhat:
Wow!!! I guess you have used up all of your luck for your lifetime. How about passing some of that onto some of us 'ol timers?
Great Job!
Beautiful deer. He'll fill the freezer, no question.
Busy week!! Both are great deer Congrats!!! Joe
There you go...hangin' out with that Robert feller will just bring the mojo :)
WAY TO GO on two great bucks. Doing it on public ground is even more impressive! Proud for you...now the taxidermist get's to bite you twice :cool:
Thats GREAT :readit: ;)
Congrats again!!!
Wow..awesome! Love to follow your hunts!
Holy cow! What a season Chris! You are a real killer!
Nice buck!!
super great buck!
2 fine bucks in 5 days. I think your showing off! haha Congrats bro!
Awesome congrats again!
Congrats on 2 very nice bucks!! Love the stories, a year you will never forget!!!
Very nice. Congrats on both!
Chris
Atta boy Chris! 2 studs within a week.... Don't get any better!
On public land that is awesome :notworthy:
Dang'it boy! Go ahead with ya bad self. Congrats!
Great job Chris! Enjoying all your stories this year as I can picture everything. Always thinking about a way to get back down and hunt with you and Robert again. One of these days.
Dan
Thats awesome! congrats, you deserve it
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Wow that is awesome two incredible bucks. Great job.
:archer:
Way to go Chris!
Man did you have a week. Congrats.
Give us a little info on your bow and arrow set up. I love the poticulars.
Holy man! You're on fire. Another fine deer. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by MCS:
Give us a little info on your bow and arrow set up. I love the poticulars.
My bow is a Centaur Triple Carbon, 63#@28", 62". Easton Axis 400's and glue on Treesharks with standard aluminum adapters.
:thumbsup: Congrats!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :clapper:
Another congrats to ya :clapper:
Those are two nice bucks,congrats!
Dang, you are a slayer this year!
Very nice!!!
Wow! What a dream season!
You might just as well take up golf now. That's going to be tough to ever top!
Congrats again on another nice buck.
I`m still smiling from reading the story about the FIRST one...LOL!!! :campfire:
Dang Chris!! Great job(s)!! Congrats on a fine pair of bucks!! :notworthy:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Great story and a another fine buck falling to a shark attack ...
Good Shoot'n!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Iflytrout/Pictures/buzzards.gif)
Your week has been about as good as is possible, you must be on cloud nine. Way to go and thanks for sharing the stories and pictures.
-Jay
AWESOME... :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I like "double-headers"!
Allan
Nice buck pal
dang man!!! you are getting it done this year!!! congratulations!!
Geez Chris, save a few for seed, LOL! Congrats man, what a year!
Billy
Congrats!!!
Great buck and great write-up too!
Congrats,
Bisch
WAY TO GO Chris!
Those are 2 *nice* public land bucks!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Was wondering how long it would take to make it to this page! Chris, taking two nice bucks like that on public land in the south is testament to the sweat equity that you have put in. Not to mention the does and hogs that you have already taken this year. I tip my hat to you. Congratulations! Again!
All I can say is You Done Good....Really, Really, Good!
Congratulations
Just to clarify, this buck was taken on public land, the first one wasn't. It came off a 400 acre tract of private ground I have permission to hunt.
Here is another pic of a fine public land south ga. buck..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0210.jpg)
And here is a pic telling how the hard work went afterwards.
Brother Dennis Rice on the left is toting the cape that may weigh a few pounds. Chris on the right has a stand he brags about only weighing a half pound or so and in his meat sack is two backstraps and a foot or something...And I`m in the back packing out mostly the whole beast...Luckly we were only a tad over a mile in the swamp.RC
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0220.jpg)
Nice again :thumbsup:
Another stud! Sometimes you make it look too easy brother...congrats again!
Good job! Way to lay them down. All this and the rut hasn't even started.
QuoteOriginally posted by Landshark160:
Just to clarify, this buck was taken on public land, the first one wasn't. It came off a 400 acre tract of private ground I have permission to hunt.
Well that settles it, you are just lucky then! :D
Seriously, man, Congrats again! You are having a heck of a hunting season and reaping the results of a lot of time/effort.