Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 03:47:00 PM

Title: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 03:47:00 PM
They say the first is an ice breaker. I sure hope so. I've failed to connect long enough and today, it finally happened. Lunch was even a little tastier today.
 (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8132100077_f41e4c75c7_c.jpg)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: GRINCH on October 28, 2012, 03:52:00 PM
Now thats an pic I can relate to,way to go Lin.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: DEATHMASTER on October 28, 2012, 03:53:00 PM
Looks good.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Dogboy900 on October 28, 2012, 04:02:00 PM
Good stuff. I think the first tastes the best too!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: gregg dudley on October 28, 2012, 04:12:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: rastaman on October 28, 2012, 04:14:00 PM
Man you are making my mouth water! Way to go sir!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: WESTBROOK on October 28, 2012, 04:34:00 PM
Congrats Lin  :bigsmyl:  

Eric
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: akaboomer on October 28, 2012, 04:53:00 PM
Yes sir, tasty lunch. Congratulations Lin.

Chris
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Doug Campbell on October 28, 2012, 04:57:00 PM
Heck Lin, figured you'd have a big old cast iron skillet over your forge to cook that stuff up...  ;)  Congrats Buddy     :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on October 28, 2012, 05:01:00 PM
Lin, mmmm, mmmm, mmm! The taste of success, make it all the better.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 05:03:00 PM
I guess you guys deserve a story.

I wish it could be a neat and tidy story, but not so. It started off bad.

Yesterday, I and my stepson (Wyatt) went to some oaks that are dropping heavy and the deer are really liking it. The bad part is that I made a not so good shot getting an arrow covered in paunch contents and watching the deer disappear into a cut over with high grass, weeds, and tree tops pushed up into piles. I located the blood trail and followed till it started getting dark and we backed out.

Chris Montgomery (akaboomer) and I have been in regular communication reporting what we're seeing, wind direction, etc. by text the whole day. When my cell phone goes dead, he calls on the landline and offers to come this morning to help search. So he shows up and off we go at daylight. We find the trail and follow for some distance, blood getting harder to see in the grass as well as our first frost is obscuring the sign.

We took along my little Rat Terrier (Daisy) to "help", thinking she might turn out to be some help.
 (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8132103268_84eb021db5_c.jpg)

She meant well, but she was more interested in the smaller creatures under and around logs and brush.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 05:11:00 PM
Here is where the presence of Chris really made the difference for me. He has good eyes for the trail as well as the determination of a bulldog. None the less, we lost the trail eventually and decided to fan out and cover some area of the cut over. We looked for an hour or so, met and talked about where we would be if we were the deer. There was a likely bedding area up ahead and we started easing forward.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Bernie B. on October 28, 2012, 05:18:00 PM
You're telling a good story Lin, keep it up!     :coffee:

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 05:21:00 PM
I spotted a deer bedded over to the side and let Chris know. Of course we stopped on high alert. I looked through my binos and saw frost on the deer's back and Chris mentioned it too and we deduced that it was dead.

Well, it wasn't. I eased up to it arrow at the ready, but..... not ready enough. I was 10- 15 feet from it when it jumped up. We both got off a shot but I dont think either hit it. We confirmed by the blood in the deer's bed that this was my deer.

So, we now had a situation on our hands.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 28, 2012, 05:46:00 PM
We saw where the deer ran and also could tell that it ran into but not out of a thicker area. So, we spread out a little and moved up slowly. There was a few moments where I could not see Chris down in a small valley. I heard the thunk of his bow and a crack. I move more. I saw him moving up. He pointed ahead in the thick stuff.  I moved up.

And that's how we handled it. Each moving a little at a time. We knew something was about to happen since just ahead was an open meadow. We were literally looking into the bushes and downed tree tops.

I saw Chris raise his bow and shoot almost down at his feet. The deer ran out and maybe 15 yards and laid down. I managed to stick another one in it and it was over.

Like I said, it was not pretty, but it's done. It was turn our backs on a bad situation or do what we thought we could. In this case, it turned out. The deer traveled a few hundred yards total.

She weighed about 80 lbs, not including arrows.

Chris and the deer after dragging it back and we're resting.
  (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8132010283_66f6a96afa_c.jpg)

Me and my helper
  (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8132037164_cc0ed417b1_c.jpg)

I was using my Tall Tines recurve.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: drewsbow on October 28, 2012, 05:56:00 PM
congrats   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Rob W. on October 28, 2012, 05:58:00 PM
My first Trad deer was a similar situation.

Way to stick with it!  :thumbsup:  Congrats!

Good story and pics!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Tsalt on October 28, 2012, 05:58:00 PM
Congrats Lin!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: on October 28, 2012, 06:00:00 PM
Congrats on your first trad deer. And kudos for sticking with it and a good recovery. I had almost the same thing happen a few years ago when I made a not so good shot. As I approached the deer I thought was dead, it jumped up and ran off . I ended up recovering that one too but I was sure worried. If i think there is any chance the deer is still alive as I approach now, I put a second arrow in them as soon as I can get a shot.

Congrats again,

Bisch
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Brianlocal3 on October 28, 2012, 06:02:00 PM
Outstanding work.  I loved the story
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Tater John on October 28, 2012, 06:17:00 PM
Two  :thumbsup:     :thumbsup:   and an Applause Award   :clapper:  

Rusty
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: lilbobby on October 28, 2012, 06:23:00 PM
Fine story, good on you & bud on the recovery!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: AWPForester on October 28, 2012, 06:25:00 PM
Way to stick with it.  Death and the life it provides is rarely pretty.  It happens sometimes.  Once again, good job being determined and geting it done.  Beter you are eating it than the yotes.  God Bless
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: misfire on October 28, 2012, 06:40:00 PM
I applaud your determination and commitment!

  :thumbsup:   :thumbsup:  

Congratulations!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: RecurveRookie on October 28, 2012, 08:13:00 PM
Good job on a strong finish! I appreciate you telling the story that will help the new guys like me.  When I finally get one down, I will remember to stick it again.  Way to follow through!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Hawkeye on October 28, 2012, 09:11:00 PM
Big-time congrats on your first kill, and for doing everything necessary to bring the hunt to a conclusion.  Way to "fight the fight"!

Enjoy those backstraps!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: briarsdad on October 28, 2012, 09:17:00 PM
Excellent job on sticking with it til the end. My first trad deer was a doe with my recurve a few years ago and it was a similar story.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: chinook907 on October 28, 2012, 09:24:00 PM
Big Congrats Lin !  Nice deer, and that stuff you had going on in the skillet looks tasty.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: cahaba on October 28, 2012, 09:37:00 PM
Congrats and a good job.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: wislnwings on October 28, 2012, 09:39:00 PM
Congrats and kudos to you guys on your determined follow up.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: koger on October 28, 2012, 10:05:00 PM
Way to go and not give up on finding it! Contrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: wildgame on October 28, 2012, 11:40:00 PM
Nothing like the first! Congrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: GRINCH on October 28, 2012, 11:42:00 PM
Lin congrats on your deer,I admire your persaverance in tracking it and finishing the kill,well done.   :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Bowhunter4life on October 29, 2012, 12:33:00 AM
First off, congratulations!  Ice breaker for sure!  

Persistence doesn't always pay off, but more often then not it does... and that is in every aspect of our lives not just hunting...

Wishing you many more successful hunts to come!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Dogboy900 on October 29, 2012, 12:33:00 AM
I picked up a new saying on a hunt recently,
"Dead is good deader is better"
I think a back up arrow is never a bad idea. Glad you stuck with it and found her well done, and cute dog  :)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Soonerlongbow on October 29, 2012, 12:53:00 AM
Way to go!!!!!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Thumper Dunker on October 29, 2012, 01:34:00 AM
Good job with sticking with it.Congrats on your first.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: BrownA5 on October 29, 2012, 04:21:00 AM
Way to go Lin!  Congrats on finding the Deer...
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Hopewell Tom on October 29, 2012, 06:02:00 AM
All's well that ends well.
Way to stick with it.
Looks like the food part turned our really well!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Terry Lightle on October 29, 2012, 06:22:00 AM
Glad for you Lin
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 29, 2012, 08:24:00 AM
Thank you guys.

I have to extend a big thanks to akaboomer for his help in the search. He also inspired me to keep looking even though we lost the blood trail.

It was particlarly satisfying to take the deer during the muzzleloading season. I determined for myself to hunt this year till I got a deer without resorting to a fire arm.

One little aside to our experience. Daisy (my little dog) loves to go with me on such walks in the woods. As we were walking in to the blind area where I took the shot, we were very quiet and moved slow, watching ahead because every time I aproach the blind, I spook deer. Sure enough, Chris and I spotted some deer and were standing on the creek bank studying them through the binos when all of a sudden Daisy jumped in the creek right behind us! She made a huge splash and noise for such a small dog! The deer and us spooked and she calmy climbs out and shake off right beside us.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: jcar315 on October 29, 2012, 08:42:00 AM
Congrats Lin!!!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: longbowben on October 29, 2012, 08:44:00 AM
Congrats now i'm hungry.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: KentuckyTJ on October 29, 2012, 08:49:00 AM
Congrats Lin looks tasty!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: JoeM on October 29, 2012, 09:07:00 AM
Perseverance!!!!  Good for you sir heck of a story, Congrats Joe
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 29, 2012, 09:08:00 AM
Congrats Lin. Good eatin right there. Your determination and recovery effort is commendable. Your dog story made me chuckle.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: JamesKerr on October 29, 2012, 01:23:00 PM
Congrats! Good on you for staying with it even when it looked bad.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Terry Green on October 29, 2012, 01:26:00 PM
:bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Ron Nepini on October 29, 2012, 01:29:00 PM
Looks good can i have a bite?
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Emmons on October 29, 2012, 01:35:00 PM
Way to go Lin!  Nice job of the follow-up!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: DGF on October 29, 2012, 01:39:00 PM
Nice job Lin. Glad the hard work paid off.

-Dan
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Steve O on October 29, 2012, 02:37:00 PM
Lin, great job.  Glad you christened the TallTines.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: ron w on October 29, 2012, 02:49:00 PM
Great follow up......cool dog! Now ,did you have a knife with you....LOL!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 29, 2012, 02:57:00 PM
Thanks guys.

Steve, you'd be surprised what this has done for my confidence. Then again, maybe you wouldn't.  :D
Since I got this bow from Brian and have seen your bow and Stickflinger's as well as other's and the fine animals you guys take, I have wondered if I can live up to the bow's potential.

I've killed some nice deer by other means but this 80 lb doe is a real trophy to me.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Mike Gerardi on October 29, 2012, 03:27:00 PM
Congrats Lin.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: ymountainman on October 29, 2012, 05:44:00 PM
Congrats on the steak dinner Lin!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Shedrock on October 29, 2012, 05:50:00 PM
Congrats  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Duker on October 29, 2012, 05:51:00 PM
W   :D   W:::::Great recovery   :thumbsup:   CONGRATS Lin    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Two Wolves on October 29, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
Awesome sauce Lin! Still working on my first one.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Squirrel Bait on October 29, 2012, 06:29:00 PM
Way to go, Lin ! Congrats.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Hoyt on October 29, 2012, 07:18:00 PM
Congrats!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Iflytrout/Pictures/buzzards.gif)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: D.Ellis on October 29, 2012, 10:37:00 PM
Congrats Lin. Glad you were able to recover the deer.......bad shots happen sometimes, but I hope you have used up your quota and kill every one clean from here on out.
I put the arrow too far back on my first deer as well,(small sitka blacktail) but managed to clip an artery and it only went 25 yards......I'd rather be good, but I'll take lucky as an alternative.   :knothead:    :D  
Darcy
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on October 29, 2012, 10:42:00 PM
Way to go on your first , and way to stick with it , Congrats for both.......
,,,,Sam,,,,
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: wooddamon1 on October 29, 2012, 10:47:00 PM
:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: SheltonCreeker on October 29, 2012, 10:55:00 PM
Good job sticking it out. Congrats on your first!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: akaboomer on October 30, 2012, 11:52:00 AM
I don't think it was mentioned but the hunt was from the ground in a blind made of natural vegitation. Lin had a great setup and used what was available to make it happen. Sometimes thing don't go perfect but work out in the end.

Congrats again Lin and thanks for letting me be a part of it and providing an outstanding lunch.

Chris
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: BaldingEagle on October 30, 2012, 04:22:00 PM
Congratulations
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Bill Kissner on October 30, 2012, 07:09:00 PM
Glad you found her Lin! Congratulations!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: Bow man on October 30, 2012, 07:46:00 PM
Nice work on that one Congratulations
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: BDann on October 30, 2012, 10:10:00 PM
Way to stick with it!  Congratulations!  I bet you sliced that venison up with one of your incredible knives too!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: joekeith on October 31, 2012, 12:42:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer
Post by: swp on October 31, 2012, 12:49:00 PM
Congrats Lin!!