Well guys, My journey has finally come full circle. The dream I started 4 months ago has finally been completed. To harvest a deer with traditional archery. There are many people who have helped me complete this journey, and start the addiction that will continue throughout my lifetime. First and for most I would like to thank KentuckyTJ for going out of his way to help find me a mentor to teach me. KentuckyTJ got me in touch with Rob and Charlie( oldskool and buckeye_hunter). Rob and Charlie taught me everything, simple as that. From form to aiming, these guys did it all. Plus they are 2 new life long friends anyone would be happy to have. I cant thank them enough. Now on to the story.
It was 5:30 by the time I had gotten into the stand, my last minute practice session and smoking of my clothes took longer than expected. I was 16 feet up a walnut tree with a creek crossing point behind me. Charlie taught me to face towards the tree, using it as cover to shoot around. I had a good SW wind that blew directly into my face. It looked as If it was going to be a good evening.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/IMG_0353_zpsb9ed7191.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/IMG_0353_zpsb9ed7191.jpg.html)
At 6:45 I looked over above the creek and saw 3 deer 60 yards away heading towards the creek. They splashed and drank in the water for over 15 minutes while I sat and enjoyed watching them. Than 3 more deer arrived. They meandered around for awhile until the lead doe started walking down the creek, right towards me. They came closer and closer as I stood and watched motionless. Than the Lead doe turned and headed up the trail right past my stand.
The doe walked right past my tree I was hiding behind. As she walked up the trail slightly quartering a mear 4 yards away, I drew and released. The arrow struck right behind her shoulder and she took off. The arrow was in her but I was concerned I didn't get enough penetration. It was than I realized I had short drawn my bow as target panic had over taken me. The doe was gone in a flash and I looked around to see that the other deer were still standing there. My bow was so quiet that It hadn't spooked the doe that was standing directly behind the one I had shot. I quickly put another arrow in but decided against taking a shot at another deer, as I had enough work on my hands already.
As I stood collecting my thought and trying to grasp what had happened I realized the deer around me weren't going anywhere. they continued to walk around and eat. I didn't want to spook them so I just stood as still as I could. They finally walked out of sight and I started trying to pack up and get out of the stand. than I heard a deer blow. I looked back to see a deer 60 yards downwind, staring right at me. I froze and within seconds she forgot I was there. My wind was blowing right at them but they continued unalarmed. A small buck came and started chasing them and they finally left. As I was getting down I looked over across the creek to see a deer staring at something in the grass. I prayed it was my deer laying there that the other one was staring at. As darkness overset I packed up and climbed down.
The shot had happened so fast I could barely remember where the deer had ran off at. I found no blood at the shot site. As I walked up a trail I soon found spraying blood all over the right side of the trail, which lead into a thorn patch. it was getting dark and I wanted help tracking her. I called a friend and just as I was about to go meet him I decided to go see what that deer had been staring at. I walked over to find my beautiful deer laying there. She had made a mad dash though the thorn, back across the creek, than fell in a stand of young walnuts. I was overjoyed.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/IMG_9955_zps2f00e805.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/IMG_9955_zps2f00e805.jpg.html)
My friend arrived and we quickly got her gutted and skinned out. It was a wonderful evening that I got to spend heavily in Gods presence. There is no doubt in my mind the big man above was by my side every step of the way. He proves us with so much on this beautiful earth! Thanks again Trad Gang for helping me along the way to start the passion that burns deep in my soul.
Even though I had short drawn the arrow still did the job. The 165 grain land shark cut a huge path and went right through her heart, stopping on the opposite shoulder.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/IMG_5329_zps1f038190.png) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/IMG_5329_zps1f038190.png.html)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/IMG_3487_zpsf9a6b4c9.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/IMG_3487_zpsf9a6b4c9.jpg.html)
what A great hunt with my caribow wolverine and my first trad deer!
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/IMG_0366_zps9354bc07.png) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/IMG_0366_zps9354bc07.png.html)
:archer:
Congrats! :clapper: Awesome story too!
Way to go! :jumper:
Congratulations on a fine shot and a beautiful Deer....!
Way to go !!!
Good shot..
Thats a great story, trad guys helping others!!! Congrats on your first and well done :thumbsup:
Many congrats.
congratulation, nice job hoss!
Beautiful! Congratulations on a great deer, perfect shot, and wonderful story.
Congrats I really enjoyed the story thanks for telling it
Great shot and I have to say you have some writing ability as well. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the club!
AJ
Thats how thats done all the way around.Congrats to all in the making of a great story.
:thumbsup:
Congrats on a making a ton of memories and welcome to the brother hood, great shot and beautiful doe, looking forward to reading how the rest of your season turns out.
Congrats to you..... Took my first trad deer in 85'... still remember the rush. Whats the specs of your Wolverine and woods. Very nice looking bow !!
Froggy
Congrats on your first trad deer. Wonderful story and detail.
Great job on passing the second deer to avoid complicating the situation, great job calling a friend to help track (even though you didn't need it). Basically great job on everything!!!!
Congrats :thumbsup:
Great job. 4 months is incredible for your goal. I am entering Season #3 in my attempt to take one with traditional gear.
Those broadheads are massive.
This thread got me into researching them.
Looks like they do massive damage.
Thanks for sharing.
Congrats!!!
Awesome!! Congratulations!!!
Yep... Thanks for sharing.
Continued good luck,
Todd
First off congratulations!!!! Great story and what a man and hunter --giving recognition to people and God takes a MAN --not taking another shot but finishing what youve started takes a HUNTER very very well done to you and Those that have helped you
Well Done and Congratulations on a GREAT deer! I know Rob and Charlie are proud.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Proud for you
QuoteOriginally posted by Stompie:
First off congratulations!!!! Great story and what a man and hunter --giving recognition to people and God takes a MAN --not taking another shot but finishing what youve started takes a HUNTER very very well done to you and Those that have helped you
X2. Well done!
Awesome, congrats!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. It was pretty amazing to say the least.
Froggy, my wolverine is 59# at 28". It is 58" long. Has boo core with I believe curly bubinga limbs and moose antler tips and grip face. It is an incredible bow ! Now that I have my first doe down I will be hunting for a buck. But I will also take an opportunity at another doe if the chance arises. SS
The smile on your face in the last pic says it all, but thank you for the story too!
Congrats!
Congratulations on your beautiful doe! The smile on your face says it all! Very well written story and nice pictures. :clapper:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Congrats! 4 months!? Man your ahead of schedule!!
awesome!
Congrats!
Way to go . Good shot :thumbsup: t.
A memory that will last forever, congrats! :thumbsup:
Think you just busted the curve (think grading curve), just 4 months is impressive. Congrats and continued good luck in future endeavors.
Big congrats. Great job on your first.
Good deal,congrats on a fine doe,now you're really hooked,LOL. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
you ll never forgot this doe...
good job !!!!
Great job...
Congrats!
:thumbsup:
Great shoot'n ... fine deer
Nice Work - and good shot!! Incredible feeling, isn't it. Thanks for taking us along.
Congratulations! Nice job on the hunt and the story. You were definitely in the right spot.
Congrats! :clapper:
Congrats... :thumbsup:
Way to go bud! Great shot on a beautiful doe. :archer2:
Very very very nice job and a beautiful deer:) Congratulations!
You may kill many more, but you will ALWAYS remember the first! Congrats, we'll done.
Awesome!!!! Way to go!
Congratulations on your first! You picked this up very quickly,four months is not long at all,good job!
Congrats on the awesome experience!
Congrats!!!
Congrats! :clapper:
Job well done my friend! Keep it up
Great story and deer! Way to go.
Wow gray story!!! congratulations!!!!
Well done!!
You had 2 good mentor and have made the things right,congrats
Awesome story ,and congrats on a fine trophy.
Fantastic!!
congrats
Way to go, Congrats.
Tom
Well done !!
Congrats on the first of many, I'm sure.
Charlie and Rob are a couple good characters to hang out with,,,LOL...
Well done, congrats
Nice shooting.
God acknowledges those that acknowledge him. Thanks for that and for sharing your proud rejoiceful moment. May you have many more. Nice shot,well done and congratulations on a beautiful Doe. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great shot and great Deer, you will always remember the 1st.
That is a great deer! You will enjoy the fruits of your harvest now! I can't think of anything better than bow in hand sitting in a treestand on a cool November morning.
Congratulations!
Awesome!! Congrats and great shot.
congrats on the accomplishment! She is a good looking doe.
Awesome shot!
Congrats on your first.....
><>>
Glenn
What does "smoking your clothes" mean? I have never heard of this. I shoot trad too, this is my first season bow hunting since I was a kid. I am 51 now, so a little behind.
Congratulations!
Way to go!
out standing
RETARMY, I started a small fire than threw some leaves and green pine branches on it. This creates a nice billowing white smoke. Just hang your clothes in the smoke for 15 minutes or so. While your at it stand in the smoke also. This will cover all of your human scent and it will stay on your clothes for a few days. From what I have seen it certainly doesn't hurt and definitely kills a lot of your human odor !
Well done, nice shot.
Congrats!!! thanks for posting
Great job, great story, and great shot! I was able to arrow my first trad deer tonight and I can relate to that smile you had in the last picture. Like you, trad gang has been a huge part in my success. Again, congratulations and awesome shot, I hope you have many more great hunting memories to come.
Gotta love a heart shot!.......GREAT JOB!!!!!
Congratulations...great story! :thumbsup:
Great job and great story telling!!!
Congrats on a fine start and a good shot.
Congrats!
Well done Well done indeed-Congrats Let the journey begin.
Great shooting. Congrats.
Chris
Great shot and a big congratulations!!!
Abe
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Good story and congratulations! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations :thumbsup:
Fantastic job Brother that sure didn't take you long. It just goes to show what dedication and hard work can accomplish. I also would like to thank Charles and Robert for stepping up and spending their time and knowledge with you. Great job all the way around guys.
Congrats to you on your first, love these threads
Congrats!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That's awesome man. Congratulations!!!
I couldn't be happier if I had shot that doe myself! So excited to see it come together for you. The smoke is amazing, isn't it? I did have video to prove my point last year, but the phone with the footage had an unfortunate toilet accident!
Congrats again! Awesome doe.
:campfire:
You are Traditional archery, way to go, great job.
:campfire:
Like Charlie,I couldn't be happier if I shot her my self. Taylor is a pretty good shot. He learns quick.Great job grasshopper. :bigsmyl:
Congrats on a fine mamma there!
Congrats!
Real neat story and nice pics as well. Congrats! Oh, and I love that Caribow.