Well guys I did it again. I am completely baffled at how it ended up and I can't wait to share my story. This was a hunt I will never in my life time forget. It was simply awesome. I will be the first to say that without God and the wonderful guys here on trad gang I would of never gotten this buck. So let the stories begin!
It was 3 o'clock by the time I got out. My clothes were freshly smoked and we had a heavy S-SW wind that was perfect for my location. As I neared my hunting location I stopped to say a prayer. I asked the Lord that if it was possible, that he let tonight be the night I get my buck. I asked that he may gift me with a safe and wonderful hunt. I finished my prayer and kept moving. I was hunting a field corner where I had a plethora of encounters so far. With the deer trail only 10 yards away I had a great shot window at anything that might come along. I got settled in between a bush and an overgrown thorn bush and got ready.
I sat there for a long time with no movement. The winds where very heavy, with gusts over 18 mph. I saw a few squirrels but that was all. I fought hard to keep my dreary eyes open as I comfortably sat in my stool overlooking my surroundings. Finally with 15 minutes until dark I heard footsteps coming my way.
The patter of the footsteps was light and quick; I couldn't tell what they might be. Out of the woods a red fox suddenly emerged. It was on a quick stride out into the field before I could even think. But just then I remembered Nov 10th was the opening day of fox season, I would try to get a shot if I could. I made a few squeaks with my lips and the fox made a 180 straight towards me. I raised my bow and got ready. At less than 10 yards the fox finally stopped. It was looking straight at me, wondering what my leafy form could be. Ever so slowely I drew my bow, picking a spot directly between the crafty animal's eyes. As I released I saw my concentration had be a bit off, as the arrow flew past the fox, just clipping its ear. The fox ran 40 yards and turned around to see what had startled it. My foolish self nocked another arrow and took off after the fox, hoping for another chance. After the fox outran me by leaps and bounds I found myself standing in the middle of the field at prime hunting time, dreading that I had just scared everything within range.
So I figured I would call it a day. I packed up my stool and back pack and started on my way back to my trusty golf cart. As I entered a hay field I was taken back when I looked up to see a large buck looking at me from across the field. I found myself pinned in the open; the only cover was an amazingly sparse line of weeds that separated the hay field from the cut soy bean field. I slowly ducked to the ground in the soy bean field, planning my next move.
I pulled out my grunt call and gave a few deep grunts along with two intimidating snort wheezes. I was blown away when I saw the buck slowly start to walk right towards me. I thought to myself,"What luck, I am stuck behind practically no cover with one of the biggest bucks I have ever seen coming right at me." I took a deep breath and prepared myself. As I watched the buck close the 100 yards between us I could immediately see he was limped very heavily. His front leg was very badly damaged from something. The buck kept coming straight toward me ever so slowly. I now had just a few minutes until legal shooting hours ended. It was dark and I could only see a dark form moving toward me with a glance of antlers in the sun set when it raised its head.
The buck was now 20 yards away. He stopped and looked right at me; his eyes where burning a hole right through my leafy cover. But at last, he kept coming. At 15 yards he turned and starting walking broadside to me. As I raised my bow I asked the Lord to help me. I prayed again and again as I prepared myself for the shot. The buck stopped as I slowly drew my bow. I picked my spot and with my last prayer I released the string.
I was greeted with the sound of the deer snorting and taking off. He tripped once and then ran over the hill, his white flag raised the entire time. I couldn't believe it , I had just missed this buck that was meant for me to have. I had heard no sound of arrow striking flesh, no sound of a labored deer, just the sound of a spooked deer run right out of my life before my eyes. I walked up to where the deer had stood and found nothing. No arrow, no blood. I thanked God for bringing me the deer I had asked for, and apologized for missing my opportunity. I accepted it as a miss and went home to think things through.
After dinner I explained to everyone just what had happened. The buck had watched me draw, jumped the string as I had shot, and my arrow flew harmlessly over its back. I figured the limping deer had tripped on its mad dash to get away from the leafy form that had spooked it. It was late out but I decided to go look for my arrow, that way I wouldn't disturb my hunting grounds looking for my arrow in the daylight.
My Girlfriend and I drove out to where I had shot at the deer. Again we found nothing. I was making circles in the field looking for the bright orange and pink of my fletching. I was surprised when I found my arrow; broken and covered in blood.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/F680D609-9695-44ED-B2DD-486F5659BC68-25256-00002235305D2EB5_zps3912d05f.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/F680D609-9695-44ED-B2DD-486F5659BC68-25256-00002235305D2EB5_zps3912d05f.jpg.html)
I was immediately afraid, the blood on the arrow was thick and heavy; but I didn't have any idea where I had actually hit the deer. While the blood looked promising I was not about to get my hopes up. I found the blood trail as it weaved through the open hay field. My girlfriend and I followed it from spot to spot. It went from being heavy spray to drops, always repeating its cycle.
I about had a heart attack when I raised my flashlight and saw a brown body and high antlers sticking out of the hay field. As ridiculous as it sounds my first thought was someone else had shot the deer. I swore I had missed that deer, even after finding my bloody arrow! My doubt quickly vanished and I was overtaken in joy as I put my hands on his heavy rack. He was an old deer, starting to decline in size. He was injured and pry wouldn't have survived the winter. And he was BIG! My biggest buck ever and my first with trad gear. I was so happy and I thanked God so much for guiding my arrow, even in all my doubts.
He had fallen only 60 yards from where I had shot him. He had ran over a shallow hill and I never saw him go down. He had died on a full stride. I saw that I had hit him a tad forward, between the shoulder and the neck. The arrow lodged deep into him and found its mark. When gutting him I found the rest of my arrow stuck right through his heart.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/85F9373F-E37C-444E-88F8-B0D223688B34-25256-00002234EC37F0E5_zps8d04ce6e.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/85F9373F-E37C-444E-88F8-B0D223688B34-25256-00002234EC37F0E5_zps8d04ce6e.jpg.html)
Upon skinning him I found that I believe he had been shot by something in his elbow. I will know within the next day or two if there is anything lodged in the meat.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/505EF507-1208-4EDC-ACDC-18678155C6DE-25256-000022351FAED96A_zps81c8d0a3.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/505EF507-1208-4EDC-ACDC-18678155C6DE-25256-000022351FAED96A_zps81c8d0a3.jpg.html)
My girlfriend happens to be a wonderful photographer and took some great hero pictures for me.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/Taylor-6_zpsf15ef3d1.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/Taylor-6_zpsf15ef3d1.jpg.html)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/Taylor-4_zpsba135943.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/Taylor-4_zpsba135943.jpg.html)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/Taylor-3_zpsf5dc2bf6.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/Taylor-3_zpsf5dc2bf6.jpg.html)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/Taylor-2_zpsdd9ca847.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/Taylor-2_zpsdd9ca847.jpg.html)
I can't believe how it all turned out. I was gifted with such a beautiful animal. It blows my mind. I have no idea why the Lord blesses me like he does but I am forever grateful for it. This is something I will absolutely never forget. My weapon was a cari-bow wolverine 59# at 28",heritage 250s with 100 grain brass inserts, and the absolutely amazing 165 grain land sharks.Thanks everyone for your help and for being such a wonderful support. This community is truly special. Thanks and enjoy, SS
Congratulations. Really nice buck!
What a blessing indeed!!! Congratulations!!!
Congrats Brother!
You did good! Keep it up.
Charlie :thumbsup:
Very nice deer
Congratulations
Great buck and indeed some very nice photos!! :thumbsup:
Amen, you have been blessed with a great buck, congrats!
Nice buck, and a great story. Thanks for taking us along. Did I mention REALLY NICE BUCK ?!
Great buck!
Great story too!
Congrats,
Bisch
:thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great stuff!! God is good isn't He!?
Beautiful buck! Congrats. :clapper:
That's just too cool . real nice animal.
That's a beautiful bow. Oh and the buck is nice also. Congratulations.
Super nice !!
awesome story and buck!! way to check your shot even though you think you didnt close the deal!
What a tremendous buck and a cool story! Congrats!
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/action_2008/Taylor-2_zpsdd9ca847.jpg) (http://s281.photobucket.com/user/action_2008/media/Taylor-2_zpsdd9ca847.jpg.html)
Kind of think this smile tells the story! :biglaugh: congrats!
.
Way to go!
Great story and nice buck!!!! :clapper:
Way to go, congrats! :thumbsup:
Congrats!
nice buck!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Man that was just meant to be huh? Good job. Nice pics!
Very nice buck! Whom do you think the deer pray to? Evidently this one chose not to pray at all with two arrows being shot into him.
Way to be diligent on your follow up even if you were "sure" you missed. Says a lot!
:clapper: :clapper: awesome story congrats!!
Very nice buck and pics!!!
Great buck, congrats. Really interested to hear what you autopsy from the elbow.
Great story, Congrats on a fine deer.
Congratulations on a great Buck.....Thanks for sharing the story..
Well done!!!
Very good buck! Nice job.
Congratulations man! Great story! That pic with your bow on your shoulder is just awesome!
Beauty of a buck, thanks for taking us on your hunt!
Congrats, thanks for letting us tag along.
Great story and very nice buck too! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Taylor, I am sure glad you don't hunt next to where I do.
Great job Brother!
.. and all Gods children said... Amen.
Dad gum! What a story. Congrats and a great buck.
Congrats!
:bigsmyl:
Congrats! Great Story.
Really pretty deer! I like that pic with the bow over your shoulder.
OHHHHH YEAAAH!
Hopefully I will be seeing you out at the farm this weekend.
:campfire:
-Charlie
Great story, and congratulations on a wonderful buck!
A story to truly remember!
Great buck, congrats!
Thank you everyone for the kind words. It was a great hunt I will never forget. As for the picture with the bow over my shoulder, that was actually me joking around when my girlfriend told me to look serious. I just happened to throw the bow on my shoulder and it ended up coming out great ! Charlie, yes sir brother I can't wait to see you guys this weekend. I'm gonna do my best to put you on something good
Congratulation Taylor!!
A very nice buck you got there, along with great memories.
Abe
Awesome deer sir! Very nice bow too i might add! Great pictures! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :archer2:
Congratulations! Great deer, story & pics!
Taylor, you have a great season going on. Congrts and will see you this week end.
I give you 2 :thumbsup: !
Very nice buck!!!
Congratulations
Fine buck!! Congratulations!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well done, both the pictures and your buck!
-Jay
God is good! We'll done.
Thanks everyone. For an update on the elbow wound, it looks as if the deer had been hit by a car at some point. The wound was not fresh but was hard and grown over.
I scored the buck tonight and he went 134 1/4 inches gross and 125 1/2 with deductions. That means technically he would be big enough to be a Pop & Young buck! I'm very happy with that !
Great job Taylor !
You will never forget that deer.
You're right your girlfriend does take nice pics, they look great.
That is a beautiful buck. Congrats
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
super! :clapper:
Congrats again!!!!
Great story and beautiful buck.
What a great experience! Thanks for sharing. Awesome photos too!
Congrats! What part of Ohio were you hunting?
-Brian
Brian, I am in Holmes county around the Wooster area
Outstanding !!!! Congratulations . :clapper:
Great buck congrats!
Awesome, just awesome.....
Wow, great buck!! Congrats!
Taylor I'm glad that bow worked out for you man!!! Congrats on a awesome buck!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
That turned out great! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats to you man that's a fine buck!
That's a very nice buck! Congrates! :thumbsup:
Oh my. Awesome. Appreciate the credit where it is due!
Blessings
Dan in KS
Beautiful Buck!
Beautiful buck, Beautiful bow, Great story, and a beaming smile. What more can you ask for. The Great Spirit smiled on you.
awesome deer! Congrats!!!
Awesome! Well done!
Very nice job!
Great stuff right there.
Congrats on a great hunt and a fine buck!
Great story and a great buck! Congrats
Congrats on a very fine buck. Great story. Amazing story
dandy!
Awesome!!
Congrats on a nice buck I killed mine a few weeks ago ,The best part of mine was my dear friend was down from Michigan to hunt and we recovered it together.
:jumper: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Just a reminder guys this was last years thread. I don't want anyone to worry that i shot 2 bucks this season. Thanks SS
Awesome buck! Awesome pics! Awesome bow! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
You are rockin' it this year. Congrats!!!!
That is a awesome story and buck ! I shot one about a week ago , I jumped him tracking blood and he got in water . Have not found him yet but I have been seeing buzzards circle .
Congrats
:clapper:
Congrats :thumbsup:
Great writeup. Glad you got him!
He and your Wolverine are stunning!
NICE.