Went out this afternoon with the intent of hunting from the ground. Checked smoke from woodstoves, flags, weather forecasts, wind was from the SW. Picked my spot on the east side of a trail, moved the leaves away from my feet, got comfortable and felt wind on the back of my neck-from the east. Sat for 20 minutes and the wind spent about equal amounts of time from the SW and E-so I moved about a hundred yards to a ladder stand.
I've had this stand in the same tree for 3 years. 2 years ago, I heard a "battle royale" between 2 bucks, found the fight scene about 60 yards from me (never saw them, but one of them snort wheezed when the fight was over). Last year I passed on a nice 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer at 10 feet because I had already killed a bigger one. Up higher, the wind was more steady out of the W to SW.
About 3:10 I heard footsteps coming through the woods and saw a doe headed to me. Something spooked her and she ran back about 20 yards. Eventually, she came out to the trail, but, out of range. I figured that was that, but she came my way, headed for the trail the 8 pointer last year had used, quartering to me all the way. Finally she turned broadside. I had started drawing several times but the angle or the brush prevented a shot. I heard what I was sure was a grunt headed my way, but, she was there in range-10 yards, so I shot. The "bird in the hand" thing.
Double lung pass through, arrow sticking up in the dirt. Not a great bloodtrail (high enough to prevent flow from the exit wound), but enough, besides, I knew the result. Dad's Bow is bloody!!!
66" Echo, "Dad's Bow" (made from wood my father cut in the late 1940's), 56@28, ramin shafts, tipped with 160 gr Snuffers, 570 gr total arrow weight. Arrow is fine. I'll clean it up, resharpen the Snuffer, and put it back in the number 1 spot.
Thanks to Chuck at Two Tracks.
Great story Chuck. Would love to see a photo with the bow, you, and the doe! Did you ever see the one grunting behind her? Also, what was the wood used in the bow?
nice
Here's the story, with photos, of the bow.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=001235;p=1#000000
I didn't take any photos of the doe. Maybe tomorrow I'll get some. I saw the hind end of another deer moving toward where I last saw her, but not the head. Guess he left when she just laid there!!
Score. I subscribe to the "Bird in Hand" view myself.
Pretty cool.........well done!
I'd also love to see pictures of your Two Tracks "Echo".
I also have an "Echo' that I am proud to own.
There's something so simple and eloquent about it.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless,Mudd