My title provides a pretty good hint, but what does this photo tell you?
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_7518_zpsa966892b.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_7518_zpsa966892b.jpg.html)
It tells me that we need some more pictures! Don't hold out on us.
Looks like a good hit, and the makings of a good blood trail.
WE NEED PICS!!! :campfire:
white hair on the ground, big drops of bright blood and feathers look clean
my guess...first arrow was a low chest/brisket.
:coffee:
:campfire:
That was the second arrow. Here is the first...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_7520_zps58dfde15.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_7520_zps58dfde15.jpg.html)
:campfire:
Ok, here's the story..
My buddy Neal and I decided to set up about 60 yards apart on the edge of a power line clearing, both of us on trails the deer use to cross.
One the way in I dipped a small rope in some doe in estrous scent and drug it down the power line clearing and in front of my stand and then walking a 15 yard circle around my stand.
About 5 pm I see deer under the powerline. We have a food plot in the powerline cleaning and they were feeding through it. It was a doe and two yearlings. The doe picked up my scent drag trail and slowly started following it...
My climber was positioned very low... probably 10 feet high, but there is a tree that had been bent over forming an arch in front of me that provides some great cover. As she moved slowly across in front of me I slowly stood and drew...
Tuned in!
Bisch
Just as I reached full draw she stopped behind a small tree. I held... and held... and held for what seemed like about 5 seconds. I didn't want to let down because I feared the yearlings would spot my movement and spook.
She finally moved forward and I released. To my disgust I watched my fletching sink into her... hip? Her hip? Really? could I have possible hit her that far back?!
She bolted straight west... straight toward my buddy Neal who was just 60 yards away.
I immediately texted Neal and asked if he saw the deer. I said I think I hit her really far back.
I waited for his reply...
His text to me read...
"Don't worry. I got an assist!"
Sweet!! :clapper:
I said, "You did?"
He said, "Yep, she stopped right under me. We'll see who's closer to the heart."
I couldn't believe it. I was really relieved at this point and I was certain his arrow did the job right.
So I got down and walked over to his stand. He points to his arrow which is just 6 yards from his tree. I walk to his arrow expecting it to be covered in blood... only to discover it was a greasy gut arrow!
This poor deer!
It was last light when he shot and when we looked up to his stand from his arrow we discovered he shot thought several small branches and probably got a deflection.
The only consolation at this point was there was pretty good blood from my shot. We followed the blood trail across the power line clearing but decided to back out and give her some time.
Went home.... ate some deer chili and cornbread... and returned to the blood trail a couple hours later. It was a tough trail with intermittent blood but two hours later with, with a steady rain coming down... we found her!
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_7529_zps751a17d5.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_7529_zps751a17d5.jpg.html)
We felt like a couple knucklheads for making poor shots, but that's bowhunting the hard way I guess.
We argued about who should check her! :biglaugh: It was apparent my shot had produced the blood so I claimed her.
I was shooting my 61# Caribow Wolverine, Beaman Classic 400s with an original woodsman broadhead. Neal is shooting a brand new 57# Silvertip.
Reflecting on my poor shot... I think the long hold just messed me up. I usually reach anchor, pause a split second, and release. I probably should have let down slowly and then redraw when I had the shot. Every mistake is a lesson learned. I'm just thankful we found her... but she deserved a quicker cleaner death.
Way to stay with it. :thumbsup:
Man, I like your attitude brother. Your concern for the deer is very, very admirable! Good tracking job.
QuoteOriginally posted by John146:
Man, I like your attitude brother. Your concern for the deer is very, very admirable! Good tracking job.
X's 2
Congratulations!!
God bless,Mudd
That's some story! You made a lot of good decisions and recovered your deer! You got the MOJO working! Go get that big buck!
You did the honorable thing though and finished the job, good on ya!
Way da hang tough! Glad you guys stuck with it for the recovery.
Your right about the lessons. I seem to learn one every time I go out with my bow. I look at it as honing my field skills.
Way to stick with it! Congrats on your deer!
All Is well that ends well Tim... steaks on the grill. good job finding her in tough circumstances. gotta love a good hunting buddy huh! :)
Don't beat yourself up to bad. A lot of people that make less desirable shots don't find the deer or give up. Great job on the recovery!
years ago in college I was the "new" guy on the wrestling team and had no place to hunt or anyone to hunt with. Fortunately there were a couple of rather rabid bowhunters on the team that took me under their wing so to speak. Two of which were twins, ironically. Well they were impressed I hunted with a stick and that I had killed a few deer with it so I was invited to there camp a few times. Long story short - the twins had never shot a deer with any type of weapon and their first was a BB that they got in similar fashion with one gut shooting it and the other finishing it off. This was way before cell phones so it was unknown to either that when we went out to track "their" deer(s) it was their DEER. It was actually rather cool and to know these guys it just seemed fitting.
Thanks for the comments guys!
Bobby - funny story about those twins.
Way to stick with it and find her. Unfortunately I was in the same boat with a cow elk that spun on me this year. A couple of miles later I finally put the second arrow in her. I felt a lot better knowing I was able to end her suffering.
Congrats, on the deer, and I am proud of you guys for sticking with it!
QuoteOriginally posted by VictoryHunter:
You did the honorable thing though and finished the job, good on ya!
X 2
Never give up! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You didn't give up. That's what's important. Not uncommon for instinctive shooters to have to shoot in one motion. Any interruption will interrupt the concentration process. Don't beat yourself up over it. Enjoy the fine eating instead. And...make sure you share some with your buddy !
Indeed, there is ALWAYS something to learn from our experiences.
Bowhunting is not for the weak.
Thanks for the story. Gotta love a solid hunting buddy!!