Ok guys this will be a short one.
I haven't been hitting the woods very hard so far this year. Mostly because I've got two knees that hurt so bad I'm on the verge of tears every time I stand up. Couple that with the back injury I sustained last year when my tree stand dumped me (and which still bothers me), and you've got the ingredients for sleeping late and spending lots of time in the easy chair.
Needless to say it's been eating me up. I've been out twice so far this season and the walk from 4 wheeler to stand (about 200 yds) is almost unbearable.
Some time in the next month I'll start the process of having both knees replaced. I'm so ready for it that I'll commit the rest of the winter to rehab and getting stronger.
I'd do it sooner, but I have a hunt scheduled with my good buddies, Terry Green, Curt Cabrera, Kenny McKenzie and Tracy Potter. I leave for that this coming Thursday.
It will be an epic hunt and wild horses couldn't stop me from going.
If you are new here, you might not understand what a nightmare crew this will be for the deer population. There's going to be some critters hitten' the ground... no doubt.
I've got enough pain killers on hand (my VA doc finally came through with something effective)so I'll be able to make it.
Anyway, I finally got off my duff last night and went out. The acorns are hitting the ground, the nights are getting cooler and I have a great spot. All I had to do was get to my stand without tripping over something and breaking my freakin neck.
Well I got through the walk in and even handled climbing the ladder to my perch. A steady west wind made this location perfect for the movement I expected. I clipped my safety harness to the tree and settled in for the wait.
Not a leaf was stirring nor a squirrel anywhere to be seen. Even the birds seemed non-existent.
Normally I start each hunt with a short prayer but had forgotten when I first arrived.
When I remembered I immediately bowed my head and gave thanks for my life, the day and a successful hunt.
I guess it was only ten or fifteen minutes before I looked up and saw a gray squirrel fiddling around in the spot where I'd placed a mineral block in the spring. The block was long gone but from the tracks in the muddy hole (we've gotten a lot of rain lately) I could tell it was still being used.
As a matter of fact I'd seen more sign walking in than had been there the last time I'd come here... almost three weeks now.
The trail on the other side of the clearing to my right front was easily visible now and though I couldn't see the old logging road that entered the clearing from my left, I knew that it was being used.
More than likely the deer would come from that direction.
My J.D.Berry Vixen, "Foxy", hung from a small limb I'd cut just for that purpose. The arrow tipped with a Magnus I w/bleeder sat ready on the string. It was held in place by a toothpick and rubber band...my favorite arrow holder for longbows.
I was straining my ears trying to hear anything that might give away the presence of game. Up the hill to my right a gray squirrel chattered his displeasure with something so I focused my attention in that direction. You know you can tell the difference between the bark of a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel...right?
I could only see a few spots of open ground over that way about 30 yards. It's still very thick and leafy here.
When I finally turned my head back toward the clearing my eyes were immediately drawn to movement just a few yards from the base of my tree.
A doe was walking by without a care in the world. I was able to get my bow in hand and ease to my feet without being seen.
Instead of going across the clearing which would have showed me her butt, she turned the corner to head down a wide corridor my farmer friend had brush hogged.
He's a great guy and does this to help, but he never tells me he's going to do it. It seems that every year he goes down there late in the summer and basically changes EVERYTHING! He means well.
As she walked clear of the trees and brush between us she was at 10 yards... I can handle that. Then just as I was putting pressure on the string she suddenly trotted forward about ten yards. As she slowed to a walk again I swiveled at the waist and started the shot process again.
Once more she trotted forward taking away the broadside angle as she went and adding too much distance.
She wasn't spooked, just carefree and headed someplace where the acorns were sweet.
:coffee:
:thumbsup:
:campfire:
Good to hear bud! Have fun with the boys next week!!
:coffee:
The old fart must be napping.
I love your yarns buddy...
especially the "A-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n" !!!!!
:campfire: :archer:
Old farts of the world, Unite! I thought you old Jarheads were supposed to be tough, and now something like a little knee problem is keeping you out of the woods? Blasphemy!
Looking forward to this Charlie! :coffee:
Bernie
As you can imagine, I wasn't real happy with myself at that moment. I watch longingly down at the bend in the trail where I saw her last hoping maybe she'd turn around and come back. Isn't it funny the things we think?
Mentally kicking myself for letting a slam dunk opportunity slip by I finally turned my attention back to the clearing.
Pat... I am still tough as nails. The definition of that is I don't let people see me cry when it hurts real bad.
;)
Well guess what? I turned around to see a second doe already half way across the clearing. No shot angle appeared as she finally walked off into the brush.
POOPY!!!
How can this be? And why hadn't I been paying attention behind me. Does are seldom alone this time of year. If my knees weren't so damn stiff I'd have kicked myself in the butt right then and there.
Now I was really dejected. I'd been given two great opportunities and muffed both of them. There was a lesson for me here and I filed it away for future reference. I was supposed to be better than this.
I should just get down and go home. How many chances does one guy get in an evening.
It was during this little spell of self abuse that the third doe stepped out of the logging road into the clearing.
And it typical Charlie fashion. A great story that keeps us wanting
:campfire:
Charlie; those arrows (w/ blunts) you sent me a while back have instigated the demise of 8 pigeons and several barn rats!
Can't wait to hear the rest of this story...
Good stuff - waiting to hear "Foxy" bark
Very interesting,cant wait for the rest
I'm going to keep this short.......yea right!!
I'm with you on that one Ron :biglaugh:
Charlie, the benefit to having bad knees when you kill one is you get a free pass from dragging detail! Keep it coming Brother we are not worthy of your yarn spinning abilities.
:campfire:
Soory to hear of your trials...
If its any help, my Grandfather had several hip replacements ( one at 90 :o ) and they really gave him a new lease of life. He was in excruciating pain until he had it done the first time.
Goodluck with the knees...and ofcourse the hunt.
Alex
:thumbsup: :notworthy:
Hey, buddy, don't fergit you are sposed to be here Thursday !
LOL
Congrats man!!!
He might still be dragging her out Kenny run over there and give him a hand so he can finish the story. :bigsmyl:
Tracy :coffee:
Not draggin' or nappin'. Though at this point a little snooze sounds pretty good.
Well, nobody could have been more surprised to see this third doe than I was. This time I was on my feet and ready. I needed to let her pass me a little bit because she couldn't have been 10 yards and would surely have seen me draw.
The tree my stand is in is surrounded by ten and twelve inch trees a few feet away. She walked behind one of them and I shifted just a little and pointed my arrow toward where she would appear.
It was just a second before she appeared. I pulled "Foxy" to full draw, paused an instant and let it rip. The arrow flashed toward her and landed with a "KACHUNK". I have trouble sometimes with the real close downward angles with a tendency to shoot a little high. That's just what I did this time.
The big Magnus crashed into her spine just behind the shoulder and she just fell over. As is the norm with spine shots a follow up shot was needed and I delivered it with little problem. In seconds it was over.
I didn't spend a lot of time with her there. I wanted to get her out of the clearing as soon as possible and do the gutting somewhere else. I said a prayer of thanks and walked out to get the four wheeler.
When I returned I quickly tied a nylon strap around her neck and drew her front end off the ground behind the vehicle. I was soon sliding her down the trail to the spot where I park the 4 wheeler and untied her.
Since I hadn't brought a camera with me I made the ten minute trip home and brought my wife back with me to do the photo work. She was as excited as I was. We both enjoy deer meat and it had been a while... last year I killed a nice buck early and she decided we needed to have sausage and other specialty products made from it.
Well, since my season was interrupted by the tree stand accident I never did get another deer to make steaks of. The bucks back straps didn't last long and the rest of the year we ate sausage.
We got on with the picture taking and soon I was taking out the entrails. That should have made her manageable but as I tried to get her up on the 4 wheeler tack I realized that I wasn't going to be able to get her on there by myself.
So I made another trip to the house, got the truck and went to get my grandson. Soon we were back at the doe and quickly had her loaded.
By the time I took him back home and got the doe cleaned up and on ice it was pretty late and I hurt in places I shouldn't have been hurting.
I slept like a log and didn't feel a bit guilty about sleeping in the next morning.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2014doe1r.jpg)
Way to go Mr. Lamb!! As always a great story. Very sorry to hear about your knee problems. Thanks for taking is along.
Jake
Great job Mr. Lamb. :thumbsup:
Nice job, nice smile you have too!
:thumbsup: Congrats Charlie! Way to get it done!
Good one Mr.Lamb! :thumbsup:
Another fine hunt, and well written experience by Mr. Lamb. Congrats on the fine harvest. Sure wish I could find a copy of your book!
Loved the story telling Charlie. Congrats
Nice job Charlie. Great story
:thumbsup: :clapper: Great job!!!
After all that your tongue should have been hanging out..
I once heard that true happiness is the sudden cessation of almost unbearable pain.. And I feel your pain on a regular basis..
You still have the best smile in the business!
Good job buddy now get rested up and ready for this weekend. :bigsmyl:
Great pick!
Tracy
Nice story Mr. Charlie and a nice doe?
Congrats!
Excellent hunt and fun reading!
Nice doe...!.....congrats.. :thumbsup:
Congratulations, Charlie! True grit!
Well done Charlie! Kill a few this next week, you'll have a lot of help ;)
Your story always gives a crystal clear view of the hunt. Almost better n bein there..... almost!
Way to go Charlie!
Wow that was a short and sweet rendition! Congrats on a fine doe. :thumbsup:
Congrats sir! I enjoy reading your post! You have a way with getting us right there with you!
Nice. . Charlie, tell us about the bow and arrow / broadhead you used.
Congrats.
Take some time and get er fixed so you can enjoy yourself fully again.
ChuckC
Nice work Charlie...enjoy your upcoming hunt and good luck with the knee replacements
Simply superb
Well done Charlie. 7 more to go but who's counting :dunno:
Have a great trip to Kens. Your Crew will be an epic one to say the least. I wouldn't be surprised if Kenny has no deer left afterward ;)
Congrats and good luck. I hope the meds and excitement make things tolerable for the rest of season.
Congrats on a great trophy.
Congrats Charlie! Great story as always...hang in there and enjoy your upcoming hunt. :thumbsup: I hope it will be as pain free as possible.
Excellent story Charlie and congrats to you! Hope your upcoming hunt is good for you all. :)
Todd :archer:
Congrats Charlie!
Well done sir, well done
Congrats Charlie and thanks for taking us along. I can't wait for the reports to come out of Kenny's starting this weekend. Kenny is the ultimate host!
congratts! Charlie,
Good to see you posing with another kill. y'all have fun and be safe on your huntin trip.
:thumbsup:
way to go!
Thanks for sharing Charlie. Well done.
Congratulations on a nice deer, Charlie. Well deserved.
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Please excuse the hanging tongue. It was dark and I didn't notice it.
At least it wasn't your tongue hangin' out!
Good luck with the knees.
homebru
Way to go Charlie! :clapper:
Thanks so much guys. A story teller is nothing without a good audience. And you all are the best.
I thought I mentioned my equipment Chuck but here are the details.
J.D. Berry Vixen
53# @ 28"
68" long
Yew wood core
figured Myrtle Riser
Brown glass back and white glass belly.
One sweet shooting honey of a bow.
I shoot aluminum shafts in 2216
4, 5" parabolic feathers right wing
Magnus I, 4 blade
Congrats Charlie! Thanks for taking us along. Best Wishes with your knee surgery.
Congratulations on a big fat doe!
As a side note - my father-in-law had his knees replaced with new fancy metal ones, and he loves'em! It took him a while to rehab, but he's a million times better now.
Good luck with that process. We'll keep you in our prayers.
I sympathize with the knee problems. I'm trying to work my courage up to have my left one done then we'll see about the other one... I'm trying to hold out this season and get mine done next summer while my wife is out of school (she's a teacher and I'll need her to wait on me, right?). I'll be anxious to sse how yours turns out, my brother.
Nice work on the doe. I'm ready to make some meat, too.
Good stuff and a good deer. :thumbsup:
Congrats Charlie...love the story and good picture. :archer:
Great story, congratulations! My wife has been reminding me last years supply of venison has run out. Hope I can have a success story to post as well.
Way to go,Charlie congrats to you!
Congratulations Charlie!
Thanks for taking us along Charlie.
Congratulations
Old age ain't for sissies. Keep up the good work, Charlie.
:clapper:
Your legacy as a bowhunter is undeniable and your story telling abilities are just as good. I hope we get to enjoy them for many years to come.
Way to go Charlie. I have to give it to you to keep going when your knees are hurting you so bad.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Congrats!
Yeah buddy, congrats again!!! I'll do the dishes, you clean :campfire:
Bring rain gear. We're supposed to have some rain over the next 4 days.
I can handle cleaning. I'm a whiz with a mop!! But I don't do windows. :D
Congrats Charlie!
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Weenies don't make it to old fart, good luck on your hunt with the guys.
If I'd known I was gonna last this long... I'd have done it all exactly the same.
Good on you Mr. Charlie! Nice doe to boot!
Charlie best of luck with your health problems and your surgery its not easy getting older I know all about it. Hang in there my brother of the bow. Ron.
Congrats!!
Way to go Charlie! I hope I'm still out there when I'm your age. You are one tough dude.
Good deal Charlie, Nice! Good luck with the new knees, from what I've heard, it's a Godsend!
LD
Congrats Charlie! Thanks for the story!
Great deer! Congratulations!
Way to go Mr. Lamb. :thumbsup:
Nice job Charlie!! :bigsmyl:
Congrats on a beautiful doe and thanks for the great story!
Good luck on your upcoming hunt!
I'm leaving for the "KennyM" hunt this morning. Let the killing begin. We should have an abundance of tales when we return.
Till then get out and hunt. :wavey:
:thumbsup:
Congrats on a fine doe!
Great story ! Us old fat farts need to do this occaisionally, even if we have proven ourselves many times in the past, its good to know you're still in the game, keep at it old timer !
If someone who didn't know anything about Charlie was to see that picture of him with his doe they would think that was his first deer. Way to go Mr. Lamb. Job well done. The enthusiasm you bring to this campfire inspires us all. Keep up the good work. Hope your surgery goes well. God Bless and good hunting. :campfire: