They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I believe that is the truth. These are pictures from a bow hunt last week in southeast Iowa. It took 4 years to draw and was well worth the wait. I will try to tell the story of our hunt in as few words as possible.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0d4hi11p1y9inw3/Photo%20Nov%2007%2C%204%2050%2040%20AM.jpg?dl=0
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/CDB6EB6D-3116-44AE-9AD5-7DF2AB46F3AF_zpsew4cpvob.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/CDB6EB6D-3116-44AE-9AD5-7DF2AB46F3AF_zpsew4cpvob.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/68563B81-CDB5-4574-8630-3724F49AD362_zpsyqv4ogq8.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/68563B81-CDB5-4574-8630-3724F49AD362_zpsyqv4ogq8.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/96CEFD47-C5C2-460E-8C40-32FCA497DD87_zpse0co8xgb.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/96CEFD47-C5C2-460E-8C40-32FCA497DD87_zpse0co8xgb.jpg.html)
We were lucky enough to have some great eats from two unique southern gentlemen.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/DCB7189A-8DE4-43C8-8C3E-81710AB4392A_zpspy7uglv1.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/DCB7189A-8DE4-43C8-8C3E-81710AB4392A_zpspy7uglv1.jpg.html)
The group.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/9402A6B4-EF09-42DF-B381-A8FC994A3086_zpskrghpl66.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/9402A6B4-EF09-42DF-B381-A8FC994A3086_zpskrghpl66.jpg.html)
Camp was this 100 plus year old farmhouse.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/3E3476DB-E3C5-48FA-84CC-E6DF2047A1A7_zpskqrgt9yv.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/3E3476DB-E3C5-48FA-84CC-E6DF2047A1A7_zpskqrgt9yv.jpg.html)
Discussing strategy in the war room.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/54B027B0-741B-4D51-9F7A-67D6053270A2_zps5obfslea.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/54B027B0-741B-4D51-9F7A-67D6053270A2_zps5obfslea.jpg.html)
I guess the bucks are running out of things to rub on:)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/257DF178-7156-43CA-A982-1599B963FA57_zpsfbdxkks2.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/257DF178-7156-43CA-A982-1599B963FA57_zpsfbdxkks2.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/DD269B6E-D6F8-43C1-B859-AB2A2DA065B5_zpstorrp8ah.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/DD269B6E-D6F8-43C1-B859-AB2A2DA065B5_zpstorrp8ah.jpg.html)
A few of the culls thrown in the back of freds equipment shop. Wow.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/4A9EE47F-4D4D-469A-BDC0-44F6159AC5FE_zps79xfvoww.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/4A9EE47F-4D4D-469A-BDC0-44F6159AC5FE_zps79xfvoww.jpg.html)
I would say that 70-80 % of the corn was still standing. What a beautiful spot on earth.
Culls??????
Wowser, I cant wait to see how this one plays out!
Bisch
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/B2561AFF-A4A6-4EFD-A532-B08B9F02D74D_zpsvb4ebzda.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/B2561AFF-A4A6-4EFD-A532-B08B9F02D74D_zpsvb4ebzda.jpg.html)
The Timberghost Smoke was primed and ready for a big midwestern whitetail.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/F29B96D1-4313-4686-91EB-1F697A1D5646_zpsifhy8qym.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/F29B96D1-4313-4686-91EB-1F697A1D5646_zpsifhy8qym.jpg.html)
The first few days of the hunt were awesome. I had various encounters with borderline bucks and saw one absolute giant. The sunrise from my stand on this morning felt different. Maybe today was the day i would connect with my first buck with traditional archery equipment.
Yes, I think today is the day.
Around 7:15 I looked up and saw a mature buck headed right for one of my 2 shooting lanes. I could not put the deer in a better spot when the shot was made. The Timberghost launched the rocket and the Magnus Stinger did the rest. The shot was perfect.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/DA2F7A55-1987-4A8E-AD62-162CFEF24CEF_zpspow65huh.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/DA2F7A55-1987-4A8E-AD62-162CFEF24CEF_zpspow65huh.jpg.html)
A mature buck in Iowa, I'm thinking it's going to be a XXL :thumbsup:
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/750ACC74-4EC9-465A-92FB-B22A30F45E43_zps51b5tsgv.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/750ACC74-4EC9-465A-92FB-B22A30F45E43_zps51b5tsgv.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/B6E12FF2-89C1-485C-9E4A-EE99E323A5A5_zpsli5gootw.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/B6E12FF2-89C1-485C-9E4A-EE99E323A5A5_zpsli5gootw.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/0C9AA690-EC5E-40CE-9813-45AFCCA19E0D_zpspxvsg2wj.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/0C9AA690-EC5E-40CE-9813-45AFCCA19E0D_zpspxvsg2wj.jpg.html)
This is always a good sign. Massive trauma.
I'd say you got 'im.
Like pourin it out of a bucket!
The buck never made it out of the field. Dead in less than 45 seconds. My first traditional buck harvest was fullfilled on a beautiful Iowa 11 point. It was a great day.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/24B76ADF-E7B7-4BAF-918A-8654B55E4F69_zpsj4mnqmav.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/24B76ADF-E7B7-4BAF-918A-8654B55E4F69_zpsj4mnqmav.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/FC79B755-87D7-43ED-97D1-0AD3AEDD7D67_zpsuif3men1.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/FC79B755-87D7-43ED-97D1-0AD3AEDD7D67_zpsuif3men1.jpg.html)
Your first trad buck is bigger than my biggest trad buck!
Awesome deer!
Congrats to you,
Bisch
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/A9910AFC-A486-4B6F-8728-1F7D1E2CFF4E_zpsrfdinfat.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/A9910AFC-A486-4B6F-8728-1F7D1E2CFF4E_zpsrfdinfat.jpg.html)
We were lucky enough to fill 4 of 5 tags. The other 4 were not traditional kills but worth sharing. The smallest buck weighed 225 and the largest 245.
Awesome buck!!! Ha ha good job :)
Man what an awesome thread and buck! Great pics and a hearty congratulations on that bruiser. :thumbsup:
The Iowa landscape is a virtual deer heaven. Rolling hills of the most fertile well drained sandy loam soils. Alfalfa, soybeans, and corn mixed with big hardwoods and crp. Landscape I can not describe in words.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/197E4AE6-30FE-4196-87BD-4CB26226697E_zpsqr0dndqh.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/197E4AE6-30FE-4196-87BD-4CB26226697E_zpsqr0dndqh.jpg.html)
Once we got packed up to leave i had to take one picture of our skinning tree. Hopefully i will get lucky again someday and draw an Iowa tag. We all agreed that we will likey never top this hunt and will allways refer to it as "the good ole days".
I hope you all connect on your trophy. Good luck to all.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/AADC5C37-C3C0-4352-A499-823508475973_zpsfvqjlcx7.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/AADC5C37-C3C0-4352-A499-823508475973_zpsfvqjlcx7.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1/blakemccord/05E448BF-6B2C-4376-B6A8-209D789F231E_zpskry7grbx.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/blakemccord/media/05E448BF-6B2C-4376-B6A8-209D789F231E_zpskry7grbx.jpg.html)
Hunting Iowa can easily be dream hunt. Last time I was able to enjoy the opportunity it only took one preferance point to draw tag.
Your persistance and success is admirable....congrats!!!
Congrats great buck and thanks for sharing the pictures!
:campfire: :coffee:
I'm liking this!!!!!
:archer:
Great job....Helen Keller could follow that blood trail!
Awesome....beautiful pics Thxs for sharing!
Fantastic, Thanks for sharing & Congratulations! :thumbsup:
Great Buck, Looks like a neat place to hunt!
Great deer congrats
Suweeeet! Congrats on your first trad buck and what a dandy he is!!
Steve
Thats a great Buck, Congrats
What an awesome story. Doesn't get much better than your first trad buck being a mature Iowa giant - top it off with a 12 ring shot and you've got a memory you'll never forget for the rest of your life.
Congrats on doing it the way we all dream about!
Wow Blake...What a great story and a fine buck. Congratulations!
Kenny :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Congrats! Love the story and the pics.
Great buck, and those pictures are outstanding!
Congratulations on your first trad buck and a beauty of a buck I will add.
Congrats Blake! What an awesome hunt, didn't realize that was your first trad buck. Great way to break the ice! Shooting like that I'd have to bet there's gonna be more. That's definitely big deer country.
Wonderful buck and a nice story! Congratulations!
Great deer , Congrats sir....
,,,,Sam,,,
excellent photos....that broadhead and your shooting got it done! what a blood trail.
Wow what a wonderful first trad buck!!! Congrats
It was a great adventure. A boyhood dream come true for me. I made many lifelong friends during the hunt as well. Thank you all for the kind words.
Thanks Kent for crafting such a superb tool.
Well the surgeon general couldn't have placed that arrow better with his hand! Great deer, wicked blood trail. Awesome story, like the way you told it
Wow....what a beautiful place u had the chance to hunt. I loved the pictures...and that is one heck of a first traditional buck...congrats brother!!!!
Iowa definitely is a special place! I'm glad you had a great experience sampling some of our fine deer hunting.
Congratulations on a really nice mature buck! Very nice pictures also! :thumbsup:
Bernie
Congrats!
Blake,
I can't believe it...We hunted the exact same farm & stayed in that house in 2010! Four out of five of us tagged out (2 trad kills). My 12 point was the smallest. Didn't get drawn last year with 3 points and skipped this year. Hopefully 5 points will get it done for 2015...tippit
My buck...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Iowa%202010/Iowa2010018.jpg)
Other 3...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Iowa%202010/Iowa2010037.jpg)
Congrats on a very nice buck! :archer:
Heck of a deer, first or 100th! Congrats, sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats on a great buck. Looks like an amazing hunt.
In the bow pic, what is the white stripe on the back of the riser?
Thanks for sharing
WOW!.... :bigsmyl:
The white stripe is my elevation crutch. Call it my site stripe. Just a piece of white electrical tape. Cant shake it. Especially shooting at animals. Maybe someday i will break myself from it.
beautiful buck, beautiful place beautiful bow!!
congratulations to you!
Jeffrey
No way. That is too strange. The other 4 in my group were there in 2010 as well. Yall must have been there just before or after them. Awesome deer my friend.. Yes. 2015 will be great for you. Should be plenty left:) :) Really cool.
Blake
Congrats on an awesome first and most memorable hunt! :thumbsup:
Congrats! Great buck and I like they way you told it. Congrats again!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
What a first! or second, third.... Congrats on such a fine animal and great shooting.
Congratulations on a great deer. What an incredible property too.
Awesome buck! Great pics! Thanks for sharing!
NICE!! I also used a stripe for a sight one season after I came back to trad. I would do fine on targets, then when I pulled back on a deer I would panic... it was like "where's the pin???!!" Took me awhile to figure it out. Congrats to all.
You certainly chose the perfect title for your story...not only have you conveyed the anticipation of the hunt, you also gave us a good look into the camaraderie of your camp along with some quality eating. Can't wait to see what comes next. Good Luck and Shoot Straight...
I saw the arrow pic, and thought, ohhhh theres a lot of blood on that arrow. This wont take long. Congratulations, great buck.
Great story congrats :thumbsup: great shot , beauty of a buck and the pictures of Iowa very beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting pics and story telling,I know that place pretty well as well as Fred & family.I am fortunate to have been to Fred's place 6 times over the years i love it out there.Tippit allowed me to DRAG his Deer out in 2010' !!! Nice going boys way to get it done.
Really nice bucks! Congrats