I started this traditional archery gig a few years back. It wasn't because I was some expert compound hunter looking for a challenge, I was far from that. I just felt the need to try it. I immediately feel in love with the simplicity and reliability of it. No more loose hardware, no more gadgets, no more trying to see through a peep in low light. I was hooked.
I hunted a couple years and had some success, but never could close the deal on an antlered buck. Sure, I had opportunities, but I always passed, looking for something bigger. Each year started the same, I planned on shooting the first antlered buck I had a chance at, but when that happened, I just couldn't do it. I don't consider myself a trophy hunter, I guess I knew deep down that once I let that arrow fly, my hunt for a buck would be over. (Only one buck a year in Indiana)
Anyway, fast forward to this year.... Season opened October 1st and this was the year.... I was going to harvest a buck with this long bow. I hunted hard, I was in the woods every chance I could. (although being the father of 3 girls into sports, is not nearly as much as I wanted) with no acorns in the woods, my old faithful spots weren't producing. I sat numerous times without seeing a deer and the ones I did see were well out of range. I had to do something... And fast!! Our firearms season was fast approaching.
I like the way this is starting!!!
:campfire:
Keep it coming!!!!
Bisch
:campfire:
:campfire:
:coffee:
Sorry for the delay, I've been busy....
I started looking for alternative food sources, and pinch points. I located a few, but my luck was the same. I hunted over and over without seeing a deer, until I found a hog back ridge leading to a winter wheat field. I hunted it that evening and had a nice doe and fawn come through at less than 10 yards at last light. I passed the shot due to having some prior engagements that I'd be late for if I had closed the deal. I woke the next morning to frost on my windshield. I threw some wood in my outdoor furnace, piled my gear in the back of my truck and drove to the neighboring property. I put most of my clothes in my pack due to the 25 minute walk to my stand.
I get to my stand and climb up. After getting settled, I open some hand warmers and slip them into my pockets. The air is cool and the time is right. At first light, I see 3 does up the ridge in front of me... There's a buck!!!! And another, and another!!!!! One of the does is in estrous. As I watch 3 bucks chase her around I grab my bow and get ready. I watch one of the bucks start my way. He's a heavy rack buck with tall tines and a split G-2. He's coming to me on a string. 25 yards, 15,10.... Is this really happening!!!! I wait for my shot, he has no clue I'm around. If he would just turn, he's facing right at me presenting no shot. He messes around for awhile and finally starts to angle past me. Now there are some branches blocking his vitals..... I can't take this much more!!
He appeared to be headed towards a big tree, I start shifting my body to ready for the shot on the other side when my boot rubber squeaked on the stand. That was it! He looked right at me and was gone.... Just then, I heard some grunting in the thicket behind me. I watched a doe being chased by two more good bucks emerge. They skirted the edge of the ridge, just out of range. Watching them go out of sight, I caught movement to my left! Another buck came out of the thicket trailing that same doe. He stayed just out of range too, and I watched as he went in the thicket up the hill.
I sat back down and reflected on my morning hunt. Here I'd seen as many deer in one hunt as I'd seen all season. A few minutes later, I caught movement in the thicket up the ridge, It was a Buck, and headed my way! I grabbed my bow and got ready. He was coming fast.... Before I knew it he was under 10 yards and stopped perfect for a shot! Without thinking, instinct had taken over. I drew, anchored and sent one into the boiler room. The buck bolted out of sight and I sat in my stand dumbfounded by what just happened
Great story on keeping it all together!
Waiting on some pics now!
God bless
Rodd
I sat down replaying the shot in my head. It looked good. I seen the arrow enter behind his shoulder. After a few minutes, I just couldn't stand it any more... I got down to check for blood. This is what I found
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/pfraze2/44A047BA-F636-4CCA-8BAE-F6F9F0037837_zpscul1i2sa.jpg) (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/pfraze2/media/44A047BA-F636-4CCA-8BAE-F6F9F0037837_zpscul1i2sa.jpg.html)
And this....
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/pfraze2/8D05E5C4-EAD4-4FDE-9034-88E16EC12075_zpsvc8ilbwi.jpg) (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/pfraze2/media/8D05E5C4-EAD4-4FDE-9034-88E16EC12075_zpsvc8ilbwi.jpg.html)
Perry, Please put me out of my misery....
Just a few yards down the trail I found him. I had done it, I had achieved my goal!!! The arrow had buried to the wrap and penetrated the other side. I found the fletch end on the blood trail and the broad head laying a few feet from the deer. I was shooting a Two Tracks Longwalker 53@ 28" with carbon express heritage 150's with steel adapters inside a Stos head for 250 up front.
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/pfraze2/86D8E4B7-7EA6-4DDE-818F-E051C180F7FC_zpsmwgneikv.jpg) (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/pfraze2/media/86D8E4B7-7EA6-4DDE-818F-E051C180F7FC_zpsmwgneikv.jpg.html)
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/pfraze2/71898AF4-5707-49E3-8062-EDB9D442457B_zpsttrel39v.jpg) (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/pfraze2/media/71898AF4-5707-49E3-8062-EDB9D442457B_zpsttrel39v.jpg.html)
Awesome thx for the great story
congrats :thumbsup:
Way to go brother! ! :thumbsup:
Oh ya, heck of a morning!!!!!
Great pics!
Congrats :clapper:
Congrats! Nice buck & good pics.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awsome Perry. I love that coat I got the same one
Loved the story, got my heart pumping! Ready to have that kind of experience.
Way to go Perry! Very good story telling & pics! Congrats!
Kenny :clapper:
Very nice!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:clapper:
Good one!
You look well "camoed" too.
What a day, thanks for sharing.
Congrats, like the wool and hat! Nice buck.
Nice buck and a wonderful story. That's what it's all about, sharing with your friends.
Congrats! and thanks for the nice picks they always make the story. :thumbsup:
Tracy
Congratulations! Great story, pictures, and a beautiful buck!
My season has been going exactly like yours minus any of the buck activity yours had. I just got out of thee woods with my daughter we saw one doe she froze out so we came home early still gun season here in MN and only bucks and only one. Our herd is still recovering form the severe winter a couple of yrs ago.
I enjoyed your story it,gave me a pick me up. Doubt I my season will improve. But it's nice to see my tradganger brothers having sucess.
Congratulations on a great deer and season!
Tim.
Congrats!
Great Job! Congrats on a nice buck!!!
Perry, I got the same hat and jacket... but no buck.... Great picture of you and the buck, respectful...
Well done! Beautiful pictures too.
-Jay
Congrats sir , Well done....
,,,Sam,,,
Dandy buck!
You need an award for pictures of the year! I even had to show my wife how well they looked. Nice job of describing your hunt!
Congratulations on a well earned buck! :thumbsup:
Bernie
It shows how much hunting means to you. Great story, pictures and buck. Congrats Brother!
Congratulations, Perry! A great day in the woods. Thanks for sharing and great pics!
Good story, Thanks for sharing. Congrats on the deer
Great Story & nice buck. Congrats!!
Congrats! Great Deer!
Perry, congratulations on a fine buck. Very good story, thanks.
Thanks guys, this was a long time coming for me. As far as pictures go, I used my iPhone to take them. Thanks again for all the compliments.