Nice deer and bear.  Looking back at your videos I liked the brown plaid shirt better than the Sitka Gear look:)

Great trophies and memories!      

   

Very nice !!

I like your phrase, "blessed with shot opportunities".  Sometimes it just works that way. Congratulations for making it happen..

And now for the rest of the story ---------

This will be good...  

There should be a rule - no dragging out stories during the middle of the rut!  Time on the computer is limited about now - we need the details fast!      
Looking forward to the rest of this one!  

That is awesome. Many congrat man.

wow is that buck an amazing creature.keep those arrow flying  

THanks guys!

So those were the last couple "2nd times a charm" animals which leads us to now.

Headed out a week ago to a spot I've been hunting for a few years. I refer to this as a "big woods" spot, in that it is solid woods with no agriculture for 20 miles. Really tough to figure these spots out, but once you have, the deer tend to follow the same routes. At last light had a buck come by, flicked on the video camera, but last second realized he was only 2 1/2 despite his 5x5 rack. Let him walk.

Ooooff!  Nice!

The busy schedule as well as a bad cough kept me from hunting for the next week which led to yesterdays hunt.

With high winds and plenty of hunting chores to do (stands set, cameras checked, etc) I planned on getting as much done as I could early in the day to see what was left for time later. With 3 hours to spare I decided to head into a natural blind I set up 2 weeks previous. It's a spot where deer cross a clear cut and make their way through a really thick patch of hazel brush that juts into the cut. The area had the odd tree large enough for a stand but only lending to north wind setups. Always wanting to use the area for a south wind was the reason for the ground set.

Now when I say "tight" ..... I mean "tight"! This spot makes for a long sit as there is nothing to look at. One 10 yard shooting lane and that's it....really can't even see past 20.

An hour in I heard the familiar sound of a deer, looked up to see a doe at 15 yards coming head on. Through the tangled mess she made her way towards me and passed behind me at 3 yards...with my scent blowing right at her. I was in disbelief that she didn't spook but simply continued on her way. The encounter was a reminder how quick things could happen here...especially with the heavy wind making my already poor hearing worse.

Another hour passed and again I heard a deer coming from the same area. I reached for the "ON" button while looking up...immediately saw long tines, hit record and grabbed my bow. Fingers on the string and full draw with 2 seconds and SHOOT! It was really that fast.

My pre determined spot to pick was going to be the point of the front shoulder as I was sure the deer was going to be moving for the shot. The arrow got to the deer much faster than I anticipated and the arrow hit exactly where I was looking......WAY TOO FAR FORWARD! The deer reared up and came down on front legs that would not support him. Doing a complete front roll, the buck did not get up from where he fell. A second arrow sped up the part we don't like and I took a deep breath.

In disbelief I sat there thinking "really...really...did that just happen".

Since no tracking was required I gave the deer some time...myself some time...and eventually made my way to him. Resting my hands on him I gave thanks for his life, my life, and how I am showered with blessing every day.

Photobucket is down so patience please!

My setup is a Tall Tines 58" r/c, #58, with the prettiest birdseye cocobolo you've ever seen. It's got a wenge flare with a checkered grip and a low wrist. The 58" bow has proved to fit me well especially in hunting situations.

And the arrows are FMJ 400's with 200 gr. 3 blade VPA Terminators up front...550 gr. total.

Can't wait to see pics.  Congrats Ryan!!!

Way to go Ryno!!!!   I have to work all night, but I'll check back in the morning    

Is it all on video??    

Way to go Ryan.  Your blessed for sure.  Congrats on another fine deer.

Here he is. 3 1/2 year old that is more than enough for my limited time this year.

Yes it's on video...the whopping 5 seconds of it!

Beautiful specimens bro!!

Here's a little different view of him. He's a 5X5 with split brows. Since I was alone, no-one was there to tell me about the leaves stuck to his nose.