Bad plan comes together in NC

olddogrib · September 15, 2015, 08:36:00 AM

Let me preface this episode by saying that it is with a good deal of shame and embarrassment that I even share it...it was definitely not the image I strive for as a traditional bow hunter. The only positive takeaway is that I royally screwed up, but was able to mitigate some of the disaster with unwavering determination. After having my season ruined last year due to the need for a knee replacement, I had the hip done in May to avoid the same outcome this year. The Saturday morning opener was washout by rain. The evening, though breezy, looked promising with a cold front coming in. At 6PM I had a big doe underneath me, but didn't realize that junior was behind me and saw me stand for what would have been a 10 yd. broadside chip shot. It never blew, but started the hoof stomp routine which got momma on edge. For the next 15 mins. they circled and neither gave me a decent shot. I had already made up my mind to shoot seated in my tree stand when the cow horn came in 45 mins later. I practice that shot, but it's not quite the same as being able to bend at the waist. Let's just say I blew it badly and spined the spike. Its rear legs were mostly immobilized but it was with horror that I realized it was going to try to make the river on its front legs with an occasional push from both rear legs together. I'd thought it would stop and rest and allow me to finish it, but that wasn't to be the case. It was going to go off a fairly sheer cliff to get there. I got out of my harness and down and started after him in "not so hot" pursuit. It wasn't even close. The deer had two good legs to my two bad ones and it was willing to roll, slide, skid, etc. to get to the bottom. I heard it hit the water and was overcome by the sickening feeling of watching that pitiful animal drag itself across and pull itself up on a sandbar on the far side. I knew right then I'd do whatever it took to end that suffering, but I couldn't cross there. I had to go back to the shack, get my hip waders and go after it.

olddogrib · September 15, 2015, 08:40:00 AM

Even field dressed the deer was over 100 lbs. and by that time it was so dark I couldn't see to plant my feet. Needless to say, I swamped my waders a dozen times and had to stop to drain them repeatedly. I figured I'd rather have a heart attack than drown given the choice, but I finally got it down the river only to discover I couldn't get it up the bank and had to go get my 4-wheeler.

olddogrib · September 15, 2015, 08:44:00 AM

By the time I got the deer iced in the cooler it was 11:30 PM. I was so exhausted I just collapsed, so there are no pics. My learning from this ordeal? Practice more from a seated position, shoot smaller deer (the kind you can throw over your shoulder).....oh, and never give up!

achigan · September 15, 2015, 08:52:00 AM

Stick-to-it-iveness prevailed, way to see it through.

olddogrib · September 15, 2015, 10:41:00 AM

The amazing thing is this has been one of my most productive stands for many years. In my younger (and more agile)days I installed a rope down said cliff and that is how I got to the stand, in order to minimize scent. I've taken a lot of deer there and in all that time I've never had a single one try to take the "direct route" to the river. I was just lucky the deer was more exhausted than I was in the end, because if not it would've tore my old arse up!

Nantahala Nut · September 15, 2015, 10:41:00 AM

Sometimes it is ugly. I have had a couple of those. You might have made a bad shot but the determination you showed in recovering that deer is commendable.

September 15, 2015, 10:50:00 AM

Glad you got him! It sucks when things don't go as planned, but it happens occasionally. At least you did not lose him to the yotes and buzzards!!!

And IMO, you have no need to feel shame and embarrassment! You might have jacked up the shot, but that happens, and you put out maximum effort after that to make sure you got the deer in the freezer!

Bisch

D. Key · September 15, 2015, 11:10:00 AM

Thanks for sharing and there is nothing to have concerns about. The shot wasn't perfect but you did the ethical thing and finished the job. They call it hunting for a reason.

VA Elite · September 15, 2015, 11:10:00 AM

have no shame at all. Many people would have quit when he crossed the river. You did what you had to.

Tom · September 15, 2015, 12:54:00 PM

Agree with the others-great effort to finish what you started. Bad shots,unfortunately happen,but you brought home the venison. Well done-sound of loud clapping!

mangonboat · September 15, 2015, 12:56:00 PM

An excellent tale , Brother Richard! Anybody who hasn't had a shot that hit a bit differently than intended hasn't been bow hunting very long and spine shots are much more likely from a treestand because of the compressed vertical arrangement of the vitals. I've had to finish 2 off with a knife, myself, that were spinning or dragging their hind end. You got the worst combination of complications, just enough retained mobility, a slope, a river and a slowed set of hindquarters on the hunter as well as the hunted, but you stuck with it for HOURS and got it done. Young/ new hunters need to know that it almost never happens like they see on the TV shows and sometimes it's FUBAR and get's a lot worse before it's done.

Stump73 · September 15, 2015, 01:36:00 PM

Congratulations! You did good. Thats awesome.

deerhunter_w · September 15, 2015, 03:31:00 PM

If we where truthful, it has happened to all of us. Congrats

Jeff

awbowman · September 15, 2015, 03:59:00 PM

Things happen and you take care of business. Just sounds like you did what you had to do to me.I commend you for your effort, not condemn you for it.

Fletcher · September 15, 2015, 05:13:00 PM

Congratulations, Rib! Great job on puilling it together.

Several years ago I spine shot a deer and learned that day to immediately put another good arrow in it. Spined deer can very often manage to get moving again.

Whitetail Addict · September 15, 2015, 05:43:00 PM

You have no reason to be either ashamed or embarrassed, IMO. I'd bet that a bunch of us could tell similar tales. I know I could. You did what you had to do as an ethical hunter to rectify the situation, and I commend you for it.

Bob

Cyclic-Rivers · September 15, 2015, 08:25:00 PM

It sounds as if you did the best you could given the circumstances. Congrats on your deer and Bravo for trying to minimize the suffering of the animal.

Homey88 · September 15, 2015, 08:39:00 PM

Congrats on the deer and never giving up!!!!

njloco · September 15, 2015, 08:51:00 PM

I'm thinking it's a great story, in contrast to things going perfect. It just shows the real world, in my opinion.

Thanks for sharing !

Paul Cousineau · September 15, 2015, 09:09:00 PM

Way to see it through, and nice effort!