My Season

perry f. · November 19, 2015, 09:30:00 PM

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.

23feetupandhappy · November 19, 2015, 10:05:00 PM

I like the way this is starting!!!

November 19, 2015, 10:57:00 PM

Keep it coming!!!!

Bisch

Sockrsblur · November 19, 2015, 11:00:00 PM

Homey88 · November 20, 2015, 06:12:00 AM

kennym · November 20, 2015, 08:36:00 AM

perry f. · November 21, 2015, 05:50:00 PM

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.

perry f. · November 21, 2015, 05:55:00 PM

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!!

perry f. · November 21, 2015, 06:25:00 PM

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

goingoldskool · November 21, 2015, 06:38:00 PM

Great story on keeping it all together!

Waiting on some pics now!

God bless

Rodd

perry f. · November 21, 2015, 06:44:00 PM

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

And this....

fmscan · November 21, 2015, 06:52:00 PM

Perry, Please put me out of my misery....

perry f. · November 21, 2015, 07:04:00 PM

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.

Chad Orde · November 21, 2015, 07:17:00 PM

Awesome thx for the great story

carbonflyr · November 21, 2015, 07:22:00 PM

congrats

kennym · November 21, 2015, 08:04:00 PM

Way to go brother! !

23feetupandhappy · November 21, 2015, 08:36:00 PM

Oh ya, heck of a morning!!!!!

Great pics!

Congrats

glass76 · November 21, 2015, 08:44:00 PM

Congrats! Nice buck & good pics.

MR BILL SHORTY · November 21, 2015, 08:51:00 PM

aim small...release · November 21, 2015, 08:55:00 PM

Awsome Perry. I love that coat I got the same one