We have had some excellent hunting here in the mountains of NC to start our 2016 season. My Buddy Ethan killed a stud on opening evening, the one he had thousands of pictures of and dreamed of all summer. It was his first real good Trad buck, and i couldnt have been happier for him. I was ready for my turn, and that finally came this morning!

Getting good daylight pics gives a man confidence, and thats exactly what i had going in this morning. It helped that i had to turn a little heat on, as it was a little chilly for about the first time in a long while. I eased to the stand, and before long i was settled in and ready for a great morning in the woods. Even if i didnt see anything, it would still beat the heck out of class, or the work i layed out of..  

About 750 a lone doe came by, i was happy to see her although that wasnt what i was going for on this hunt. I had one deer on my mind, and that was a buck i had named "Shorty." He got that name for having short G2s, but his body and attitude really made me want him. The camera told me i had a good shot at seeing him, as he had made a habit of coming by my tree for a bite to eat. Routines get them killed.

I heard deer coming about 815, as it approached i saw that it was shorty's running buddy, a 2.5yr ol 6 point. I was glad to see him, but even more glad to hear footsteps behind him. Shorty had came to the party.

You da man Dalton!  

They circled down wind, i still dont know why they didnt smell me, but boy am i glad they didnt. They simply stayed about 30 yards up the hill, munching on acorns, licking themselves, and checking the wind. A full 45 minutes of this, and i am one heck of a mess perched up in a tree. Finally when all seemed clear he eased to me. I hit record on the camera, and got on the string. It was about to happen. When he came into my opening, he had his head down. I have hunted long enough however to know no to fall for that trick. I waited until he was content munching on the food, when his head turned enough that his right mainbeam covered his eye, i made my move.

I focused on my spot and shot. Im not going to sit here and tell you that i really had great form, held it a good full second or two like im supposed to or anything of that sort. I had a bucks chest that looked more like a barn door at 8 steps and a crazy low 18ft (for me) up in the tree. I snap shot the heck out of it. In his jump i saw that my arrow had buried to the fletching in his ribs, i immediately commenced to flipping out.

 Sounds good so far.......

I called Ethan, my buddy Aaron, and my dad, all the time barely hanging on to the phone from shaking so badly.

I tell you what, if i ever lose that feeling right there after shooting a deer like that here in NC im selling all my stuff and like i told Jeff Walton the other day, taking up knitting.

 

Can't wait to hear the rest of this!

Got my attention

I did the typical post shot interview on the camera, and eased down. I had to get back to pick up my good buddy Jim (tarponnut) from his place and get a fourwheeler loaded up before i headed back.

Turned out, Jim was having some action of his own, and and stayed in the tree for a late sit, so that left Aaron and i to take the trail up.

Although my shot looked perfect to me, and the camera, i had found some stomach matter on my arrow. We elected to give him about 3hrs just in case. I was baffled and worried for the whole 3 hours. We got back and like i feared, the blood was sparse do to the bottom hole getting clogged.

I am usually an excellent blood trailer, it is one of my favorite activities, but i was useless on this one from my nerves and excitement. Aaron took the lead and we picked our way down little dots of blood for what seemed like forever.

You cant even imagine my relief when i looked down the hill to see him piled up next to the river. I had gotten my buck!!

Let's hear more!  And show the pics!  Congrats!

congrats ,got pics ?

I am still grinning from ear to ear. We did some recovery filming then loaded him up. What a morning!

I was shooting my trusty Omega Imperial #42@29 Gold Tip Nuge Blems and Woodsman heads. What a combo.

Oh yea, about the pics.











Cant wait to get back in the saddle and go for my second buck tag! Good luck to all of my TG brothers and sisters!

 

yeah buddy!!!!!

Very nice buck.  Congrats!

Very nice....
Congratulations!


God Bless,

Rodd

Nice! Great job Dalton!

Well done!

Great job! Hoping for some luck of my own in about 2 wks.

Nick

Way to go Dalton! Great buck! You the man! That Omega is getting it done!

Congrats. Have you picked out your knitting needles yet?      

Jeff

Great story and pics, congrats on the nice buck!