Well the season has been very trying for me....lots of hours in the tree with only one mature buck sighted. I passed on a numerous small bucks but couldn't buy a mature one as hard as I tried. This morning during a snow storm and some awefully cold temps I managed to see mature buck #2.

I was up in the tree well before light (as normal for the last 2 weeks) and wrapped in my new home brew heater body suit as the snow pounded on my left cheek. Happy that the wind was from the SW, as we've had 2 weeks of easterly winds, and most of my set-ups are for west winds. Checking the forcast every day had become depressing as all the spots I needed to hunt were absolutely un-huntable with east winds. It was almost the time to have a frozen peanut butter and jam sandwich (which are sweeter frozen) when I noticed a mature doe making her way from the north along the edge of the clearcut I was set up on.

I guess I should explain that I'm hunting an area that has no agricultural fields but rather just big woods and swamps with no elevation changes. Figuring out what the deer are doing is very tough as they have no real designated food sources, bedding areas, or travel routes. I've keyed in on clear cuts and figured out that the deer like following the edges as well as crossing the clear cuts in areas that have slightly more cover than other areas. Pairing an 'edge" with a possible pinch point of cover has proven to produce the best results.

So the doe browsed to the south 12 yards in front of me looking back occassionally. Excited to see what was following I was slightly disappointed to see a button buck in tow. As they fed south behind some snow laden hazel brush I noticed movement to the west across the clear cut. Through the driving snow I could make out as buck with a nice rack and solid body. I slowly stood up pulling my arms out of the suit and grabbing my Tall Tines all in one motion. The buck came directly towards me hitting the does track and turing 90 degrees offering a slight quartering away shot. I have a shot sequence that ends in "Amen" on release and I watched the arrow zip through the deer right where I was looking. The buck bolted 70 yards, stopped, wobbled and went down. He jumped up out of the snow and hit the ground one more time before lying motionless in the middle of the clear cut.

This is the point when I lost it. I sat down, mostly because I couldn't safely stand and burried my face in my hands. (there may have been a tear) I prayed to give thanks and took in the moment.....Man is bowhunting awesome!!!

For those who would like to know...My bow is #47@28, myrtle limbs, and phenolic riser. It has withstood me dropping it out of the tree, throwing it in back of the truck, and constantly being covered in snow and ice. I used FMJ 500's with 200 grain magnus heads. The arrow is 520 grains total. I also gotta say that those Kanati quivers are by far the best I've used. Thanks to Brian for building such an amazing bow.....you shoulda seen that arrow blow through that buck!!

Pix soon....Ryan

Congratulations!  Can't wait to see the pictures!  

Ya done it son.  (Ole guy to young guy)

Great hunt... great story... I know that "sit down" feeling... It never goes away.

way to go Ryan!

Awesome deer and great pictures!      

Way to go man!! That is one thick deer!

That looks cold but your smile warms the whole picture.
Congrats.

Tim

Congratulations and nice shooting!   What a HAWG!

That's persistence personified!!! Great buck and photos, Stickflinger!

Oh yeah...the moustache is for Movember...to raise money for prostate cancer!

Great deer and a great story thanks for sharing

That's a nice one.......      

Way to go Ryan.  Great buck and stache!  

Great story, and congrats on a dandy buck!!

Way to go Ryan,One for the North guys !LOL.Ps-I love that bow.

NICE JOB Ryan, love the snow pix! Can't wait for some snow here!

chris<><

Congratulations Ryan, nice buck!!!

Great buck congrats!