A lucky tree,a favorite hat and a 40# Slammer

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 12:52:00 PM

A couple of weeks ago I was doing a little scouting/hunting. Being a ground hunter I am always looking for just the right setup. I finally found where a group of Ash trees grew as one which gave me a nice backdrop to setup in front of. When I took off my seat to set it up I was surprised to see this at the base....

This just may be my lucky tree.

Zmonster · October 27, 2011, 12:54:00 PM

Very cool!

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 12:54:00 PM

I get set up and have a pretty good night as far as deer sightings go,had 5 come in that were pushed from somewhere else with the lead doe giving me the staredown at 7 yds.

I sit until quit time,then gather my stuff up and head home.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:02:00 PM

So I get back home and as I am telling my wife about my night, I realize that my favorite hat is missing. We all have one right? This one has been on my head for more kills than any other.

The next day I carefully backtracked and was glad to spot it...

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:04:00 PM

It is my favorite,and although I do not wear it on every outing there was no way I was going to give it up.

dragonheart · October 27, 2011, 01:04:00 PM

This is cool.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:08:00 PM

So that was on a Tuesday and I don't like hunting the same area to much. I thought Saturday would be time for another go.

I came across these tracks heading in,looks as though I am not the only one that likes the taste of venison......

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:12:00 PM

When I was getting close to the area I saw where a buck had a line of scrapes,4 in 50 yds, and as I was planning to lay down a scent line I chose a tree that was just a bit closer to the edge. I set my seat up, unloaded my gear,and got the scent line put down. Did a little snipping in some shooting lanes and got situated.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:15:00 PM

It is thick right here. There is a bedding area off to the northeast and a tractor path to my left or west.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:16:00 PM

Another view.

ron w · October 27, 2011, 01:19:00 PM

This is good....what kind'a seat ya using?

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:21:00 PM

So I settle in and enjoy the woods. Wind is strong out of the west and it is overcast and cool. At about 4:00 I hear a Redtail cry. I don't know if you guys have certain things you pay attention to out in the woods,but when I hear a hawk cry it means something is going to happen.

I looked down at my Slammer and saw that she was "focused".

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:24:00 PM

Ron W. it is a Waldrop. If you sit on one you will say hmmmm..... If you fold it up and put it on your back you will be getting your wallet out.

In my opinion,absolutely the best.

Night Wing · October 27, 2011, 01:25:00 PM

By looking at the photos, your hunting spot looks very nice.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:30:00 PM

So 5:00 comes,5:30,6:00. At 6:10 I see some movement up in front of me. It looks like two deer are heading out to the tractor path. The first one comes down thru and has her nose to my scent trail,maybe thirteen yards away,and never really came to a stop. The other one is taking her time....come on.

The tractor path is just beyond that stump by a couple of yards.......

dirtguy · October 27, 2011, 01:34:00 PM

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:37:00 PM

Light is getting less and less and it seemed like forever until she came down into the opening. She stopped in a perfect spot,the Slammer was already up and 99% drawn. Leaning just slightly forward in the seat I came to full draw and burnt a hole on a small leaf that was showing up against her lung area.

I released and she turned and bolted back into the woods behind her. This lay where she stood.

jcar315 · October 27, 2011, 01:40:00 PM

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:43:00 PM

I am shooting 40# at 28" and that is what I draw.

I was really wondering about this weight and had asked Leon about it. He said as long as I watched my distance and shot angle there was not going to be a problem. Thank you Leon,you were so right. The arrow is a Beaman Classic 600 spine with a modified Zwickey 4 blade w/ adapter(175gr)and makes an arrow weight of 420gr.

Zip......right through.

monkeyball · October 27, 2011, 01:48:00 PM

Sorry for the "dark pictures" of the arrow. Light gathering capabilities on a cell phone camera are limited.

She went about 60-65 yards and it was over.I thanked God for the oppurtunity and the clean kill,called my wife and said I was going to be a little late and started the haul back home.

Good Hunting.
Craig