Success in Central Indiana (stump pic added)

[b.glass]

Ok. So I go out on Fri. night. I've spoken with Rob and he has seen the aerial photo of the area that I hunt and he has suggested that I go to the far Northwest corner of the property.

There had been a cool spot back there where a large blown down tree stayed propped up on it's stump that was several feet tall. Another hunter had at some point leaned a narrow metal ladder against the tree and had evidently used it as an elevated stand. Well over this past winter the tree had finally fallen over leaving the stump half rotted out with the opening facing the woods.

My husband had planted corn at this farm this year. There are a few acres of woods in the Northwest area of this property with a creek that runs just yards south of the property line. Corn pretty much surrounds it.

After trying another spot and realizing the wind would not be in my favor I decided to try sitting inside the rotted stump. So I pulled some of the large chunks of punky wood out and put my tripod stool in it. It was pretty cozy in there.
 

[b.glass]

One nice thing about this place is that you can be a little noisy and not hurt anything much because it is right beside I-69 and the traffic noise is constant. It makes for a less than tranquil hunt but I think I tend to block it out.

I pull my cell phone out of the baggy (due to chance of rain) and work on my "farm".

[b.glass]

After getting things under control there I set my phone down, it said it was 5:36.

I decided to stand for a while. I would have better view of my surroundings and I would be in better position for a shot.

Holy crap! There's deer! Where did he come from?! I slowly reach for my bow. He's head is behind that big tree, good time to nock an arrow. Young... but definitely a buck looks like a 3x3. The wind and road noise hid any sound of approach. If he gives me a shot I'm taking it. After all it's been 10 years and this would be my first deer from my home state.

He's coming around to the right...that's it...keep coming...no! Don't turn around! He will hit my scent stream if he goes too far that way. He's just standing there...pretty much broadside...looks to be about 15 yds.

[b.glass]

He's looking this way divert yours eyes...oh...my lower limb is too close to the stump. I should have checked my draw before settling in. I make small a adjustment with my feet and look up again.

I've made this shot many times on the 3-D range...vitals area framed by trees and small branches. It's not the perfect situation...but does that even exist? My bow is already partly in shooting position. With the wind helping to mask some of my movement I complete the draw and loose the string...

[b.glass]

He whirls at the impact of the 200 gr. Grizzly broadhead into his side or the sound of it hitting a tree...I'm not sure cause I did hear a cracking sound...but in a split second I know...I see the arrow sticking out of his side...he's crossed the creek, (probably where he crossed to get there)...and he's dashing full blast across the more open woods and into thicker cover out of sight.

[b.glass]

Whew...I'm not sure of the shot placement. It looked good as far as not too high and not too low but I hope it wasn't too far back. The penetration was not that good. Definitely not a pass through. I'm starting to shake...it had turned cooler. Thank You Lord! I call my nephew and son to come and help me find him. I wish I had brought that extra wool sweater out with me. I walk to where I thought he was hit and find a couple spots of blood.

[b.glass]

I look a little more to the North and find the real point of impact.

[b.glass]

It's hard to see in the picture but there are multiple drops of blood there.

I am really starting to shake now. It's been at least 30 min. I start looking a little farther down the blood trail. The splatters are getting few and far between but I am seeing his tracks from his burn out of there. I've talked to Rob and we've decided it may be best to not leave him overnight.

[b.glass]

Tim and Rick have arrived and we fan out in the direction of the bucks last sighting. It was about 50yds from the shot to the edge of the thick stuff. Another 75yds or so and there's my arrow, broken and with blood about 12 in. from the tip of the point.

[Thumper Dunker]

Ok . Then what?  

[b.glass]

[b.glass]

Another 25 to 30 yards away...

[b.glass]

He had crawled half way into a briar bush at the edge of the woods and the cornfield.

Fox custom longbow 47# @ 26". Homemade cedar arrow, 600 gr including the 200 gr Grizzly broad head sharpened with the KME system.

He is a 4x5.

I took a photo of the shot placement but it didn't come out very good. The shot was further back than I would prefer but as you can see it all worked out.

[Wannabe1]

Outstanding and congratulations!  

[b.glass]

Thank you. This story is in the thread about Indiana hunting successes but Jon S. suggested I give it it's own thread...so I did.

[KyStickbow]

Way to go!!

[wooddamon1]

       

[Guru]

[Hopewell Tom]

Nice going, it sure did work out.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats Bona on your Deer! Its a  good one