2014 deer season...first trad buck

[Joeabowhunter]

This morning I was blessed to fill my freezer and achieve another goal on my traditional journey.  I have had a fantastic deer season this year with many deer in shooting range and many deer sightings on stand.  I will share some pictures.  

Sunrise from a new stand I put up just the day before taking this picture.  I think this stand will be a winner...unfortunately I was busted this same day standing up to get ready for a shot on a nice 8 pt.

 

[Joeabowhunter]

My youngest Son has also had a close encounter from this stand on a much bigger buck.  We've seen two beauties travelling together recently.  One wide and tall 10pt and another tall narrow 8pt with heavy beams that almost touch in the front.  The 8pt is the one my Son came sooo close on.  I think the heavy 8pt made this rub.  It was fresh the day I found it and was lucky enough to see him chasing 2 does.  The does brought him to within 40 yards of my stand but the girls winded me and took the big buck with them during their retreat!

[Bernie B.]

Nice pictures!  Congratulations on your first trad buck!    

Bernie

[bowhunterfrompast]

Congrats    

[Joeabowhunter]

The same day that I took the picture of the sunrise above ended with a really neat encounter.
I was walking back to my truck and saw fresh tracks leading into a small scrub planting we have near the road.  I circled in with the wind in my face and walked right up to this button buck.  Really the wind in my face didn't matter.  He circled around me and followed me all the way to my truck!  With other cars coming down the road I decided to run him back into the farm for his own safety.

[ISP 5353]

Awesome pictures!

[Joeabowhunter]

Back to this morning.  The weather was great.  Just below freezing, slight SE wind and I just had a good feeling about today.  I was hunting today with a plan to try to harvest the first deer that gave me a good chance.  My Son was hunting our other farm and was on stand about 1km from me.  Well unfortunately for him he got a soaker and with freezing feet had to get in the truck and would head home and come back for me in a few hours.  While he drove by the property I was on he had 3 does and this young buck cross the road in front of him.  He was able to give me a text message / "heads up"...they were heading to me.

In for the rest!

Bisch

[CDorton]

Me too  

[Joeabowhunter]

I was standing and ready when the 3 does crashed out of the marsh grasses with what I could tell was a young buck dogging them.  They put on a great show for me.  The does were running like rabbits and the buck didn't know which one to chase next.  After about five minutes of this the does all high tailed it into the marsh to the East of me.  I assumed the buck would follow but he didn't.  He stood about 100 yards South of me panting and staring into the marsh weeds.  As luck would have it he decided to head up the trail that brought him right under my stand.  I drew back when his head was behind a large oak tree.  He stepped into a clear opening at 15 yards and with a soft grunt I was able to stop him and release the string.  I watched the arrow disappear straight up from the front leg.  I knw it was a good shot!  I watched him run about 100 yards and pile up.  I gave it another 20 minutes, calmed down, thanked God and sent a text to my son to get his brothers and come give me a hand.  Here are some pictures of the blood trail.  I was using a 2 blade Eclipse broadhead.

 

 

[Joeabowhunter]

Even though I saw him go down I like to follow the blood trail.  There's always something to learn.  At the end of the trail I found him.  My first trad buck.

[Joeabowhunter]

Gotta thank my boys for the help!

[Michael Arnette]

Congratulations! Hard to beat the memories of the drag out with the youngsters!

[kennyb]

I like it Joe! Great story and congrats on a fine buck!

Kenny        

[Caughtandhobble]

Congrats Brother!!!

[Brad Arnett]

Congrats!

[KyStickbow]

Great job brother...congrats!!

[KyStickbow]

Great job brother...congrats!!

[MR BILL SHORTY]

   

[Jayrod]

Congrats good to see the boys involved!