tcoop
Mon October 4th,2004, 11:26 PM
First a couple of weeks before the season, I found out that I lost my favorite bow hunting spot.
I had to work opening day. When I got off, I only had about 1 1/2 hrs to hunt at a spot that I have little fait in. I sat in a shed because of the rain. Didn't see a thing until I was leaving after dark.
Then I worked Sat. morning and went to the IL State Trappers Association convention after work. So I couldn't hunt Sat.
I couldn't hunt at all on Sunday because of family functions.
So today was finally my day to hit it hard. I was going to go to a spot I've never hunted because it is basically all crops with maybe 1/2 acre of trees.
Well, some how I shut my alarm off with out even hearing it. I couldn't believe it. I never do that for hunting or fishing.
So I did some other stuff around the house and headed out and got in my stand about 4:00. Quitting time was 7:06.
I did spook one nice buck on the way to where I was going to put my stand. After getting my Tree Lounge set up and about 30 feet up the tree, I got everything situated. Man, I couldn't believe it, what else could go wrong. I forgot my release. Do I get down and go back to the truck now, or do I take my chances and finger shoot if I even see one. I decided to just stay and take my chances.
Finally something went right. At about 6:30 I hear something behind me, and turn to see a real nice buck rubbing on a tree about 75-80 yards away. That was neat, I had never seen a buck rub. Well, the buck came up and walked right by my tree and stand. He then looked back and looked like he noticed something wasn't quite the same. He actually walked right back under my stand where I had swept away the debris and sniffed the ground. It didn't seem to bother him at all.
He literally spent at least 15 minutes under my stand. I was shaking so bad, I can't believe he didn't hear me. He did look up and sniff 2 times, one time I thought he looked right at me, but he didn't see me. This is why I like to hunt very high.
I tried to count his points a couple of times, but every time I did, he would take a step or two. Finally, at about 7:00 he started walking out towards the corn field and gave me a quartering away shot.
Boy I was really kicking myself for not going back to get that release. But, I went ahead and took the shot, releasing with my fingers. It looked like a perfect shot, but I could see a lot of the arrow sticking out. I was worried that I had hit the shoulder or spine because even though he was about 10 yards away, I was still shooting straight down because I was so high.
He ran about 40 yards along the corn, then turned into the timber and went another 20. He stopped and stood there a few minutes. I could see him moving around. He walked about another 10 yards and he disappeared.
So I headed out and called a buddy to come help me track him. I wanted to give him some time since I wasn't sure how good the shot was.
Finally, about 1 1/2 hours later, he got there. We found blood but it was very small amounts. Where I saw him turn into the timber, we shined the spot light and there he was. A great 13 pointer, and a very fat one at that!!! I'm betting that he weighs in at 220+.
For such a rough start, my bow season has turned out great and this is only the 4th day of the season.
Oh, and by the way, I had left my release at home. Had I climbed down and walked 1/2 mile back to the tuck I would have been so upset I probably would have went home.
I will get pix posted later. Right now it is after midnight and I have to get up by 5:00 to get the deer checked in before work.
tcoop
I had to work opening day. When I got off, I only had about 1 1/2 hrs to hunt at a spot that I have little fait in. I sat in a shed because of the rain. Didn't see a thing until I was leaving after dark.
Then I worked Sat. morning and went to the IL State Trappers Association convention after work. So I couldn't hunt Sat.
I couldn't hunt at all on Sunday because of family functions.
So today was finally my day to hit it hard. I was going to go to a spot I've never hunted because it is basically all crops with maybe 1/2 acre of trees.
Well, some how I shut my alarm off with out even hearing it. I couldn't believe it. I never do that for hunting or fishing.
So I did some other stuff around the house and headed out and got in my stand about 4:00. Quitting time was 7:06.
I did spook one nice buck on the way to where I was going to put my stand. After getting my Tree Lounge set up and about 30 feet up the tree, I got everything situated. Man, I couldn't believe it, what else could go wrong. I forgot my release. Do I get down and go back to the truck now, or do I take my chances and finger shoot if I even see one. I decided to just stay and take my chances.
Finally something went right. At about 6:30 I hear something behind me, and turn to see a real nice buck rubbing on a tree about 75-80 yards away. That was neat, I had never seen a buck rub. Well, the buck came up and walked right by my tree and stand. He then looked back and looked like he noticed something wasn't quite the same. He actually walked right back under my stand where I had swept away the debris and sniffed the ground. It didn't seem to bother him at all.
He literally spent at least 15 minutes under my stand. I was shaking so bad, I can't believe he didn't hear me. He did look up and sniff 2 times, one time I thought he looked right at me, but he didn't see me. This is why I like to hunt very high.
I tried to count his points a couple of times, but every time I did, he would take a step or two. Finally, at about 7:00 he started walking out towards the corn field and gave me a quartering away shot.
Boy I was really kicking myself for not going back to get that release. But, I went ahead and took the shot, releasing with my fingers. It looked like a perfect shot, but I could see a lot of the arrow sticking out. I was worried that I had hit the shoulder or spine because even though he was about 10 yards away, I was still shooting straight down because I was so high.
He ran about 40 yards along the corn, then turned into the timber and went another 20. He stopped and stood there a few minutes. I could see him moving around. He walked about another 10 yards and he disappeared.
So I headed out and called a buddy to come help me track him. I wanted to give him some time since I wasn't sure how good the shot was.
Finally, about 1 1/2 hours later, he got there. We found blood but it was very small amounts. Where I saw him turn into the timber, we shined the spot light and there he was. A great 13 pointer, and a very fat one at that!!! I'm betting that he weighs in at 220+.
For such a rough start, my bow season has turned out great and this is only the 4th day of the season.
Oh, and by the way, I had left my release at home. Had I climbed down and walked 1/2 mile back to the tuck I would have been so upset I probably would have went home.
I will get pix posted later. Right now it is after midnight and I have to get up by 5:00 to get the deer checked in before work.
tcoop