Shot a nice buck tonight

NJ/PAbwhunter · 10-10-2007, 09:10 PM

10-10-07 Today I left work around 2:00 and headed out for an afternoon hunt.
Got to my tree by 3:00 and settled in my stand by 3:30. From my tree I could see a line of rubs and a few scrapes that made my position seem promising. At about 5:00 a was watching a large red fox and just waiting for the first sign of deer movement, now that it has gotten cooler. Just about 5:10 I see the land owner"™s wife walking through the woods with her 2 labs"¦ I try to stay optimistic and think that since she is about 75 yards away, maybe she will even get some deer up and moving early. After about 20 minutes I saw her and the dogs go past again, this time heading toward their house"¦ off in the distance.
So still I am thinking this is ok. I am watching and listening now for any sign of movement, since that last magic hour is approaching. About 5:55 I hear a noise, behind me, since the rain last night soaked every thing pretty well, I did not hear even the squirrels in the leaves today"¦ so this noise caught my attention for sure. I turned to look behind me over my right shoulder"¦ and standing there about 15 yards from my tree was this buck. I saw a really nice big body and wide dark rack. At this point my bow was on my left side hanging from a hook. I slowly reached up and lifted it off the hook and clamped my release onto the string loop"¦ now looking back over my right shoulder"¦ he was gone. I know he must be directly behind me"¦ can"™t risk trying to stand up"¦ so I look slowly back around over my left shoulder and there he is"¦ now at 10 yards.
I have to take the shot from a sitting position"¦. I draw"¦. And lean over to my left and settle my 10 yard pin right on his lungs"¦.. SMACK!
Mule kick"¦ and he runs off 30 yards and stops still in view. He is looking around"¦ for about 30 seconds"¦ then his head drops low like a hound dog on a rabbit"¦ and he takes off on his death run. I can see my arrow stuck in the ground"¦. There is proof of a fine hit. After climbing down, I went to where I last saw him, I find no blood, but continue on in the direction of his run"¦. Still no blood, but about 50 yards further, 80 total yards from the shot"¦. There he is"¦.. the last 5 to 10 yards he ran, there was plenty of blood.
Hope you enjoy the photo... I am going to ad one or two more.
DW