I posted this on the bowhunting forum, but I wanted you guys to know what happened this morning.
What an experience I had this morning.
For the first time since the season opened, it was cool this morning -- 42 degrees on my front porch thermometer when I got up. I went through all my morning cleaning rituals and headed out early in order to get to the thicket near my house before the deer crossed the open field to get there. I had not set foot in there since last season because I know the place like the back of my hand (I LIVE right next to it), and the trail I used was briar clogged, but I quietly made my way to the tree I wanted to use and silently screwed in my steps and got my stand set up in the tree . . . and waited.
I figured that the deer would arrive early since they don't feel comfortable walking across the open field in broad daylight. By 7:15am, I hadn't seen anything and was thinking it might be an uneventful morning -- and then I saw 2 or 3 does run across the field running AWAY from the thicket I was in. I figured they must've smelled me. I watched them stop about 200 yards away right next to a huge deer coming the other way -- and I could clearly see a large rack from where I was. Since the does were nervous and had run away from the thicket, I figured he'd go with them when they continued on their way . . . he didn't. I was about to drop my binoculars looking at this brute. He was a giant with G2's of about 15" and G3's of about 12" plus other assorted goodies -- and he was extreemly wide as well.
Instead of running off with the does, he started across the field headed DIRECTLY at me! He came like I was reeling him in on a line. He made it to no more than 15 yards away and stood there broadside with absolutely nothing between him and me. I COULDN'T DRAW BECAUSE I KNEW HE'D SPOT THE MOVEMENT! After a minute or two of posing in every position except one where I could draw, he started walking and I was able to draw when he walked behind some vines. I waited for him to walk out on the other side, but there was no clear shot because the vines were so thick. Against my better judgement, I attempted to squeeze an arrow between a couple of vines, but hit the vines anyway. He was untouched as my clean arrow proved.
Don't beat me up over the ill-advised shot. I KNOW it was a bad decision, but I already feel bad enough about not being able to shoot at this monster when he stood there broadside inside 15 yards. He's still healthy and wasn't too spooked, so I have plenty of time to try for him if someone else doesn't get him.
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
[image]http://www.whitetails.com/deer8.html[image]
WOW! Thanks for sharing. My question is why wouldn't you have had your bow already drawn when he was about 50 yds away? I'm sure you got 80 % let off. Just wondering.
Chuck
TWO good reasons why I didn't draw then Chuck. First is because I was skylined from his angle and he was coming straight at me -- basically looking right at me (although he had no clue I was there) The second reason is because I'm still recovering from my shoulder surgery and drawing my bow is NOT an easy thing yet. It takes me a lot longer to reach full draw and considerably more movement -- I'd have never gotten away with it.
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
[image]http://www.whitetails.com/deer8.html[image]
Chuck unless you are really in super shape to hold a bow at full draw for even a couple of minutes leaves one with the shakes..... well at least it would me![&:]
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Dave,
Yeah right after I had replied I was reminded about your shoulder problem. I'm real sorry about that. I saw a hog last week though and I was sitting there with my release in my pocket and my bow hanging. Of course iot was still dark but it would hav ebeen nice to hav egone full drawn. I've never done that before. told my self this weekI will be standing ready this week with the stand in the right position. Sounds like you had an awesome morning.I'm happy for ya my friend.
Chuck
I never thought about that. It does seem though if a monster buck was there that my Rambo instincts may meet th echallenge. I don't know. I sure would like the opportunity to find out. I know when I saw the pig last week that there was nothing I could do. It was too close to do anything. I will be standing though this week instead of sitting. Man it is always a rush when something walks up on ya. Talking about intensified.
CHuck
don't they have a
new thing out that keeps your bow drawn for you?
I am not sure about where Dave hunts, but in some states they are illegal, I just looked at Va. regs and it looks like they are okay know, but it used to be they weren't.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
WOW thanks for the info REb. I would never use one but that is good imformation to know. Thanks for checking it out Taz. Of course I never thought I would use a quick release. LOL I would never hunt without one. I'll take all the help I can get. Taz, I think about ya whenever I use my open hand to shoot. Reb..I think about you when my mouth is openLol
Chuck
This morning's bowhunt--unbelievable
