23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
11-21-2006, 05:30 PM
#341
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Kansas
Posts: 6,598
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
Well men, Looks like this will be my last weekend before gun season starts Nov. 29 I have been holding out as you know but it seems like it is time to try and put a score on the board for our team. The action has slowed a great deal and its going to be dang near 70 degrees all weekend. I'm popping the first buck I see with 8 points. I passed on a bunch of them so hopefully one will wonder by. I'm hunting Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun. Good luck to the rest of you men, lets try and get it done.
11-21-2006, 10:54 PM
#343
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 1,269
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
Well guys, I was able to score on a buck. But unfortunately for the team, I had the shotgun in my hand that fateful morning.
Opening day (Nov. 17th), 9:44 a.m.I shot my second buck, a typical eight pointer who broke off a tine, I am assuming during some quarrel.
This is the second year in a row I scored on a buck during opening day of shotgun season here in IL. My first buck was taken at 9:05 am. I guess the morning of shotgun hunting pays off, I just wish I had my bow.
What really ticked me off was the "local" bruiser came strolling by my stand as well that morning, just minutes after I fired a second shot at my buck.
Both bucks would have been within bow range, my buck snuck up from behind me. Boy was my heart racing. Buck fever got the best of me and I dropped the hammer on him. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Unfortunately, I thought I had hit the deer better than I did. He bedded down in some nasty thick stuff and I couldn't see him once he disappeared after the second shot.
We ended up jumping him when we started to search for blood. My hopes were dashed as I saw my trophy quickly bolt away. He was running pretty good and heading straight towards a thicket patch, full of some of the nasty stuff you could see. Tracking would have been a nightmare that evening. Plus with the way he was running and the lack of good confirming "fatal hit" blood, we left him overnight. It wasn't until around dark the following evening that we found him. He had tried to jump the fence and apparently got tripped up.
Unfortunately the weather probably wasn't cold enough to keep him over two nights, so I had to properly dispose of the body. This is what tore me up the most. I hate knowing I killed an animal and was unable to get the meat in time.
Granted, I was happy to see my buck close and personal, but I would rather have left him be, then to know I would never get to use the animal fully after I killed him.
Either way, this hunt has taught me once again how desperately I need to control my buck fever. While each animal is a trophy, it is hard to bear with the ground shrinkage and the potential this animal may have reached next year.
Because I was uncertain if I would have even recovered my deer, I didn't get good digital field shots. I did get a picture with my camera phone, which I probably won't even bother posting on here.
I plan on doing another European mount for this deer, just like I did for my first. As much as I would love to have shoulder mounted both of these bucks, I just couldn't bring myself to spending that kind of money.
I think the European mount is a pretty cool way to display an animal if you are on a budget.
When I get things done, I will plan on posting pictures of both bucks. Both really had some potential in future years, but then again, who knows if they would have made it through the seasons?
Either way, I can't wait to try and get a doe or even if I am lucky, another buck with my bow after gun season is over. Hopefully I can add some bone to our team total.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Just wanted to share my story!
Hope all is well. Good luck this weekends guys and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh and by the way, this week Iremembered how thankful I am to have the opportunity to sit in the stand and hunt. I know many people who physically can't or don't have land to hunt who would kill to be able to climb into the stand and take a doe, let alone a buck. 4 a.m. came early Friday and Saturday, but even as I complained I remembered how thankful I am to be able to enjoy this sport!
God Bless,
Dave
P.S. I got the pictures off my cameraphone. They don't really do the buck justice, but this is how I found him, about 36 hours after I had shot him.
I will try and get better rack pictures up when I get the European skull mount finished.
Opening day (Nov. 17th), 9:44 a.m.I shot my second buck, a typical eight pointer who broke off a tine, I am assuming during some quarrel.
This is the second year in a row I scored on a buck during opening day of shotgun season here in IL. My first buck was taken at 9:05 am. I guess the morning of shotgun hunting pays off, I just wish I had my bow.
What really ticked me off was the "local" bruiser came strolling by my stand as well that morning, just minutes after I fired a second shot at my buck.
Both bucks would have been within bow range, my buck snuck up from behind me. Boy was my heart racing. Buck fever got the best of me and I dropped the hammer on him. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Unfortunately, I thought I had hit the deer better than I did. He bedded down in some nasty thick stuff and I couldn't see him once he disappeared after the second shot.
We ended up jumping him when we started to search for blood. My hopes were dashed as I saw my trophy quickly bolt away. He was running pretty good and heading straight towards a thicket patch, full of some of the nasty stuff you could see. Tracking would have been a nightmare that evening. Plus with the way he was running and the lack of good confirming "fatal hit" blood, we left him overnight. It wasn't until around dark the following evening that we found him. He had tried to jump the fence and apparently got tripped up.
Unfortunately the weather probably wasn't cold enough to keep him over two nights, so I had to properly dispose of the body. This is what tore me up the most. I hate knowing I killed an animal and was unable to get the meat in time.
Granted, I was happy to see my buck close and personal, but I would rather have left him be, then to know I would never get to use the animal fully after I killed him.
Either way, this hunt has taught me once again how desperately I need to control my buck fever. While each animal is a trophy, it is hard to bear with the ground shrinkage and the potential this animal may have reached next year.
Because I was uncertain if I would have even recovered my deer, I didn't get good digital field shots. I did get a picture with my camera phone, which I probably won't even bother posting on here.
I plan on doing another European mount for this deer, just like I did for my first. As much as I would love to have shoulder mounted both of these bucks, I just couldn't bring myself to spending that kind of money.
I think the European mount is a pretty cool way to display an animal if you are on a budget.
When I get things done, I will plan on posting pictures of both bucks. Both really had some potential in future years, but then again, who knows if they would have made it through the seasons?
Either way, I can't wait to try and get a doe or even if I am lucky, another buck with my bow after gun season is over. Hopefully I can add some bone to our team total.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Just wanted to share my story!
Hope all is well. Good luck this weekends guys and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh and by the way, this week Iremembered how thankful I am to have the opportunity to sit in the stand and hunt. I know many people who physically can't or don't have land to hunt who would kill to be able to climb into the stand and take a doe, let alone a buck. 4 a.m. came early Friday and Saturday, but even as I complained I remembered how thankful I am to be able to enjoy this sport!
God Bless,
Dave
P.S. I got the pictures off my cameraphone. They don't really do the buck justice, but this is how I found him, about 36 hours after I had shot him.
I will try and get better rack pictures up when I get the European skull mount finished.
11-22-2006, 06:58 AM
#344
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bremen, GA.
Posts: 2,091
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
Hay Bols man congrats big time! I am glad that you were able to find him. Nice buck!
I had one of those european mounts done last season and i was very pleased with the way it turned out.
wished i had a pic of the mount maby i`ll get one and post it
Again congrats bud!
Buelhunter you persistat bastard!Good luck onsunday,
Hopefully you can tagsomething before the season there go`s out for gun hunting if not? maby you can get him later?
"I am pulling for all of you hunt safe and shoot straight!"
And most of all to your familys and you self`s have a great thanksgiving.
I had one of those european mounts done last season and i was very pleased with the way it turned out.
wished i had a pic of the mount maby i`ll get one and post it
Again congrats bud!Buelhunter you persistat bastard!
Good luck onsunday,Hopefully you can tagsomething before the season there go`s out for gun hunting if not? maby you can get him later?
"I am pulling for all of you hunt safe and shoot straight!"
And most of all to your familys and you self`s have a great thanksgiving.
11-22-2006, 08:11 AM
#345
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Posts: 945
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
[
]Bad News Guys[]
Well we got out early yesterday and it was starting of with a bang,1st light I had a 115 5x5 at 18 yards but chose to let him walk as the rut is just strating to kick into high gear up here in Alberta.
5 Minutes later a spike came in too, but he's still enjoying life
. 9:30 5 does came bolting of off the field and I was on my feet right away with bow in hand waiting for the buck pushing them.[:@]None was to follow. Well it quietened down till the wind picked up and I got a chill I couldn't shake. I climbed down and thought I would sit on a game trail and wait the wind out.
.
This is where it all came to and end,I tripped in a crevice under the snow and I went down and when I could see,I was looking at my foot beside my face and I felt all tendons and what ever else holdsour knees and ankle together popping andgrinding. I knew I was in trouble and thought the worse[&o]. Istrated crawling in the snow as I had a few barbed wire fences to get over and 3 sections of land to cross to get back to my truck.
I crawled about a 100 yards and thought if the ankle is broke maybe I'll be able to stand the pain in shock as I felt my boot fill up with the swelling of my foot and also my knee in my pants.[:@]Man did that hurt trying to get my leg out from under my face as my body was forced onto my leg cause of the crevice angle I was laying in. Again I could hear the tendons and all else that was wrong making noises.[X(]I got to my feet with great pain and started the 20 minute walk out on good feet wich took me 2 hours to do. I made the 2 fences with great diffuculty. Man me and my freind had just thought of buying a couple of those cobra walkie talkie's the day before.
Sometimes we should do as the mind says
.Well my buddy from Michagan is back in the saddle this am as I drove him to his stand at 6:30 and will pick him up tonight after I get to the hospital to see what the damage is to me. If you have it in ya's maybe say a little prayer for me praying for no breaks. Thanks a ton and God Bless. So sorry team[X(].I will keep in touch with you's every day on giving you all hopefully motivation and best wishes.Good luck & shoot straight.
Rocky
]Bad News Guys[]Well we got out early yesterday and it was starting of with a bang,1st light I had a 115 5x5 at 18 yards but chose to let him walk as the rut is just strating to kick into high gear up here in Alberta.
5 Minutes later a spike came in too, but he's still enjoying life
. 9:30 5 does came bolting of off the field and I was on my feet right away with bow in hand waiting for the buck pushing them.[:@]None was to follow. Well it quietened down till the wind picked up and I got a chill I couldn't shake. I climbed down and thought I would sit on a game trail and wait the wind out..This is where it all came to and end,I tripped in a crevice under the snow and I went down and when I could see,I was looking at my foot beside my face and I felt all tendons and what ever else holdsour knees and ankle together popping andgrinding. I knew I was in trouble and thought the worse[&o]. Istrated crawling in the snow as I had a few barbed wire fences to get over and 3 sections of land to cross to get back to my truck.
I crawled about a 100 yards and thought if the ankle is broke maybe I'll be able to stand the pain in shock as I felt my boot fill up with the swelling of my foot and also my knee in my pants.[:@]Man did that hurt trying to get my leg out from under my face as my body was forced onto my leg cause of the crevice angle I was laying in. Again I could hear the tendons and all else that was wrong making noises.[X(]I got to my feet with great pain and started the 20 minute walk out on good feet wich took me 2 hours to do. I made the 2 fences with great diffuculty. Man me and my freind had just thought of buying a couple of those cobra walkie talkie's the day before
.Sometimes we should do as the mind says
.Well my buddy from Michagan is back in the saddle this am as I drove him to his stand at 6:30 and will pick him up tonight after I get to the hospital to see what the damage is to me. If you have it in ya's maybe say a little prayer for me praying for no breaks. Thanks a ton and God Bless. So sorry team[X(].I will keep in touch with you's every day on giving you all hopefully motivation and best wishes.Good luck & shoot straight.Rocky
11-22-2006, 08:38 AM
#346
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Southeast, TX
Posts: 818
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
Rocky,
That is terrible! I'll definitely pray for ya. I've torn up a knee also and it ain't no fun. I'm glad you made it out of the bush where you can get checked out. Hang in there bud!
Bols, congrats on the deer and I'm sorry you couldn't salvage the tablefare. Keep at it!
Buellhunter, your persistance is helping me. Thank you!
Motownhonkey, good luck this weekend.
I'll be out this weekend too with my bow for another round. It seems that lately the deer have been outsmarting me. Actually they've been making me feel like a clown sitting in a tree. I know they're all probably lined up behind me just laughing their white tails off.
If I can catch a time when my wife isn't going to her stand, I'll be taking my climber to her area to see if I can catch a glimpse of that bigboy I caught a picture of. (see "breath of life" thread in BH forum) I still have a lot of hunting days left and I'm determined NOT to get completely skunked like last year.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Waid
That is terrible! I'll definitely pray for ya. I've torn up a knee also and it ain't no fun. I'm glad you made it out of the bush where you can get checked out. Hang in there bud!
Bols, congrats on the deer and I'm sorry you couldn't salvage the tablefare. Keep at it!
Buellhunter, your persistance is helping me. Thank you!
Motownhonkey, good luck this weekend.
I'll be out this weekend too with my bow for another round. It seems that lately the deer have been outsmarting me. Actually they've been making me feel like a clown sitting in a tree. I know they're all probably lined up behind me just laughing their white tails off.
If I can catch a time when my wife isn't going to her stand, I'll be taking my climber to her area to see if I can catch a glimpse of that bigboy I caught a picture of. (see "breath of life" thread in BH forum) I still have a lot of hunting days left and I'm determined NOT to get completely skunked like last year.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Waid
11-24-2006, 09:13 AM
#348
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bremen, GA.
Posts: 2,091
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
I agree with the other guys Rocky that sux big time!
I sure hope your going to be ok and able to recover soon with as little pain as possible.
Let us know what the doc say`s? good luck and hunt safe guys.
I sure hope your going to be ok and able to recover soon with as little pain as possible.
Let us know what the doc say`s? good luck and hunt safe guys.
11-24-2006, 11:31 AM
#349
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Posts: 945
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
[8D] Hey Guys[8D]
Well thanks guys for your thoughts and prayers,they were answered ,the knee is just badley sprained and the same with the ankle. The doc said that it mighthave been better to have broken it as the sprains will take time to heal,like 4 to 6 months.
Good luck Waide this weekend on the hopes of getting a shot at that good buck your wife has been seeing.Good luck team and shoot straight.
Rocky
Well thanks guys for your thoughts and prayers,they were answered ,the knee is just badley sprained and the same with the ankle. The doc said that it mighthave been better to have broken it as the sprains will take time to heal,like 4 to 6 months.
Good luck Waide this weekend on the hopes of getting a shot at that good buck your wife has been seeing.Good luck team and shoot straight.
Rocky
11-26-2006, 11:15 AM
#350
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Kansas
Posts: 6,598
RE: 23- Team "Antler Mafia" Official Thread
Hey guys, I held out until thelast day I could hunt before gun season starts. The big one I have been chaseing was always just out of range whenI seen him. I killed one this morning with a broke off antler. A massive 53 2/8 score for our team. I passed on much bigger bucks this season and it came back to bite me. Anyway, he will eat good and it will help us some. Good luck to the rest of you men still chaseing our beloved whitetail. Chris
