RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Jeff,

For what it's worth, you didn't let the deer down. There is no perfect scenario when hunting. Sometimes blood trails are easy and other times down right non existent. It's probably just a fluke. What matters is you didn't give up the search, called all the right moves to find her and simply couldn't beat the heat.Early season has it's disadvantages.Anyhow, hang in there, put it behind you and remember you made agood shot period. Best of luck with the rest of the season.

Kel

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

You did all you can do!! how could anybody say otherwise??

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Jeff, dont beat yourself up over that. i applaude you. you found her...and theres nothing that could been done differently. you did your part. dont beat yourself up. id say you done did good. i dont see much you could have done differently that would change anything.

and dont worry...she isnt going to waste. youd be surprised how quickly a deer can be consumed in the woods. the last thing they do is goto waste. even if she lays there for a long while, still goes back into the earth. definently not wasted.

thats one of my fears about starting my nanny season next weekend...but the highs are 70s from here on out it looks...lows in the 50s. i still gotta beat the mid day heat, but i'll take low 70s over 90s.

keep at it Jeff...dont let it get you down..you done did good...

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

I appreciate all the replies. Bottom line....Ill get over it on my own timeline. But dont think your words aren't appreciated.

Chris....I watched her for a s far as I could see her......all the while timing it. I was actually counting to myself.....to see when she'd crash.

I'm humbled. I made a good shot.....one that I'm proud of......and I'm still humbled.

You guys are my brothers. I appreciate your support, right now (and always).

Have a great weekend.

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Jeff you did not give up andthis is part of hunting pal.
Most of us have been through this myself included a few years back.
Get back up and go after it Sunday/this morning.

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Jeff,

Hey man, after re-reading this here at home tonight, there is really nothing else you could have done. You took a very ethical shot and it didnt work out like its suppose to in the text book, ithappens. Learn what you can from this experience and move forward bud, I know you will. I really wouldnt beat yourself up to much, but as you said, you will get over it in your time. I read your thread while sitting in my stand and was looking forward to getting back to you this evening. Get right back in the saddle Jeff, for me anyway thats the best medicine. Well bud, I got a little news to share with the team.. no kill but a great night..



Team 43.... Ihad a great night. My chess match began with Stretch tonight...

Just after 6 pm I'd pm'd (cell phone) Jeff about his doe from my stand... Then with the wind in my face and that feeling of...."it just feels right" tonight consuming me... I looked glanced out into the clearcut beyond my stand and there he was! The big dude slipped into view. Instantly I could tell it was him by his definative long main beams. I looked at my phone to check the time after glassing him for a few minutes. 6:23 P.M. and he was 89 yards from me according to my range finder. After looking him over and over ....as he fed, I can see He had definately put on some mass and length compared to the sheds I have from two years ago. I just started thanking God...for letting me see him and that he showed up where I'd scouted him..then I settled down and waited......and glassed him and watched him... After those first few minutes I lost all my butterflys and just watched him. He fed away from me out to 129 yards so I tried a little soft social deer grunting and all it did was get him to look my way for a split second then he went back to feeding... Then he moved back to 103 yards and fed on another patch of buck brush. I prayed he would comemy way to the timber line and give me a shot. He never did. 1 hour later at 7;35 pm he laid down at 111 yards with his back to me..his nose in the wind...all evening the wind worked pefect for me..Stretch showed up but didnt work to me...

With the light fading I started contemplating what I would need to do to get out of my stand and not spook him at just over 100 yards from me. I glassed him for minutes in his bed, I could just see his shoulders and head and awesome headgear...He definately looks like a 5 year old... body..looks great, husky buck..forsure..

I pulled out my cow call with 10 minutes of light left and tested it out on him... hoping I could use it to slink out tonight...I gave a few soft mews and he rotated his head my way and then immediately turned it back like he was not bothered...

So at dark..and after a couple more social deer calls..just in case I could get him to come check me out...I slipped out of my stand..leaving my bow, backpack everything..I did not want to take anychances on anything making noises...I got out of that stand 100 percent silent..then when I hit the loud crunchy forest floor I hit the cow call and did my best to walk out like an elk.. I glassed him in his bed and I snuck straight away on a game trail from my stand...I walked 100 yards away into the timber then headed down the mountain..continually trying to sound like a few elk working off the mountain...I am very sure I didnt spook him...

Tomorrow.. my move.. I am stoked at how great he looked.. hes got 1-2 inch g-4's is all...but he's a 5x5..There restof him looks awesome.. Big body, long long main beams 25 plus inches.... hence "stretch" and tall G-2s and 3's (9-11 inchers..all of them)....on both sides.. browtines about 5 or 6 each.. good mass..The biggest surpise..he still had velvet! I was shocked.. Anyway.. Day 9 was good...rarely do I ever get to sit and watch a buck I am targeting out in front of me for 1.5 hours.. The wind is suppose to be the exact same tomorrow.. I need a Northern wind or I cant hunt him.. I hope it holds true..he seemed really comfortable where he was..and if that wind is right tomorrow, I am gonna move to a lone pine tree that he milled around today.. I am stoked..

Jeff....best of luck bud, it all happens for a reason..... Flst.. you too, good luck!


p.s. I took at least 6 pictures of him with my little digital..but its still hanging in the tree...:)they were right at 100 yards out andmy zoom goes to 10x..hopefully they will turn out.better yet kill him tomorrow in there...and take some real pix..

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Great stuff Troy and good luck. Hope you don't mind me in here.


Side bar: Whatever happen to cardeer?

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

On a side note, guys.....I had a chance to take a buck in velvet, yesterday (well.....I'll never assume, again. I had a "CHANCE" to take him). Had him at 20 yds, two different occasions. He was a six pointer.....and I hooked my release......thought for a split second.....then unhooked. If I have to think about it.....it's the wrong decision. Saw another velvet six pointer, as well.

I'd love to see one of my targets still in velvet, next week.

NC's a no-hunting on Sunday state. I think I'll set a stand in the area I hunted yesterday morning. God knows there's enough of my scent in there already.....I don't think it could hurt. Maybe I'll get back in there in a week or so. I've got othe rplaces to hunt 'til then.

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Jeff, Since I just started hunting this year I have yet to track anything but your perseverance will be something I'll remember when it's my turn.

Troy, Great stuff ! Good luck today. Son has a football game this morning so I'll have to wait til evening.

RE: 43- Official Team Chaos Thread
 

Gmmat
I don't know what more you could do, you found a deer with no blood 200yds and 8 hours away. You just got screwed by the temps. Many guys probably would never have found it. How bad was she when you did reach her, and did you analyze your shot more?

Troy,
Awesome bud. Simply awesome.

I'm headed out now to check the loggers' status and be back in time for the Steelers:)