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A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

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A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Old 11-15-2002, 10:25 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hico, WV USA
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Default A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

I have been hunting very hard this season and have had great success, for which I am very thankful. After my third this season, at the end of October, I had great hopes of holding out for a big buck, as I have never taken what I would consider to be a wallhanger with my bow.

So all the month of November I have been out nearly everyday (have stayed home only 4 days, including Sundays in Nov.) with high hopes for pre-rut and full-on rut action. All I have seen are spikes and forks.....have passed close shots on two spikes, one fork and many, many does....the farm I hunt is wayyy over-populated with does.

On the way to the farm this morning I made the decision that I would be aggressive and try a stand that I have shyed from due to the difficulty in accessing it without spooking many deer. My hopes were of seeing a buck that I have not seen in scouting and hunting. I also decided that if a shot at a mature doe presented itself, I would make a small investment in the future of hunting on this property.

I got to my stand well before sunrise and just as light was crossing the horizon I heard a twig snap and could see the outline of a deer about 50 yards away...it came closer to about 30 yards, but I still could not see it well enough to make a shot. A short while later a doe meandered up the hill to my right, I watched intently in hopes of seeing it look back with a buck in toe. It feed at leisure for about 45 minutes, came within 20 yards....but offered a marginal shot at best, could have possibly snaked one in, but did not want to chance it....another pass. Then another doe popped over the ridge and it too was very relaxed and slowly, over about an hours time, fed towards me. It was larger than the first doe and walked right to my stand, looked at me, didn't care and continued to feed....so, my season ended on a 10 yard shot that caught a lung and the heart...and I am quite proud of my doe, and my season.

It was not a complete pass-through which surprised me at such short range (70 lbs. 30.5" draw packs a respectable whollop) but the arrow broke off and the blood trail could be seen from my stand. I followed the trail to the doe, piled up about 10 feet from a nasty-thick briar patch. The shot did penetrate both sides, but for some reason did not pass all the way. I found the arrow very close to where I made the shot, which was broken just below the fletching. When I dressed her out, I found the nock-end and fletchings buried in the heart, one demolished lung and two nice star shapes on both sides of the rib cage.

So...with bittersweetness, the time of year which I love the most and look forward too from the end of the last, bow season...is now over. I have had my best bowseason, and am quite proud in taking a 6pt. and three does. The freezer is full, I'm happy and I feel good about doing a small part in helping the future of the herd on the farm.

Life is good my friends.


If she looks like she's been throught the wringer...she has. A mile and half drag up hill through briars is not conducive to keeping the hide looking good....<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Pat in WV





Edited by - springgobbler on 11/15/2002 11:36:21
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Old 11-15-2002, 10:32 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: , IL USA
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Hey - very nice story.

I know how you feel. Have been holding back one buck tag & all I've seen are baskets.

Love to get a doe though. They have been avoiding me. Good eating.

Is your season over already? I thought that the WV season goes later than November 15th.

I guess that I am VERY lucky. Ours goes to the 17th of January this year.



&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;
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Old 11-15-2002, 10:33 AM
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD AND FULL OF JOY. ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU ARE SATISFIED. YOUR FREEZER IS FULL AND SO IS YOUR HEART.

GREAT JOB!!!!!

HUNT ON HUNT HARD EAT WELL
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Old 11-15-2002, 10:41 AM
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Justin-
The WV season continues through the end of December, but I am tagged out. We are allowed three...and I should have posted this so I don't get flamed....my first was on a DNR cull hunt and was considered a bonus deer which doesn't count against my season bag limit.

Good Luck filling that buck tag...

Pat in WV
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Old 11-15-2002, 10:41 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Afton IA USA
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

GREAT JOB! Both in the harvest and the telling of it. If you're season is truely over, come out to Iowa. We have 2 weeks left and my farm has 8 or 10 does with yearlings (2 or 3 each) and 3 bucks. I can't shoot them because my bow set up is complete junk and I refuse to wound another deer. Plus I could see a veteran bowhunter in action. Again, Congratulations!
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Old 11-15-2002, 11:07 AM
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Your experience pretty much mirrors mine. I spent 4 solid days from dark to dark in a tree, saw a ton of does being hassled by buttons, spikes and small bucks, over 10 deer per day. Passed on each buck I had an opportunity at, finally the fourth morning resolved to take a doe if I had a chance, as my bow season is pretty much over until January. Two does came in at about 20 yards, I drew on the first as the second was behind some brush and couldn't see me. She was angling uphill, and I grunted to stop her. She didn't, so I grunted louder. She stopped in mid-stride, kind of crouched with one leg up, and glanced my way. I centered the pin right in her arm pit, and just as I let fly, she stepped forward and up, kind of hard to explain. Anyway, the arrow went right where I was aiming, which unfortunately now was just underneath her. I gave her belly hair just under her sternum a close shave, but that was all I got.

I'll be back after them next weekend during our shotgun season, and hopefully the big bucks that are apparently holed up with hot does will be out and about again, then will be hitting the afternoon food plot hunts the first two weeks of January.

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Old 11-15-2002, 12:51 PM
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Congrats on a great season. I wish my success had been so good.
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Old 11-15-2002, 03:21 PM
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Great job Springgobbler, You expressed what I think Bowhunting is all about. It's my favorite time of year. You enjoyed all of the changes that take place. You see nature at its best! Now you have meat for your further enjoyment. Your trophies will come, but I think that being out there this time of year is a pleasure that I am thankful for!

P.S. Spring birds are not that far away!
<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
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Old 11-15-2002, 03:21 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: WV USA
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Good job Pat, I am from WV too, and haven't had much luck this season. I actually don't get to hunt much, this is my final semester in college and I only get out on some weekends, hopefully I will get more time next year. It is sad when the season is over, but you gotta think, only one more week til gun season. I personally don't care for gun season, but it pretty much signifies the end of bow season for most, Good Luck!!!!

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!
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Old 11-15-2002, 03:23 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vining MN USA
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Default RE: A Tough Decision, But Proud of It.. (a bit long)

Hey man nice deer. Not want to ruffle any feathers but the deer pull alot easier if you pull them bye the front legs not the back. Then you nor going against the grain of the hair so to speak.
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