I had fun bowhunting today for the first time in a couple of weeks. I went to one of my regular stands. Those of you that have been reading my posts lately know I've had a bit of a access problem on my lease lately. Well I got too stressed out to enjoy myself trying to hunt down in that bottom so I gave up on it for now. This morning I decided to go back to my end of the lease and just try to enjoy myself.
At 7:05 a 1 1/2 yo 5 pt walked out in front of my stand. I have passed this deer before hoping to get a shot at something larger. This morning I put an arrow through both of his lungs. Hit was a high double lung hit. He went about 50 yds with a very sparse blood trail. I found blood at the last spot I saw him, found a couple of drops 15' further on, a few more 10' farther and then nothing for a while. I had marked the last place I saw him as well as what blood I found. Those four spots pointed in a straight line right to him. When I couldn't find more blood after the third spot I started walking along the line where it appeared he was headed. It didn't take long, just 20 yds past the last blood I found him laying behind a cedar.
I have been bowhunting for three years now. I have killed 4 bucks, the best of which was the 84" seven point I killed in October. The buck I killed today is small. A 5 point. I'm pretty happy with him. I didn't have to get stressed out about where I was hunting him or who would approve or disapprove. I could just go out, hunt, and have fun. For me that is what its all about. Do I want to kill a bruiser? Sure I do. But not at the expense of the stress level I was going through. I keep hearing that if you want to kill big bucks you have to hunt where they live. Well I'll be finding a new place where they live.
As a side note, my brother in law was hunting in the bottom for hogs. When he saw the deer I killed he had the audacity to ask me why I killed such a small buck. I told him it was because I didn't want to fight over hunting grounds with him and from now on I'll be hunting another property. He couldn't understand why I want to leave the lease. Go figure! Anyway he swears that if I stay on he will give me equal access next year. But I have a feeling he'll be looking over my shoulder the whole time. I'll make a decision later. for now I will enjoy the rest of the time I have. Until 9-1-08 I'll be out there hog hunting with friends like Ausie-guy and The Rev.
BTW the 110 acres behind the owners house are mine and mine alone to hunt next year if I choose. Its really a great deal. I won't have to pay anymore than I do now, I can continue to hunt on the land I'm on now too. He is just granting me more access. This land is close to his house, kids, and horses so it is bow only and ME only. Its amazing what a little backstrap and free electrical work will get ya.
I'll post up some pics from work on monday. I'm on dial up at home and pics just don't work.
This is probably the longest post I've ever typed. for those of you that think I should have let the small buck walk, well maybe next year the little ones will make it. As I said, this was my 3rd year with a bow. I have killed 4 bucks, a spike, todays 5 point, a 7 last year, and a better 7 this year. I have also killed 3 does and 22 hogs over that 3 year span. I think I've come a long way from the day I first posted here as Txrookie and didn't have a single kill to my credit.
I'm pretty certain I'll be back on that lease next year. Hunting where I want to and maybe starting to set my sights a bit higher. After all, I'll be hunting where they live. Remember to have fun!

Man dude, after all the BS you've put up with.....I'm glad you finished on a positive....Fun is good......very good. Congrats man.

Congrats on the buck. I think you are making the right choice finding somewhere new to hunt.

Glad it worked out for ya, and it's always good to have some fun. Good luck wherever you end up huntin next year.

Regardless of what you Kill, regardless of where you hunt, and regardless of how often you hunt. The most important thing is to have Fun!!

Dan

Hey man, you had fun, no stress and got a fine buck. That sounds like a great day to me. Congrats.

Congrats!!! Hope itall works out!!