Ever been a witness?
 

I asked this a few months ago.....and I remember some really good stories coming from it.

Have you ever been with someone (and you NOT being the shooter) when they took a deer/turkey/other?

I had the PLEASURE of doing this last year with our very own Brknarrow (Frank), when he came to my woods for a late season (gun season was in) bowhunt.

It was one of my most memorable experiences in the deer woods.....witnessing those events. The successful ending to a really tricky blood trail capped off a GREAT hunt.

In many ways.....this was MORE enjoybale than the majority of my lone bowhunts. While I like to go it alone on most occasions.....I'm also certain I want to share similar experinces like this in the future.

If you've been there.....you know what I'm talking about. If not....I highly suggest it.

Your stories?????

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I have hunted with MO Bowhnter several times together, but the only time I witnissed him kill something was on a Texas hog hunt. I was shaking so bad and I didnt even make the shot. I think I was more excited for him than anything. We have almost connected on a couple whitetails together, but it never worked out.

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RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I've had the great pleasure to be with my wife when she killed her firstdeer and two different friends when they killed their first deer. My son with his first rabbit, squirrel, and hog. Also his first attempt/miss on a giant buck. I didn't sleep for 3nights after that one!

Great memories, all of them!

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I was with my dad when he shot a doe fawn when I was 3 years old. It was awesome from what I remember. I've been with allot of other people bear hunting and deer hunting but I must be bad luck, I've witnessed a few wounds and allot of misses.;)

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Yes, I have been witness to others making shots on game. In fact, it happened again twice in the last 3 days. I filmed a young girl and her father on a NJ youth turkey hunt this past Saturday where she shot her first turkey, and filmed a buddy of mine taking a jake yesterday. It is great to get to share those moments, and for me what hunting is really about.

Here is a link to the youth turkey hunt thread:

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2765441

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I haven't seen anyone take one with a bow. I was sitting with my younger cousin and watched him shoot a doe with a rifle.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I was right over my buddy Frank's shoulder with him in the blind in Wy when he shot his pronghorn buck AND doein 06'
It was really cool to watch and I think I might have been MORE excited than Frank. I almost knocked him on the ground when teh arrow found it's mark.
Will have the video camera next time for sure.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Oh yea 4 years ago I shot an 8 point that died in front of my nephew 2 years ago I shot a doe that he watched fall. And this year I watched a doe walk to him he made a great shot that I heard but did not see and wouldn't you know it it ran to me and piled up! :DHe immediatly texted me on the phone and told me what happened and I chuckled and said I had this coming to me and he said what?? I said your deer is right in front of me dead. He was happy. No he is hooked on bowhunting! :D

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Oh yeah, several times. Probably a dozen or more times with turkeys that I've called in for others. Jawshooter on here as well as my father just last season. My father watched me shoot that 22lb bird last season also, he was in the blind with me. I've also seen it with deer with Rob/Pa as well, almost got it on video but the camera shutoff just as he was getting ready to draw.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I'm usually with someone when I'm hunting. Be it my father, or the five of us guys that hang together. We film all of our hunts.

Last year when I shot my turkey, there were four people there, and only I was hunting. 2 Blind sets make for GREAT video, and a better expieriance when it's with your best hunting buds.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Video taped my buddy shooting a doe in Texas last year.
Man it was awesome, of course the muzzle blast last for a few hours.
Some of our comments is hysterical I watch it every few weeks.
Good post, GMMAT, it made my tough day a little brighter!

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I have seen my dad and 2 of my brothers take turkeys more than once.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I was ice fishing with a buddy one day and the thought occured to me that bow hunting was still open. I asked him if he wanted to go shot a doe. he said sure so off we went. I grabbed the video camera and we climbed into the tree. A doe came in at 15 yds. He pulled back and let fly. He hit her right in the neck and she went down. She wasthrashingaround and blatting like crazy. He had to go down and finish her off. I got it all on video. Did I mention he is not a very good shot?

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I've been an accessory to the killing of quite a few wild turkeys. Its as enjoyable as taking one yourself, infact, often more so even.

I've seen a few deer get shot of course, doing crop damage hunts.

Seen many doves, ducks and geese shot... too many to count.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Twice I can remember.

Filmed our beloved Justin last season take a doe on film (his first). And it was alot of fun.. one of my favorite memories from last season. Love to watch it. Check it out.. http://www.huntingnet.com/video/detail.aspx?id=1090 :eek:

I also witnessed Dr Andy (another member here) shoot a 2 1/2 yr. old buck in 04' His hit was off the mark and way far back.. and the buck was never recovered. That is...

until 06' when I shot him as a 4 1/2 yr. old. HA![8D] Now he's on my wall.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I was with my 8 year old last year when he killed his first squirrel, it was awesome. I have also been set up when 50 yards of my brother when I've shot 2 different deer with my bow and been in the tree with him when he's shot 2 deer.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Many times over that I have witnessed someone else take many critters with archery gear. My most memoriable was my buddy shooting a real nice KS. whitetail. We were walking into a creek to do some rattling. It my turn to do the rattling and he would set up infront of and closer to where we expected the deer to come from, BUT when we were walking into the place that we were planning to hunt, a doe came running by with a buck chasing her, and the doe spotted us and stopped just for a second beforeshe took off, and the buck also stopped, but for what ever reason, he stood there long enough for my buddy to take an arrow from his quiver, knock it, and take the shot. I had ranged it for him, while he was busy getting his arrow from the quiver, and he made a 44 yard shot on that buck. It was awesome to be a first hand over the shoulder witness.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

of course.....

watched my dad shoot a 184" whitetail....15pt, 12pt main frame, double brows, 1 broke off, 2 stickers

called in the turkey that he shot!

then have also watched/hunted together on other hunts, though I had a tag too on those hunts. the first two I was purely an observer.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I've watched my Dad shoot a few deer. He's watched me shoot several.
Otherwise that's about it, unless small game counts, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Last year I had the best hunt of my life......I took my daughter hunting and she got her first buck woth the 243 at age 7. I was more excited and happy then when I killed my biggest buck ever and she only shot a long horn spike. Before that I had done some videoing for my wife's cousin and it is just as exciting being a part of the hunt even if I am not the one harvesting it.....By the way good post....Good memories!!!!!

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

too many times to even count...

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

i saw westernmdhardwoods kill a turkey... lol i was *TRYIN* to video tape.. well i had the turkeys comin in an had them in the camera view an all jus perfect then he shot an it scared the **** outta me an i hit the stop button... lol needless to say on the video u hear BANG then the screen goes blue....he wasnt real pleased about that....lol

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

ive seen my dad kill numerous turkeys, and way to many ducks and geese to count

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I called a gobbler in for a buddy of mine on his first turkey hunt and he got it! I think I was more excited then he was! that was a great day in th turkey woods!

Hatchet Jack

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Sweet post..

I have been a witness to many.....but pay close attention....

When I guided my brother on his first bow kill in 1997...a 6 pointer...My knees shook harder than any whitetail I had ever shot.....that tells alot about hunting ......and what its all about....its not about you....its about the experience....EMBRACE IT

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Countless times for both turkeys and whitetails usually from behind a camera, sometimes just as a guide/caller.

I've been fortunate enough to be there for many first time youths taking their first gobblers, putting friends on birds and bucks with bows, flintlocks, rifles. I've had a very rewarding history in the woods and field.

One of my most memorable ones was with a youth. When we owned and operated an outfitting business here in PA, a father bought he and his 12 year old son a fall turkey/bow hunt. One evening I sat the father in a funnel after asking him if he'd mind if I sat with his son. He was thrilled. (IN PA youth has to be accompanied by an adult). I put the bow in a ladder stand and I put a loc on behind him in the tree for me. It was super foggy and we couldn't see very far. We were over a food plot. Suddenly behind me in the fog I heard a deep grunt. The boy didn't hear it and I said, Danny (as I handed his bow to him), get ready, there is a buck behind us in the fog and I'm going to call it in. He said where, I said get ready. I grunted.

Suddenly one hell of a buck came charging out of the fog and onto the loggin road that led to the field. I said, get ready Danny and I turned away and grunted. The buck charged into the field not 19 yards away. I watched as little 12 year old Danny drew on this 130" buck. I watched as he anchored and I watch in horror as the arrow went in front of the bucks chest. He took a couple bounces and stopped and looked back over his shoulder. This little professional 12 year old nocked another arrow and almost came to full draw as the buck watched him. He almost got a second shot when the buck looked out and saw a doe and away he went.

It was one of my most memorable hunts. The bow was so excited and so was his father. I got tipped very well after that hunt.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Haha.... it wasnt the best thing that could have happened but ill get ya back this Wkend! Im gonna moon the video cam as soon as you shoot!!!

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

That's miscommunication. When it comes to filming, the camera guy has the say when or when not to shoot. The shooter should never shoot without the say from the camera guy.

And once you say "take him", "shoot", "okay" or whatever, lightly take your hands off the camera assuming the bird is in the frame, when he shoots it won't jar you into shaking the camera, then you can grab it for the run off, flop or what not.

Blame him, no you for that.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

Rob it was really no big deal. It was our first run at the whole video cam thing and we got rushed pretty much and MDdave was setup probably 20yds behind me calling, it all happened way too fast!! It was my first turkey and I was just excited enough to be able to get the chance, I was not too aware of the cam at all!!



Thanks for the tip though, we will have to remember that the next time were out!! Ill be running the cam this time..and will use your advice!

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I have been with both my kids when they took deer with a rifle.My daughter has bowhunted once and my son is only 9 and I haven't gotten him in a tree with a bow yet but being there with their first kills was better than ANY of my own.;)

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

No Doubt, It is a Blast!! I have done it several times. I have even ran a video camera some, but...............................

The most enjoyable hunts where I was not actually hunting have been with Kat (my wife) To watch her kill her 1st deer with a bow,and miss her 1st Turkey with a bow, the excitement that she had, wellit was really fun to watch. She doesn't like to talk about the Turkey;)

He had a Rope on him and spurs to match and she shot right under him at 18 yards. She swore she hit him too, but finally gave up on that[8D]

Dan

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

This post nails it.

Awesome.;)

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I was with 4 different kids when they got their first deer, one was my boy. I was calling andwith Len's boy when he got his first turkey. I've been on probably 20 hunts calling for my buddy Chuckwhen he's shot turkeys. Also been sitting with him on probably a dozen deer kills. Usually in the Southern Tier we just flop down beside a tree a lot just to visit and watch in two directions at once.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

My favorite all-time hunting memory of watching somebody else shoot a deercomes from my teenage years. We lived above an old ash dump, with a nice hillside above it. Anyway, I was hunting with a kid from school, and we had our stands positioned on two parallel benches that traversed the hillside, one about 50 yards above the other. I figure we were around 9th or 10th grade at the time.

As luck would have it, right at dusk, a forkhorn came around the hillside low, right into his stand. I quietly watched what transpired with the bino's. It was late, and daylight had just about faded.

I see him draw and focus my attention to the deer. At that point, I heara loud"Clang" sound, and sparks fly off of this deer's head, right near the base of theantlers. Yes - Sparks! The deer immediatelywent down like Barbaro. Out cold. No flopping or kicking. Just down like a ton of bricks. WTF?

I'm trying to figure out what happened, andthis guy is cheeringlike he just won the Superbowl. Seriously. Dude was going bananas.

Before the celebration even had time to die down, the deer just stands up and staggers away - eventually regaining his wits and bounding the whole way back around the ridge. Wow.

I go down there, and this guy is shaking like a leaf - swearing he hit it hard in the vitals. I said "Dude - you hit it in the head or something, b/c I saw sparks shooting out of its head."



He remembers seeing something flash when he shot, but didn't know what it was. The scenario keeps replaying in our minds - and he's getting progressively more depressed, andI was onthe verge of wetting myself. I remember trying to be supportive, but it was just too damn funny.

So we scrounge around in the leaves and eventuallyfind his arrow - sure enough - no blood. Just some hair and bone jammed in the seams of his Bloodtrailer. Half of the blades were sheared right off, and there wasn't much left of the broadhead.

Honest to god, it looked like a meteor shower coming off of this deer's head when that broadhead dissintigrated across that buck's forehead. Evidently,theglancing impact caused the blades to deploy and instantaneously shear off - causing something tothrow off some sparks that were easily visible in the low light- and ithit hard enough to K.O.the deerfor a solid 30 seconds.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

growing up and going hunting with my dad i've seen him take a handful of turkey, deer, and small game. Two of my favorite hunting stories involved other people. One was when i was a kid (prob 10-11 years old) hunting rabbits with my dad, uncles and cousins. my father and I were standing in the spot we though the beagles would circle the rabbit. Well it did come right past us, but much farther below us then we thought, my dad just said "there he is" and in one motion i swung on him with my little youth 870 20 gauge and rolled him with a 30 yard running shot. there was a moment of silence and then my dad looked at me and said "you are going to probably kill a lot of animals, but i hope you remember that shot for the rest of your life" So that was was kind of a cool moment. The other was calling in my kid brother's first turkey, The bird came in, almost perfect, but never game him a clear shot. He some how managed to get turned on him without getting busted by the tom or the group of hens that came in, and absolutely smoked this bird with a difficult 30 yard shot. I think i was more excited then him as we ran up to the bird. He teases me about how giddy i sounded yelling "get on him jay! get on him jay!" after the shot haha

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

My greatest times with my dad before he died came in the mountains, hunting elk and mule deer. I watched him kill some great bucks, bulls etc with both the rifle and bow and arrow. He had me hunting at the age of 5. Hiking and hunting right along his side. He shot bull elk with his Allen compound once as it stood knee deepin a wallow.. I was kneeling with him in a brushy blind we made. Remembering back that shot couldnt have been over 10 yards.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I got to watch my oldest boy take his first deer back in the 2006 season. It was by far the greatest hunt I have ever been on. I had set up a ground blind in the cornor of the food plot and he was about 15 yards away in a ladder stand. My youngest boy and I sat and watched as the even unfolded. It took almost a full hour to pass from the time the doe first appeared to the time he took the shot. My youngest boy said my hands were shaking the entire time. I was very impressed with my oldest boy, he looked like the most seasoned hunter sitting there waiting on her to give him the shot he wanted. In fact, I gave him the green light with her about 70 yards out and I watched him drop down to his scope. I was waiting for the boom when I looked up and seen he was not in the scope any longer. I thought he migh be getting cold feet when he dropped down and again. By the time I looked back at the doe, he let loose and she dropped in her tracks. I asked him why he waited and said there was a small limb in his scope and did not know if it would affect shoot. I was very impressed that he had those kind of thoughts going through his head when getting ready to take his first shot at a deer. I know I did not when I was his age.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

2 yrs ago, I was hunting w/ a friend of mine during gun season, & his first time getting a deer, he shot 2 & didn't even realize it. Now that was awesome. He'd been hunting both gun & bow for about 8-10yrs, & never presented w/a shot, & if he did, he missed. So that was a banner year for both of us. The funniest part was when he gutted a deer for the first time. He watched me do the first, & then did the 2nd. Unfortunately he poked the the gut when it was exposed, & got a spray of green goo all over his face. Man, I laughed so hard, there wasn't a deer in a mile radius of us. Even funnier, was him dry heaving trying to finish that deer. Still makes us laugh.

RE: Ever been a witness?
 

I know exactly what your talking about. I enjoy filming/sharing hunts with my friends just as much if not more than being the trigger man. It is a very cool experience.