posted
This Thread was titled "Chris and I had a Good Weekend" This was a special hunt for many reasons....which I will explain in detail....
I woke up Saturday not feeling great, but it was a good morning so I decided to go. Dad had to be at work kind of early, so I was on my own. I was going to hunt “The Skeeter Hole”, a stand over a salt lick that I had never hunted before. We had gotten over 100 pictures here in about a week and we knew the deer were coming to it good. It was one of the coldest mornings we’ve had this year. I got in my stand a good 20 minutes before shooting light, so I got everything set up. At about 7:30, I looked over my left shoulder and saw a small doe walking on a trail about 30 yards away. Suddenly, I felt a pretty strong gust of wind….blowing right to the deer. She stopped, pawed the ground, then blew several times and ran off. I honestly didn’t have high hopes of seeing anything else after all that blowing, But about 20 minutes later, I heard something moving in front of me and then I saw them. There were 2 deer, a doe and a spike, walking right to my salt lick. They were coming right at me, so I knew I had better not move until they got there and relaxed. As soon as they got to the salt lick, both deer immediately put their heads in it. I eased up and got my bow off of my hanger. The spike wandered off and started feeding, but the doe was quartering away at 15 yards. I knew this was the best opportunity I would get, so I picked a spot, drew back to anchor, and released..........
For those of you that don't know the story of my Kwyk Styk...........
At the time of Chris' passing, we found out that Chris had a new Kwyk Styk ordered from Jack. While we were at Solana this year, Larry, Curt and Dad hatched a plan to let me take Chris's place in line for the new Bow. Larry called Jack from Solana and the plan was put in motion. I did not realize what was going on at first but when Curt let me Pheasant hunt with his Kwyk Styk, Cy, and then left it for me to shoot for a few months when they returned to New York, I started to suspect something was up. I had always been able to shoot Cy well and had my best day ever shooting and connecting with the Pheasants on the wing. I was also able to win the Twin Oaks Classic with Cy.
The Bow is wonderful....Jack built it with a "GURU" grip and the limb tips and Jacks "signature" Arrowhead are made from the Antlers of an 8 point buck that Chris took on Fort Benning.....I have a feeling that this Bow is gonna be in for a serious Ride. It's going to be Fun! I want to thank Larry, Curt, Jack and Dad for making this happen.
So back to the story...
My arrow entered pretty far back..farther than I wanted. The first thing that entered my mind was "oh no...gut shot." The deer ran in a small loop and then it stopped and started walking very wobbly. It was about this time that I remembered that the deer was quartering away a good bit and I probably got the back of the lungs. She walked behind a tree about 30 yards in front of me and I heard the crash. I waited about 30 minutes before I climbed down...I don't think I could have gotten down any sooner because I was shaking so bad! I nocked another arrow and walked to where I last saw the deer... There she was laying up in a pile of logs! It was a great day, and very special to me. I was using my Chris Kwyk Styk, Easton Full Metal Jacket arrows with some Chris arrow wraps, and one of Chris's VPA 1 1/4" 3 bladed broadheads that were sharpened with a Jewel Stick that Chris gave me.
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow
Speak softly and carry a Big Stick; You will go far. Posts: 1476 | From: Alabama | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- "Other things being equal, it is the man who shoots with his heart in his bow that hits the mark." Dr. Saxton Pope Posts: 712 | From: Dahlgren Illinois | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
My brother David took this deer after hunting many years on the same property. I remember he was so happy this day taking a 5 1/2 year old buck that we were after. Mike Posts: 1216 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- "I think wolves would find me stringy, of high cholesterol, with an Irish whiskey aftertaste" www.traditionalwoodsman.com Your Source For Asbell Wool Posts: 2544 | From: Michigan | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I love this thread. Much good medicine in this one.
-------------------- 77# @ 29.5 r/d longbow homer 80# @ 29.5 GN super Ghost Posts: 1106 | From: Finally back in wyo!!! | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
This is the first and only hunt which the four of us boys all got together to hunt elk. We had done it for deer, and speed goats on occasional evenings, but not for elk. That was usually just me and my dad, my brothers always having school or football or who knows what else they wanted to do it. MY littlest brother is not pictured, he was just a tyke at the time. I took this bull with my saluki Ibex, which my wife had given me as an anniversary present. He came in so fast and suddenly that my brother and I hit the deck on top of each other. Everyone was pinned to the ground, he caught everyone off guard. We were all with in 5 yards of each other, laying on the ground! Kevin and I are the only to who shoot stick bows, but it was his first hunt with a stick.
So, when he came in we were all caught stuck to the ground laying low. The wheelie boys had no shot. But I was able to sneak an arrow out and shoot him wtihout getting off my belly, with all my brothers and dad so close they could hear me breathe! what an experience. Brings a tear to my eye.
You can see in the photo, this bull was close, I hit him from the gorund up at 6 yards or so, the exit wound was way high! thats called shooting them from the ground. the wound channel is like a treestand shot in reverse.
I wish everyone wasn't so busy and would take the time to get out with Dad and I just once a year. Its not football anymore, now its school and their various important careers.
-------------------- 77# @ 29.5 r/d longbow homer 80# @ 29.5 GN super Ghost Posts: 1106 | From: Finally back in wyo!!! | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Awesome idea for a thread TJ. Some of these are way above my league, but this place has provided me with memories I will never forget
My first turkey and my first trad harvest. I was so excited to have done what was deemed "impossible" by all my hunting buddies. I walked out of the woods that morning towards one of my trail cameras, hoping to get a pic for the scrapbook. Turned out just like I wanted.
It was only days later that I found this wonderful place called "Tradgang".
My first deer with a wood arrow made by my own hands. I fletched it with goose feathers I collected, ground, and chopped myself.
My biggest buck to date with any archery equiptment. I hunted hard and long through the rut and finally put it together in December. The look on my face says it all. I try to maintain some composure but its hard when you reach a milestone without compromising anything to reach it.
-------------------- "The overhead view is of me in a maze...you see what I'm hunting a few steps away." Phish Posts: 1466 | From: Milford Delaware | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm with you Tom, I've had 2 special occassions that come to mind right away. Each left me with incredible memories.
This deer was taken the afternoon I buried my best friend and hunting partner. The first time we ever hunted together, we hunted this property. The night I shot the deer, I shot it from a tree he always preferred. I never hunted that tree in the 20 years we hunted together, until that afternoon. Strange how life plays out. The deer holds a special spot on the wall in my family room.
Posts: 1838 | From: Southeastern PA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Number 2 would have to be that day in late January on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My 12 year old son Tim had hunted all season with a longbow and he only had a few days left. He had plenty of "almosts" all year but the shot had to be close or he wasn't going to shoot. This doe came by just before dark and gave him a 12 yarder. We searched for quite awhile before we found her in the river 30 yards off shore. She didn't go far and the shot was perfect. We kept walking past her, never stopping to take a good look in the water.
Posts: 1838 | From: Southeastern PA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[knothead]](graemlins/knothead.gif)
![[archer]](graemlins/archer.gif)
![[campfire]](graemlins/campfire.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
