Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Guru on February 07, 2017, 11:26:00 AM
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First I'd like to apologize for starting a couple threads last year and never following up on them and leaving folks hanging!
This was not done purposely, it was just me being excited to share my hunts with my TG family....but then the realization of never seeming to find the time(kids and work=life happening) to share the rest of the story and pix.
I love Trad Gang and all the great friends I've made here...TG has always been my internet home since almost day one, and that hasn't changed....life has...kids are involved in everything...but that's a good thing!
So, last May I started a thread that was titled something like "Two Hunts, Two Gobblers"...so lets start there...
Two Hunts, Two Gobblers...
Scouting as usual showed a lot of promise...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler00.JPG)
Cade's youth weekend didn't really work out.. while providing a lot of gobbling, one close encounter with three big birds, and a passed-up jake....no arrows flew.
May 1st fell on a Sunday, so Cade of course was the shooter. Roosted birds, great set-up....but the gobbler and jakes kept their distance :(
Cade had school on Monday,and I was working nights, so I would be out by myself. I would hit a spot I scouted and knew very well.
Misty rain greeted me in the darkness, but set-up in the orchard was easy after a long walk in.
I was still getting things arranged in the blind as the first gobble rippled out of the timber!
A lot of gobbling, and about 40 mins. it was easy to tell the gobblers where now in the orchard closing in.
A few minutes later they broke out of the fog at about 80yds...time to get serious!!
This was the first time I was going to try to capture a hunt from 3 diff. camera angles...I had the main camera on a tripod in the blind, an action cam inside on me, and another action cam out by the decoys....all went on when I saw the birds....or so I thought...
Soon the birds where in the decoys juking at the strutting gobbler deke....I got to half draw twice before I actually followed through with the third attempt and released!
Another first on this hunt was a lighted nock for turks...in the low light in the blind it looked like a rocket launch!
The Big Jim, 300gr., monster 3 blade slammed home quartering away....seemingly perfect...but the big boy took flight and disappeared quickly as the string on the tracker burned out at hyper-speed...
After peeling out for about 10 seconds it suddenly stopped...a good thing right.... hopefully it meant it stopped because he was down for good.
But it could also mean the arrow fell out or the string broke.... without him in sight...it would mean I'd have to give him time.
Over the next 2 hrs. I would be well entertained by the other big bird he was with, a duo of jakes, and another big gobbler that came around...quite a show!
Cutting out the drama and doubt....I followed the string right to him...it looked as though he's die in flight and crash landed about 100yds. away...love a string tracker!
Although I would have found him with some searching, the tracker made it simple once again.
The shot was indeed right on the money, right through the liver and back part of his little turkey lungs...
This was the same bird I'd seen during a few scouting missions that I dubbed "Fat Beard" for obvious reasons.
As a side note....I did turn on 2 of the 3 cameras....the one on the decoys I had woken up, but never hit it again to record!!!
An awesome morning, but wish Cade had been with me to take the shot instead of me!!
Great call that had lead to the demise of several gobblers now...a gift from TG'er Bob Palmer, old wore out super glove, and the Sony action cam that I never did turn on!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler01.JPG)
String tracker unit...priceless!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler02.JPG)
Happy ending...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler03.JPG)
9 1/2"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler04.JPG)
7/8" spurs...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler05.JPG)
"Fat Beard"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler06.JPG)
As I was packing up it started to pour...it's was a long soaking walk out...but well worth the effort!!!
Hunt 2 next...
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Happy ending there!! Thanks for posting.
Deno
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Excellent Curt!! Congrats!!
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Great job brother!!
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With predicted rain for the next couple days, work would get shut down for a few days...Cade still had school, but I would get to hunt again!
May 4th...
Pre-dawn May 4th was again rainy. I would be heading to another spot that was well scouted.
While I was driving, walking in, and setting up( both the blind and once again 3 cameras) in the dark...the rain was light.
But shortly after set-up it would get steadily harder. I was in the blind, so would stay fairly dry...
Dull gray light brought with it the first gobble of the morning and some hen talk...
It seemed to take forever for it to get light enough to see well. But, shortly after it was a gobbler appeared about 150 yds. away in the corning of the field!
Even with the horrible lighting and hard rain, my Leica's told me this was a nice bird with a long beard...and he was locked on to the decoys!
This time I made sure all the cameras were rolling as he closed in ;)
Soon he was at the decoys and as he jockey'd around and got broad side...I released another Big Jim 300 tipped "rocket"!
The lighted nock made it easy to see the arrow struck a bit low....at impact the gobblers legs seemed to be taken out...but quickly re-gained as he flopped and got upright and ran right at the blind!
He knocked the camera out by the decoys over and looked as though he was going to join me in the blind!
He turned right at about an arrows length away from the blind, and only made it about 30yds. flapping and flopping, while trying to run on his obviously very damaged thighs.
I knew I had to get on him quickly, so into the rain I went to claim my second big gobbler in two hunts!!!
Two hunts, Two Gobblers!!
The second ride this arrow took in 2 hunts...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler01.JPG)
One very wet gobbler...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler02.JPG)
A very long beard, my first over 10"!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler03.JPG)
Nice 1" spurs...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler04.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler05.JPG)
The shot was a little low, but the massive Big Jim turned the tide on this hunt!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may4gobbler07.JPG)
Another hunt that I wished Cade had been with me, but he would get his chance!
Up next...Cade's hunt...
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Great stuff Curt!
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What bow is that?
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Jack Kempf Kwyk Styk..."CY"...responsible for a lot critter deaths ;) :archer:
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Love all your stories,pics and videography curt FINE WORK BROTHER!! :clapper:
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May 14th...
With my 2 tags filled, it was all about getting Cade a bird or two...
Spring was a seriously busy time for us this past spring. Cade playing on 2 baseball teams, and Mae-Mae playing on 2 softball teams left very little time...but we were trying to make the most of it.
After a couple hunts since I'd filled my tags on the 2nd and 4th. Cade shot when he could to stay sharp...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/may2gobbler000.JPG)
May 14th was forecaster to be beautiful day, but it would start out very foggy...as was evident on our drive.
We would be hunting a favorite spot, but we'd hunted it a couple times already, so, I wanted to try a diff. spot to set-up the blind. I just felt that by giving them a different look and approach....it might be just what we needed to seal it up for Cade this morning.
Dawn started to break, and we started to hear a lot of gobbling on the ridge about where we usually set up...
Soon we could tell they had flown down and were right up by where we would usually be...but they were coming slowly...
The fog was pea soup thick and made it very hard to see and distance. From the gobbling we could tell they closing, but couldn't see them...
At about 60yds. they ghosted out of the fog on the open hillside!
Gobbles from other directions indicated there were more gobblers around, but we were keyed in on these three...the same three gobblers Cade had a real close encounter with in the late April youth season...little by little they zig-zagged closer...
All three camera on, soon they where in the decoys with Cade just waiting for the right shot...
These birds were very edgy, and at about 10yds. we could tell they weren't sticking around...
As the closest bird cleared from the birds behind him, Cade drew and sent his Grizzly Instinct 3 blade on it's way....
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But his shot was low...he'd missed!!!
The three birds putted their way off back up the hill the way they'd come. Cade was angry! But it was still very early.
We cut the string, rigged another arrow, and kept on calling...they're were other birds getting closer...
Not 10 minutes later Cade whispers..."GOBBLER"!
He was already within 50yds. when he came out of the fog....I called and he turned right, and started in...all cameras on record!
I remember vividly whispering, "Make this one count bud"...
This bird again was very leary, and moving nervously. Out of the corner of my left eye, I could see Cade start his draw...
For the second time this morning he sent a Grizzly Instinct tipped carbon on a short 10yd. mission...
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this time it slammed home! But with the quartering-to angle it was a little low and back!
The gobbler pulled string as it hobbled up the hill and disappeared into the fog and the field edge simultaneously....we'd have to give this one time.........................
More birds showed in the next half hour, but the next 1.5 hours was spent enjoying some quiet time softly conversing, checking texts and such. We gave him 2 hrs...
Cade's trusty Stalker 'curve...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob001.JPG)
Where the gobbler Cade shot first appeared(fog had cleared some already)...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob002.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob003.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob004.JPG)
Sony action camera captured the arrow coming out of the blind...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob005.JPG)
Cade had a ball game to get to, so it was time to go try to find the gobbler...
We packed up, I put the action cam on a headstrap and gave it to Cade to wear for the recovery...and we started up the hill...
A cut body feather with bloody on it, a good sign...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob006.JPG)
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The set-up...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob007.JPG)
And once again, the string track made it very easy to see where he'd entered the brushy field edge...a tiny spot of blood and some flipped weeds zero'd us right to the exact spot he'd walked...
This brush was very thick with thick clumps of brier. I whispered to Cade that we would slowly start in...
Just then a huge commotion with flapping and cracking brush broke out not 5 yds. in front of us!
We both ran in as he' tried to get away! But he was so entangled and obviously weakened from the shot damage, he couldn't get out of the thick brier's he'd worked himself into...
We crashed in and quickly found a tiny hole to get an arrow through and Cade quickly finished him off...Cade had his gobbler!!!
Grizzly Instinct...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob008.JPG)
Cade claiming his prize...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob009.JPG)
A very wet gobbler...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob010.JPG)
Proud Dad moment...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob011.JPG)
Luv this picture...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob012.JPG)
Tag filled!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cademay14gob013.JPG)
We did manage to get out a couple more times before the season ended. We had action, but Cade never did let another arrow fly...
Up next...some bowfishing...
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Very nice. Looks like you had a good turkey season there.
Thanks for sharing
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Man oh Man its good to see you posting again Curt :thumbsup:
Love seeing the Turkey thread, it wont be long and it will be here, I'm in for the rest :campfire:
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Thanks fellas!! Made a new year res. to get back to TG way more often, and to stay in better touch with my friends.....this is a start!
Spring faded into summer and I did get out wading with my bow once in June, I shot 3 fish and a lot of video....but never did snap a picture :notworthy:
Sorry for the poor Iphone pix :(
We shot some whoppers!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1600.JPG)
Terry and Cade...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1601.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1602.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1603.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1604.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1605.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1606.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1607.JPG)
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• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1608.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1609.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1610.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1611.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1612.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/terryn1613.JPG)
Thanks again to Terry for a great night!!!
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Great stories and pics as always! It's good to see you back! Thanks for sharing and Hopefully theres some bunny hunting pics to come!
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Summer quickly became early fall and found us busier than ever with everything else going on, Mae Mae was now playing on a very good travel softball team that practiced and played a lot!
Cade was also playing on his American Legion baseball team(most games in NJ) and varsity golf...busy, busy, busy!!
To be honest though, I missed a lot of hunting...but there's nothing I'd rather do than watch my kids play!!
Cade and I hunted for a couple hours Oct. 1st, opening morning of bow season....we saw nothing and had games to get to...we bailed about 9:00.
October 2nd...
After a morning ball game in New Jersey, Cade and I found ourselves heading for a stand that I hardly ever hunt, and he's never hunted. I'd killed a doe from this stand on video two years prior. Not a lot of deer, but with the right wind....it's worth sitting...
We drove into the orchard, parked, got changed and were soon at the base of the ladder stand. This was a single set-up, so I went up first and hung a stand above the ladder platform...then Cade came up and we got settled in...wind was perfect, light, and from the southwest...
With plenty of time left before light started to fade, all of a sudden I saw Cade quickly stand as he reached for his bow looking south...I reached for my cameras!
Within seconds I caught movement and what I saw was amazing...I knew immediately I was looking at the oldest deer I'd ever laid eyes on!!!
I've seen literally thousands of deer in the woods, and worked on probably, at least, a thousand deer in my taxidermy shop over the years....I knew before us right now, was something very few get to see...
She was a monster! She had a huge frame, but was so gaunt, ribs, hips and spine were very evident...
She was so big, she made the "normal sized" doe that was following her look tiny...
And her face...her face was so pale it looked white...
She was an ancient, slow walking, true matriarch of the woods!
With only a few year under his belt, Cade really had no idea what he was looking at, but she was about to be in a position for a shot!
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:campfire: :coffee:
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She slowly walked forward...and out into the open... he made a "meeeh" sound to stop her at about 17-18yds. broadside drew and released a Grizzly Instinct tipped carbon arrow on it's way...
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the arrow was a little off... sight and sound both confirmed it!
It "plunked" in way too far back to hit anything vital and disappeared though her like like she was made of paper...she was quickly gobbled up by the thick brush as she retreated...
I told Cade that there was no doubt that he'd just shot the oldest deer I'd ever seen!
He was beside himself about his shot, but there was no doubt what we had to do...this would have to wait till morning...
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That's awesome as always! Enjoy reading the stories and following along with pics and some outstanding video! Also congrats to both of you on filling some turkey tags during my favorite time of year.
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We got out of the stand early, Cade didn't want to be in the stand anymore. We quietly went over to get the arrow, and as expected it was coated "green"...so we snuck out as quietly as possible...
When we got home...I made the call to work I had to make to let them know I'd be late. Talked to my wife about Cade going into school late...and we tried to get some sleep...
After a very restless night, we were up before day light, ate, prepared our stuff for work and school, and headed out to, hopefully, go find this deer of a lifetime!
The heavy morning dew wouldn't really help at all except keep the blood, if there was any, from drying.
I'm not gonna lie, at first it looked kinda promising...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod00.JPG)
But after this bed, things went south quick...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod01.JPG)
But 2 hours later, and only making it about 70 yards following a quickly thinning blood trail...it wasn't looking good at all...
I kept getting a feeling that she might try to head back the way she'd come from last evening. From past experience, I've seen it many times with wounded deer.
So after finally losing blood a while ago...I went on my gut feeling to head back the way she'd come...Cade and I spread out ans started walking trails...
We were now about 3 hrs. into this...it was getting hot, Cade needed to get to school and I really needed to get to work...
I told Cade we'd give it a little while longer, and we'd come back later after his golf practice...
We continued on...
As was following a trail through this "hell hole" of an overgrown old orchard, I looked left down a perpendicular trail that met the one I was walking, and I saw a leg sticking out from the brush...
Patience and perseverance paid off as a great feeling of relief and accomplishment poured over me...I'd found her!!!
But... Cade didn't know it yet...
(this is all on video)....I called him over and told him I'd found blood...
When he got to me...I pointed in the right direction and said...."the blood is over there, you take the lead"...
He didn't make it 5 steps when he turned around and gave me the biggest bear hug he's ever given!!!
We gave thanx and tried our best to appreciate what lay before us...
She was exactly what I thought...but still couldn't believe what I was looking at...pix do not do this deer justice...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod02.JPG)
White eye lashes..
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod03.JPG)
Look at her gauntness...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod04.JPG)
Respect...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod05.JPG)
She was huge...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod06.JPG)
One very happy young bowhunter...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod07.JPG)
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Making it official...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod09.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod10.JPG)
For those that are interested in this sort of thing, here are her upper and lower teeth...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod11.JPG)
Tops worn right to gum line...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod12.JPG)
My favorite picture that shows all she was, and how much he appreciates her...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadeod08.JPG)
Still to this day, months later, I can't believe it...the ancient old matriarch, a deer of many lifetimes in my book.......
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Wow that's a loooong doe,
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Wow that's something many people never get to see! Congrats!
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HECKUVA DOE! CONGRATS! Those old gals are as hard or harder to kill than a big buck. Way to go, Cade.
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Awesome job Guru....I admire your dedication and really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!!!
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WOW :eek:
Awesome Doe
What a trophy and a GREAT experience!
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:thumbsup:
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That is a very special deer to take. Congrats to Cade! The last time I rifle hunted, I happened to take a buck that had teeth like that. He was estimated to be 9.5 years old. It's definitely a rarity to find deer like that.
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Awesome season Curt (and Cade)! Thanks for sharing...the pics are always outstanding! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Pure awsomeness!!!
Congrats to y'all!
Bisch
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Amazing! That doe has seen some hunters in her life and probably messed up plenty hunters. What an honor to get her!
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Well done..... Good to have you back!
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There's not a better story teller on here, Curt's pictures and videos could almost tell the story's by them selves. Even though I know the story's I find myself going back through them each time he shares them with us. Congrats guys and thanks buddy for sharing with us again very enjoyable thread from beginning to end.
That old doe still blows me away! What a unique trophy :bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Tracy
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And btw, you don't have to apologize for anything!!!!
Bisch
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Curt,
You're the man! Thanks so much for all the work you put in to share your stories with us!
Congrats and thanks to you and Cade.
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Thanks for sharing Curt and congratulations to you and Cade. One of the best Father and son team's to hit the woods. I Always enjoy reading your adventures.
Steve Jr
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Man what a great story and thanks for sharing!
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Thank fellas....it really feels good to be writing again!
Not done yet though....a lot of season left!
October 6th
After starting off the season so well with Cade's incredible doe....I got the chance 4 days later to hunt.
Cade had golf practice after school, so I would be by myself.
The stand I would hunt is one of our double sets that was on the north side of the best acorn tree I've ever found! It was dropping a massive amount of acorns and the deer were wearing it out!!
Trail cam told be the deer were there on and off all day...so I knew there was a chance there might be deer there when I snuck in. But it was close to a working apple orchard, so the deer where used to human activity around the orchard. With the stand only 20yds. inside the woods I knew I'd be ok...
Wish I'd taken more pictures, but I have a lot of video of this hunt.
Got ready ,walked in, and there were deer there....I could hear them moving off as I approached...they'd be back...
Climbed up using my tree hopped bolts that were once Chris Surtees'( I still try to use his gear that I have).
Three cameras set-up, bow hunt...I'm ready...
As I sat there, I couldn't believe the way the acorns were raining down around and upon me....amazing!
Didn't have to wait long at all, and I had deer coming.
Two small does showed first, then a bigger one....but she was leary...and left after only getting in to about 30yds....
The little deer were devouring acorns as they wandered around under the canopy of the huge ancient oak.
Soon I see a big doe coming, pretty sure the same one from a earlier...
Three cameras rolling...
She's leary, but hungry...and she kept coming in from behind me...
It took a while, but soon she'd worked around in front of me and was 1/4 away at about 7yds....
Made sure the main camera was on her and knew it was time...
I drew back "Cy", my beloved Kempf Kwyk Styk that has proven itself time and time again...
The "Big Jim" tipped, 630 gr. carbon arrow slammed into her in a flash...entry looked perfect for the angle...but the arrow came to a crunching halt as it obviously had encountered bone....but it had sunk to what looked like about up to the fletch!
She jumped almost straight up and took of "bull dozing" and was eaten up by the early season vegetation in no time....now I shook...as I always do after the shot!!
Shortly after I had another big doe under me, and had a serious talk with myself about shooting another deer....I wanted to very bad!
But... I was by myself, it was warm, and I needed to get up early for work...my better judgement won....she got a free pass :nono:
It got about dark, and the deer had moved out into the orchard enough...it was time to get down...
The massive "Big Jim" is a wicked broadhead!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/oct6doe00.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/oct6doe01.JPG)
How she made it 150yds or so I'll never know...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/oct6doe02.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/oct6doe03.JPG)
It was hot!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/oct6doe04.JPG)
When I rolled her over I could see where the 300gr. monster had completely broken through the lower shoulder bone before exiting(later when butchering I found it almost completely shattered) ,the big BH and heavy carbon had proven very deadly!!
A very cool hunt captured from three different angles!
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Very nice :campfire:
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OOOHHHHH Man :campfire:
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:bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :coffee:
Tracy
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:coffee: Keep it coming!
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As always a great thread! Thanks for sharing your hunts with us Curt!
Bernie
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Great thread Curt. Very productive season
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Sounds like an awesome season so far and that it's just getting started. :coffee:
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October 15th
Although I have no pix from this hunt(a lot of video), it's a hunt worth telling...
I'd landed permission to hunt a new area not far from the house...Set a camera on Sat., checked it on Wed...a lot of deer...
A nice, youngish 9 pt, and a couple 1 1/2 yr old bucks...so I set a stand on Thursday....that brings us to Sat. the 15th...
Short walk in, all set by first light...always exciting the first time in a new stand....little did I know....
Just as the trail cam told, deer started showing early and the first doe that showed was downwind....and soon on to me...
I had no intention of shooting a doe this morning because I had a Mae's softball tourney to get to....I only had a couple hours...
So she's head bobbing, stomping and carrying-on, but to this point hadn't blown a warning yet....yet!
She'd been trying to figure me out for about 5 minutes(yes, does are relentless!), when out from under the canopy, at 20yds., directly in front of me, walks a giant 8pt...and he's walking right at the base of my tree!
That's not bad enough....but I don't have the camera on, or my bow in my hand!
As he walks ever closer he, catches on to the the doe as I ooze my hand over to pick up my bow... then manage to get the camera on....but the doe is watching....
He gets about 2-3yds. from the base of my tree and locks up, but is directly at me...
He slowly starts backing out....my bow is ready...I have tension on the string....
He backs up a few steps...and is just beginning to turn away...
I'm about to get my shot at the biggest deer I ever would have killed here in NY....
There is no panic, he's just arching his body around....more tension on the string....not broadside yet..........
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the doe blows what seemed like the loudest snort I've ever heard, and in a blink...he's gone!!!
All on video....
It's not everyday, or every 20yrs. you get a chance at a P&Y deer around here where I live!
The morning continued, and so did the parade of does. I passed several opps to shoot one...
All in all an outstanding morning!!!
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He will just be that much bigger when you kill him next season Curt.
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Thanks for sharing your hunts and enjoyed the pics.
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October 23rd...
Today I'd hunt with Cade, on the the same piece of small property that I had the encounter with the big boy the weekend before...
Mid week I had off because of rain, so I took advantage of it to set a ladderstand on the other side of the piece...trail cam showed a lot of activity. All set, and soaking wet I couldn't wait for the weekend...
Beautiful morning...and we're seeing a lot of deer...once again this little piece pf property is surprising me...today we'll shoot a doe if given the chance, but no shot opps yet for Cade...
Then I catch movement out in front of us about 80yds away....but something isn't right...
At first with the naked eye I think it might be a dog....because it's white!
But the Leica's tell me different.....it's a deer, a young buck with 4 points....and he's 95% bright white!!!
Camera's rolling....
I'd heard of a "white deer" earlier in the year from some friends....they'd posted a pic on FB.
And just the night before we were talking to a local orchard owner about see it....now he was in front of us and he was incredible!!!
I've seen piebalds before, but never anything like this guy.....I'm seriously talking 95 percent white!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper01.JPG)
Unfortunately I really don't have any great pix of him...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper02.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper03.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper04.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper05.JPG)
To make it an even cooler morning...while we were watching "Casper"(what we named him"), the smallest fawn I've ever seen during hunting season walks by us....it was tiny, full red summer coat with predominant bright white spots...couldn't have weighed 30 lbs.!!
I tried everything I could to get him to come in to get Cade a shot, but he never did get closer than 35yds...so we never did get a shot that morning, and we never did see Casper again....
I wanted Cade to kill this deer bad, to me it would have been another "lifetime" deer for him.
In December, while at work, a guy from my hometown tells me he's got trail cam pix of a almost all white deer....could it be?
But he's 5 miles away....but how many deer like this could there be right?
He sends a pic, and there's no doubt it's him....Casper had moved!
Not sure why he'd move so far, cross so many roads....but according to this guy, he's been there for a few weeks....now I knew why I hadn't seen him again while hunting, or never got him on my trail cam!
Sadly....I just heard about a 2 weeks ago..."Casper was hit crossing the highway...
RIP "Casper"...
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Good stuff curt. Congrats to you and Cade.
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Very cool and interesting encounter indeed!
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So cool, love going back through you and Cade's season buddy!
:thumbsup: :coffee:
Tracy
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You and Cade are true blue fish killers! Great shooting guys.
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How cool!! Dang I hate seeing deer hit on the highway.
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Thanx again fellas!
Found this pic on my cell....not great...it's of the extremely young fawn....remember...this was late October!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/casper06.JPG)
Up next...my Kansas hunt with my TG brother..."K.S.TRAPPER"...My 8 days with Tracy!!!
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Bring it...... :campfire:
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Oh boy :campfire:
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:campfire:
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Have you checked any charts to an approximate age of that old doe?
I'm curious to know. That is better than a buck in my book. Congrats lad.
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Dang. I was drinking up all your stories.....and then came to the end. Thanks for sharing with us.
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Congratulations ...Too you both!!!
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Kansas!
It was finally time to hit the air....I was off to Kansas for my long awaited and needed trip...8 days of hunting with my buddy Tracy(KSTRAPPER)!!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks000.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks001.JPG)
I was greeted with a big smile, and big bro hug....and we were off to Tracy's house to drop off gear. Then off to check trail cams...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks002.JPG)
Tracy had this cam at one of his newer properties,over a hot scrape...it did not disappoint!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks003.JPG)
"Moose"
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks002a.JPG)
"Tank"
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks002b.JPG)
We continued to check cams...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks005.JPG)
I decided to just chill for the rest of the day, un-pack, ready gear, and shoot a bit.
One of my new little buddies I made on the trip...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks004.JPG)
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I been waiting on this one!! :campfire:
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:campfire:
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Checking out "Buck Ridge"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks006.JPG)
Another new property we checked out...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks007.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks008.JPG)
Sunset over the beans...tomorrow we hunt!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks009.JPG)
First morning Tracy and I hit "The Clearing"...the scrapes there were getting hammered...it's one of Tracy's "money spots"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks010.JPG)
Great double set in a cedar,on the edge of a clearing...this stand has produced some big boys over the years for Tracy...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks011.JPG)
We saw some does and a nice 2 yr. old 7pt...back home I'd have probably shot him....not here...
After a nice breakfast, we went off to check out a tree for a stand to hunt Moose and Tank...
This is when I was introduce to one of the coolest little kids I've ever been around...Tracy's grandson Tristan...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks012.JPG)
Trail cam check mid day in the clearing showed that a buck called "Longbeams" had visited the clearing the evening I arrived...it's where we would have hunted, if the wind was right....longbeams is the deer I really wanted....even though Tracy sent a million pix of deer that were more impressive.....for some reason....in my mind...Longbeams stood out...
He was old, huge in the body, rubbed up back with a wide long beamed, but short tined rack...he was everything I wanted in a Kansas buck... he ruled the area as well...he was Tracy's most photographed deer...I'll tell you now...he's impressive in pix...
in person....well....even more :eek:
That afternoon, we would head back to the clearing...no Longbeams...but I think we saw a couple does...
DAY 2...
Morning day two found us in the timber, another money stand called "Buck Ridge". Another great spot that has a tn of history with Tracy and the deer he's seen and taken there...
I was in a ladder stand, Tracy was above me in a hang-on...
The sky had barely started to lighten when Tracy heard something coming...
As it closed I found it thru my Leica's, doe...about 40yds. away...then we heard it....
A low, but loud grunt and some crashing from behind the doe....she took off down the hill to the east behind the stand...and out steps LONGBEAMS!!!
There he was,30yds. away, Longbeams in the flesh.....after all the pix and talk of this deer....now he's just standing there in all his glory....
I thought for sure he would follow the doe, so I was set to shoot that way.....he grunts and turns to the west....he's gonna walk right in front of me...he's at 20yds. and closing!!!!
Since I was set to shoot behind the stand, as he turned and had closed to about 15yds. and was getting to be broadside....I would have to move a bit to make the shot...
I barely moved my bow to start my draw....
He caught me....I can't fathom how...but he did...gone!!!!!!
Only thing I can figure it it was very low light and my bright feathers kinda glow in that light, and maybe I was a bit lower than I usually hunt....but still....I never doubted it....he was dead....but...bucks like him don't get to be his age by not paying attention!
Surprisingly, I was not too disappointed....it was only morning day 2....it was still early....and it was nice to get my first look at a true Kansas bruiser...Longbeams was everything I thought he would be!
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:coffee:
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:campfire:
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Here's old LongBeam for reference
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/Mobile%20Uploads/B90E0BC5-08AE-4B99-B20B-3DE0DCDB8B7E_zpsoj9dgrwb.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/Mobile%20Uploads/B90E0BC5-08AE-4B99-B20B-3DE0DCDB8B7E_zpsoj9dgrwb.jpg.html)
6.5yr old and pictures don't do him justice.
Tracy
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Ready... :campfire: :goldtooth:
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Evening, day 2...
I would be by myself this afternoon....back in the clearing...
An hour or so before dark, I start to hear walking in the leaves....and after a bit of careful listening, I could tell is was way to steady to be one of the one thousand squirrels that were in this area...deer were coming to the clearing from behind me.
Turned on all the vid cams, kept checking behind me......and could soon make out a doe coming almost straight to me...
As she got closer, I could tell something was behind her.
She stopped at the edge of the clearing to survey the scene....then behind her, I saw a rack!
I eased my bow into my hand as the doe eased out into the clearing, and the buck took her place at the edge checking things out...ten yards away!!!
As soon as I got a good look at him, I knew I had a dilemma.....he was a gorgeous buck, with a beautiful tight, 10 pt frame, decent tines,and a few stickers....would probably be my biggest buck....but....
He was clearly a young buck...no more than 3.5 yrs. old....straight back, thin neck, narrow thru the body and head........I was torn!!!!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks013.JPG)
Over the next hour I watched him chase does around in front of me...closer study thru bino's showed he had 13 pts...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks014.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks015.JPG)
I came to grips with the fact that although I would have loved to shoot this deer, and would have in a heartbeat about any place else(especially around home)....he just was not the deer I'd come to Kansas for...I waited till pitch black....and walked out...knowing I'd made the right decision,but still second guessing a tiny bit...
Tracy was waiting by the truck....and I couldn't wait to tell him about "Lucky".
The next day we hunted in the morning...then went back to get a stand up for Tracy's son Tress,in the area we'd scouted yesterday.
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks017.JPG)
Three generations of Potter men...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks018.JPG)
Tristan, Tress, and Tracy...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks019.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks020.JPG)
That evening I tried the Clearing again...but didn't see much....it was time to give that stand a break....as good as it is....no stand is immune to overhunting....
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To keep this thread going, and because I have limited time to write....I'll finish this off in pix...
I will say though.... I had two more encounters with "Longbeams"(one very close), saw several other shooter bucks, and passed up more bucks than anyone deserves over the next few days...
A good rub at "Buck Ridge"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks021.JPG)
An "allday'r at "the Bench" stand...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks022.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks024.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks025.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks026.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks027.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks028.JPG)
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• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks029.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks030.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks031.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks032.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks033.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks034.JPG)
On the second to last day, the morning Tracy shot his massive buck....I shot the only arrow I released at a critter on the trip....I put an arrow thru a beautiful reddish coyote....watched him run off down the ridge. I thought he'd be just out of sight.
After a great morning trying to double up with Tracy (I had Longbeams 100yds behind me just abusing a doe for over an hour) I got down to claim my "prize"....to this day I can't figure it out....but never found the coyote...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks036.JPG)
One more day to go...
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The morning hunt was slow...I saw some deer, but nothing close...
The last evening, I went back to the Clearing for one last shot....it had sat idle for a few days now....so hopefully things would be good...
But the slow morning, turned into a slow afternoon and evening...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks037.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks038.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks039.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks040.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks041.JPG)
Before I knew it, and before I was ready for it to be over....the sun set on the last sit of my Kansas hunt...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks042.JPG)
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The next day was travel day....I day I always dread, and love when my hunts with good friends are over...
Dread, because I have to part ways with special people in my life...and love because I was going back to my loving family, the most important people in my life!
This one was going to be tough...
We had some time to kill before Tracy had to bring me to the airport....so we rode around....then went catfishing at one of Tracy's local spots...Tracy is an expert catfisherman!!!!
We caught several of these...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks043.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/ks044.JPG)
But this wasn't about the fish....it was about two good buddies....brothers really coming to the reality that it was almost time to say good bye.
Although neither of us wanted this trip to be over...it was...
We just sat and visited...reeled in some fish that were eating some seriously stinky bait, talked about the great times, talked about the encounters, talked about what we could have done different, talked about "next year"....we just talked....smiled, laughed, and enjoyed the beautiful morning!
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To finish this up, I'll copy something here that I wrote and posted on Facebook, from the stand, the last evening hunt of the trip...
"How can 8 days go so fast...my last evening hunt in Kansas! I get choked up as I write this thinking about how two guys that met each other on a trad website(Trad Gang)could possibly become such good friends thousands of miles apart.
My buddy Tracy has not only shared some of the best whitetail hunting on the planet with me... he's shared his home and his wonderful family.
Such a good man that been through hell the last few years.. he deserves every bit of good that becomes him! He's like my brother that I never had...I can't ever thank Tracy and Marla enough for all they've done for me...I will miss you all!....#ilovekansas"
Thanks to Trad Gang...I have a few "brothers" now...
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Very nice sounds like a wonderful trip. I admire how you can set a goal and pass on beautiful deer that don't meet that goal, while everyone's goals in the woods maybe different sticking to them give you/others integrity, well done.
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Thanks for sharing an outstanding hunting trip. Great details and photographs as we have come to expect from you Curt. When I watched the video of the buck you passed on I questioned your sanity. You have some serious willpower (unlike me). Great hunt!
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Great hunt and story as always! Nothing like a good enjoyable hunt with people who are close to you. To that the harvest is second!
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Well done to all involved, great trip! Thank you for sharing it with us. :campfire:
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Great STUFF!!!!
Congrats to both of you.....and thanks for sharing guys!