Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: mmgrode on January 06, 2008, 10:45:00 PM
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(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1062251.jpg)
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Awesome!!This should be good.
Congrats!!!
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I hope this turns into a dead end. :thumbsup:
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It's bleeding out of both sides.It's dead.Should be an easy tracking job in that snow.Unless it was hit real low. :rolleyes: :campfire:
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Good sign :thumbsup:
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Story to come later today guys! :campfire:
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Great! looking forward to it!!
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oh Yes! you the Man Matt! :readit: :goldtooth:
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Nice Picture! Can't wait to see more.
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This should be fun!!!
We're waiting......... :readit:
:bigsmyl:
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:thumbsup:
can't wait
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Well, was the blood real dark red, or bright? I can't really tell with my monitor. Any hair left at the scene, if so describe it please. First in pression is it looks good. I will follow this thread with interest.
Good luck!
Bob.
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You killing me whitey, you're just killin' me...start the story!!!! ha
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:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :D ;)
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That's just mean... :knothead: :campfire:
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You'd think mmgrode was a producer for the TV show Lost with the way he's stretching this thing out. :rolleyes: ;)
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Sorry guys! I've gotten really busy in the last couple of hours and will be busy for the next couple. It's a good kind of busy though! ;) I'll try and get the story, pictures, and video(if I can get it figured out) going after I finish up what I have to get done. Sorry again to make you guys wait. I don't want to be "that" guy. :) Matt
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He said video. Cant wait.
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Well I better get my popcorn for the movie :campfire:
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Interesting.I wish I could say Interesting story,but I can't. :saywhat:
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Matt those look like hereford tracks!! :eek:
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Typical... :campfire:
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OK, on with the story! :
Well, I guess the best place to start would be at the beginning, for we cannot have an end without one nor a story for that matter. A beginning aids in the recognition of progress and maturity. It is something that we, at times, lose sight of in looking too far to the future, to far off lands and animals of mythical porportions and to skills and experience not yet earned through the gauntlet of time and perseverence. And yet there is much excitement in these beginnings of ours, and much necessity. To be able to look ahead and dream of what may someday come is a delight in itself. How many children find themselves wishing they were grown up and how many grown ups wish they were kids again. There is a time for everything, beginning and end. And so it is that we need this beginning not only to show us where we come from, but also where we are and perhaps aid our recognition and willing anticipation of what may lay ahead.
But even before this beginning perhaps, for the sake of completeness, some background information is in order here. I began this journey down the traditional archery path some four years ago with the inspiration to build my first bow. I can no longer recall the precise motivation behind this, only that it was there and I was as determined as a bloodhound to build myself a durable hunting bow. And so I set out to learn all there was to the bowyer's craft. Nieve might be the proper word for my attitude here. Nonetheless I did succeed in some regard of building what, in some ways, resembled a bow. In fact, I still have this bow; a rawhide patched, mangled board bow from a maple board. I have come a long way in the bowbuilding arena since then graduating to rawhide, wood, and sturgeon skin backed bows, recurves, selfbows, and now my current interest of bamboo backed osage bows of various profile and material. Regardless, I unmistakeably have a long way to go! My mother always told me the most important thing she learned in college was not how much she learned, but how little she really knew. So too have I found these words to ring true in my own bowbuilding, later hunting pursuits, and life itself.
- I'll bet you didn't expect it to start like this! ;) All in due time my friends. More to come!
- I can't get the videos I shot to load onto photobucket. The file size might be a little too big for it. Does anyone know where else I could load them up for you guys? Thanks Gang, Matt
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AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
Just kidding, that was actually a good read.
The story and vids should be well worth the wait!!
Webshots might work
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:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :campfire:
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...soon I found out how little I knew about bowhunting. The next three years of bowhunting contained within it many close calls, a few dissapointments, and a large influx of knowledge only gained through experience. The first season hunting with one of my bows I had a 15 yard shot on a doe... missed her by about 5 feet. I left the woods feeling happier than I ever did killing deer with the rifle. After that it was confirmed that bowhunting for me from then on would be stick and string only. As time went on my bows gained performance and I began to come closer to my goal of a deer with the stick and string. Unfortunately each of the next two years I hit deer that I was unable to find the second of which had complete broadhead penetration. I was really doubting my abilities coming into this season. But hope still reined and my love of the hunt kept me out in the woods.
This past early bow season has been a tough one to say the least. I was fortunate enough to log countless hours in the woods, yet never got a decent shot opportunity during this time. And so gun season ran it's course(gun seasonS to be more precise) and I got revved back up for the annual late season swamp hunt I do with a buddy of mine every year. We scouted, set up blinds, baited, and planned for what we hoped would be another good late season hunt.
And so the hunt began. Several nights were action packed including a shot opportunity on a doe that resulted in a miss. I was pretty bummed after that, but resolved to hold out till the end not going out without a fight. I had hunted hard the whole season and I was not about to quit. I headed back out to my blind for another afternoon sit. Here is a view of it from the bait pile:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC242203.jpg)
And from the blind to the bait pile:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC242204.jpg)
Little would I know I would be given yet another chance...now if I could just get this darn video loaded!
Good night Gang! More tomorrow.
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Great writting Mike! :bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :D :) :campfire:
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your working to hard mate!
out with it :readit: :biglaugh:
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It amazes me all the talented writers that we have here on Trad Gang. Great story so far Mike, looking forward to the rest. Glenn
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:readit: :saywhat: :campfire:
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YEAH,great writing, BUT someone should go up there and get this guy on the ball, at 71 winters i may not get to see a picture, some body go up there and "jerk a knot in his tail"
that will get him going :knothead: :knothead:
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So far so good!! and it sounds like it's gonna get better. Congrats on not giving up!!
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Having hunted just about every day for over a week to no avail began to wear on my spirit. That nasty, greedy little bugger "pessimism" was starting to creep into my head. "Oh, I'm not gonna get anything anyway. Might as well hang 'er up for the year." Pessimism sure can be an alluring little guy. To the one affected he has such an esoteric method of sneaking in and causing havoc in so many ways. Mostly he is very effective at causing us to forget, to forget the good times with good friends, the joy of experiencing creation and ourselves at our best. Of course an overzealous optimism can lead to a similar effect when those expectations do not reach fruition. I began to realize how much emphasis I was placing on killing a deer and how much I expected it instead of enjoying the hunt, working hard, and letting come what may.
I needed a break for a day and I find it difficult to come to a better remedy to this malady than to take a day out stump shooting and roving on public land. Oh, and what a cure it can be to the late season swamp blues! I left the woods that evening refreshed and rejuvenated for the coming last few days of the season...and quite the last days they were...
More this evening..with video if I can get it to work!
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ZZZzzzZzzzzzzzzzZ....... ;) :campfire:
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It was a cold and windy afternoon with wind gusts in the 30mph range and temps in the twenties. I knew the sit was going to be cold, but I was not going to let that stop me, especially with the wind direction being perfect. In addition, the high winds would help to cover my entry to the blind seeing as the deer bed as close as 100 yards from the blind. I also felt that the deer would also be moving earlier because of the bad weather. So I headed out for the afternoon sit.
The way my blind had been set up allowed me to remain behind a stump and lean over periodically to check the bait, then sit back to wait some more. Really was very effective! I hope from the pictures it is evident that I really can only shoot one direction out of the blind through a small opening. I was soon to find out how effective and thorough this blind aided in concealment.
As I sat in the prescence of my thoughts with a hot cup of tea to warm my bones on this cold windy day I took my periodic check of the baitpile and area behind it...There's a deer!! And another one...and another one! There about 30-40 yards behind the bait pile were three does making there way slowly my direction. I could tell they were tense checking the wind and looking all around every few seconds. My heart began to race as the deer came closer and closer, anticipation filling my veins with adrenaline, that serum oh so exciting! I slowly began to prepare myself trying ever so desperately to calm my pulsing body. In order to shoot more freely I drape a jacket around my back and slip it off when ready to shoot. I ever so slowly let it fall behind me.
I leaned over again to check the deers' progress. It took me a minute to pick them up again...10-12 yards from my blind to the left side! Again, they checked around them from all directions looking for signs of danger, but none would be found of the predator not 15 yards from them. Slowly, one of the does came to the baitpile. I turned on the small camera I had with me and prepared myself to shoot.
http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3063287850102827975vdJuuJ?vhost=good-times
-Unfortunately, the camera battery died shortly before I took my shot...sorry.
I finally calmed my nerves enough that I felt comfortable to shoot. I slowly drew back thinking in my mind "Pick a spot dummy! Pick a spot!" My eyes seemingly burned a hole in the small patch of hair covering her heart. I reached full draw and the string slipped from my fingers. The razor sharp zwickey tipped arrow was on it's way. The draw felt right, the release felt right. A split second later I heard a ka-thunk and the deer spooked to about 80 yards out and looked back to try to see what caused that funny noise.
"Did I hit her?" I thought to myself. I kept replaying the shot over and over in my mind. In my sinking heart I knew I missed. She was wired up and jumped the string at the shot resulting in a miss just over her back. The ka-thunk was the resounding noise of my arrow striking crisp snow, then the tree trunk beneath it. I could also still see the deer all of which remained standing confirming my miss. The deer apparently did not know what the source of the sound was and were actually joined by even more deer from the same direction!!!
This whole group of about 5 or 6 deer began to all slowly come back to the bait!!!!! By this time I have lost track of which deer was which and it was now past shooting hours. I stood up in the blind(yes, stood up!) and was surprised to see a doe about 10 yards away coming in from the left just like the others had done. All the deer were oblivious to my prescence. It really is a testament to the effectiveness of a properly constructed blind(These deer spook immediately if they see you walking around). I thought "Oh man, now they're just mocking me" as a two does began to feed at the bait. But then I thought "Enjoy it for what it is, a gift!" So, I sat and enjoyed them for about a half hour before scaring them off.
I went out and retrieved my arrow confirming my miss. From the angle and placement the shot looked absolutely dead on, but she must have just jumped it enough to miss her. I walked back to the car a bit bummed again, yet excited and thankful to have seen so many deer.
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC272211.jpg)
In discussing it with my buddy it was decided to leave the blind for a few days to let the deer get used to it again and try it again Sunday, the last day of the season. Little did I know Sunday would become a day that I will never forget...
Here's a couple more pictures to make it a bit more real:
Here's my good friend I'm hunting with:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC302229.jpg)
And a couple of the peace in the swamp after a snowfall:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC302230.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/PC242199.jpg)
The best is yet to come guys! More of the story, pics and videos on the way! Good night Gang, Matt
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this is cool.
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awesome! :thumbsup:
beautiful area with all that snow around.
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You are a truly talented writer...I am thoroughly enjoying this.
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"Patience, patience, patience!" I kept telling myself those last days of the season, "there's only a few more days left!" Patience sure seems to be one of the more difficult virtues for me to attain and keep hold of, but it would prove to pay off for me in the end...
I continued to hunt each of the next two days in other spots, but my mind was always on Sunday, the day when I could get back in THE blind, the last day of the WI deer season, the last day of the year to complete my goal. I saw nothing these other two days. Even though I gave it an honest effort and put my time in I was not blessed with any other deer sightings these days. The day I had been waiting for had now come.
A sudden warm front had blown in on Saturday evening leaving Wisconsin in a persistent dense hanging fog with temperatures unseasonably warm (in the 40's). Luckily, I had managed to put that little bugger pessimism in his place and I was looking forward to the last day of the season, come what may. I decide I was not going to end the season with my tail between my legs, but go out there and just enjoy this last day deer or no deer. I took the drive out to the swamp and arrived in the early afternoon. As I had done so many times before I loaded all my gear up and took the half mile walk in to my blind. I took my time this day making sure to avoid the unnatural sounds of my five gallon bucket filled with two gallons of corn from clanging against brush. I soon arrived at my blind to see all the snow melted off it. I went out stealthily and placed the corn I had brought in the customary place offering me a clear shot. I then climbed back in and set up in the blind for the night's sit.
For some reason I really felt at peace this day with whatever would come. I'm sure it was no coincidence it was the feast of the epiphany that day. It would soon become a sort of epiphany and no doubt a blessing for me.
The blind felt so familiar just then, a place of so much potential and hopes. Nothing was going to stop me from having a good afternoon. I got everything settled in the blind, the camera set up, I said my daily rosary and drank my nice warm tea and began to soak the day in. The unseasonably warm weather was actually a welcome respite from the bitter cold and winds common to this time of year. Feeling pretty good now I reached in my pack to pull out my copy of Dean Torges' "Hunting the Osage Bow" to freshen up on some bow finishing tips. I have found reading to be a good way to pass the time on stand and keep me sharp for when the moment of truth comes. Without it I get drawn in to a haze of my daydreams and sometimes miss opportunities.
Again, just as I did a few days previous I would periodically avert my eyes from the pages and check the bait for deer, then return them for more reading. "That dye job sure sounds like it would work well. I'm going to have to try that on the next one" I thought to myself while reading the words on the glissening white pages in such contrast with the dreary, wet, drizzly, foggy swamp surrounding me. I again leaned over, my eyes averted from the pages, to check the bait so enticing to winter hardened deer.
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There!! Coming out of the fog like a dream were two does on a direct path for the bait. My heart began to beat in that delightful throb I am so fond of, the adrenaline rush reaching the tips of my ears flowing down to my toes like a cold ocean spray. I sat back confident in the path of the deer and began a futile attempt at calming myself. Oh, do I love that feeling!
I slowly began to close my book and set it in the snow not caring if it got wet. My complete attention was now on the two deer directly in front of me. I slid the jacket from my shoulders and let it fall behind me. The bow hanging from it's appointed stick now was held firmly in my hand. I reached for the camera to switch it on.
I wish I could play you all the video now, but I just can't get the darn thing to load...it's just too big. Errrr! :mad: :mad: :(
The first deer came right in to the bait and began to feed. The other began to circle and try to pry the other doe away. The first doe then proceeded to chase the other one off a little ways and returned to feed at the bait. The opportunity I had been waiting for was now presenting itself.
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:campfire:
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The draw began to come as I focused on a spot covering her vitals. Focusing on my form I reached my anchor, dug it in, and released. The broadhead tipped arrow was on it's way.
There is such hope in an arrow in flight! I watched as my arrow streaked towards the deer flying just as I had hoped...almost. As the arrow neared the deer somehow it went right between the deer's legs just below the chest. "Oh crud, not again!" I thought to myself as the doe trotted off. But by the body language of the deer it wasn't really sure what had scared it. She stopped about 30 yards from the bait and STARTED COMING BACK IN!!!! "I'm gonna get another shot...awesome!"
As the deer began to work it's way back in to the bait I slowly grabbed and nocked the only other arrow I brought. I knew this was going to be my last chance. I said to myself "quite your worrying about missing. Just shoot like you normally do. Forget the pressure, just shoot!" A sudden relaxation came over me as I began to settle down and loosen up. In worrying so much about missing or wounding I failed to realize one of the keys to accurate shooting; confidence. Without it I was doomed to failure. And so at that moment I began to worry less about missing and more about giving it my best.
The deer arrived back at the bait still wondering what just happened to her, but drawn to the nutritious corn. She began again to feed. Now in a more relaxed state I began to increase tension on the bowstring. My good old draw came back and I let the ole two blade loose propelled toward it's intended target. There was a slight hindrance to the forward movement as my top limb hit a log which suddenly gained my attention for a split second. I reaverted my eyes to see my arrow headed right for the deer, the nock end careening a bit.
Yes!!!! The razor sharp zwickey tipped arrow strikes the doe and she takes off with her tail down. She's hurtin' bad. However, I did not see precisely where the arrow entered. Shot placement was uncertain.
Then came the shakes, the ones I hope never go away after an experience like this. I am jacked up to say the least. A guy doesn't know what to do with himself at a moment like this. They say to wait 30 minutes to look...well, that wasn't gonna happen. I twisted and turned inside that blind for 15 minutes before I just couldn't take it anymore. I got out to take a look to see if I had a good hit. This is what I found:
http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3094113400102827975xfSGVu?vhost=good-times
I waited my 10 grueling minutes and slowly took up the trail. This is what I found:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1062246.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1062253.jpg)
And a little bit further...
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1062256.jpg)
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1072257.jpg)
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Nce story so far.
Decent looking blood trail but that deer with the tail down isn't a sign I like to see.
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Awesome story Matt!
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I love your story so far...can't wait for the finish!!!
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Alright guys, I'll try to finish her up here tonight:
Right after I snapped the last photo from above I see a deer running up ahead of me. I think to myself "Oh no, I hope it isn't the same one I shot." My heart sank a bit. As I came out to take a look I found two sets of fresh tracks in the area the deer ran through. I couldn't be sure it was the same deer as there was another fresh set of tracks running right beside it...both of them running. I decided to slowly follow the trail a bit longer.
By this time it was pitch black out and I had trailed the deer for about 100 yards...blood was still very good. I took another step and heard ahead of me the sound of footsteps walking away. I knew if that was my deer it was hurting pretty bad to not run. I decided to stay put and call a friend to get a weather report for the coming night. The forecast was for rain at about 5 in the morning...not good to come back. I would stay out there as long as it takes to find this deer. I sat in that spot for another 30 minutes and decided to give this deer more time. I headed back out the 300 yards to the main trail to get the sled and alleviate some of the tension of waiting on the deer. I took my time walking out. I grabbed the sled, shed some gear and headed back in. I would be out there all night if I had to! I was not going to give up on this deer!
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I began to pray. Actually I was praying the whole time, mostly for the deer's sake. I very much have a problem with an animal suffering unneccessarily because of me and it weighed on me heavily. No one wants to see that. You always hear the horror stories of deer bleeding all over the place, then running for miles. I didn't want to happen to me, but more importantly to that deer.
Upon reaching the area where I stopped last time I dropped the sled and collected my thoughts for a moment. I couldn't help but remember those other deer I had lost and how I lost so much sleep over them. I said another prayer and headed out further into the swamp. Within a couple steps I found myself in some very tight areas following this blood trail. About 50 yards in, "There, is that...wha...yes!!!!...there it is!!!!!Oh, there it is!!!" Oh, the emotions that ran over me at that moment could not be counted on a calculator. What a feeling, what a rush of thankfullness, joy, release, happiness yet tempered by the sadness for having taken a life. Oh, what a paradox it is! I have never had a feeling such as this in my life!
I kneeled next to the doe for a while and said a prayer of thanks for allowing the deer to die so quickly. I don't know if I have ever been happier than at this moment. I was almost overcome with joy! After countless hours in the woods over three years I had finally connected. Oh, I can hardly put it into words! I called all those who had been rooting for me and I know they could tell by my voice that I was emotional. Oh, and how great it is to be able to share that with others and have them share in it! I could hear the excitement in their voices. It sure is a blessing to have those around you who join in the experience with you. I can sure tell you guys one thing...I am never giving traditional bowhunting up...NEVER! It could have been the biggest deer in the world right then and I couldn't have been any happier! And the last hour of the last day of the season! Oh, what a day!
Here now, I can share the pictures that I have been waiting to post:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1072258.jpg)
Here is the entry hole:
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1072263.jpg)
I ended up clipping the rear of one lung, sliced the diaphragm, and the liver. I certainly wouldn't have wanted it any further back! I was finally able to get my broadheads truly razor sharp and it really paid off big time for me! I ended up getting a complete passthrough!! Thanks for the sharpening tips Charlie!
And finally, here is the picture I've been wanting to take for years!
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k297/mmgrode/Tradgang/P1072259-1.jpg)
Hey, thanks for all those who took the long ride and put up with my writing all this time. I hope it was worth it! It's hard not to talk about something so special to me! Take care everyone, Matt Grode
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CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:
Great post too, I could almost feel your adrenaline!!!!! Thanks for sharing
Jake
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Congratulations Matt!!! The season ain't over 'til it's over. Great job on sticking with the trail, too. You'll remember this one forever. :bigsmyl:
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It was well worth the wait. Congrats!
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Super story Matt! Good on'ya! You have a gift for writing - putting in perfect words what so many of us have felt and thrive upon. Thanks for the great tale.
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This was great!
Thanks for sharing and congratulations :clapper:
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :goldtooth:
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really nice and well presented. I am happy for you; you have more experiences to follow :)
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Congrats Matt! Great story and great writting! Thanks for sharing! :bigsmyl: ;)
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Congrats!!! That was cool :thumbsup:
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Well done-both the story and the conclusion!! Way to stick with the trail.
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Congratulations on the nice deer and on the good decisions you made after the shot. Nice bit of hunting :thumbsup: . Thanks for taking us along.
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well done Matt, you worked hard for that and you deserved to get her! :thumbsup: good hunting and you'v got a lot to take into next season!
keep well Andy
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Congratulations Matt! I have really enjoyed following along with the story. Any animal taken with a bow is a trophy.
RayMO
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Well Done!! Way to hang in there!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
David
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Matt,
I just can't say how proud I am of you. Not for killing the deer, but for the way you did it your way. Built your own bow, hunted from the ground and didn't give up when it would have been easy to do it.
Good Job!!
Mike
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Nice!
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Well told story, thanks for taking the time to share it with us. I agree with Mike, quite the accomplishment. We are all very proud for you. :campfire:
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Good job and a nice deer!! Good eatin'.
"The Good Lord only gave me so many SunRises, I don't intend to miss a one! (longarrow)
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Hey, thanks for the comments guys! It really means a lot to me!
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Matt, I can't add anything else, other than fantastic adventure.............Shick
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"There is such hope in an arrow in flight! "
What a great line. I am hanging onto that one.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
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Congrats Matt,
Thanks for the great story.I hope to read another of your sucsessful hunts next year.
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Congrats! And a great story! I've only got 2 years to go, I guess!
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Great story. Ive been through some of the same adversity you have and it makes me feel good to see someone get the monkey off their back. Hopefully this stupid monkey on my back will pack up and leave next season :pray: .
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Finally,I have waited a long time for the end of this one. :archer:
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Great job,keep it up.
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Very, very nice! Congrats!
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Great story....way to go :clapper: :clapper: