Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: George Tsoukalas on October 24, 2007, 10:12:00 AM
-
This is more a story of two friends than of my shooting my first deer.goldenridges and Jawge. But that, perhaps, is a story for another time. Suffice to say that without George I would not have had the shot or the deer.
I asked Ridge if we could hunt together Wednesday (10/17). I just like getting together with him. The hunt is secondary. At any rate, we hunted an area in the early afternoon but to no avail. He sat me down and tried to drive some deer towards me. I did hear a deer moving but no sighting was available. Ridge decided we should move to another area.
We arrived at a prime spot in Lee, NH about 3:00 PM. Tracks, signs, rubs and runs were everywhere. He located me in the perfect spot-on the ground, next to a frequently used run with the wind at my face.
About 5:55 PM I saw a doe walking towards me and nibbling on the vegetation. She passed to my right with her head down as she browsed. Ridge said there were 2 does. Hey what do i know. She stopped 10 feet away, looked at us and ran. Another foot and I would have had a ridiculously close shot but her vitals were hidden.
A very interesting scenario then developed. Ridge gave a cluck or 2, bahhed like a fawn and pawed the ground. The doe’s ears perked up and she returned, this time off my left shoulder. She seemed to be very interested but not quite sure. She stamped her foot while looking right at me. No shot possibility yet. She looked away and looked back at me quickly in an effort to get me to move. Finally, she relaxed, put her head down and started to nibble.
“Jawge, shoot!”, whispered Ridge.
And so I did. I thought I shot directly over her. But I didn’t. He heard the arrow hit her.
She presented me with a 15 yard shot.
We went back to Ridge’s house and returned to search for the arrow or some blood. Ridge found some blood but no arrow and no deer. I found a little more blood a few minutes later. We called off the search about 8:30 PM.
I returned in the morning with Ridge and we entered the woods at 7:30 AM. We found more blood. We doggedly continued and found the skipper doe at 10 AM. I hit her directly over the ham area in the spinal cord. I was ecstatic.
I used a hickory selfbow which I made from a hickory log stave last December, some arrows made from hand planed white pine stock, and a hand made trade point. Ridge found the point in her.
The spilling of blood on the earth by a hunter should always be a solemn occurrence. However, the deer will provide my family and friends with sustenance.
Thanks, Ridge, for your help. I could not have done it without you.
Thanks to my wife for putting up with my very frequent hunts over the years and thanks to my daughters.
Most of all, I thank God for directing us to my first trophy.
Jawge
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/My%20First%20%20Deer/deer4.jpg)
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/My%20First%20%20Deer/deer2.jpg)
-
Left to right-Jawge and Ridge
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/My%20First%20%20Deer/IMG_1053.jpg)
-
Congrats George!! Sounds like a great hunt with a good friend!!
-
Thanks, Tim. It sure was the hunt of a lifetime. Jawge
-
Well deserved! I am proud of you, your success, and your giving the glory to God. You done good!
-
Thanks, gw. Giving the glory to God is easy. Jawge
-
Congrats on a fine animal!
Gil
-
Congratulations George...I really like your style. I can relate, as I feel much the same as you described after I've taken an animal. You put the words so well and I appreciate you sharing those words.
-
Thanks, Gil. She was a gift from God. Jawge
-
congrats Jawge, a true blessing shared by friends...
-
Great story George. Congratulations on your success.
-
So sweet. Self made gear, good friends, a fine eating doe. Thanks for sharing the moment.
-
Hey Buddy Its good to see you're doing great. Thanks for sharing your story.
Congratulations!
God bless,Mudd
-
Thanks, CB, for reading my words. Thanks, DRR. Yo said it well. Thanks, tomh. Thanks, Shaun. Very fine eating. I cooked the first steak. Sunday. Delicious. Jawge
-
Thanks, Mudd. Hope you are doing well. jawge
-
Couldn't of happened to a nicer guy! Congratulations! :thumbsup:
-
Thanks, BBB. It was along time in coming. I think that made it sweeter. :) Jawge
-
Congrats George. That's just awesome. :clapper:
-
Nice deer :thumbsup:
-
Way to go George, I'm very happy for you. Living and hunting in NH, and the Lee area, I know how hard it is to do what you have done, congrats. The memories you've created will bring smiles to your face for a long, long time.
I can't wait to see you at a shoot and shake you hand in congradulations.... :thumbsup:
David
-
Congrats, Jawge. I can just picture you chowing down and, I hope, enjoying some venison with your wife, daughters, and friends...
-
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
-
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
Jawge that's just awesome news bud. Just read this to George Nagel and Dianne and there couldn't be 3 happier people for ya. Really sweet that you did it on your own terms with stuff you made yourself.How cool is that huh?
AND the PATs are still kicking butt. Life must be really sweet in NH these days ;)
Congratulations our friend :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Ferret, Dianne and Ol 46 in Wisconsin
-
Way to go, Jawge!! I always enjoy reading your posts.
-
Not just the Pats Mickey, how about them Red Sox???? George shoots his deer and the Sox are going to the Series, he is on cloud nine!!!!! :clapper:
David
-
Thanks, BMN and Stone Knife. It was sure nice. Thanks, David. It is hard hunting here but it all worked out. Thank God. I hope we meet some soon. Hey, Smilingg, thanks. Now if I can get my other daughter and wife to enjoy it, that would be good. Thanks, bohuntr and Big Dave. Thanks, Ferret. Give my best to Diane and George. Well, i killed a deer, Sox won and Pats won all in one week. Thank God. Jawge
-
Thanks, Wulamoc. LOL, Dave. Ferrett left out the Red Sox. I hope you are not on duty tonight! Jawge
-
cool!
-
Thanks! Jawge
-
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
-
Thanks, Joe. :) jawge
-
Been waiting to see you post a deer, George. BTW, your tutorial site has been a real help all these years...
-
Nope, no duty tonight George, I'll be glued to the game, then up and in the woods in the morning........Vacation just started and doesn't end until Nov 5th!!
David
-
Good deal all around! Congrat's!
-
Congrats to a great person I had the pleasure to meet at ETAR this year. I'm very happy for you George.....(for the deer, not for the SOX)
-
Thanks, Bowspirit. You are welcome too. I am glad you hyave been able to use my site. Nice, Dave. I'm glad you can go out and hunt. Go Red Sox! Thanks, Osagetree. Thanks, 4runr. It was good to meet you. jawge
-
good job and great story
-
Thats a fine looking doe George. Congrats!!
-
congrats!
-
Way to go George!!
-
Good job Jawg.Ray/mamba.
-
Way to go George!!
-
Congratulations, Jawge! That you have had such a wonderful hunt is crowned by having a true friend to share it with. Love the pics, and no, it couldn't have happened to a nicer fella. That arrow you gave me is GRINNING!!!! :eek: And all the other arrows are standing back and whispering amongst themselves in awed voices! :saywhat:
I better go take my meds. :D
Killdeer :wavey:
-
thanks, frasettor. Glad you like the story. madness yellow bow, pv, ray and indianlongbowshooter thanks. Jawge
-
congrats, great job, great story!
-
Thanks, killdeer. Glad you still have that arrow I sent you. The arrow I killed the dow will of course be a keepsake. I was thinking of retiring the bow but it's turkey hunting time. Deer season is over for me. Jawge
-
thanks, adkmountianken. Glad you liked it. Jawge
-
That is what it is all about. A finer trophy does
not exist.
"More of a story of two friends." Fantastic.
Congratulations.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Thanks, bonebuster. I could not have done it without goldenridges. Jawge
-
That is outstanding, sir - congrats and well done!
-
after all the help. encouragement and patience you have had on this site with so many new trad shooters, you deserve a deer! congrats
-
Congrats Jawge, great hunt buddy.
-
great story and 100% trad. Congrats to ya..
G
-
Jawge - congrats and may the eternal flame of traditional bowhunting keep your heart warm forever.
Its neat to see two friends having fun together :)
-
Thanks, Gingivitikhan. Thanks, Roadkill. Helping is my pleasure. Dano, thanks. It was a fun hunt for sure. Geno, thanks. Brain, thanks and nice sentiments. Appreciate it. Jawge
-
Big congrats, George. I know it's been a long road, and God love you for sticking it out. You, sir, more than earned it! :clapper:
-
Truly happy for you, George, truly happy.
Stan
-
Awesome story, everything in life is so much sweeter when shared with great friends.
-
Congratulations Jawge!!!!!!!! :clapper: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
-
Way to go Jawge,doing it with equipment you made yourself must give you such a sense of accomplishment,again congrats...Jim.
-
CONGRATULATIONS My Friend!!!!!!!!!! :clapper:
Thank You for sharing your story with us.
-
Great story and great deer.Congrats.
Pappy
-
Thanks, Stan and Jason. It has been a long haul but well worth it. Thanks allan and Linc. Thanks, Jim. Yes, doing it with a selfbow makes the kill extra special for me. pappy and woodchucker, thanks. Sharing the story is my pleasure. jawge
-
Congrats George! And thanks again for insisting I join your group at the 3d shoot here in Vt, 'twas fun. Bryan
-
Thanks, Bryan. it wasw a pleasure having you. Jawge
-
way to go jawge!!!!! isn't made extra special knowing that you did it with tools ya made with your own hands?!?!?!
-
Way to go! :thumbsup:
-
Thanks, hickstick. Oh yes. Very special. Thanks, Mike. jawge
-
Hey George, I'm glad this thread got brought up, I didn't know. Congratulations on your deer. You certainly are "doing it the hard way" off the ground with your own stuff. Good job!
-
good job
-
Nice job my friend. The way you did it is as difficult a way as there is. All selfmade traditional gear and from the ground. A big congratulations to ya bud.