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Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Barry Wensel on November 15, 2009, 04:07:00 PM
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I've been getting a lot of emails and calls from guys wanting to know how my hunt for Hurly has been going. For those who didn't read it you can check the TG search bar dated 10/29 for the post titled "Uncle Barry missed a monster". That will set the stage. As stated, after missing the buck I repositioned the stand (with Gene's necessary help) to a tree about 75 yards up the drainage. Frankly, I think the second tree is better than the original. I found seven of his scrapes along the creek and we put three trail cameras out to try and get his picture. The stand is set up for a basic south wind with SE or SW being fine too. This was a very educational experience to say the least and it only justifies why I love this stuff so much. Because the stand is on a shelf in the bottom of a valley between two basic east/west running ridges I went into the situation knowing it was a gamble. The flat I was hunting is on the north side of a smallish drainage running east/west. There are three or four little dry seepages draining off the main ridge lines offering several funnels. The flat itself offers some easy walking for cruising bucks. There's even the remnants of an old wire fence adding a piece to the puzzle in the mature hardwoods. The flat lies between two know brushy bedding areas. I've learned that mature bucks like these areas BECAUSE of the unstable wind currents. They have learned to adapt very well. I call them "slow walkers". When hunting these areas I've noticed a high percentage of mature bucks. I've also noticed they tend to walk very, very slow. They'll take a step or two then just stand there. Then take another couple steps and stand there. What they are doing is actually waiting for the inconsistent air currents to shift enough to let them know it's safe to proceed... thus the "slow walkers". I'm of the opinion this adaptation has directly contributed to their longevity. I sat the stand six different days and saw ten different bucks before I finally saw a doe. Of those ten bucks, half of them were mature and all of them but two of the younger ones were slow walkers. As I said, it was a gamble at best but the fact remains I could have killed five of the ten bucks. I'm a computer idiot so maybe I can get Steve-O to post some of the pictures later. One great up-and-comer 5x5 not only was a slow walker but I watched him actually bed down (for less than five minutes each time) waiting for the winds to shift before he preceeded. The one time he picked to bed was eight yards right in front of me. I got some great video of him blinking on telephoto. Ha. Another slow walker was a giant, massive 5x4. In fact, he is the same buck in a photo on page 159 of Gene's new book "Bucksin and Bones" and in a recent article published in the last issue of PROFESSIONAL BOWHUNTER Magazine titled "Failure to Launch." We both passed him up two years ago. Although Gene stated in the photo caption " I passed up this very old, very massice 5x4 one October, hoping I could do better. I should have shot him." We were wrong. So much for us "experts". This year he's considerably bigger with bases as "big around as a can of corn" and he carries the mass all the way out the mainbeams. I also took video footage of him so hopefully you'll all get to see him someday too. I'm going to now pull a Biggie Hoffman... I gotta go. I'm busy will continue later. BW
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Speaking of "Buckskin and Bones" has Gene started shipping yet? How about your book Barry?
I want to hear the rest of this story before your NEXT book comes out, "Biggie"... LOL..
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I wouldn't do that to you guys. I just had to pee. Ha. So anyway, I got four trail camera pictures of Hurly (remember, I named him Hurly because I felt like hurling when my arrow flew over his back.) Check out the body size on this baby (when Steve-O posts the pics)... industrial strength! This video and trail camera thing brings up a whole other topic. I'm of the opinion, for some unknown reason to me, bucks usually look smaller on trail camera photos than in reality. Even with video footage. When you watch the footage in live motion Hurly's rack is very impressive. But when you freeze-frame it the rack suddenly blends with surrounding twigs, shadows or some other depth perception issues (???) and looks smaller. A good example is the trail camera picture of Gene's big non-typical Woody on page 170 of his new book (or on our website)versus the one on page 181. The one on page 170 looks like a 200-210" deer not one that was over 230". Anyway, interesting. Now, back to the chase. You'll soon see Hurly walking right in front of my empty ladder stand. Notice the sun is still shining and his times are very predictable/consistent. I was (by choice) sitting in another area because when these photos were taken the winds were dead wrong. Of course this is hindsight, but I now wonder if I should have gambled on a dead wrong wind with the inconsistent eddies, seeing the day I missed him the winds were going right for him. Speaking of this, I also have noticed when hunting areas like this updrafts are very common. I think that was the case when I missed him. Thinking back on it I probably should have tried wheezing and gambled on bringing him in closer for the sucker shot. Be back soon. UB
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Yes.. Gene's book came in the day before yesterday and he shipped hundreds of them out right away. Sorry to say my book is a different story. The bookmaker ran into some major problems because of it's volume (pushing 400 pages)and they "may have lost some of the text". Therefore it had to be entirely re-edited. Then there were also some computer issues where the photos and artwork (137 photos plus 26 drawings) were coming out distorted. They now say they have gotten the problems all corrected, but as of the other day they are telling me my delivery date will be AFTER Christmas. I'm really pretty stressed out about this as I know a pile of people pre-ordered my book for Christmas presnts. My most sincere apologies but it's totally in the printers hands now. I'm extremely sorry for the delay. Thank you all for your patience. BW
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Thanks for the update, looking forward to the pictures!
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So...are we getting two pictures? Trail cam and a grip 'n grin? :)
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Okay, back to the story. I was getting pretty frustrated because of four straight days of 30 MPH winds. On the positive side, I was able to approach the stand in the dry leaves better than if it was dead quiet. But on Novemeber 8th one of the farmhands saw Hurly standing guard over a doe in a small strip of trees a LONG way from my set-up. More frustration. The next three days were predicting east winds. I had no stands in the area good for the rare easterly winds. I thought I'd lay off him for a few days in hopes he'd leave his girlfriend for his old haunts. The morning of Nov. 9th dawned cool and clear. I decided to sit a great stand a good two miles away. At 7:15 I blindly wheezed, waited a couple minutes and rattled. Then gave it a couple more minutes and wheezed again. A couple minutes later I rattled for the second sequence. Within seconds I heard something boldly marching in from my right and behind me. He stepped out and it truly was the kind of beautiful sight we all dream about. He did a half-circle right in front of me at about 30 yds. stopping to work the overhead branches of a cedar just across the fence of the property lines. Normally I don't like to wheeze when they're that close but because he was on the wrong side of the fence; because he'd already heard me wheeze and because I had a good wind, I cupped my mouth and wheezed like it was coming from behind me. He instantly bristled up, laid his ears back, cocked his head and here he comes. Did you ever sit in your stand and mentally pick your "sweet spot". The spot where, if you had your choice, you'd like your buck to be standing? Well, he walked right into my sweet spot and I lost control. The arrow double lunged him for a complete pass-through and I watched him go down in fifty yards. 7:26. Right about then I remembered the camera. Ha. Sorry guys... sometimes in the heat of the battle.. they say. I hunt for the memories and it really was a beautiful scenario but the fact is I totlly misjudged him. I thought he was over 160" but he's not. He's a nice 6x6 with great character. A basic 5x5 plus a split right brow plus he's got a third antler? four inch goober coming off his forehead separate from the left mainbeam. He measures 153 5/8" for those who are into that stuff. So now, here I sit in a state of depression that I don't have another valid buck tag until just before Christmas. My wife comes home this evening from visiting the grandkids. So I'll spend a couple days home and then try to film and help Gene. By the way, I'll bet money he'll be getting a bigger one. I have to hand it to the guy as he passed up a potential up and comer Booner 6x6 a couple weeks ago. It was a frontal shot at 15 yds. and he had more self-control than most guys I know. Got it all on film too. Anyway, I'll see if I can get Steve-O to post some photos to document this tale. Meanwhile, best of luck to all. BW
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Congrats Barry, sounds like a real nice buck to me. Looking forward to the pics.
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Barry thanks for the story..Can't wait to see the photo's...
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Congrats on the buck Barry. If Steve-o isn't around I can put the photos up for you.
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Barry,
If your book is anything like your storytelling with "Hurley"........a person, won't be able to put it down until the last page has been turned.
I'm sure it is frustrating to you, but I am also just as sure that it will be MORE than worth the wait, to get the book.
I can't wait to see some pictures.
Winterhawk1960
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Thanks for the story. Looking forward to the pics.
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Sounds like a great hunt and deer...look forward to the pics.
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Awesome Barry! Can't wait to see the pics. and don't worry about your book being a little late. I'm sure most guys here feel like me, some of the best things in life are worth waiting for. :thumbsup:
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Thanks for sharing- can't wait to see the pictures
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Great story! Thank you for sharing.
Joe
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Great story Uncle B. Can't wait to see all the pics. Hey, what's the cost to be your bow caddy for a season just to learn "at the feet of the master"? :rolleyes: I just want to be in the same zip code as bucks that size, let alone actually see a feller put a stand close enough to kill one.
P.S., I'll bring cookies... :D
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pics of Hurly. (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/IM0000301-1.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/FILE0072.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/FILE0081-1.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/FILE0082.jpg)
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the "Slow walker" (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/DSC09530.jpg)
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Barry and his buck.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/DSCN1131.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/DSCN1137.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/DSCN1123-1.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/DSCN1121.jpg)
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Nice mature deer Barry congrats brother.
T.J.
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Awesome buck, congrats! :clapper:
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Nice!!!
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Very nice, congrats. Thanks for sharing.
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Wow.....Congrats. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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Way to go Barry,nice one!
There is somethin about a buck bristlin up that makes me wanna shoot im!!
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Great buck,as always,Barry. :thumbsup:
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Barry...why do you always pick the small ones.. ;)
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Way to go Barry!
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Cool!!!
I burnt my tag Saturday also, with no option for another antlered permit. One doe tag to get me through Dec. :thumbsup:
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Great Buck Barry. Looks like you took it with Paul's bow too. That had to be special. Congrats. Are you going to retire that bow now before you blow your shoulder out? :)
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Congrats Barry! Thanks for sharing.
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I don't care how many inches he's got, that boy is a brute!
Nice buck Barry! Enjoy your time off ;)
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Wow, very cool! Thanx so much for taking the time to share :notworthy:
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Way cool sir! Thank you for sharing your story and pics.
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Nice trail cam pics! Do you like the DLC? Been thinking about one pretty hard.
Great buck. It's probably too late to move to Iowa now lol.
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Congrats Barry , very nice buck :thumbsup:
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Thanks guys. Note the body size of Hurly in that first picture. I wish I could have put him on the scales just to see what he'd field dress. Also, for those who didn't look close, notice the next 3 photos have my empty treestand in the background. 8^( The red coated buck is the nice up and comer 5x5 slow walker that bedded down twice within 50 of me waiting for the air currents to change before he proceeded. The second time was 8 yds. in front of my stand. Ha. Yes, I shot him with Paul Schafer's old personal bow that I "inherited". I killed three good bucks with it last year. I may retire it for awhile soon as I have new bows being built right now by Tyler Carlson in MT and Brian Wessel (Tall Tines) in Iowa. Yeah, I like the DLC Coverts a lot. They are small/light, easy to hide and do everything I want with no problems. Best of luck. Thanks. BW
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Awesome buck and good story. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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Barry...awesome pictures and nice buck. Hurly is a neat buck. Ken
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Congrats! Knew this thread would come :)
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Holy smokes - nice deer!
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Nice! Congratulations, Barry.
Good luck with Hurly.
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Thanks for the story. Great buck Barry.
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Great buck and a great story!!!! Thanks for passing it along!
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Thanks Thomas--it's been a busy weekend, I finally go to get a little hunting in.
I actually had an encounter with a "slow walker" this morning; bells and whistles started going off in my head from what Uncle Barry had told me earlier in the week! It's nice to have guys like him around to figure out the tough stuff :thumbsup:
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Congrats, that's good one.
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glad to be able to help Steve, hope you get your "slow walker"
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nice buck Barry...are ya sure you dont want to adopt a son?
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Thats a great story Barry. Thanks for taking the time to allow us all to come along for the ride. Congrats a bit fat buck! :thumbsup:
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Great story, thank you!
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Awesome buck Barry! Great memories,with a very special bow.Can't wait to see what your next buck tag brings.......Thank you for sharing the hunt.
>>>-------> Mike
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Great story, equally nice deer. Congrats Barry
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Great story Barry...well done...can't wait for the new book to come out
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Tremendous! Way to go.
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Awesome Barry! Great story and beautiful buck.
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UB,
God that is a dandy as well as the others in the Trailcamera pics.
Nice going Thanks for the story.
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Great story, and as always great pics.
As others have already said, thanks for sharing all the details.
Sincere congrats. :thumbsup:
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Barry, you mention the wheeze call a couple of times. I've only witnessed bucks do it a couple times. How do you make the call? Do you do it with your mouth or do you have a manufactured call that you use. A short how-to video with tips on when and how to use it would be great! Hint. Hint.
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Yep!We call them hog mollys where I'm from.nice hunt Barry.Congrats!
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WOW! What a season to remember! Beautiful buck Barry! No reason for despair, you did great as usual! You'll get your late season tag and be able to finish up the year hunting Hurley. I'm still putting my money on you. The "slow walker" concept is very interesting, and it makes perfect sense when you think about it. 6 or 7 years ago, I saw a huge buck do something I thought was very interesting. My buddy Tom Alford and I were doing a push (with bows) along through a small narrow piece of timber in southern Illinois. On the first push, nothing came through. We went to breakfast, and after eating were driving past the piece of woods we had just pushed when we saw 3 bucks, one of which was huge, quartering upwind and then enter the patch we just pushed. After seeing this we decided to give it another go. It was a 3 man drive, and it went perfectly. Tom and I were the posters, and another buddy was the pusher. The guy that was the pusher was great, because he always went very slowly, and was able to get the deer to move toward us without being in a panick. Anyway, the pusher entered the woods from the upwind side about a half hour after Tom and I were in position. What I witnessed after this was amazing. All 3 bucks made their way too us, oblivious to the fact that we were there. The pusher was weaving side to side through the stip of woods and was probably 300 yards away when I noticed that the biggest buck was also moving side to side, keeping tabs on him through the wind. He was cool as a cucumber, and my guess is that he would score in the 180's as a non-typical. Anyway, as the pusher got near, the big one realized it was time to get out of there, and took the lead to exit the woods with the two smaller ones following. My buddy Tom shot the second biggest buck but the big one crossed a picked corn field into the next patch of woods. I thought it was fascinating the way he kept track of exactly where the pusher was by using his nose. You gotta love whitetails!
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Very nice, love the mass and the "third" antler. Unusual and mature bucks do it for me, and your's is both. Awesome :thumbsup:
Travis
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Gene told me it needed another year. Is that what you call losing control?
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Do you notice this "slowwalking" year round or is it more pronounced during the prerut meaning do you think it has to do with danger or doe's!
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Great story! Thank you for sharing!!!
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Looks like a wonderful buck. Congrats and good luck with Hurly.
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And here is an even better update...
Uncle Barry and his TallTines put Hurly down this morning!
Way to stick with it big BW :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I am pretty sure he will eventually make it in here with some pictures and a story.
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:bigsmyl:
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How awesome is that! :notworthy: :clapper:
Happy for you Uncle B!
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Very nice! Looking forward to those photos! Congrats Barry!
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Way to go Barry, can't wait to read this one..... :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
David
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I love these long, happy ending, stories! :clapper:
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Very nice Uncle Barry!!!
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Nice job and congrats!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Great read and very nice buck. Even though you misjudged him, with all that character, he is a shooter for sure.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Thats awsome!
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My first thought was "what a stud"...the buck of course. Thanks for sharing the story and the pics.
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Congrats Barry!!
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i hate you...lol....congrats
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Good stuff. If it were me I would hurl if I shot a pig like that, Hurly still applies. :wavey:
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Really, that is super, got him after two or three years. :clapper: :clapper:
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Wow, what a feeling to have some luck roll UB's way. To have such a relationship with one buck is just amazing. Let's see what old Hurley looks like now.
David
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Uncle Barry we need some pic's of "Hurly" he 2 years older! Congrats
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This is gonna be.......REAL......good !!!! :campfire: :archer:
Winterhawk1960
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:thumbsup:
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:campfire:
R.I.P. Hurly
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I'll believe it when I see it......... :campfire: :coffee: :biglaugh:
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A>N>T>I>C>I>P>A>T>I>O>N!!!!!!!!!!
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:notworthy:
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Really, really neat to hear, Barry! I would have guessed you'd still be recuperating from your "spill" in the creek bed a week or so ago... but you're out killin' monsters in honor of the Halloween season!
You are a tough and talented ol' bird, and my hat is off to you for another in a career of great accomplishments. Congratulations, my friend!
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Congrats Barry!! Now lets see some pics! :)
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Unka B....just one thing. Please post with shorter paragraphs. I've got horrible vision and I have a really hard time reading the longer posts. thanks.....blind boy.
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I want to thank you guys for all the nice comments and I beg for your continued patience. Today was one of the highlights of my bowhunting life. I PROMISE to share it all in great detail as soon as I can. I need to take care of the meat and cape, etc. as it ended up being 75 degrees today. Please bear with me. I got a new computer last week and will need some help from Steve-O to walk me through the process like he's done in the past. Right now the batteries are all dead on our cameras (if that gives you any indication of pictures to come). The thing I'm most proud of is how I predicted his precise movement and it all came together exactly as forecast. He's been a great challenge for several years now and I feel blessed to have been able to accomplish my goal. Thank you all again... please stay tuned. Uncle Barry
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That is awesome! Congrats!
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Congratulations Berry,I just got of the phone with Daryl and he verified it was true. I had seen stuff all on the sites but nothing concrete.This is really a special animal and the way you made it happen after all the years watching him, Very Very good.. :clapper:
Bob
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:coffee:
Congrats BW!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
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Dreams do come true - Congrats Barry. :)
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Man, this is gonna be good..
Many congratulations Barry.
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Congradulations on such a great accomplishment,Can't wait to read the story and see the pics.Thanks ever so much for sharing this with all of us.
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:thumbsup: :notworthy:
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:clapper:
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That's just downright AWESOME!!!!
Looking forward to all the details and pics.
Congrats!!!
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I've been waiting ,somewhat impatiently, for this to happen. Way to go, Barry!
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:campfire: :coffee:
Bill
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I can't wait! I love to hear Mr. Barry's hunting stories!!!!! This is going to be good!!!!
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Here is the only photo to leak out of Iowa so far:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/b9f98146.jpg)
The story is definitely going to be worth the wait. It is utterly amazing to me that this buck has been on the decline for the past two season, losing both antler and body size.
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/\\ BREAKING NEWS
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WOW! This is going to be good. Congrats Mr. Wensel on another great buck. And Steve you are correct. I believe there are some pics of him on there website from previous years were he looks bigger. Still amazed.
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My respect never stops growing for the twins. Your patience, determination and perseverance is legendary. Not to mention all your willingness to give back to the individuals that follow your exploits in the deer woods and to the sport itself. I am sure there are equal deer hunters out there, many of which most of us will never know but none are giving back to bowhunting like the two of you.
I have only hunted and shot a particular deer a couple times - both of which were all within the same season and not nearly the caliber of the bucks you and Gene shoot. The feeling of getting the buck I am after was epic and I cannot imagine the level of personal accomplishment felt after finally taking the deer after "years" of pusuit like Hurley and Woodie. I am guessing there is a part of you that, although elated, is also somewhat "let down" with knowing it is over.
I am truly grateful for the vicarious pleasure derived from your willingness to share all of your success, failure and acomplihments.
Thank you again. Wensel Brothers" for sharing your hunting with us.
I look forward to reading another great story of your multi year hunt for this magnificent animal.
One request: After the story and photos of Hurley please share some pics of your "Next" target as I assume you have already been watching him through scout and video cams.
Obviously a big congratulations to you.
Bob Urban
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Congratulations :campfire: :coffee:
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Congratulations!
I look forward to hearing about it.
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Awwww man Uncle Gene and Uncle Barry. Those bucks were just guppies. I would have gave them at least another year! :thumbsup:
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Phenomenal! What an amazing buck! I cannot wait to read the story! I know we will enjoy reliving the hunt with Mr. Barry. I look forward to learning something new about big bucks and hunting them from Mr. Barry!!!!!!
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OUTSTANDING!!!!! Don't ya love it when a plan comes together? :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Can't wait to see more photos and read the story!
Going downhill or not......he's still a beast!!
Love that rear facing tine!
:campfire:
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That buck was on the way down??? Congrats on a beauty!
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Holy Cow!! Nice job sir. Looking forward to the story. :campfire:
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The photo depicted is more than a leak. It is a major break in the main.
Hi boots will be required, however not for the story.
Congrats!!
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Congrats Barry! Looking forward to the story!
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Congrats on meeting Hurley!!! He is an awesome deer... It is awesome to have a relationship with a specific buck and even better to harvest him...(I think... I never get to finish it the way you do...)
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Three years in the making.
Congratulations Mr Wensel.
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Awesome, looking forward to the story! Congrats!
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Congrats Barry. I can see the title of a DVD in it's self:
"The Adventures of Hurly"
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Awesome!!
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Fantastic!!! Congratulations Barry! Gotta love it when a plan comes together! I am absolutely amazed at what you and Gene do year after year after year!
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WOW! can't wait to hear the story.
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:campfire: Awesome I can't wait for the story!
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Waiting patiently...... :campfire:
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Well Done Sir.............
:clapper:
Cant wait for the weekend :archer2:
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Awesome Buck! I am sure the story will be awesome as well. :campfire:
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Awesome!!!!
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Thanks for the picture Steve O. Very nice buck, regardless of the age. He may not have made it through another winter. :thumbsup: :campfire:
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Shazam! 'Ol Hurley finally had his off day.
A salute to the both of you! :thumbsup:
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Sweet looking deer! WOW!
-If you never had the chance to be in a hunting camp with Barry, this guy has forgotten more about big game hunting than most people have ever learned!
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I'll tell you guys something. I've been hunting with these guys for alotta years and been there for several big bucks. I've NEVER heard Barry as excited as he was yesterday when he called me from the stand minutes after the shot. He was trying to whisper but was about to bust!
You know a guy is into it when after all these years and all these big deer, he still gets giddy when the goal is met and the challenge is fulfilled.
He went all out for this deer and passed up bucks I would give a finger for in his quest. I'm proud of him as if he were my own brother. Persistance and perseverance.
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Congratulations Barry!
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Very cool!
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I think the DVD should be Titled " Hurlys Misadventure" ! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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THAT IS A SHO-NUFF STUD. DECLINE OR NOT!!!!
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:clapper:
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Great job! Looking foreward to the full story and lots more pictures!
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Biggie, I was wondering if Barry got the "fever" as he getting ready to shoot .. Sounds to me like he gets as excited as most of us, that's super.
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This may qualify for the comeback of the year . . . a few days ago Barry was telling me about his fall into a deep, dark, creek bed. Now this? Hurley must have seen him limping back to the truck and assumed that he had a while to breath before Barry would be up and chasing him once again. Boy did that buck screw up! LOL
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I think Mr. Hurley had a Essential Encounter.... Congrats Uncle Barry....
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Good job sir!
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What a neat deal ... can't wait for the full story and the rest of the pictures!!!
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What a story this is...
Congrats to the Wensels for their Dedication, Knowledge, and Never-Ending Passion of this sport.
A hard earned dandy buck....
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Congratulations Barry! You guys are amazing!
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Looking forward to the story. Conrats Mr. Wensel.
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Congratulations to you and Gene!
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Once again Barry, great job and congratulations!!!
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wow!! Barry...that's an outstanding buck..Congratulations..
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What an awesome accomplishment. Congratulations.
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Congratulations UB!!!!!!!!!!
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CONGRATS!! Uncle B now fill us in on the details!
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Uncle Barry can't post anything on here right now. His hands are too stiff from grasping Hurley's antlers too tightly, not to mention that there's a huge grin on his face that won't go away...
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Congrats Barry. Awesome Buck. I am really happy for you.
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Not as big as Woody.
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A mans dreams coming true, what a great thing. Congratulations Barry on the great buck. I can't wait to see some more photos of him and hear the story.
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I heard about this one when I was at the local grocery store tonight. Thanks for the call Steve. I can not wait to hear the story.
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MARTY! Now, BE NICE!!!! :saywhat: :saywhat:
(How you doin' Buddy?) ;)
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Please.. PLEASE be patient with me. I'm frantically trying to cape the head so it won't slip, take care of the meat, etc. I have a brand new computer and am having issues with posting the pictures. It keeps coming up "errors on page". I should be able to spend much more time on this tomorrow. Thanks for your patience guys. BW
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WOW! Congratulations Uncle Barry! Can't wait to hear the story from you. What a buck! Steve
P.S. 'General' Schwister sends a HUGE congrats too! ~Steve
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Great buck Barry.I am really enjoying the book I got in Canada.I brought it to the camp so I would not finish it too fast.I read some each time I go.Looks like another chapter made on this hunt.
Congrats :thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
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Barry congratulations on a trophy of a lifetime,man you get it done year after year, I would hate to be on your hit list. Those Wensels get it done. Ron Roehrick.
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This is a definitely incredible.
Congrats Uncle Barry!
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Congratulations, Barry.
homebru
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Originally posted by Marty:
Not as big as Woody.
There is one in every crowd!!!!!!
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
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Great story ... can't wait for pics.
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Oh man, yesterday was sooo hot in Iowa. I was covered in sweat just walking home empty handed from my hunt. Can not imagine having to drag Hurley. No hanging the meat to age in this weather. Even if it is now snowing as I type. That's Iowa for you:)
Congrats UB, looking forward to the pic and tale when you get that big boy all taken care of.
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OK. I was able to help Barry just a little tonight and get a couple pictures. This is going to take a while for him to get the whole story out. They are still hunting and his forte is killing big bucks NOT working on a computer. I will get stuff in here as I can with him.
Here are a couple more photos. Hurly is awesome!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/HurlyFrontLeft.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/HurlyLeft.jpg)
Love seeing the TallTines back there ;)
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Awesome buck. Thanks for the pics Steve.
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Incredible deer. Congrat's.
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Good stuff.
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Great job! What a buck! :thumbsup:
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(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/f54c11ff.jpg)
What is that combo? Brazillian Rosewood and Myrtle?
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Brazilian rosewood and black limba I believe. I have a riser made out of the same cut of wood Brian told me. Pretty neat. What a great deer.
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I might need a bucket myself! WOW what a buck and I'd say worth the wait...granted I didn't miss him and have to wait!
Josh
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I think a Big Thanks should go out to Steve O.!!! Thanks Man!!!!
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He Huge thats an amazing Buck. :notworthy: :clapper: :clapper:
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Man, what a beautiful deer!
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Congrats on the Massive deer Barry !
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If there was a lifetime achievement award for bowhunting, you would be the winner. Congrats on an awesome animal! :thumbsup:
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That's an amazing deer. Very nice U.B.!!
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Really look forward to reading the story...
Take your time Barry.....and enjoy the moment. :campfire:
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Yes, I agree with Terry. Enjoy the moment, one of the best parts of the whole hunt. What a smoker!
God Bless,
Nathan
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Never had a doubt in my mind that Barry would get him. I think he waited three years just for the anticipation factor! He was trying to outdo Charlie Lambs story telling! Hurley has got to be really old now. 8.5 or 9.5? Way to go Barry. I cannot WAIT to hear the details.
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Simply awesome!! Thanks for the pics Steve!!
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Barry,
I remember reading that you wrote somewhere about all of the "committments and especially sacrifices" that you (and Gene) have made to live your lives like you do. Those sacrifices must be resonating now?? As Bob Urban said, thanks to you and Gene for sharing your adventures with us. Most of all...congratulations.
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Can't wait for the story. Congrats!! Sounds like the chase itself has been quite an adventure.
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A dream buck no doubt and possibly a catalyst to encourage others to dream bigger.
Splendid harvest!
Congrats!!
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Wow Barry...what else is there to say? Congratulations.
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yep, just a little guy... I think I would've gave him another year. :thumbsup: can't wait for the story :campfire: :coffee:
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Thank you all for your patience. I'm not sure exactly how to do this so please bear with me. Sharing is half the fun and I'd like to share my success with all my brothers of the bow on TG, PBS and Stickbow. I have to admit I must be one sick dude as today is Nov. 3, 2011, it's 37 degrees out, I have a valid tag in my pocket and I'm sitting behind the computer!
I don't really know where to start because this quest encompassed years in the making. I guess I'll bring everyone up to speed starting on Oct. 28, 2009 when I missed Hurley. Live footage of him is in our latest DVD "Essential Encounters". Basically, I had a broadside shot at him but there was a horizontal branch halfway between he and I. I knew if I shot below it I'd hit him too low so tried to slide the shaft over top of the branch. I over compensated and shot right over his back. That's when I named him Hurley because I felt like hurling right about then.
A week or so later I lost control on a nice 6x5 standing broadside looking the other way and I was out. What an idiot. Last year, Halloween evening I had that B&C buck we nicknamed "Burly" do the same thing. I honestly thought about not shooting him because I had my heart set on Hurley. But a 173 3/8" 4x4 broadside under 15 yds. looking the other way was too much for me. After I shot Burly I continued to hunt with the camcorder even though I was having major camera problems. I ended up seeing Hurley five times and unfortuneately only got a few seconds of footage (which is also on Essential Encounters). The most memorable encounter he walked by at 25 yds. and the camera flashed "eject cassette" giving me zero footage and only memories. And my memory isn't so hot anymore.
But the next and most important sighting added a vital piece to the puzzle. One morning while walking out an old logging/slid road I came around a corner and there was Hurley working the overhead branch on a scrape along the road. I saw him before he saw me. I took a couple steps backwards and was digging the camera from my backpack when he stepped from the skid road and topped a small rise. Again, zero footage. BUT it gave me more knowledge of his undisturbed pattern and more importnatly, upon close inspection it revealed a very minor trail where he crossed. This episode ended up being a huge piece of the puzzle. About ten days ago while walking out after dark I came around the little dogleg in the skid trail and was shining my flashlight down the road as I walked. Something caught my eye in the exact place I saw him mentioned above. I could see two widely spaced eyes in the light and pieces of antler just above it. I had a strong feeling it was him. I turned the light out and just stood there a few minutes to let him move on hopefully without disturbing him.
A few mornings later on the way into stand in the dark I saw a smoking fresh scrape right where his little, minor trail left the skid road. Hurley tends to make very aggressive scrapes that were pawed deeply into the ground, actually making the scrapes concave. I was almost certain it was his scrape. Another piece of the puzzle.
The next morning, Oct. 29th, as Gene and I entered the skid road before light we were running a little late. I showed Gene the scrape. Because we were late, Gene took a trail camera from his pack, just set it on the ground pointing towards the overhead branch, turned it on and we walked away.
This is interesting stuff that all adds to the puzzle. That morning I never saw a single deer... zero. Gene saw two does. On the way out he pulled the chip from the camera laying on the ground. An hour later it revealed a giant bodied buck standing in the scrape but you couldn't see his head. I thought I recognized that body. Another piece of the puzzle.
That was three times I thought he'd crossed through there. We needed to get a stand in there.
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Congratulations Barry! It was just a matter of time until you caught up with Hurley again, he just didn't know it! Thanks for sharing. Keith
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Congratulations Barry on a great buck and especially on your determination. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
John
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While you're waiting to hear the rest of Barry's story you can see a few photos of "Hurley" at www.brothersofthebow.com (http://www.brothersofthebow.com)
Click on the "Latest Game Cam Images" link. I put at least two pix of the big boy in the album, photos #30 and #31.
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On Oct. 30th mid-day I scrutinized the area. This was mature, hardwood timber with little understory. The skid road runs east/west. To the north was a little flat covered with slash then a bowl dropping down to a creek bottom. On the south side of the skid trail there was a minor ridge/finger dropping down into another creek bottom. Sign indicated he was coming from the north in the morning, crossing the skid road, following the finger ridge down into the bottom, crossing the dry creek bed and bedding on the north facing slope with the predominate south winds covering his back. This way he entered his bedding area with a head wind then positioned himself watching his backtrail while the wind covered his rear. Absolutely nothing but common sense on his part but the details we tend to overlook.
The fact it was clean, "pretty woods" was a problem. I didn't want to get too far south because his exact travel was varied and hard to be sure of. I found a decent tree in a good location. It really wasn't what I wanted but I prefer a mediocre tree in a good location over a great tree in a mediocre spot. The tree was a shag bark hickory only maybe 14 inches in diameter. Not the best tree to hide a fat guy. But there was another slightly smaller tree a couple feet away and a third a couple yards behind it to the east.
Here's where I got sneaky. The minor trail I felt he was using was about 20 yds. from the stand. I'm a 15 yd. guy. So I took the blade of my pole pruner and wisked out a new, visible trail in the dry leaves angling just slightly closer to my treestand. Then I took a five inch diameter deadfall branch that was nearby and layed it west of the north/south trail, angling it just slightly to nudge his travel to 14/15 yds. rather than 20 yds. I also added a new mock scrape along my new trail just south of where the intended shot would be, then doctored it with Smokey's doe in heat and pre-orbital. We named the stand "Goner" because of his passing it the morning of the 29th while we were gone.
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"Goner"
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/ff414f71.jpg)
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Great coffee read when you are stuck inside with kiddos home from school. The school should never give kids two days off in the middle of rut, what are they thinking:)
My kids are loving this thread UB! My son said maybe this means Mom will get her missed deer back too. I told him I never miss;)
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I wanted a SW wind to hunt the stand. The morning of Oct. 31st I got it. Additionally, a cold snap came through and the temps dropped to 24 degrees. Perfect. Now remember, the day before I never saw a deer and Gene saw two does. It was like someone flipped the switch. That morning I saw 39 deer including seven bucks. They were running/chasing all around me. I passed up a great up and comer "almost" 6x6, 4 yr.old that would go around 150 inches as he chop-stepped a doe with a pretty face 12 yards in front of me. But no Hurley.
The morning of Nov. 1st dawned clear but the temps warmed up 20 degrees. I again had my preferred SW winds at maybe 8 MPH. I don't often sit a stand two days in a row but this was just too perfect. This is an important piece of the story in that I have always liked an "almost wrong" wind as long as it's directionally consistent. In otherwords, he was angling in from the NNW from across the skid road, then heading due south to his bedding area. The SW winds would give him the false sense of security of a nose wind. The stage was set.
At 8:38 I still had not seen a single deer. I assume because of the temp changes temporarily shutting down the chasing. By 8:38 the morning before I'd probably already seen 15 or 18 deer. It just goes to show you how it can turn on and off. Anyway, right then movement caught my eye across the skid road. Here comes Hurley all alone heading to the bedroom. He stopped at his scrape, sniffed around without pawing and walked in on MY new trail. I instantly turned the camera on and pointed it where I knew the shot would be. I hit the record button and watched the red light go on indicating it was recording. Now the bad news. I saw the red light go on but whether it didn't catch or whether I double clicked it when I took my finger off the trigger the fact is the camera shut down without me knowing it.
Hurley walked my trail perfect until he got to the downed limb I'd placed to shift him closer. When he got to the limb he stepped to his right and went around the far side of the barrier rather than closer to me. He angled quartering away a few yards heading into the wind, then turned broadside walking by slowly at 20 yds. I didn't dare try to stop him because I knew if I did he'd be looking and might bust me in the smallish tree I was in. So I took the shot while he slowly walked.
He never knew what hit him. I was using my beautiful Tall Tines recurve, which is a 58" takedown by good friend Brian Wessel and pulls 61 lbs at 28". The arrow was an old Cabelas skinny carbon SST 230 tipped with... guess what, a Woodsman and steel adapter weighing 250 grs. total up front. The arrow blew right through him and disappeared. My minds eye saw a liver hit. But then I started second guessing myself on the exact placement.
I lost sight of Hurley in just ten yards or so. Just to be safe I stayed in the stand until noon. When I got down I walked over expecting to see the shaft laying there but there was nothing. No arrow, no blood. I backed out quietly with intentions of going home, reviewing the footage and accessing the hit on what to do next. After I got home and found I had no footage, I again opted to play it safe and decided to not take up the trail until 3 PM. Because there was no blood I figured maybe the feathers hung up on the far side or something. We weren't on the trail for two minutes when I looked up and saw him laying dead only about 75 yds. from the shot. Thank you God for making this all happen so perfectly.
For those who are interested in the stats, he field dressed 248 lbs. and measured 190 1/8" gross as a 7x6. I may be wrong and we'll never know but I believe he would have measured over 200" in '09. Last year I noticed he dropped maybe 25 lbs. in weight and his rack probably went down ten inches or more. This year he stayed the same in weight I'd say, but he developed a basic 5x5 frame, whereas he was a basic 5x4 frame previously and had more nontypical points. Gene and I disagree on his age. I know he's at least 7.5 but I honestly think he was 9.5 this year because of a buck I think was him I saw in 2006 when (I think) he was 4.5. I'll send the teeth off for the cementum analysis but I'm not convinced they're 100% accurate. That B&C 4x4 I got last year came back that he was 6.5 and we know he was 7.5 because of previous pictures.
Here is a picture of last year's buck...Burley
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/69ad8400.png)
At any rate, I just wanted to say thank you for all the support and friendships. I sincerely hope someone derived a little help from this story that will benefit themselves in their quest to make dreams become reality. Best of luck to all.
BW aka Uncle Barry
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Way to go, Uncle B!
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Congrats brother. Now its time for the hero picts???? bring 'em on. No more teasing.
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Very cool story, thanks for sharing it with us here!!!
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Love it! Congrats and thank you for sharing your wisdom. :thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
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Awesome story,thanks for sharing. I always get something new out of everything you and gene write. Now if my dreams would just become reality....haha :pray:
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Wow! Fantastic to put it all together Barry.
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Wow - thanks for sharing a great story. My hat is off to you sir. Go get another one!
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Cool Barry! :thumbsup: Thanks for the detail it helped put me in the hunt with you. He is an absolutely fabulous looking deer! :notworthy: Congratulations buddy, I'm glad it all worked out! :campfire:
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Congratulations! That is an awesome deer! Thanks for sharing photos and the story with us.
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Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Congrats brother. Now its time for the hero picts???? bring 'em on. No more teasing.
Thats what im saying... Let the cameras roll.
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check out page 12 guys! =) there are more pics there.
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Oh ok. Didn't see them. Thanks SuperKodiak. I officially withdraw the misaligned "Deer Tease" label from Uncle B.
Wow fantastic deer congrats brother.
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Tom, trust me, he is doing all he can...
Here is a hero pic for you. Now my all time favorite, as anyone who has had a whispered phone call from either of these two from the field will understand...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/65b9d946.jpg)
The cell phone is one piece of technology the brothers have a handle on. We just have to work on some of the new features...like texting!
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Another great TT shot:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wensel%20Photos/HurleyTT.jpg)
I think I am going to change my name to Bsteve Wosminski because in the past year my friend old BW has taken two Boone & Crockett class whitetails, and my friend young BW has done the same with black bear and caribou. It has to be the initials ;)
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Fancy pink headband Gene! :)
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Good idea Steve, I think I might do the same. Lol
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thanks for sharing, great story and pics. congrats on a fantastic buck.
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Way to go Barry, always enjoy your and Gene's posts. Go get another one!
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Thanks for the great story and pics. It's wonderful imagining what "great" deer hunting is like through your's and Gene's seasons. Doubt I will ever get to experience hunting like that. Hell, I'm just hoping to see A deer sometime soon here in PA. Congratulations again and keep stories coming for seasons to come!
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That is a great story. Funny when you moved the tree to bring the deer's path closer to your stand, my first thought was, "what if it goes the other way around?".
Congratulations and thanks for taking the time to bring us along.
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:thumbsup:
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Congratulations on a great deer.
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Barry, I noticed the ladder tree stand. Is that what you guys mostly use and how high are the ones you guys use? I'm thinking about changing out my sticks and lock-ons for ladder stands. I like the ease of getting in and out of them and they seem more comfortable to me.
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Simply amazing! Just shows what a life of clean living will do for a guy. Congratulations once again, and thank you for sharing with us. I love reading these posts.
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Awesome!! What a great story and what a magnificant animal. Love ya Uncle B :) )
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Beautiful animal! Congratulations sir! Awesome story! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Congratulations on a great buck!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Perfect timing as the kids and I watched the E.E. video on Tuesday night. Can't wait to show them the pics. Great buck and story. Congrats.
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You are the MAN Barry! Congratulations again - you earned and deserved that one. Sweet dessert!
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Complete Awe!
Thank you and congrats on a lifetime hunting achievement.
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Congratulations Barry!
What a buck!...........Philip
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That is an incredible deer! WOW!
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You are the man congrats and thanks for making this thing called bowhunting so much more fun for so many people
I am the guy that showed ya the pic of the Marco polo ram at Denton hill this year
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What a great story and hunt! Congrats!
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AWESOME, inspiring! i checked at wally world for a pink terry cloth head band like Gene's...no luck. will you offer them for sale on your website??
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Barry,thanks again for sharing your great long quest for Hurley, sure I'll make treasure of your experiences!
Thanks to Steve as well always helpful with everybody :clapper:
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Just a great story and a special magificent buck
Glad to know that others employ detours.
Congrats!!!!!!!!
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One question, was their footage of him in primal dreams, the first one? At 20 minutes in there is a buck that looks a lot like him but younger and with a smaller rack. Anybody know?
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Wow what a bruiser..!! Congrats on yet another B&C Buck..!
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tuscarawasbowman- There is no footage of Hurley in Primal Dreams. There is however footage, set camera photos, and dialog from Barry as he describes his close encounter with this great buck in our latest film Essential Encounters. Mike
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O.k. Must have been my vivid imagination :biglaugh:
Thanks
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There are a lot of deer that look similar as they grow up. We only throw several hundred at you in our films from many different states. Ha! The Wensels did not start hunting the property where Hurley grew up until some time after we launched Primal Dreams.
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About how much property (acerage wise) do you guys hunt in a given year? I've always wondered that.
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WOW amazing story! Thanks for sharing, you guys need to come to KS and teach me a thing or two :notworthy: Thanks again!
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If you are talking just Gene and Barry, they have been established in Iowa for over a decade and have access they have work hard to secure. They also commit a great deal of time to hunting and do not want to over hunt a given area. My brothers and I have done the same in Illinois. Access is kind of dynamic in that it changes from year to year, but me personally I focus on my best several hundred acres. Some could say we brothers of the bow are lucky, and you won't hear us disagree, but we are very committed to this way of life and it is what has brought us together. Many chapters in Gene's and Barry's books describe some of the properties and resources they have worked to get permission to hunt on.
I have written about "home body" bucks that tend to stay in one area most of their life. Gene has written articles about bucks that tend to travel more. But no matter the place, its great to just be able to be in the woods with mature deer. That has always been our goal and the Wensels goal. They even moved to a new state to to be able to do that. Mike
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Interesting. Thanks for the info and thank you guys for working so hard to establish a good name for traditional bowhunters and hunters in general and for making guys like me better hunters. I'd be much farther back on the trail if it wasn't for y'all.
Thanks- Nick
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Congrats Barry GREAT looking buck. We here in Iowa are very lucky to have such awesome bucks to hunt.
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Another congrats for uncle Barry. This is true inspiration for a whitetailer. The story is excellent.