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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 09:11:39 AM

Title: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 09:11:39 AM
So I made the arduous 6+ hour journey from the UP to hunt down south in mid Michigan. I do this every year as my best friend is a generous man and has great property.

This year would be special as I got to spend time with my little girl. She attends college down here (my Alma Mater) and was able to pull some time away to get in the woods with me.

My friend was not able to hunt with us so with my daughters limited time the plan was to put her in what we all agreed would be the “hottest“ stand.  I would sit in a less active area.

When she came out Wednesday night to camp to prepare for the hunt Thursday we were hit by a couple inches of snow. Aside from getting stuck in the driveway my daughter forgot some of her insulated clothing as well as a jacket.  She was off to a great start.

She also convince me to let her sleep in a little bit, so by the time I crawled into my stand it was just beginning to get gray light.  I saw a few bucks chasing and one 2 1/2 year-old eight point pin a doe down immediately below my tree stand. He was soon joined by a four pointer and they took the doe off north of my location.


Fast forward an hour later and I catch sight of a large mature doe covered in snow and leaves walking away from my general area. She reached the tree about 30 yards away for me and immediately did a 90° turn and walked directly under my stand stopping to smell both my tracks and the tracks made by the previous buck and doe.  Even though she was directly down wind of me she stayed calm and never knew I was above her.

About seven or eight minutes later a large Ten point came crashing out of the trail the doe had come down originally. He overshot her 90° corner and stopped about 10 yards further up the trail and look directly towards my stand.

He started coming at me as I was grabbing my bow. I grunted once or twice to try to get him to stop but he paid no attention. He did stop eventually about 12 yards ahead of me where although no shooting lane was caught there was a gap in two autumn olive bushes.

He focused on the doe and allowed me to get to full draw and release. You know how you make those shots where all you see is perfect arrow flight and just feathers screaming perfectly  at your target? Well, this was not one of those shots. Although my release was good, I think excitement got the better of me and I ended up taking him what appeared to be a little far forward and a little higher than I would’ve liked at that shot angle. That stand sits about 22 feet in the tree and that buck was only about 12 yards out when I shot.

He immediately bolted to my north and at about 45 yards I saw him dive into some thick autumn olive shrubs. The cover  is so thick and the autumn olive was hanging very low because of all the snow cover I was not able to get any sight of the deer after he dove down. After a few minutes I did see another deer exit the general area.  I also saw two bucks and another doe walk right through the area of the bigger buck had gone into without showing any signs of distress. I was crestfallen.

Later that morning my daughter came to my stand as she had gotten very cold and I climbed down to explain the situation. We stalked up on the area that I had seen the buck go down in together. It took about 30 minutes as we would only walk when the wind blew and snow fell from the autumn olive.

We found him together, lying exactly where I saw him dive down.  What I had assumed was a big buck going to his bed turned out to be him dying in mid stride and crashing. Because of the snow and the cover I never heard it.

The arrow ended up going through the scapula and ribs to cut the aorta and penetrate into his offside lung. He died in less than three seconds.  This was a very special hunt even before I took this buck. The only thing that would’ve made it better is if my daughter would’ve had the shot at him instead of me.  It’s one of those experiences so full of memories that you can’t put into words...

Gear used:  Northern mist superior longbow, 41# at my draw.  Dark timber 700 spine arrows with 200 grain grizzlies.





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Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 09:16:56 AM
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Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: mjh on November 09, 2019, 09:21:14 AM
That is a really nice buck!
Sharing time with your daughter.  Out in the snow, hunting, friends property.   Real good living for sure!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: highcountry on November 09, 2019, 09:49:07 AM
WAY GOOD STUFF!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 09, 2019, 10:25:08 AM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Steve Clandinin on November 09, 2019, 10:39:21 AM
Wow, great,great story ,beautiful deer and spending time with your daughter worth more than all of it.
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: GCook on November 09, 2019, 10:58:50 AM
Helluva buck bud.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Kopper1013 on November 09, 2019, 11:19:51 AM
Beautiful buck congratulations sir
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: kennym on November 09, 2019, 11:23:57 AM
Most excellent sir!!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: SlowBowKing on November 09, 2019, 11:36:05 AM
What a stud! Glad you all had that time together to hunt and to take such an impressive deer.
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Pound on November 09, 2019, 11:47:04 AM
Great story, congrats


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Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: The-Crow on November 09, 2019, 11:56:35 AM
Awesome Buck!!! Well done!!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: bucknut on November 09, 2019, 11:58:04 AM
That's a dandy. Congrats!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: KAZ on November 09, 2019, 11:59:04 AM
Way to go, that’s an awesome buck & Hunt with your daughter :clapper: :campfire:
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on November 09, 2019, 12:14:50 PM
Awesome buck and story!!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Walt Francis on November 09, 2019, 12:47:52 PM
Congratulations on a really nice buck and sharing it with your daughter.

You Done Good....... Really Good!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 01:04:40 PM
She earned a camp breakfast with her 40 yard track that took 30 minutes

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Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: BRONZ on November 09, 2019, 01:29:28 PM
Very nice sir!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Zwickey-Fever on November 09, 2019, 02:35:09 PM
Congrats 1st Cav. for a great memory, great buck and best of all, quality time with your daughter!! A memory of a life time!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Jayrod on November 09, 2019, 02:49:19 PM
Dandy buck and a pic worth a painting....well done and for your daughter to be there is what it's all about!! :clapper:
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: huntman on November 09, 2019, 04:37:12 PM
Great memories will never be forgotten. Congrats on nice buck!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Bisch on November 09, 2019, 04:39:59 PM
Awesome buck!!!!!

Congrats!

Bisch
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 05:30:32 PM
Congrats 1st Cav. for a great memory, great buck and best of all, quality time with your daughter!! A memory of a life time!

Thank ya!  And thanks for your service. Just a little more if you were a 1st Team Trooper.....
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Zwickey-Fever on November 09, 2019, 05:50:20 PM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust. 
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 06:22:41 PM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust.

Really?  I did some time at Bragg in 3rd of the 229th AHR.  We did at that...
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Zwickey-Fever on November 09, 2019, 06:52:20 PM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust.

Really?  I did some time at Bragg in 3rd of the 229th AHR.  We did at that...
I was at Bragg 88-92, Besides Desert Shield ,Desert Storm with the 18th, Operation Gothic Serpent in 93 with the 10th Mountain, got out in 96, re-enlisted in Feb 02 under prior service ended up back at Drum with the 10th, went through Operation Vigilant Resolve, (first Battle of Fallujah), Apr 2004 and finished up in Afghanistan Logar Province, 2007-08 10th CAB
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 09, 2019, 08:08:38 PM
That camp looks excellent.  To share it with your daughter must have been spectacular.   Congrats sir great buck!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 09, 2019, 08:48:57 PM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust.

Really?  I did some time at Bragg in 3rd of the 229th AHR.  We did at that...
I was at Bragg 88-92, Besides Desert Shield ,Desert Storm with the 18th, Operation Gothic Serpent in 93 with the 10th Mountain, got out in 96, re-enlisted in Feb 02 under prior service ended up back at Drum with the 10th, went through Operation Vigilant Resolve, (first Battle of Fallujah), Apr 2004 and finished up in Afghanistan Logar Province, 2007-08 10th CAB

Z, thank you for your service. We were together at Bragg!  I was with the 6th before that.  I ETSed and was in college before Afghanistan. Funny thing, I was just telling a friend about the bikini girl who used to sell hot dogs on the strip...

If you remember her lol
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: BrushWolf on November 09, 2019, 09:22:04 PM
 :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: SlowBowKing on November 09, 2019, 11:02:08 PM
What a stud! Glad you all had that time together to hunt and to take such an impressive deer.

I feel like your post must have given me some good juju...four minutes after my reply, I shot a buck of my own. Quite a bit smaller than your hosscat of a deer though!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Zwickey-Fever on November 10, 2019, 06:49:09 AM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust.

Really?  I did some time at Bragg in 3rd of the 229th AHR.  We did at that...
I was at Bragg 88-92, Besides Desert Shield ,Desert Storm with the 18th, Operation Gothic Serpent in 93 with the 10th Mountain, got out in 96, re-enlisted in Feb 02 under prior service ended up back at Drum with the 10th, went through Operation Vigilant Resolve, (first Battle of Fallujah), Apr 2004 and finished up in Afghanistan Logar Province, 2007-08 10th CAB

Z, thank you for your service. We were together at Bragg!  I was with the 6th before that.  I ETSed and was in college before Afghanistan. Funny thing, I was just telling a friend about the bikini girl who used to sell hot dogs on the strip...

If you remember her lol
I can't recall to be honest with you, I do remember hiring a cab to run through a bikini wash at one of the many gentlemen clubs off Bragg Blvd,,,LOL
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 10, 2019, 08:13:14 AM
What a stud! Glad you all had that time together to hunt and to take such an impressive deer.

I feel like your post must have given me some good juju...four minutes after my reply, I shot a buck of my own. Quite a bit smaller than your hosscat of a deer though!

Congrats slow!! 
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 10, 2019, 08:15:01 AM
XVIII Airborne Corps, (18th Airborne Corps), & 10th Mountain Div., here my friend. Definitely choked on some of the same dust.

Really?  I did some time at Bragg in 3rd of the 229th AHR.  We did at that...
I was at Bragg 88-92, Besides Desert Shield ,Desert Storm with the 18th, Operation Gothic Serpent in 93 with the 10th Mountain, got out in 96, re-enlisted in Feb 02 under prior service ended up back at Drum with the 10th, went through Operation Vigilant Resolve, (first Battle of Fallujah), Apr 2004 and finished up in Afghanistan Logar Province, 2007-08 10th CAB

Z, thank you for your service. We were together at Bragg!  I was with the 6th before that.  I ETSed and was in college before Afghanistan. Funny thing, I was just telling a friend about the bikini girl who used to sell hot dogs on the strip...

If you remember her lol
I can't recall to be honest with you, I do remember hiring a cab to run through a bikini wash at one of the many gentlemen clubs off Bragg Blvd,,,LOL

Lol!  Of course!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Lefty on November 10, 2019, 02:02:34 PM
Awesome buck and great story!  My daughter is away at her first year of college, so we only were able to sit a stand together once this bow season.  But I have the week after Christmas off and we both have late season muzzleloader tags.  Aren't daughters great to hunt with!!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Yooper-traveler on November 10, 2019, 04:15:48 PM
Awesome buck and great story!  My daughter is away at her first year of college, so we only were able to sit a stand together once this bow season.  But I have the week after Christmas off and we both have late season muzzleloader tags.  Aren't daughters great to hunt with!!

Yes sir!  I already have her Christmas break planned out...  Deer, rabbit, grouse and maybe a coyote.  My wife gets her to make cookies....
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: durp on November 11, 2019, 12:38:39 AM
CONGRATES !!!  great memories for sure  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: RAU on November 11, 2019, 08:37:59 AM
Congratulations!! Great buck!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: rastaman on November 11, 2019, 09:11:47 AM
Awesome buck and hunt sir! And to get to share it with your daughter was icing on the cake!   :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
And thank you for your service!
Title: Re: Big 10 and daughters snow hunt
Post by: Captain*Kirk on November 11, 2019, 11:56:10 AM
YT...if a picture is worth a thousand words, what you posted is a novel!
Congrats, and thank you for your service! :thumbsup: