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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Barry Wensel on October 29, 2009, 01:07:00 PM
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Time to fess up. As most of you know I can't remember missing since 1976 (ha). I just came home for a couple days to try to clear my head and get some solid sleep. That and the fact it's pouring out with winds to 30 MPH. For those who haven't heard, Wednesday evening I missed a monster. No excuses. Last April Biggie Hoffman drove out and helped Gene and I hang some new stands for this fall. It was a new area we'd never sat before and we named it "Side Saddle". It's set up for south, SE or SW winds. I actually got into it rather late about 3 PM with winds 15 MPH out of the SE. The winds kept swirling but I thought I'd give it a chance to settle down. I hadn't seen a deer yet, didn't hear any snorts but didn't like the inconsistency. At 4:50 the wind was now steadily out of the NW (180 degree shift). I had another stand 250-300 yards away at the top of the ridge and still had a couple hours of light, so I decided to move up there assuming the winds would be more stable at the higher elevation. I took the camera arm down and had the camera in my hand. You know how when you're leaving a stand prematurely you always are glancing around just to make sure something isn't coming? Well, I look over my shoulder and see him walking the creek bank at 50 yds. Gulp! I hand held the camera and filmed him for maybe 30 seconds when he came up over the creek bank and starts for me. I continued to film him a little more in the brush. Got him shaking like a dog after a swim although the creek only has 6" of water in it. Then, here he comes. I actually said into the mic, "Sorry.. gotta go guys". ha. Then I almost lost it when I couldn't get the camera into my back pack while trying not to turn my back on him. I came close to throwing the thing and finally hooked it onto a small twig and it held. GThen I grabbed my bow from the hook. Now he's about 25 yards but a frontal angle and still in the brush. Then he steps out and makes a scrape still only giving me the frontal angle. If he turns to his left he'll walk by the pinch at 12 yds., but he turns right. Then it hits me the wind is going absolutely right to him. You'd have to see the set up to fully understand but I'm on a pinch point that's a header of a little, dry tributary running down to the main creek (6" of water max). So now he's walking away but still screened by brush. He's too close to wheeze but I have no shot. I considered letting him walk off about 50-60 yards and then wheezing to bring him back (by the way, the day before, Gene had a 150 incher walk by at 65 yards. He wheezed once, the buck stopped and then continued away. He wheezed a second time and it turned on a dime and walked right in. In fact, he filmed it all including the buck standing right under the stand, actually filming through the grill of the platform.) But in my situation if I let him walk off and wheezed he'd start looking/sniffing and would absolutely bust me because he was straight downwind. So now he walks over to another scrape that's the size of the bathtub at the honeymoon suite at the Hilton. He's standing broadside with his head up doing the overhead branch thing. I decide to take the shot while he's still relaxed. Then I notice a single, straight hardwood limb about an inch or less in diameter running perfectly horizontal right down the center of his body. That, plus the fact he's dead downwind was what mentally got me. If I aimed below the limb it appeared a little too low so I tried shooting above it. Obviously, I over compensated and the shaft flew right over his lungs and missed him clean. When he peeled out he looked like a really fat guy trying to run. He's absolutely huge. He ran across the creek and up on the ridge and then the bad news... started snorting. He never saw me but ended up obviously smelling me. You guys will hopefully all get to see him someday because I'm sure we'll use the short footage in our next video production, but I think he's a 200 inch buck. He has eight points on his left antler and looks like six on his right. BOTH of his G2s are clustered into three long points each, and in fact his left G2 has a cluster of three plus an additonal sticker. Let me put it this way, a robin could build a birds nest in either of his G2s. He has great mass and long mainbeams and his body looks like a brahma bull. I absolutely know he'll field dress well over 250 lbs. When I watched that arrow fly over his lungs I felt like hurling, therefore, we named him Hurly. Because he was spooked from that stand I figured my only chance to get him there would be if he happened to run a hot doe by next week with his mind on her rather than the incident. So late yesterday morning I quietly slipped in there and scouted it more thoroughly. I found a string of seven of his scrapes between what I know are two bedding areas. You'd have to see the terrain to fully understand but there's a series of little dry tributaries coming in from different angles and I feel confident I have his travel pattern down now. The only thing I'm concerned about is unstable winds. I found the perfect positioned tree about 75 yards from the original. It was a bugger to hang but Gene and I went in yesterday at mid-day, quietly hung the new stand and got out. Oh yeah, we also hid three trail cameras on his seven scrapes so hopefully we'll get a photo or three. This rain should help wash out our scent and hopefully the front will push on through by the weekend and I'll resume my hunt. Stay tuned! Best of luck to all... including myself. BW
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You musta forgot to wear your cape. :goldtooth:
Hate to hear about the miss. Wish I could say that it had been so long since I missed. CK
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The saga continues.......
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Not your fault Barry, It's Biggie's for putting the stand in the wrong tree. Hopefully you will get another chance at him soon.
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Good luck later.
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Boy, I'm sure glad I never miss. Well, I have just once or twice.
Somehow, I have a feeling that buck's days are numbered.
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Barry that sounds like my story but I ain't talking, I'm not going to fess up, and I ain't telling.
Jack
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Barry, thanks for sharing, the chase thats what its all about.good luck on your quest and I wouldnt want to be that buck with the Wensels after me... Ron.
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Thanks for the story, Barry. I’m looking forward to the hero pictures. Good luck!
Originally posted by Barry Wensel:
When I watched that arrow fly over his lungs I felt like hurling, therefore, we named him Hurly.
:biglaugh: I love the name! :biglaugh:
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Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch... Ding! popcorn is ready! Can't wait to see trailcam pics.
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1976? I thought you missed a bear this spring or were you just talking strictly deer? Anyway good luck with him!
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Sounds like a H of a great time to me. Especially comparing to what I've NOT seen in the past two weeks. LOL
Good to hear from you, Barry. I've no doubt that buck is in trouble in the next few weeks.
God Bless and HI to you both. Haven't had the pleasure since WAY back at the PBS Banquet in CO. in 86?? hmmm, something like that. I was just one of the hoards yakking with you.
Steve
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Thanks for the telling of a great adventure. It helps OF's like me to know that even the "masters" can miss. I know that under normal situations you and "bro" actually hit more often than miss which is the exact opposite of my shooting..lol
Best of luck to you.
Good hunting and God bless,Mudd
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Bet Gene get's him...... :goldtooth:
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But I thought them single bevel broadheads would slice right through a one inch branch and still have enough poop for a set of lungs! :thumbsup:
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This is the kind of stuff that keeps a rookie like me up at night! (that & the primal dreams video)
Thanks for sharing
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Thanks for the story Barry, we all know you will get him..
T :thumbsup:
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Hang in there Barry, you'll get the hang of it...
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You don't want the season to end before November anyhow do you?...HA
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I TOLD Barry it needed to be 10 yards further down the hill but NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....he wouldn't listen.
Really though guys, would any of YOU argue with Barry on stand placement????
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you didn't miss, it just wasn't his time...
can't wait to see the pics.
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Gene called a short while ago and said that he convinced you to head home because of the rain and wind and after he dropped you off at your place he immediately turned around to head back and plans to spend the rest of the day sitting in your stand.
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Originally posted by JohnV:
Gene called a short while ago and said that he convinced you to head home because of the rain and wind and after he dropped you off at your place he immediately turned around to head back and plans to spend the rest of the day sitting in your stand.
That is freakin' funny!
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Even your not so sucess stories are great! Thanks for telling it to us.
Bona
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It just had to be the bow.... :goldtooth:
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If possible could you post us a pic or clip of this buck? Would love to see him on the hoof.
Missing is part of this... A no fun part but it just gets better when you make it happen. Stay after them.
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200" buck is crazy huge...I would be crushed. He's still out there, so the fun in the chase can continue!
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Thanks for sharing that Barry, what a story!!! I had been feeling bad about missing a "little" 160 class buck last week and now I don't feel so bad. :bigsmyl:
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Barry that isn't a miss, that is just called a warning shot.
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I just called Gene's cell and he answered with a whisper . . . something about being in Barry's stand.
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Good Luck! Say your prayers and you might get a chance at him again!
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{Shooting over deer means you are not in control of the aiming and shot process.....the deer is, and so are your emotions. If a deer is within ten or fifteen yards, you should see nothing but the hairs behind the leg....and your eyes shouldn't leave that spot until the arrow appears there.} where did i hear that before?? ummmm, Nice to see even the pro's have a few problems. Have no doubt you get him. Thanks for sharing.
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Barry... don't think of it as a miss. Think of it as a major screw up!!!
:D
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Barry, a 200 incher? Holy crap. Trying to shoot over or under something can really throw a guy off. And nobody could question your stand placement abilities or your shooting abilities. You're gonna get him for sure. Think of it this way. He's out there thinking...man...I just barely made it out alive a wensel encounter. He's shaking in his hooves now. And just think...it's not even November yet!
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Thanks for sharing...sorry you missed him
Best
Bob
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Just think Barry, he went back to the bedding area bragging to all the ladies about being missed by a wensel.....good luck in your quest!
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Why does it seem to only happen on the big bucks? :banghead:
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How could you miss something THAT BIG???
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Great stuff. Sorry you missed but you have to know it makes the rest of us mere mortals feel just a little better when we commit a forest faux pas.
Can't wait for your next video!
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My money is on the good looking brother to kill it.
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200 inches!! That deer would've had no problem smelling me. That is when I pooped my pants right after the first time I saw him. :scared:
I hate that you missed, but probably not as much as you hate it.
Good luck!
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Cool story. I could see the whole thing in my mind...even the arrow spinning harmlessly too high.
You guys get some really awesome footage of whitetails. You can`t call it anything less than a success, even if all you got was him on film! :thumbsup:
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Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I absolutely missed. I've always said "if you shoot over him you missed, whereas if you shoot under him your arrow didn't even get there." You can quote me on that one. I'm glad everyone seemed to enjoy the tale. We've had a dozen trail cameras out since mid-July, like 24/7 and never got a single photo of this guy before. It just goes to show everyone you never know what you might have right behind the barn. That thought alone hopefully will keep you in the stand a little longer thinking of the possibilities, knowing it could happen at any time. Keep that dream alive. Best of luck guys. bw
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Did ya save a trail camera for brother Gene's yard? At 7pm one came out of his yard in front of us on the road and Greywolf tried to hit it...ur i mean miss it with her truck. Darn women is a hunter.
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Best of luck Uncle B :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :pray:
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Great story Barry. He doesn't realize how luky he was.....
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Great fun, you managed to extended your season and he'll be around during the rut. My money is Barry.
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Hey Barry, I shot under a nice one last Christmas day for a couple reasons. One was being asleep(really). Told my bro I had all the fun without the work!!
Maybe a bigger one is in the cards for ya! Stay with em!! :thumbsup:
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Post a pic if you catch him on the trail cam.
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Hay Barry, has the rut started overthere yet?You dont usually see the big ones till the rut on. Sorry about your miss, :banghead: I hope he didnt leave the country. :pray: GOOD LUCK.
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Wow!
That's gotta suck! :banghead: :rolleyes:
Any chance of editing a frame out of the video to give us an idea of just what exactly he looks like?
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In that situation I would try to hit the limb, aim right for it. I know I would miss every time and whola, "Dead Buck"! Seems when I am stumping and I shoot for a branch, sapling, ect.. 99% of the time I get real close but just miss - in this situation I would probably center punch it, just my luck.
Good luck on this one - Bob Urban
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Barry,
I am glad you lead by example. I missed a nice buck last night at 7 yards. He was not 200", but he was a nice buck. I dont feel so bad now.
Good luck on your quest, we know you will get him.
Matt
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Barry Hope you get another crack at him. Thanks for sharing the story
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Go get him, Barry!
Bisch
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Thanks for sharing your story. I don't know how you guys manage to video bucks and get shots as well. I am challenged with just the bare minimum of stuff when I am in my treestand; I usually end up dropping something..
Gary
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:banghead: Tough break U.B. It is a little early for you but 200" is awfully bbbbbbig. He'll be back. You got his number (and now you know the range). Grant
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quote:
Originally posted by Littlefeather:
You musta forgot to wear your cape. :thumbsup:
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Thank you for sharing a great story. Good luck with getting another shoot. I always blame it on all the small earthquakes we get around here. They say we get up to 200 a day.
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I am sure that by the end of season we will all see a pic of big old "hurley". His tounge will be hanging out, and Barry will be sitting next to him with a big old smile! Best of luck!
Katie
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Originally posted by Bear:
Don't you know,
When Bary Wensel takes a shower he doesnt get wet, the water gets Barry Wenseled.
When Barry Wensel looks in the mirror nothing appears. Because there could never be another Barry Wensel.
And of course... Superman wears Barry Wensel pajamas to bed!!
OK, I'm done. :p :p :thumbsup:
He he he!
Barry Wensel doesn't have a chin under his beard, just another fist.
Barry doesn't read books, he just stares them down until he gets the information he requires.
Barry doesn't sleep, he just lays in wait.
If you have five dollars and Barry has five dollars, Barry has more money than you.
Barry once ate a whole cake before his friends could tell him there was a stripper in it
Barry doesn't actually write books, the words assemble themselves out of fear.
Barry once ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
Do you know why Baskin Robbins only has 31 flavors? Because Barry doesn't like Fudge Ripple
Should I go on?
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You guys are hilarious!
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barry bashin.... :D
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
:D
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I sure hope you get another chance. I think you will.
Joe
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I always look around before climbing down as well.
It kinda reminds me how I felt as a kid, when about to do something you were told NOT TO DO! You can just feel those eyes burning a whole in your backside.
Good luck before firearm season.
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The same exact thing happened to me once!!!I swear. Only difference was it was a 120 lb basket rack 8. Basically the same thing though.LOL.
Go get-em Barry and thanks for the story. :wavey: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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It would also be nice to be able to leap into your treestand from the forest floor and not have to use steps like Barry can! I always wondered was it the cape or the super-human qualities?
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Originally posted by robtattoo:
Originally posted by Bear:
Don't you know,
When Bary Wensel takes a shower he doesnt get wet, the water gets Barry Wenseled.
When Barry Wensel looks in the mirror nothing appears. Because there could never be another Barry Wensel.
And of course... Superman wears Barry Wensel pajamas to bed!!
OK, I'm done. :p :p :thumbsup:
He he he!
Barry Wensel doesn't have a chin under his beard, just another fist.
Barry doesn't read books, he just stares them down until he gets the information he requires.
Barry doesn't sleep, he just lays in wait.
If you have five dollars and Barry has five dollars, Barry has more money than you.
Barry once ate a whole cake before his friends could tell him there was a stripper in it
Barry doesn't actually write books, the words assemble themselves out of fear.
Barry once ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
Do you know why Baskin Robbins only has 31 flavors? Because Barry doesn't like Fudge Ripple
Should I go on? [/b]
:biglaugh: :D
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You guys can have your fun... but be it known this super-hero will be putting on his camo cape and flying out of here in about fifteen minutes to renew my quest for Hurly... or maybe even another little surprise that will set back the bowhunting world somewhat. Wish you all could join me. Talk to you all in a week or three. Best of luck guys and gals... I'm outta here! BW
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:pray: for ya
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Heck Barry that must be one heck of a cape. I've met you and guys our size just don't get off the ground with any camo cape. Takes one with say 30000 sq ft of lift.
Good luck, we are all rooting for you.
Mike
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"...or maybe even another little surprise that will set back the bowhunting world somewhat"
Anybody else curious and guessing? BTW it is 11 degrees in Moose Pass, Alaska today and I had fun changing to studded tires, one at a time....living vicariously thru you WT guys right now...
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I got an idea! Put your brother in a doe costume, maybe one left over from Halloween. Have him waggle his tail a bit and wait for that big boy to come a-running(not your brother).
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How come there's not a bow in this picture?????
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He cheated, used a thunder stick.
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I think I would have tried to hit the stick. Because chance are, I'd miss the stick, by just an eyelash, and get the the buck as a bonus.
But, the good thing is, if you do hit the stick, you have an automatic excuse.