Hey Joe, nice buck

[Stone Knife]

Joe, that's a nice buck you have up top, whats the story behind that one.

[JoeM]

Thanks Jim how is everything upstate, getting ready?    When I jumped on and saw my mug up top, I thought thats kinda cool to see a pic of me and my buck when I log into the Gang.  I'm trying to convince my 5 year old that daddy's a celebrity or something.          They don't seem to be buying it!!
The story behind that buck is one of, if not my best, day in the deer woods.
Dec. 6th 2008  The day started out with some fun before the sun ever hinted of it's presence.  I had just walked into my stand climbed up, hoisted up my bow when I hear a deer walking in my direction.  I still have not strapped in or taken my pack off and this deer ends up directly under my stand milling around.  After several minutes of doing my best impression of a frozen branch I decide to take a quick peek with my head light.  A quick flash down shows that its a young eight point!!  I listen to him mill around for a few more minutes and slowly leave the area.  A cool way to start the day!!  Once the sun is up shining I had a young six point pass by to my left, but out of range.  A little while later I see the young eight point making his way back through the woodlot.  As  I'm watching him pass by out of range I can tell by his posture and body language that he hears more deer coming. Thats when I first laid eyes on the buck in the picture, at about 7:30 am. He approached the young buck with ears laid back and the typical tough guy attitude. Then as quickly as I saw I lost him .  I watched the young buck bed but could still not relocate the big buck.  I hung up my bow, grabbed the binos and began glassing for the big buck.  I finally relocated him bedded further back than the young eight.  They are directly behind my stand about 70 yds.  The only way I can keep tabs on the deer is to stay standing facing the tree I'm in.  Then to see the big buck I have too lean out as far to the left as I can, then I am able to see his main beam and G-3 sticking out from behind a tree.
I was constantly entertained while these deer where bedded by some turkeys that were now flying down and doing there thing. Twice as the flock was getting together to begin there daily march a few birds walked within feet of the big buck .  Each time this happened I grabbed my bow hoping they would push the buck to his feet, but every time he simply watched them pass by. I then had  a beautiful tom pass by my stand about 30yds out.  The way the morning sun was hitting his feathers and head made for one of the prettiest images of a turkey I have in my head. This is getting long and I haven't even gotten to the good parts.  I'll post the rest shortly.

[mscampbell75]

 

Really?  You gonna leave us hangn like that.

Cant wait to hear the rest.  Nice deer by the way.

[Blasterjdh]

[JoeM]

Well after the turkeys left the deer were content to stay bedded and make me stand at attention for a few hours.  Wish I had a rear view mirror so I could sit down.  The deer did finally stand and move, with a doe that I had not seen up until now leading the way.  They passed by out of range in single file, the doe, the big buck, and finally the small eight.  I thought they had left the wood lot for good, but about a half hour later I see them meandering around a 100yds or so away. They bed for a second time with the big buck in plain view out to the front and slightly to the right of the stand.  At least this time I can sit down and watch.  The only problem is they are now further away.  I decide to take this time and call my buddy to tell him not to come pick me up, I'm gonna wait this one out.  I have one POP TART to last the day.        Oh well!
A short while later I have a mature doe pass by at about 10yds.  I decide not to try and take her with the buck still in this wood lot even though he is about a 100yds away.  After the doe had vacated the area and I'm glassing the buck I hear deer running down a slight hill towards me.  Quick grab the bow and make ready.  It turns out to be four fawns running all over the place.  One stops right out in front of my stand and looks right up at me.  This little booger makes me out!!    :eek:     I've eluded mature does, a buck and several turkeys and now this little #@*% sees me.  Luckily she did not blow and went back to running laps around the woodlot. WHEW!
While having a staring contest with this little one I was unaware that there commotion has brought the doe to her feet. I haven't typed this much since college.

[JoeM]

With the doe up and moving away the buck soon stands and begins to follow.  The doe is on a trail that will have the lovely couple pass by at about 30yds.  As they are moving from right to left the doe makes a ninety degree turn and begins to follow a trail that leads directly under my stand. The doe passes just to the right of my stand and is now directly behind me browsing.  The buck is about 5-6yds out in front slightly to my left quartering in, NO SHOT!!  I'm focused on him when I  hear the doe, in the leaves, beginning to trot away.  Did she smell or see something, or is she just simply moving off. I will never know because my eyes never left him. He finally after a minute or two (felt like an hour) begins to walk forward. Each step is exposing a little more of his vitals.  I draw as he passes under a branch and release the arrow when he is about 3-4 steps  from the base of my tree.  He runs about 45-50yds and stops and begins looking around.  I'm worried about his reaction, until I see his tail start to twitch.  A few lunges to the left and down he goes.  Stinger ended up taking out lung  and heart, arrow buried into his offside elbow. My watch read 11:05, three and half hours of 100% pure entertainment and anticipation have ended. A quick call to wife to tell her what happened.  Then its time to get down, take a look and enjoy all that a moment like this is. But wait the story isn't quite over.  Who's coming up the trail as my first foot hits the ground? The little eight, he's coming to see what all the commotion is about.  I laugh as he finally sees me on the ground and bounds away. For all the reasons above is why this was my best day in the deer woods.  Thats the story behind this buck.  Good luck to everyone this fall.  Joe

[LA Trapper]

Way cool buddy.  Good story, we were right there with you!!!

Great buck.

Billy

[Stone Knife]

Good story Joe, I'm getting ready for this season by shooting broadhead, dressed like it was a cold fall morning.

[LAR43]

Great read Joe. Thanks for taking us along!
From the looks of that background he was a local!

Larry

[swampbuck]

Thanks for sharing that is an awesome day for sure

[Blasterjdh]

Great story Joe - what gear did you use ? Bow, specs, etc...  

Thanks for sharing

[JoeM]

Glad you guys enjoyed the story.
 Larry, Yep he's an islander        
James, I was using a Striker Select by Rick Ellis 53#@25", CX 150's with a 100 grain insert tipped with a 125 grain Magnus Stinger 4 blade. Total arrow weight of 566 grains.    Joe

[bentpole]

[Guru]

Excellent Joe...congrats again bud        

[Killdeer]

Great story! That is one of those days that you will remember and bask in fifty years from now, when you are sitting on the porch wishing someone would empty your spit cup.

Quintessential hunt, you are truly blessed.
Killdeer

[BowHuntingFool]

Well done, awesome deer, awesome story! Congrats!

[Ybuck]

Great read, GREAT deer!

[30coupe]

Wow, that's one that makes you have to pinch yourself every once in a while just to make sure you're not dreaming it! Great story and an awesome buck! Congrats!

[pacopperhead]

joe i didnt realize you lived near new york city,wow

is most of your hunting nearby or do you leave a couple of hours away when you hunt?