Blind squirrel finds nut

[Greg Szalewski]

A blind squirrel does in fact find a nut once and a while. That was the case as luck was on my side on opening morning.
With the full moon on Friday it was still fairly high as the sun was coming up Saturday morning. The skies were clear to the west and overcast to the east so it was one of those rare mornings where the transition from bright moonlight to daybreak is undistinguishable. So as the day was starting I stood up in my stand to prepare for what might come my way a few minutes before opening.
After standing for about ten minutes I turned my head to the right just in time to see a buck approaching on the trail 15 yards in front of my stand. He stopped with his vitals behind a tree and started to work over the overhanging leafed out branch. After about a half minute I got turned to face him and he paws the ground twice and takes a couple steps clearing the tree but now angling towards me.  In the low light it was tough to see very many details of his rack. His long tines stood out and when he faced me I could see the spread and some significant mass.
I had to make a decision fast on whether to try and fill my tag this early in the season and decided that he would fulfill my requirements of a shooter. Turning back on the trail he moved slow as I came to full draw but the clump of leaves in front of me were of concern. The shot just did not feel right. As he passed by another tree he entered the spot that would be my final chance to get off a shot and the arrow was on it's way. The illuminock made it look like a green laser right to the center of the chest.
He took off to the south running straight away from me along the side of the corn field. His tail was tucked tight and at about 75 yards away he stopped broadside and looks back my way. After about five seconds he gone but replaced by a big white spot on the ground just in front of the spot he stood. Checking my watch it said 6:17, just six minutes after opening. The low light prevented me from seeing details of his collapse. Looking through the binoculars didn't provide a much better look either.
Had he been in more of a hurry and was just walking past me and not stopped at the overhanging branch I never would have even attempted to shoot. There just was not enough light to process everything that fast.
Just to be safe I sat to enjoy the morning. After 20 minutes the light was better and confirmed that he was down for good. After waiting ten more minutes I climb down and piece together all that just happened.
As it turned out the arrow passed through the heart making a very visible blood trail with huge splashes on each bound.
The buck was sporting a 5X5 rack with a 13 ¼ inside spread and weighed in at 165 lbs. I couldn't have been happier as this is my personal best with traditional gear. The Robertson recurve, Wensel Woodsman broadheads, and Traditional Only carbon shafts had done a super job.
On a side note, this stand is essentially the same one that I got my first traditional kill 22 years earlier. That stand however was a ground blind 30yards to the south. On that hunt I used the most miserable longbow know to man (my first build) with mismatched arrows. But I can tell you this much, a fawn at eye level makes them appear much bigger and in fact very exciting. Heart shot as well she came to rest not far from where this buck did.

This is what the bloodtrail looked like.

 

 

 

[23feetupandhappy]

Here We Go  

 

[KyStickbow]

Beautiful deer! Congrats to u sir!

[Kyle Lancaster]

Great story. Nice shot.

[23feetupandhappy]

And may I add the your Hero Pic is exceptional!!!!!

The colors are so vivid against the foggy morning and look at the chocolate rack  

[Bob B.]

WOW - Nice Job Greg!  Good on ya buddy!!    

Bob.

[Pine]

That's a nice one .    

[centaur]

Very nice deer. Sure didn't take long to fill that tag!

[Michael Arnette]

Very very nice Wisconsin buck! Great shot too...not so sure about that "blind squirrel" part  

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by 23feetupandhappy:
And may I add the your Hero Pic is exceptional!!!!!

The colors are so vivid against the foggy morning and look at the chocolate rack      

X2

[JakeD]

Congrats on a beautiful buck! That's one heck of a way to start the season.

[Buckeye1977]

Love that dark rack! Congrats!!

Nick

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Great shot and Well Done Sir......

,,Sam,,

[ron w]

[DannyBows]

Well done, Congrats!

[Mint]

Beautiful buck! Congrats

[wooddamon1]

Wow, congrats!        

[Jayrod]

Great job beautiful buck!!

[J. Cook]

What a gorgeous buck!  Congrats!!

[kennym]

Great job Greg!! Loving that dark rack!