...shorly after 6 a doe and her fawns appear about a hundred yards in front of me. They're the ones that I saw the first day, September 30.
I watched them feed in the field hoping they would work within range.
It must have been about 6:15 when I turned to look behind me. I must have hard something or maybe just sensed it. Twenty yards away was a nice doe, but I couldn't shoot behind me. She worked her way through the brush towards the swamp. I hoped she'd come to the field and give me a shot.
What I saw next blew my mind. Following behind her was a beautiful buck. I could see that he had good mass and tine length, then I saw that he had five perfect tines on each side. Good God!, I thought. Where did he come from?
The doe stepped out into the marsh grass and started to act like she was headed away from me. The buck followed right behind. He stopped at 25 yards and I briefly thought about trying to get off an awkward shot behind me, but luckily thought better of it.
They headed farther into the swamp and I thought it was over. Oh, well I thought, I just saw a Pope and Young buck up close, that made the whole hunt worth it. I'm gonna hold out for him this year, I was thinking.
Suddenly the doe did an abrupt left and headed for the field. Her companion followed immediately. As they worked their way the 25 yards to the field I was afraid they would smell my trail where I came in. They didn't even stop as they crossed the trail I came in. On they came down the trail 5 yards to my right. I told myself to forget the rack now and concentrate on his chest. Through the thick brush I looked for a shot. I decided against a five yard shot through a hole in the brush, again that was a good move. Too steep, bad angle.
They were on a mission to get to the field,so I waited.
The doe walked out into the field, barely hesitating. Her suitor stopped with only his head and neck poking into the field. I waited for the shot that I knew was coming. He watched the doe for an eternity, at least it felt that way, then...he stepped into the field and slowly started to walk the edge, angling away to the right at fifteen yards. I found a shooting lane and drew my 52# Fedora Xcellerator. I remember looking at a spot then briefly glancing up to make sure my top bow limb wouldn't hit a branch. Then
instinct took over. My mind said "Now!"
The next thing I saw was those bright white high profile feathers on the ash shaft, spinning...
The arrow is in him! Then the mind games...too far back? He turns to run and I can see that it's back but angling forward deep into the vitals. Thank you, God! I say, probably out loud. He runs a 50 yard half circle into the field then slows to a trot..then a walk with a limp from the Magnus II buried in his offside leg. Go down! Go down!
He falls onto his belly then tips onto his side. His mighty chest heaves once and he is done. Ten seconds at the most from when the broadhead struck till the time he died.
I thank God repeatedly then fill out my tag between fits of shakes in the tree, making sure to give him time, just in case.
The doe doesn't know what is goin on and just stares at his fallen form in the grass. I climb down and she watched me till I get to the field edge, then bounds away.
I can see the tall tines above the grass and work my way over to him. I nock another arrow in case he gets up, but there is no need.
There is no ground shrinkage. He is a beautiful buck anywhere, but a real brute for PA.
I didn't have a lot of confidence hunting this time of the year and the Harvest Moon was bright, but I went anyhow. Now I truly believe that any time you can go hunting is a good time. Take advatage of any time you have, you just never know what will happen.
I want to say thanks to Two Arrows for the Fedora he traded me. Awesome little bow!
I skinned the buck out for a lifesize mount. I think that will do him some justice.
He would definetly make P&Y if I were to enter him, but I won't, just having the opportunity to take him is satisfaction enough. But I do feel the score gives a good description of true size. He grosses right around 135 or so.
Thanks for listening everyone. Good luck in the woods. God Bless you all!
Jaz
Topic: Possible P&Y ten point down! (Read 5582 times)
