I shot this buck at a private ranch about 10 miles north of Garberville, CA, and about 5 miles west, which is right in the middle of the coast range.
Another guest and I had hunted for two days without much activity from tree stands and blinds. On the morning of the third day, I was driving around with the rancher, and we began to see some deer here and there. I stalked one that was a little bigger than the one I shot, but he busted me before I could get close enough to take a shot.
Then I spotted a buck and a doe on my side of the truck, not too far off the road. The rancher said he thought we could find a bigger one, but it was up to me. I said, "let's go for it," so he slowly backed his truck up to where I could get out without spooking the deer. I was about to start my stalk, when it occured to him that the deer seemed to be headed in the direction of a tree stand, so he suggested that I might want to wait in the tree stand. If they came by, I would probably get a shot; if they didn't, I wouldn't, but at least I probably wouldn't spook them. So he showed me where the tree stand was, and I climbed up.
No sooner had I pulled my bow up than I could see the deer working in my direction about 60 - 70 yards away. Soon they were coming right down a deer path that led by the stand. Several times they locked eyes on me, but never recognized me as a threat, I guess. I didn't want to take a frontal shot, so I waited until the buck passed right next to the stand. The doe had held back 40 yards or so. The buck turned broadside about 25 yards away and started feeding. It was a picture perfect shot, and fortunately, I didn't blow it. The broadhead split a rib on the near side, and completely passed through and was on the ground on the far side. The buck died within 70 yards or so.
There was never any evidence that either deer was ever aware of my presence. The buck took off, of course, after being hit, but the doe actually continued walking toward my stand for a few steps before deciding that something wasn't quite right, and turned and trotted off in another direction, but didn't bolt.
The bow is a Robertson 55# 62" Fatal Styk. The arrow was a Gold Tip 5575 cut to 29" with a 20 grain weight in front. The broadhead was a Silver Flame 125 grain. Total arrow weight was about 465 grains.
Topic: Columbia blacktail (Read 5760 times)
