Just taken last week. My biggest with the recurve to date.
Heres the story:
In my life I have never seen this buck on any cams or even heard of anyone else seeing this buck. The 6 day gun season started here in Jersey and I live too close to houses to use gun here.
I was in my stand by 2:00 Yesterday afternoon, tight urban area. I was given the opportunity to to hunt another area with my gun but just had a feeling about my own land. At 3:30-4:00ish I heard some deer running toward me fast and it sounded like a lot of them. I looked to the right and saw a truck pulling in across the street so I guess he pushed the does to me. Withen seconds the train of deer started crossing the road and coming into my funnel of oaks. I had made a decision earlier this week to shoot the first deer I could with the Martin 70# recurve. When a few of the deer started working toward me at the point of the funnel my heart was a thumpin....
I got into position and had 3 come withen 15 yards and all were not giving me a qtr away or even broadside shot. It seemed like forever to the point of my left arm holding up the bow was just burning. I had to put the bow down for a sec very soon. I put my head slowly against the tree and got the tip of the bow to my boot to rest my arm and luckily the deer stayed browsing in the leaves for acorns I suppose. This is a NON baited stand. After a long min or so, I started the whole process of getting into position again and luckily the wind was still in my favor. I just might pull this off I was thinking when to my right I saw bones coming in quick. I am now surrounded with eyes and git a buck coming in . I knew right away it was a shooter but never noticed how many points. I could not even look at the rack. I somehow managed to get the bow into a position where I thought he was gonna cross. I have to admit most of the rest is kinda a blur. I dont remember aiming or releasing even though I was repeating the whole time, dont F up, pick a spot, to myself. This buck came directly under me and I shot him strait down thru but I shot while he was walking and shot strait thru the liver. Arrow was hanging out his belly with fletching still inside when he ran.
I was a mess, to the point of almost puking. He ran right into another neighboring property with orange hatters hunting all over the peice. I sat down and started shaking so BAD!!!!!!!
I made the decision to go in at 3am and creep over and get my buck. The blood trail was decent, I was shooting 150 grain Magnus 2 blade, but no big puddles for first 150 yards. I was getting worried because people would be coming in the woods soon to hunt and I had to be gone. I lost blood for another 20 yards when I spotted my reflective arrow wrap in my headlamp glowing under a blowdown. I walked over to the arrow and there was blood everywhere. I walked circles but couldnt find where he walked away from this spot when I litterly almost tripped over his rack. He was so tucked under a sticker bush, I would have never found him. I marked the location on my gps and headed home for the gamecart. Had him outta the other property by 5 am. Got him checked in this morning and am about to cape him out for the taxi....
I had no idea the quality of this buck until I found it...... I know it was a bad shot but luckily it paid off. I will continue to use this bow for our winter season but after hunting everyday since early Sept., its time for break.
I learned a valuable lesson about old bucks: During firearm season these bucks will get as close to houses as they can. Had I been outside the safety zone and firearm hunting, I would have never seen him.
Topic: Big NJ Buck with Recurve (Read 9689 times)
