Black Widow PSA 45# @ 28"
Easton Camo Hunter XX75 2117, 30" with 125 grain Woodsman broadhead.
Have to give a big thanks to Creekbank for introducing me to traditional archery and helping me get set up! Creekbank spent a lot of time with me before the season teaching me about the bow set up, helping me with tuning, shooting and the list goes on, so thank you!!
As for the story behind the pictures. I had hunted this area the morning before and saw quite a few does, but no bucks and was a little out of range. The following morning I moved a bit further towards the creek I was hunting off of a trail I'd found the deer were using pretty heavily. I saw a 4 pointer following some does right a daylight about 120 yards on the opposite side of the creek. The 4 pointer eventually worked towards me and walked off to my right. About 15 minutes later I heard a deer coming from the direction he'd walked off. It was the same deer, but a bigger one following him. Both deer crossed the creek about 35 yards in front of me with the 4 pointer stepping off to the side to let the bigger buck pass by. The bigger buck walked up the hill to where the 4 pointer had been bumping the does earlier in the morning. The 4 pointer was to my left at 10 yards and hopped the creek to follow the bigger buck. The bigger buck stopped at the top of the hill at roughly 120 yards with the 4 pointer being directly between us. I cupped my hands around my mouth and snort wheezed at him which immediately got his attention. He turned on a dime and started back down the hill in my direction walking right by the 4 pointer who promptly got out of his way. He was walking directly to me but still had the creek between us. He got to 25-30 yards and turned to walk the creek, still on the opposite side. I had my spot picked out where I was going to shoot, 22 yards. He hit the hole, I grunted to stop him, drew and released. I was about 20' up the tree so it was a pretty steep shot and looked a little back, but I got good penetration. He inevitably made a big half circle back up to the top of the hill where I'd first snort wheezed at him. I could see the arrow still in him as he walked and watched him bed down. No sooner did he lay down and the 4 pointer started chasing does in front of him. He stood up and walked about 15 yards and I could tell he was hurt pretty bad. It almost sounded as if he grunted but I suspect it was a death growl. I saw him lay back down, this time he rolled over onto the arrow when laying down, but I could only see his hind end. After about 20 minutes he hadn't moved a muscle. I gave him about an hour and fifteen minutes before I climbed down. I went to see what the blood looked like. About 50 yards on the blood trail I knew I had him. The pictures tell the rest of the story.
It was a surreal feeling walking up to him. Needless to say, this exceeded my expectations for my first traditional archery whitetail. Creekbank was one of the first I called and was as excited for me as I was myself. I appreciate the congratulations and opportunity to share the story.