A 5 pines evening hunt updated(11/28/19)

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

I have a spot that for years it was such a no brainer, that I walked right by it. Until last year when one day it just dawned on me to set up a ladder.

Up above the steel ag shed I have is a circle of red pines surrounding a deep ravine. I mow a hiking trail up along the Western edge and then make a 90 turn mow along the Northern side. Along time ago I learned that in a tall grass prairie environment, if you mow and give the deer an easy trail to follow that for the most part they will.

092819 hunt by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

The first 2 weeks of our season we have had very hot and humid weather. 2 nights ago we finally had a cold front move thru giving me a NW wind for the first time this year.
on the map above, the white arrow is the wind direction and the red lines are the deer trails coming off the ridges and down to feeding areas. The hill below the timber is steep , lots of wild apples trees dot the hillsides and the prairie is chest high.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

I was in stand quite early around 4:15 pm and spent the first hour going thru shot scenarios in my mind.

at 5 30 I suddenly spied the body of a large deer standing in between two apple tree at about 35 yards. I could not see it's head.
redpines1 by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

The deer was relaxed and walked around the back of the apple tree. As he rounded the corner I drew a breath of air as it was this year's #1 target buck. I have not laid my eyes in him since last November when he was arguing with a another buck over a pretty little doe. And despite having numerous pictures of him this year, they were all taken the same night last August. It was hot and he was at my pond in the dark .

RCNX1575 by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

[Tim Finley]

That is a monster I hope you get a whack at him . He looks skinny must be very old .

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

He walked to the next apple tree and stood broadside nosing for dropped fruit.
redpines2 by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

I was thinking the shot was around 25 yards and that he was going to go around the back of the tree and that it was now or never. I started to put tension upon the string and slowly raised the bow and pointed it in his direction. But then I let down , as it was just too far. Then I changed my mind, the bow started to come back and again I let down .

[achigan]

  I’m all ears. Good to see you posting again. One of my bright spots each season.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Now he stood staring in my general direction, out of the corner of his eye he must have picked up on the movement. He turned around to leave in the direction from which he came. Standing there broadside he was just the most beautiful sight. He slowly walked off and I thought to myself. just wait until next time. The next picture was taken the next morning from where he stood.

redpinesstand by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

I was relishing the experience when from the right on the mowed trail , a very large doe came walking my way.

I let her get right in front of me, and my Hillcountry Bobcat sent a 3 blade VPA through both lungs. At impact she spun and I could see the VPA protruding from the off side. She sprinted through the tall grass, I heard her fall, kick and then it was quiet again. Twenty seconds at most and her life was gone.

This picture looks on her back trail from where she stood when I shot her.
redpinestrail by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

[ron w]

Really cool, hope you see him again.....and soon!!

[Pat B]

Better safe than sorry.   

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

She had run around the back of the closest apple tree and I briefly glimpsed her and saw the arrow had fallen out. I assumed she ran down hill ( don't all wounded deer go downhill?). So I got out of the stand , walked the mowed trail expecting to see her on it or to see blood crossing it. ZERO.

Knowing that she was laying near by, I went back to the stand, picked up blood in the grass, followed around the back of the tree and there was my arrow. After that a very sparse blood trail led me UPHILL to the edge of the Timber , where she had collapsed and rolled backwards down hill a few steps.

She was a big mature doe and will feed us well this winter.
doe092819 by jgilmer2010, on Flickr

[Keefer]

Jim,
   I know he isn’t “ Angus” but he sure looks like a nice one to loose the string on.
If you feel like you weren’t sure of the shot at that distance I applaud your decision  Or was there “ Something” more to your story?

[Keefer]

Well that answered my question....Congratulations as I was typing my previous reply you had filled us in on the reason you didn’t shoot the buck .

[Sojurn]

I've been waiting all month for this thread.  Looking forward to it. .

[Kopper1013]

Oh boy it’s 5 pines time again!!!

Congratulations on a beautiful doe! And wow what a buck! I sure hope you two meet again and the distance is closer, many of us probably would have pushed that shot and for many it probably would of ended poorly so much respect to you for making the right decision

[Lefty]

Congrats on the doe and good luck with the big boy!  Always my favorite thread!!!  Thanks for taking us along again this year.

[Possum Head]

Great job on the doe. Hang tough you’ll kill that beast!

[MnFn]

Thanks for taking the time to write your hunting stories. I enjoyed them every year.
Gary

[4runr]

Congrats on the big doe Jim!!

That Bobcat has served you very well.

[Homey88]

Congrats on the doe and what a great buck! Good encounter! I hope you get a crack at him again!
Glad your posting your hunts again, this is always a favorite thread of mine!
Thank you!