Hi Guys,
Ok. First off...it must be said that "Biggie" is actually my hero! According to my girlfriend I have yet to grow up...but when I do...I want to be like Biggie!
Story? Well, I hunt a really great private ranch and I'm the only guy allowed to hunt it. I may occasionally bring a guest, but for the most part, I have the whole place to myself. I'm very blessed to have a friend that allows me to hunt his land as if it were my own.
For this particular buck the story goes as follows. I have a treestand hung about 50 yards off of a pond (that happens to be stocked with 10 lb rainbows)...but thats another story. The elk and the deer love to water at the pond, as well as moose and the occasional lion. My stand is about 15 feet up a very skinny and flimsy aspen tree, but its along the main trail they use to enter the pond from their bedding area. In many ways I hunt these deer alot like an Iowa whitetail...I sit and wait...and rely on a favorable wind.
On Friday night I had a gorgeous 165"-170" class 5x5 walk right under me..I had him at 5 yards for at least 3 minutes...but I decided to pass. Mike Mitten is coming out in a few weeks and although Brian "Tall Tines" Wessel doesn't believe me, I'm saving that buck for Mitten. So, I let him walk.
The following morning I had about 30 elk water at the pond and had 4 cows walk right under me, I have a cow tag, but decided not too shoot. Mostly because I could hear a big bull bugling about 100 yards below. Well, the cows walked on and the bull watered at the pond but never gave me a shot. He was a nice 300" class bull. I sat till noon and had one of those days you just dont want to end. But, Tanner had a birthday party to attend so I climbed down and switched back to "Daddy" mode.
Sunday morning we had a SW wind (which I need to hunt this stand)...I had 8 does walk thru at about 8 a.m. Then at exactly 9 am, I had a doe walk under me and she kept looking into the aspens...she was very nervous...I think we all know what that means this time of year!
Sure enough out walks this 4x4. I rough scored him at about 160" which is a great deer. But this ranch has legit 200" deer on it...huh...for a minute I felt like a Wensel...It was one of those mornings where everything seemd right to shoot. I told myself if he gives me a 15 yard or better shot...then I will let an arrow fly...Be careful what you wish for...
I guess he read the script. He follwed that doe right into my shooting lane and stood at 10 yards looking at her...problem was I had to move a little in the stand to shoot...I couldnt because the doe was under me and remember this is a flimsy aspen...So, he went thru the first lane and stood uunder me. Very cool! Looking thru my Lone Wolf stand at a big buck 15 ft below is very cool! he then walked out to about 7 yards and gave me a hard quartering away shot...I prefer broadside but you know when sometimes everything just feels so right....
So, I brought my 67lb Stalker back to full draw...I held for a second and found that spot right on his last rib and in line with his opposite leg...the Full Metal jacket tipped with a 280 grain single bevel "Masai" head was on its way. I hit him just as he started to chase the doe...The arrow was thru him in the blink of an eye...again...very cool.
He ran about 50 yards and I heard him cough and fall...for a moment all was quiet and still...Damn...what a moment...I think we all live for those precious moments. I heard him kick once and then it was over...I really love this sport. It was now 9:05 and remember I still have an elk tag
so I sat till 10 am...I could hear elk bugle, but appearantly the hunting Gods saw fit to bless me with only 1 animal this morning...
I climbed down and the blood trail was everywhere. It was a short 50 yard walk, but like all of you, I love to follow a blood trail. Our path to happiness. I found him lying peacefully where he fell. Upon inspection...(cause you know we all do it) I did my in field autopsy of the hit. The arrow went thru the back rib, took out both lungs and exited under his brisket...heres where it gets impressive. The arrow then went thru his off leg and split it in two at the elbow joint...I think Dr. Ashby may be on to something here...Talk about some impressive damage.
I knelt and prayed (as I always do)...then I just sat down and took it all in. The breeze was blowing, leaves were falling, elk were still mewing and chirping in the distance...yes, it was a morning that we all seek. I didnt want for it to end...so I sat for about 20 minutes and just smiled...my buck lying before me, my son probably at home watching cartoons and eating pop tarts...and me...I was enjoying everythingg about this life and that moment.
Yeah...we are truly Blessed my friends. I hope and pray that all of you are fortunate to have such moments this season!
Happy Hunting!
peter
Topic: Big Pete, a Beautiful 4x4 & his Stalker Recurve! (great story added pg.2) (Read 1525 times)
