Well after three years of carrying a recurve to the woods everything came together for me on Oct 1st. I want to thank everyone on here for the tips from Flemish string Making, Broad-head sharpening, tracking tips, General shooting help and Picking the spot. I am sure there is more!
Now for the story. I was sitting in the stand this afternoon just enjoying the scenery, there was about 10 Geese in the pond a few yards away. Squirrels cutting acorns in every tree around me. I texted a few people and the wife. Well as I look around I realize I would be better off relocating to the on the other side of the tree Facing the thicker stuff behind me instead of the opening in front of me. I start moving the climber around the tree and Oops there goes the cell phone to the ground. I look down at it and it is ringing as well. Oh well I will just leave it there and enjoy the last hour of day light without distractions.
Well the sun is getting lower and lower so I decide I going to get down and surprise the wife by being home early. I slowly descend the tree making as little noise as possible. I get to the bottom and Grab the phone. Yep missed 3 phone calls and 3 text, the wife is trying to get me out of the woods early to go eat with friends. Ok I send her a quick note that I am on the way out and will join them for diner. the Climbing stand is on my Back and I have Bow in hand. I start slowly stalking/scouting back out of the woods. A few steps stop look around for another tree to climb at a later date and check out the acorns on the ground. A few more steps repeat process. I am get close to the Field about 25-30 yards to go before I get to the opening in the fence. I see a Deer standing across the Opening. I stop and Wait, not wanting to spook them. One deer becomes 2 right in front of my eyes. I am standing there like a statue watching them not daring to move a muscle. I am standing in a fairly clear area without much cover with my Leafy suit on. My Arrow is on the string already and Fingers are in place. They feed and head my way. I am thinking They are going to Bust me very soon so I just stand there. She gets to be about 10-14 yards away from me and spots me standing there. Her head is doing the Bobble trying to get me to move. I try my best to stay relaxed and just watch her and the one behind her while slowly moving my eyes around to make sure there isn't a third one I hadn't seen yet. Ever notice how white the rings are around a deers eye? Whew, I think I won the stand off as she lowers her head to graze some more. She then throws her head up real quick and looks dead at me. I am still standing in the same position. Well I am debating on trying to Beat her reaction and throw the Bow up and let the arrow Fly. I decided against it and held my position and stance. What seemed like forever But in reality is only a few minutes she finally gives up and realizes I am no threat goes back to browsing and Feeding. That is when I finish pulling the Bow up and let it Fly. I watched her run off with my arrow Hanging out her side. OH NO, I hit the shoulder and did not get a pass through. Well seeing how I am on the ground already I walk over the 12 steps to where she was standing and NO Blood. I start to think My first Trad deer is going to get away because of a bad hit. I do not remember hitting anchor Drawing the Bow or Picking a Spot. I have replayed this several times in my Head and Still Don't remember any of it.
I follow the way she went and finally find some Blood then I find my arrow. It is covered in Blood about 14 inches from the tip. I follow the Blood trail and come up to the other Fence. I am not seeing a lot to track so I look over the Fence and there she Is with her head up still up and A huge Pool of Blood on the side of her. I have the Flashlight out at this time and spotting Blood was easier this way in the Quickly fading light.
I attempt to maneuver around to her side so I can release another arrow and finish her. I am only about 5 yards if that from her at this point.
She spooks and trots off into the thicket across the little dirt road. I watch her and get a general Idea of which way she went. Not wanting to push her I head Up the little dirt road to the truck to get rid of the Excess equipment I am carrying. (tree stand, Bow, quiver, and Fanny pack of calls, knifes clothes and water) Once out I make a few phone calls and help arrives to track her. we hang out for another 20 minutes or so. We go back to the last spot I saw her and start the tracking Job. Well Thank you for the tips on tracking. I was on hands and knees looking for Blood and checking the path of least resistance.
We tracked about another 30-40 yards and I Spot her 5 yards from us.
Thank you everyone, for all the Help along the way. 3 years on this forum Learning and it has all paid off. I mostly Read on here But I have been here for a that Long. You Folks share a Wealth of information that all one has to do is read regularly to Learn 20+ years experence in about 4 days.
Now for the Pics
50# Bear Grizzly
Homemade Arrows from Raw shafts.
Spined at 48#
125 grain Zwickeys up front.
3 5" feathers
Flemish String twisted by ME
Again Thanks for all the Tips and Lessons taught on this forum.
Topic: My first Trad kill. (Read 607 times)
