Time to punch my Kansas buck tag!! (Hard work and a little luck pays off "RECOVERED")

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Thanks everybody!!

  Hookeye, "sad" means nothing against rifle hunters at all, I use muzzle loaders and rifles my self. "sad" means I will miss the big guy and it sure was fun trying to out smart him and chasing him around.

Sorry if this offended you Anthony I modified the thread for ya it wasn't what I was trying to say.      

Tracy

[Hookeye]

I thought you might have meant it that way        but you did call out specifically the other hunter's equipment type.

Lets hope that whoever finds any of our arrow wounded and lost game is of a kindred spirit and makes sound commentary (if any).

No offense taken, as I have really thick hide (and skull). Just trying to get others to see how divisive some comments can be..........it's not like we don't have enough less than polished hunters slamming us arrow flippers.

Just trying to get away from the "us and them" and make it more of a "we" thing.

[DW]

Hate that it went down the way it did. Great story and Pics. Good Job with the Buck Tag.

[ksbowman]

Tracy, Cogratulations on an outstanding season. In the time I've known you you've been nothing but a class act. Hope things start looking up, we all lose one now and then, but it really makes you feel rotten not to complete a blood trail. Good luck with the does.

[Randy Morin]

Sorry to hear that Tracy.  Thats tough when you had such a good blood trail to begin with.

Makes me think (for about the thousandth time) how much I wish I kept a trained blood trailing dog for a pet.  My old pheasant hunting lab is old so maybe in the future.  

Love those trail cam pics...enjoyed the read.  Good luck with the late season does.

[Tyke]

I did a similar thing 15 or 20 years ago.  I lost a buck the first day of rifle season, and while I didn't actually fill out my tag, I just quit hunting until doe season came.  I knew that buck was dead and didn't feel right about hunting another one. Never regretted it.

[KSdan]

Sorry to hear that Tracy. That is just strange.  Commendable punching the tag.  Thanks for sharing.  

Dan in KS

[maineac]

Hard to believe with that blood trail that he didn't drop sooner.  They are an incredibly strong animal, just one of the things that makes them so amazing to pursue.  Thanks for sharing all your adventures from the season, even those that went "wrong".

[Bonebuster]

This is a perfect example of hunting for all the right reasons.

Good luck on some late season does.  

[DEATHMASTER]

I hear you on how hard it is to loose a animal.

A guy asked if I would help him find a deer he shot with training wheels at 48yrds. We spent 5 hours at night looking and had great blood than loose it. Pick it back up ect ect ect.
He gave up after the last spot we lost him.

I had a hard time sleeping and went back the next day. I found that nice 8pt with a hole in the neck 30yards from our last spot.. He had bleed out and I called to tell the guy his deer was waiting for him. He was VERY happy and I think I changed him about Quiting.

I have lost a deer or two for one reason or another but, IF we do as YOU did and try our best it is all that is asked!

Love to follow your stories.

Tim

[magnus]

Hats off to you sir! You have my respect as well.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus

[fatman]

Tough season all 'round, buddy.  Nobody puts in more time and effort than you and the boys...

Enjoy the rest of the season, still lots of huntin' to be done!

 

[Robert Honaker]

He may very well still be alive.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Thanks for the kind words and I really wish I could say that this was the only deer that I have ever lost but it's not. The feelings do not change no matter what the animal is and the lost trails.

  All we can do is are best and most of the time that is enough. I don't know why I feel so strongly about this deer, He wasn't some big monster buck Maybe it's just me getting older, Maybe it's the thought that I had made a pretty good shot and not recovered him. I don't know and probably never will know.

  I do know there will be more shots and more deer that's a given and I will always enjoy chasing them around and trying to out smart them one way or another. I'm sure they will win most of the time            

  Tracy

[Missouri CK]

Tracy,

I like how you have handled this whole thread. I wouldn't expect anything less from you.  Class act!

I'm guessing I will read another one of your post later this winter or fall when you finally find him.  You cover enough ground I bet you will run across him. That whole deal of the unknown and unanswered questions is what makes it even tougher.

Good luck with the does.

P.S. Hey when you get a chance tell me about your sleeping bag.  I'm guessing you are using it like a body warming suit?

[StanM]

Wow, what a read! I'm sorry that you didn't find your buck. I'm also thankful that you shared your thoughts and emotions with us so openly and honestly. I know how you feel, but am not sure I could articulate it so well. Good luck with your late season doe hunts.

[StanM]

[chanumpa]

Keep on goingK.S.I too feel your pain and have been there.Must have just missed the lungs,but I would bet you got liver and deer are tough animals thats instinct to survive is amazing.Ive had a couple of liver shot animals go a long way,unlike a buddy of mine that has hit deer and elk bad and they just fall down for the guy.Anyhow ,I enjoyed you sharing and you did the best you could do and thats all a guy can do.I have often wished a guy could bring in a tracking dog ,but my state wont let you.Youll get him next time! Endevour to perservere.

[droptine82]

Very very classy.  Keep your head up.  I pray you find him in the near future.  I feel horrible for you as I cant say it has never happened to me.  Gutwrenching.

[hightop_hunter]

An honorable gesture.
you are a true hunter