How do you follow "class acts like all these"? My story doesn't even come close, but knowing that Chris was there and lived through the "mad pigs" adventures and was there for Izzy's and Jack's bucks was enough for me!
My story is like the others. I saw a lot of deer, and had a close encounter with a group of turkeys. Most of my deer sightings were does and smaller bucks. I did see 3 real nice 8 pointers or better that just didn't give me a shot opportunity. After my third hunt, I decided that the next doe I had in my shooting range, I'd let an arrow go. It was Friday morning, and I'd just been let off at my stand when I hear crunching going on to my left and right. It is too dark to make out anything. Then I hear crunching right under me. I waited patiently for enough light to try and make out what is all around me. Finally, I can make out that there are at least 6 deer within shooting range. I just couldn't make out any horns. As the minutes ticked away, I can see a very nice buck moving forward in front of me at about 16 yards or so. At last enough light to actually make out a nice 7 point. He was just too far out for me, but then he started moving toward me. At about 18 yards he finally gives me a quartering away shot. He didn't duck the arrow, but he did roll left. I knew I had hit him, but it was lower than I wanted. When John arrived, he had Wayne, Tommy, and Carlton with him. I showed them where he had exited, and about 40 yards later, we found blood. We tracked the blood for another 40 or so yards and no more blood. We went back to camp and after breakfast Robert put Taz on the blood, but he didn't come up with anything. Carlton mentioned the next day that he had seen a 7 point that had blood on the back side of his shoulder and another patch of blood on his front side. It must have been my deer. I felt good that he appeared to be okay and was walking without a limp. The arrow must have just went under the skin and exited -- hoping he will live to be a finer buck next season.
The same evening, John asked if I wanted to try and Tripod stand. I was up for anything. As the truck drove off, I made my way up to the seat with no problem. I'm glad no one was around to witness a fat, old man trying to work his body into that seat. Lucky, I was the first to be dropped off because it probably took me longer to get into position than the last guy dropped off. I was no sooner settled when 4 does came in. I waited until I had a good broadside shot on the 2nd largest old girl. My arrow hit a little high as she ducked a bit. But as she hauled out of there, I could only see my fletchings sticking out. My next problem was trying to get out of the seat and turned around. But after a few twists and turns, I got the old body down. We found good blood right at the impact point, and Stubby tracked her down with no problem. In my haste to pack, I left my camera behind -- no pics.
My last morning hunt had does and small bucks in and out all morning. I knew that my hunt would be ending within the next 30 or so minutes, and I had a doe about 20 yards quartering away. I let an arrow go, and it flew perfectly, but she ducked and rolled. I couldn't believe that with the blood trail that we found, it ended with no sign of the deer.
It was my pleasure to be with some of the finest TGers around on this trip. But my most memorable moments were early Saturday afternoon. I'll let some of the others comment as the entire group had a hand in this. Thank you guys!
Topic: Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year (Read 60414 times)
