The bison continued to stand. I could tell from her body language that she knew something was above her but she was too weak to really turn completely around and face the danger. I knew she was ready to make a move at any second but she continued to stand and I continued to close the gap from behind my pine tree cover. I knew the pine that was allowing me to get close was also going to prevent me from having a standing shot. My best guess was the pine tree was around 25 yards from the bison. My plan was to get to the tree before taking a second shot. It was not to be. I could tell the bison wanted to move off. She started to move her back leg forward when I stepped from behind the cover of the tree trunk and hit my knees. I needed to be on my knees to allow the trajectory of the arrow to make it cleanly past the bottom limbs of the pine tree. Not knowing that when I moved away from the tree I moved directly in front of the Tracy’s video camera. Although the camera was the last thing I was thinking about. I figured the shot to be 35 yards. The cow was quartering away and the impact point needed to be at the back of the rib cage to reach the lungs. Once again the shot was away and connected just where it needed to be. Just as with the first arrow this second lethal shot buried clear to the fletching. The cow ran after this second shot. She made the tree line and was out of sight. I later stepped off the second shot which ended up 37 yards.
It was only after meeting back up with Wayne and Tracy that I learned that the cow had indeed gone down. They both agreed that though the second shot was not necessary it is only good insurance to take an opportunity when it is available.
Now the waiting game started. We decided to give the bison an hour before taking up the track. That would soon prove unnecessary. She was laying dead just inside the tree line.
I can think of no more fitting end to such a magnificent animal. From the first shot impact until she was down for good was under a minute. She weighed in right at 800 lbs.
Topic: Cane,Turkey feathers,and Bison (Read 1418 times)
