Yesterday morning was a beautiful moring in southeastern ohio. It was nice and cool with a slight breeze and I felt confident when I got settled into my handclimber. I was hunting a spot that I had hunted on opening day which resulted in a missed shot at a nice sized doe. Anyway, I hadnt really seen much besides a few red squirrels until about 9:30. I heard some shuffling of leaves behind me and slowly turned to see what it was fully expecting to see a few squirrels, however to my surprise I turned to see two decent sized bucks sparring with each other. At first I was shocked because I had never seen this before, so I tried to grab my camera to get some footage, but then realized that I had better get my bow ready in case a shot presented itself. Right about the time I got my bow into my hands I heard a noise coming from my right, it was another buck! Within a few minutes I had three bucks within 30 yards of my stand. By this time I started to get that adrenaline pumping. I was also trying to decide if I wanted to shoot any of these bucks, I could tell that they were all fairly young but I had not tagged a buck in a few years and just felt that it was time to tag another buck (even though I wanted to save my tag for a mature buck).
Anyways the largest of the three bucks started making his way right for my shooting lane; moving from my left to my right. Right about this time I had decided that if he got into my lane I would take him, so now the adrenaline was really goin. At this point in time I wanted to stand up but with so many eyes around me I decided that I probably wouldnt be able to get away with this maneuver.
The buck then in picture perfect fashion made his way towards the other buck that had snuck in on me, this was also right into my shooting lane. I could not have asked for a better shot the buck was about 12 yards from my stand slightly quartering away. This is where the roller coaster of emotions started. I picked my spot drew my bow, and then... plucked, peeked and did everything wrong that I never do when I am shooting for practice. I instantly knew that my shot was bad, because it was back, waay back. I saw my arrow bury up to my feathers into the bucks rump. I couldnt believe what I had done, it was very similar to the way I had missed the doe on opening day. It is hard for me to say that I am/was suffering from target panic, because I have killed many deer in my hunting career; but Maybe I am. So instantly I was disappointed, and mad at myself.
But as I noticed the buck bounding away, I saw blood, Lots of blood coming out of where I had hit him. The only thing that came to my mind at this point in time was "femoral artery". I started telling myself I might be alright, I may have just gotten away with a terrible shot. I then heard a large crash! I thought to myself that had to be him going down.
I proceeded to call my dad who gave me some advice and said to just calm down and give him a while just in case the crash wasnt him going down. So after waiting about a 45 minutes and finally stopped shaking, I climbed down. I found a lot of blood where i had hit him, and told myself to just follow the trail slowly and quietly. I followed the trail down the hill and then around the hillside, the blood started to thin out and I was at this point very worried. However, I followed a few drops that led me to a large pool of blood, I thought he has to be close. I then looked to my left and there he lay next to a large hickory tree, he had only ran about 75 yards from my stand.
I was now happy and thankful to have gotten so lucky. I called my girlfriend and was able to get some help from her, my grandma, and my uncle for dragging him up the steep hill. However, that thought still lingered in my mind, why did I make such a terrible shot? Especially on a shot that I make 10 outta 10 times on my 3-D target
Overall I cannot complain about the outcome. It was a great day in the woods and I was glad to be able to share it with my family. I hope you guys enjoyed the story (sorry it was quite long). Maybe you guys can give me some adivce on my shooting mishaps! Oh yea here are the pics! Enjoy!
BTW: I was using a 45# Bear Kodiak Hunter, Bear Razorheads, and CX Heritage 150 arrows.
Topic: Ohio Buck Down (Read 797 times)
