Recap of my trip to WI (complete)

[ti-guy]

       

[DEATHMASTER]

Must still be tired from sausage making

[grouseshooter002]

Nice pictures Charlie keep them coming.

Grouse

[GRINCH]

   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sorry for the delay. had to go to work  :(  

The next day would find me headed to the Family Farm in SW wisconsin  

[Cookus]

       

[Cyclic-Rivers]

OK, its Thursday night and time to make the 3 hour drive to the Family Farm.

I rode down with a buddy in the dark, Its incredibly windy out, the temp had dropped to the low 20s and we knew the morning would be a good time to be in the woods.

we arrived at camp late and the rest of the crew were sleeping. we stayed up because we were wired from the drive, had a beer and looked at all the trail cam photos from thee previous weeks.

My little brother was setting a seat in his stand and had a 6 point walk right to him.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Morning from a stand I have hunted for 22 years with the exception of last year due to me going to Colorado on an elk hunt.  Its at an intersection of 2 wood lots and 2 fields.

This year both fields are planted in corn.  One wood lot is a long strip of woods with a big ravine. This spot  is a perfect funnel for both deer and Wind.

We woke up a few minutes late (Crap) I skipped breakfast and ran to the woods.

On the trail in I noticed a bunch of scrapes.  In fact you couldnt make it a few steps without one.

 

     

I was able to get into the stand as the sun was just starting to come up.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Just after sitting down and getting settled. here is a look I have been aching to see for 2 years.

 

I often wish I was here. I have spent many days in this spot.

and behind me:

 

[drewsbow]

ooohh  man , cmon Charlie   :rolleyes:

[ti-guy]

More more more  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

This property seems to have a lot of squirrels.  At all times seems as if you can see 5 or more. Usually more like 15 + or -.

As promised I took a picture of a fox squirrel for a brother.

I was having a  tough time due to them busting me while trying to get the camera situated.

 

 

 

 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Back to the Hunt:

I was in the stand about 15 minutes and I hear a crunching sound.  I look front and see a deer node in the corn.  I couldn't tell if it was Laying down or not but it was definitely a DEER.

Then I see antlers.

 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

[BrownA5]

     
Definitely going to be good!!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I would like to preface this by saying, I have been bowhunting for 21 years.  To this point I have yet to kill a deer with a bow.

Now When I was growing up in WI we were only allowed 1 deer with a bow per year. the first year I never had a chance. The second several years I was waiting for a buck.

Then came many years of trying to kill a trophy        

In the interim I stupidly passed hundreds of deer and never killed any. I will admit, I took a couple shots and learned a few lessons along the way.

Then I Moved to NY. here i needed to take bow hunter safety.  I had a hard time meeting people and eventually put away my compound.

Eventually I took the course with a friends son and picked up my bow again.  I managed to get out and had some encounters.  My heart wasn't in it and I put the bow away for a few more years. During this Time I moved several more times.

Fast forward 3 years and I stumble onto shooting a re curve at a 4H booth with my wife's young cousin.

Then begins a new Passion and friends. Next I find Trad gang and a whole new        

here we are 3 years later and I have been at it more or less 21 years!    :eek:

[ti-guy]

I relly hope you did connect,you seems to be such a good guy.We first connected with the arrow swap and since then I've always find youre comments,congrats, post and cheers to be high class gentleman. SO did it happened!!          

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I set down the camera and get ready!  he stops chewing on corn and starts coming!  I cant believe this is going to happen. Its been 3 years and although every year I get closer, this will be my first trad shot at a deer.

I know exactly where he will go from sitting this spot so much.  he will be at 21 yards Broadside in less than a minute!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

There he is, right where he is supposed to be.  

21 yards. Broadside.  

I draw, breathe in.  recite to myself "pick a spot, pick a spot, pick a spot"  moments seem like eternity.

I bear down on the crease behind his front leg and....

[ti-guy]