With the help of my good friend Mike Rash from Legends bows, I was able to get the job done ending my deer dry spell. Mike didnt have a tag but went along with a video camera----that may have been a mistake after a couple of misses.
It started off with a call at 4:15 am and Mike had some bad news. Our good friend Leon's house was on fire. We both dropped everything and met at his house to help in any way that we could. The house was a total loss, but at least everyone got out safe and his Harley in the garage was still ok after a quick washing. Needless to say we arrived to our hunting spot after 8pm that night. I thought Mike was crazy when he grabbed his climber and said lets go find our trees for tomorrow. Task accomplished.
6:30 am and we are both climbed up in our trees and start the waiting period. Mikes tree is about 10 feet behind me and he is a little higher for good vewing. It wasnt long and a big fat doe comes in from the top of the hill like she is on a string. I stood up and as she got her head behind a tree I pulled back...ooops she saw me move a little and looked at me funny. her mistake she turned back behind tree and came out broadside and stopped (14 yds or so). Now if I was by myself and no one watching, I would probably not admit this but what happens next is a total rookie error on my part. I missed! the bad thing was she ran out to about 20 yds and stopped. aaaahhhh redemption----nope I proceeded to miss again. What the heck??????
I turn to look at Mike and he is just laughing and saying "I got that on tape". I was baffeled because I usually dont miss especially twice. Well I hope I can get some redemption and it wasnt long before the next victim came in. Unfortunately the either sex tag is ok for does, bucks with a fork horn or better, or a spike if less than 4 inches or so. This buck had a nice set of horns, but were both tall spikes. I had to let him pass.
Well about 45 minutes go by and Mike wispers to me he heard one below him about 100 yds or so. All of a sudden we heard him come running. Usually with me, a deer like this would keep running, but with Mike and his special powers to attract deer, the Little spiked buck came to a sudden stop about 18yds or so out from the base of our trees. I stay sitting and draw back, pick a spot and release. A perfect MISS again just over his back. I cant believe what I am seeing and neither can Mike. The buck takes 2 steps forward and stops looking right at me. I proceed to take out my last arrow and draw back. This time I picked a spot about 2 inchs below his brisket, and finally, It is done. Not very pretty, but I'll take a high spine shot anyday. He fell right there in his tracks.
I figure I have to come clean with the whole story because hey thats archery. Lesson learned, no matter how cool the new arrows look, do not switch arrows just before a hunt. The sight picture on the new arrows made them shoot high. Thats my story and Iam sticking to it.
My setup is Legends bow cyclone longbow 64". 61 lbs at 31in for my shooting weight of about 62lbs. My usuall arrow is arrow dynamics trad lights with brass and 145-150grs op front(total 600+grs). I switched to the zebra arrows gold tip 5575's with a grizzly head up front (wt apporx 500gr's) I got the 5575's for my 41lb limbs and will be keeping my setup like that in the future. Once again lesson learned.