Fantastic Hunt with my daughter! And a punched tag!

[Tim]

My best rendition of the Wensel / Mitten wheeze, stopped him dead in his tracks!  Oh yeah!

For the next 10 minutes neither one of us moved.  He stared, I hid behind the big maple in front of me.   Is it amazing how big bucks work?  Their in no rush, ever.  I was warm and comfortable, sitting with my bow on my lap.   Let the games begin!    

[Tim]

As I'm watching this big guy sort things out I can't help but remember this time last year.  I sat in a tree that stood 10 yards from where I'm now sitting as the exact same scenario played out.  A nice 8 pointer walked into the same opening, I wheezed at him twice and he walked right to me offering a 15 yard shot!  

Here is "Last Years Buck"!

 

[Gator1]

[Tim]

Back to the story...

With one quick look over his shoulder the big guy swapped ends and started towards me!

He disappeared into the thick stuff between us and for several minutes I saw or heard nothing.  At one point I got kind of antsy, peaking around both sides of the tree looking for him.  Nothing...  I sat back and relaxed.  A few seconds passed and I could see the chickadees flushing from the heavy cover not 35 yards below me.  I slowly stood up, tucking my bow tip in my boot,  game on, I thought to myself!

   

[Doc Nock]

Looks like the Great American Family strikes again, Tim.

Congrats to you and that lovely lady! You do have some grand hunting grounds for ole PA!

[Tim]

I slowly glanced around the big maple that was in front of me.   The buck was 35 yards away, standing in the middle of heavy cover just staring.  

This is when I noticed several things....  First off, he was big!  The rack wasn't breath taking but it was perfect.   He had a nice solid white patch on his throat and a beautiful Roman nose.   But big.....a nice stout body that made me look down at my little 47 lb ACS longbow and smile.     :rolleyes:  

Another 10 minutes passed as we both stood quietly.

[Sirius Black]

[Tim]

I was pretty calm so far, just a little tremble here and there but I really didn't believe that this was going to play out.  He had to walk out in the open to get a clear shot.  To my right was not good, due to a branch and directly at me was not good but most likely.  

He had moved closer and was now 25 yards out in front nibbling on some branches and moving his rack around in the understory.   He glanced back up the hill twice, which was not good.   Than it happened......

[Dirtybird]

Congrats Tim.  I love the video great quality sportsmanship.

[A.S.]

OK buddy, I have my cup of coffee in hand!      

Thanks again for the call last night. I bet Amy was just as excited as you were!

[KentuckyTJ]

Good stuff here...

[Butchie]

   

[Jayrod]

I can't wait either come on Tim with details

[edge2009]

You can tell in your emotions that it was a awesome experience. Can't wait to witness it.

[Lin Rhea]

This why I like tradgang.  

[Tim]

The bucks next move was not good and took my blood pressure from low to high instantly!  He glanced over his right shoulder back up the hill and began to turn and head away.  He had no reason to walk out to me I thought.  He would have to leave the thick stuff and expose himself.  He could see no other deer, and the next patch of thick stuff was 50 yards on the other side of me.  

As he turned to move off he caught his rack in some vines, he snapped his head back and forth a couple of times to break free. When they came loose he was facing me and just walked right out in the open!    

Show Time!    

[Tim]

Make sure you take a moment to check out the video threads, there not very long but you can really feel the emotion!

My first post has a short clip right after I took the shot!

Tim

[Bullfrog 1]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!

[Tim]

As he walked by at 15 yards I quickly leaned out, took a very deep breath, picked a spot and came into my anchor.  The rest is nothing more than a blur...a white fletched blur crashing into the deer, just behind his front shoulder!

My stand was about 18 feet high, give or take and the deer was 15 yards away, so the photos give the impression that I shot high, maybe a touch but here's what happened next.

The arrow crashed through his scapula breaking his front shoulder.  He ducked his head low and took off, my shaft protruding out.  I knew the shot was good but I'm sure each of you know that quick feeling of concern, was it good enough?

He ran hard and fast on three legs and than began to stumble.  He stopped at 50 yards and I could see him bring up his rear legs trying to balance.  Just than.....he fell over! No movement at all, just complete silence.

 

[Bullfrog 1]

NICE!!!!!!!!!