Bambistew
Well-known member
I went on a quick hunt yesterday morning. I wasn't expecting so see much since the temps were in the high 50's at 6-o-clock in the morning. I got into my stand about 10 min or so before shooting light (6:15). It was really humid out and the fog had rolled in. Visibility was about 75-80 yards give or take. But with the rut in full swing I figured it was as good of time as any to be in the woods. I tooted on a grunt call a few times and about 6:25 this guy come strolling by at about 35 yards. He was walking down a trail and I gave a soft 'mew' and he stopped broadside. I didn't have time to stand up and the angle was such that it was an easy shot from the sitting position in the stand. I put the 30 yard pin right on his chest half way up inline with his front leg and let fly.
At the shot he spun 180 degrees ran about 15-20 yards and stopped, looking back in the direction of where he was hit. I was shaking so bad from the excitement I couldn't hold the bino's steady enough and with the poor light I couldn't see any blood coming out or a red spot.
I live for that moment of panic! I was thinking I either missed or worse. He lowered his head and just stood there. I thought to myself... man I hope I didn't gut shoot him. His body language seemed seemed like it. There was to much brush in the way to get another arrow off so I just watched him. He walked with his head down about 10 yards or so, stood and then got wobbly. Took a couple stagger steps sideways and I knew it was over from there. He fell down flailed around for 5-8 seconds and, he tried to lift his head but then he threw down on the ground hard. I knew it was over at that point. From start to finish was probably less than 25-30 seconds. I sat and watched him for another 20 min or so and there was no movement. So I gathered my stuff, climbed down out of the stand and walked over to find the arrow. It was covered in bright red blood. I knew the arrow had flown true and upon examination actually center punched the heart. The blood trail was a swath about 2' wide. I've never shot a deer with my bow when I could see where he/she fell. The second elk I shot with my bow at 7yards went about 40 yards and laid down. That's the only other animal I've ever shot with a bow that died with in eyesight... All the others have taken off on a dead run. Anyway....
Upon following the trail I could see where he had paused just after the shot, there was blood everywhere, just what I like to see. Not a big deer, but in the 5 years I've hunted this farm and about 20 days per year, he was the second biggest I've ever seen out there. The farm is about 40 acres, and the surrounding property gets pounded throughout the season. So its either shoot em when you get the chance or don't kill anything. Letting little bucks walk is a futile effort. They all end up dead anyway so it might as well be by my doing. Anyway. I'm not 100% sure but I think its the same buck I missed 3 weeks earlier in muzzle loader season, sure looks like him anyway. There is another 4pt (8pt eastern) buck out there that's about the same size but I don't think he's as wide nor as heavy not that he's a giant, but pretty good for where I hunt. This one has 4" bases, and a 17" spread which really surprised me. I'm guessing he was a 3.5yo buck. His body size was not all that big, I'm guessing he dressed about 120-130 pounds or so. Been a pretty tough season so far. Not many deer around, the weather has been the chits just about every time I've had a chance to get out, and the ones I have seen were either to far for a shot, or moving. Either way its a great way to start off the CO/MT Safari which starts tomorrow! 2 weeks of playing in the snow chasing elk and deer! I can't wait.
At the shot he spun 180 degrees ran about 15-20 yards and stopped, looking back in the direction of where he was hit. I was shaking so bad from the excitement I couldn't hold the bino's steady enough and with the poor light I couldn't see any blood coming out or a red spot.
I live for that moment of panic! I was thinking I either missed or worse. He lowered his head and just stood there. I thought to myself... man I hope I didn't gut shoot him. His body language seemed seemed like it. There was to much brush in the way to get another arrow off so I just watched him. He walked with his head down about 10 yards or so, stood and then got wobbly. Took a couple stagger steps sideways and I knew it was over from there. He fell down flailed around for 5-8 seconds and, he tried to lift his head but then he threw down on the ground hard. I knew it was over at that point. From start to finish was probably less than 25-30 seconds. I sat and watched him for another 20 min or so and there was no movement. So I gathered my stuff, climbed down out of the stand and walked over to find the arrow. It was covered in bright red blood. I knew the arrow had flown true and upon examination actually center punched the heart. The blood trail was a swath about 2' wide. I've never shot a deer with my bow when I could see where he/she fell. The second elk I shot with my bow at 7yards went about 40 yards and laid down. That's the only other animal I've ever shot with a bow that died with in eyesight... All the others have taken off on a dead run. Anyway....
Upon following the trail I could see where he had paused just after the shot, there was blood everywhere, just what I like to see. Not a big deer, but in the 5 years I've hunted this farm and about 20 days per year, he was the second biggest I've ever seen out there. The farm is about 40 acres, and the surrounding property gets pounded throughout the season. So its either shoot em when you get the chance or don't kill anything. Letting little bucks walk is a futile effort. They all end up dead anyway so it might as well be by my doing. Anyway. I'm not 100% sure but I think its the same buck I missed 3 weeks earlier in muzzle loader season, sure looks like him anyway. There is another 4pt (8pt eastern) buck out there that's about the same size but I don't think he's as wide nor as heavy not that he's a giant, but pretty good for where I hunt. This one has 4" bases, and a 17" spread which really surprised me. I'm guessing he was a 3.5yo buck. His body size was not all that big, I'm guessing he dressed about 120-130 pounds or so. Been a pretty tough season so far. Not many deer around, the weather has been the chits just about every time I've had a chance to get out, and the ones I have seen were either to far for a shot, or moving. Either way its a great way to start off the CO/MT Safari which starts tomorrow! 2 weeks of playing in the snow chasing elk and deer! I can't wait.
