Trad Gang

What a morning,I still cant believe it.I'm short for time right now,but I'll be back later with more info.Here's a picture:

 (http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/DSCF0292.jpg)

Holy Cow dude!  Thats an awesome buck.  Nice shot too.  Cant wait to here the story. Now send some of that Mojo my way.  I cant seem to beat the wind this year. Still two weeks left though. Congrats.

Wow that's awesome Curt. Congrats.

What in the heck is all that white stuff? It's only mid November?

Nice lookin buck Curt!!

Nice buck Curt he will look good on the wall.ED

Beautiful buck Guru . dang you got all that southern sand .waiting on a story ---- herb

Congratulations Curt   :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:

awesome Curt..Know a good Taxidermist up your way to recomend. LOL..Mac~

Great buck and lovely arrow placement. Well done again Curt.

Wow!!! Now that's a goodun!! Looking forward to the story. Big time congrats Curt!!

.............SMOKER!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow,  I wonder what your BP was afterwards?   Congrats Curt.....

Awesome deer Curt.  Great job.


David

You are the luckiest man alive. Now I am not willing to get shot in the leg to get your kinda luck but good for you brother.    :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:

looking good guru!  Well done.

that's a beauty Curt, nice shot to.

larry

Awesome Curt!!!

I killed a small buck on Tuesday and decided to sleep in today...when I woke up I knew I missed a good morning.

What a buck, congrats!!!

Brian

Curt, beautiful buck!! This better not push my mount further down the list!! I could not be happier for ya, you deserve him. I will call ya again later!! Shawn

Curt...congrats pal...nice buck. Glad for ya buddy!

Not only is that an incredible buck, but look at the shot he put on that joker! You are definately entitled to the title Guru as far as I'm concerned.  I don't know if I could have made such a perfect shot in the face of a rack like that.

JC, I saw the shot too but it is what I have come to expect from Curt.

I wouldn't want that boy hunting me.

I don't know about everyone else but I'm ready for some details about the hunt.

Warren

At's what I'm talkin bout Lance....a feller'd think twice about shootin at that buck. You might miss and he'd just get aj-ee-tated and wait in the brush till you come down.  

At first I thought it was a deformed elk...

I kin usually split the hair I want on a doe or a small buck but since I ain't even seed a buck that size while on a stand I don't know if I could even hit him!

wow, can't wait to hear about it.

Great buck, man!!  :notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:

Congrats on a Dandy Curt!

That's what we call a "tom dooley thumper"

Great Buck Curt,, way to go......PICS and Story....


Bryan

.......waiting for the details....Again, what a SMOKER!!!!!!!

Thanks so much guys.It's been a long day,been up since 3:10 this morning,and goin ever since.I'll have to do this in parts as time is kinda short these days.

 It was one of thse rare days that you just know something is going to happen.The rut is full bore,it finally got cold,and we had a rare early snow to hunt in.I couldn't wait to get out there.I have hunted less this yr,that any other yr since I began hunting a long time ago.With work,a new baby,and something to always do around the house and my taxidermy shop.Every minute of hunting time has been appreciated.

I was hunting with a good friend of mine that lives right on the Conn. border.I bought my Conn. license this yr knowing I would only get over there a few times,but I also knew it would be my best opportunity to kill a good buck.Unlike the spots I hunt around the house,it is very private and lightly hunted.
My bud went to a stand that he had seen a few shooter bucks out of already this yr,and I........


Crying baby!!!!!

AARRRGGH!!!   I was on the edge of my seat.  Priorities.  (Believe me, I understand) We'll be patient.

David

Congrats on the new avatar. Nice shot. Couldn't hardly miss a hoss like that.

headed to a spot I had hunted in Sept. the only other time I had hunted there this yr. I went about 200yds further in to a spot that is a perfect natural travel corridor between 2 thickets.I was actually in a tree that my friend had killed a nice 8pt 3 seasons ago. I put my lone wolf climber on the tree and climbed up as quiet as possible and got settled in.It was absolutly beautiful with all the snow on the trees.  (http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/DSCF0290.jpg)

(sorry about the blurry pic,had some major digital camera malfuntions today)

It was reall slow for the first hour or so,but I was enjoying every minute of it...............

Awesome buck Curt. You done good! Mike

:thumbsup:    :notworthy:  That's a great shot.

Great job Curt! That thing is awesome!

Tristam,

Cuz' they taste like meat!  

Way to go Curt.  Awesome buck.  Dude, yer gonna have to learn to type faster, yer killin' me.

Stan

Way to go Curt!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  Vary nice buck and a great shot.

The first hour was pretty quiet,wind was shifty,not hard enough to stay a steady direction,just kinda moving a bit.Right about 7:00 I thought I heard something behind me.It was so quiet and hard to see with the snow all over everything.Look over my right shoulder and see a deer about 25yds away.Pick up my nocs and see it is 2 does.Within a few minutes I can tell the air is moving toward them.I am a scent nut(I do a lot of things to minimize as much as possible).The closer doe starts to lift her nose,but doesn't freak at all.She just turns around and slowly feeds out of sight........

.... it's starting to warm up to the point that the snow is starting to fall off the branches.I was just savoring such a rare day for these parts at this time of the year.
After a bit I hear a slight sound ,again behind me over my right shoulder,look down and see a rack coming out from beneath the snowy bushes.He's already within 25yds.I pick my bow off the hook,as he's closing.I can see immediatly it is a mature buck with heavy antlers and a big,big body.He is angling behind me,headed for my entry trail,and to a spot I couldn't shoot(behind the tree)........

More, more please   :)

Tristam,they're really nice in a cast iron frying pan with butter and onions and a little pepper....

Pause for effect??? LOL Bless you, Curt and good on ya! Enjoy your spot at the top with that "li'l fellah" ha-ha.

And way ta go Guru,thats a monster...what did it weigh?

CONGRATULATIONS CURT!!!!!  A Big Old Monster Buck!!! Happy Hunting!!!   Chuck

Incredible looking deer and shot.  Thanks for posting the pics and the story.

MORE PLEASE.......  :notworthy:

Now I know how my Labrador feels when I tease her about throwing the ball.  Come on Curt!  Yer killin me.

right about the time I think I'm in big trouble,he stops and starts looking around.So far since I've seen him he is just walking real slow in typical big buck fashion.

 So he's stopped now at about 12yds,just kinda contimplating his next move.If he continues the direction he's headed I'm busted.If he turn to his left and goes that way,I can't get a shot because he will be walking away directly behind the tree I'm in.Of course if he turns right,I'm in the chips.

For some reason during this whole time I am as calm as i've ever been during an encounter with a big buck.I have no idea why ,except that it all was happening very quick and I was trying to keep the mindset that it was just another deer.
I also forgot to mention that I had rattled no more than 10 min. before he showed up.I don't really know if that had anything to do with him being there,but I wouldn't dought it. I have always been a firm believer in rattling and calling.It's worked well for me.

So he's standing there for about 10 seconds,at 12yds,quartering toward me,in a spot I can't shoot anyway......just waiting for him to make his move......he turns.....

slowly...slowly... he turns ...

Way to Curt!!!  He's awesome.  Congrats, glad you're back in the hunt.  All the best, Al.

CONGRATS CURT!!! Awesome deer...Now finish the story..LOL

.... to the right and starts toward me.I couldn'd believe it.He's now at about 6yds,dead broadside walking slow.I decided as I was climbing in the dark that I would get a little higher than usual(about 20ft),because I was kinda out in the open...Tough angle,I'm high and he's close...next thing I know the arrow takes him low,right above his leg..."heart shot" I say to myself

Here's a pic of where I shot him........

(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/DSCF0289.jpg)  he stumbles,I hear my arrow snap immediatly,gets his feet under him and he's off...he crosses a tiny creek and cuts back to the area he came from...at about 50yds I see he is slowing down and he goes out of sight...As I'm standing there listening all is quiet...then after about 40 sec. I hear 2 twigs snap...At this point I'm thinking that he might have gone down,but I start looking at his tracks in the snow with my binos and I can follow them for about 40yds and I cannot see a trace of blood....hmmmm....

MAN what a buck!  Way to go Curt!  Great shot too.

Kyle

What a buck indeed....Curt you are one good bowhunter.....nice real nice...mark#78 good karma

Way to go Bro!

I've been thinking about how you spent this time last year layed up with a bullet wound. I also started thinking maybe it wasn't an accident that the guy shot you. Maybe he knew you and was really, really scared that he wouldn't get a shot at game because you shoot them all with your curve. LOL! I guess you made up for lost time this year. Im proud of you!!!!! CK

Naw - he probably shot him for taking so long to tell a strory! LOL

They ain't no deer with a body that big out here.  'Cept maybe a muley.  Bet they bruiser has some good backstraps and tenderloins.

Whole bunch of good eatin'.

Anyone else think that buck's eyes make him appear he's demon possessed?

Maybe Curt slipped some colored contacts in before he shot the pic.   :)

Curt was that ur new bow???

Curt, really nice one  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Thanks again to everyone  ;)  

...So now the shakes start...and with the cold weather and the adrenaline,they were as bad as ever!!!! I know it's taking a long time to tell,but thatfrom the time I saw the buck to the time he was out of sight,it was less than a minute. I promise myself that I would stay up in my tree for an hour.I prayed,looked for blood,looked for my arrow,and just replayed the whole thing in my head over and over again.I just couldn't get over the lack of blood.So as I'm up there thinking,the dought started to creep in.I make it about a half hour and I decide that I can't take it any more.I need to go check out the spot of the hit at least.Pack up and get down,leave the stand on the tree take the string off my bow and walk the short distance to where he was hit.....NO BLOOD!!!  No need to panic,I figure I'll just creep along the side of his tracks to where he went out of sight to check for blood.Cut hair,but no blood after 20yds....40yds I find a pinhead size speck of blood ahd a piece of cut hair with blood on it.So at least now I know I wasn't dreaming.As I'm creeping forward I keep following his tracks ahead of me with my binos. Right about the spot where I thought I saw him slow down(about 50yds into the trail),I see ahead that some blood is starting to hit the ground,not a lot by any means,but I see more ahead.His tracks go up a little rise,heading toward a pine flat up ahead(where I heard the 2 twigs snap).At this point,I figure it's best to be safe than sorry....As hard as it was,I turn around to go get my buddy John who is hunting back the way I walked in from.....

..Back at the spot I show him everything thre is to see at the spot of the hit and we walk up to where I left off at the base of the little rise.We start up the hill,see the blood is getting better.Hadn't gone 10yds from where I left off,I look up ahead and see him laying there.I remember saying,"Oh my god john he's right there!!!!!".Immediatly we could see he was dead and we run up to him.I was STUNNED!!!! By doing the right thing and not paying much attention to the rack before the shot,I had no idea he was as big as he was.No ground shrinkage here.Me and my bud shared a lot of emotions that only 2 friends can share at a time like this.We  talked about everything that has happened in the last yr.We just sat there and savored the moment.It was an incredible feeling!!!

I know the shot looks perfect,but it was not where I was trying to hit him.With the shot being so close,and me being high,I would have been far better hitting him 3-4" higher.My shot was a little low,but I did slice the bottom of the near lung and put a nice slice in his heart.Had I hit him a bit higher,the arrow would have taken him solidly through the lung and would have put a hole in his heart.

There was no exit hole,which is why it took a while for the blood to come.The big Snuffer(160) hit bone on the way in and stopped cold in his sturnum(I think that's where it is,I could feel it in there when field dressing).When I skin him out and butcher him,I'll try to get a pic. of where it ended up.

I was using my old reliable 56" 62# Kempf Kwyk Styk,600gr Cedar arrow(I made from a RRA shaft),160gr snuffer combo.

So that's pretty much it boys and girls.I'm sure I'll have some thoughts to share as it all sets in.

Like I mentioned earlier,my digital cam was going haywire with the cold air and low batteries.But I did manage to get the one good pic,but my bud John had his 35mm and we took a bunch of pics with it.I'm having a CD made,and will share more pics when I get them in a couple days.

Thanks for the details. Couldn't be happier for you. That is just an awesome buck.

Did you weigh him?

Great story and well worth the "wait'! Congratulations, friend. How I would love to get one big 'un before it is time for my last hunt - but I will thank the Lord for any that I manage to get with my trad bow, and take solace in stories like yours.

Yes!!  Great job Curt, and thanks for sharing this with us.  I looked foward to each and every installment of your story.

Way to go,

David

Thanks guys,I'm still amazed myself.

Don, just got back from dads where he is hanging.We finally figured out a way to get him high enough to weigh(never had that problem before).Got him up with my chain hoist I use for skinning at my shop,he is my heaviest deer .... 182lbs.on the nose!!!

 Also threw a tape on him real quick,these are not exact.When I get him into my shop I will get a more accurate score.

IN.SP.-  18 1/2"

G-1   3"
G-2   8"
G-3   6"

Circ. measurements are between 5-3"

Beams  24"

Looks like he'll gross right around 130"

His cape is absolutly flawless,and beautiful.That's important when your a taxidermist.When I get him mounted I'll have to post some pics.

Mom cooked up some tenderloins and I'm about to sit down with them and some Italian bread..........

When you have only 8 points to get 130 it makes for a huge looking deer. I have a friend that shot a perfect 8 in Saskatchewan that grosses 160 it is monsterous.

By the way if you are going to keep shooting deer like that you may want to start bringing me along to help with the dragging.   :D

Awsome deer. Congatulations  :thumbsup:

great looking deer, congrats.

bjohn

Ain't that just like greatness...says he could have made a better shot. "So Peyton, how's it feel to throw 4 touchdowns for over 400 yards this game? Well, honestly, I could have had 5 or 6 but just came up short...I'm gonna work harder next time."  :bigsmyl:  

Big deer is hangin on the pole brudda, that's the best shot there is. Great story.

Joe

Nice story Curt.Congrats again on a great deer!

Curt, just a word of warning, if you bring meathook along to drag a deer out. The boy can eat!!!!  :bigsmyl:

Very nice. Congratulations.
Jawge

Fine story and an excellent deer, congratulations on both.

WOW!!!

You da man Guru...............must be living right brother.
Congrats

Great story and a verrry nice buck. Congratulations.

Hook, A 160" 8pt is absolutely HUGE!!!!

 The tenderloins were scrumtious  :bigsmyl: .Mom's got some real talent in the kitchen.

Isn't it amazing what a diff. a yr can make.Last yr. nothing really went right and then came to a grinding halt when that bullet went though my leg.

This year has been so special....

Nice story Curt. Cannot wait to see the job you do on this one. Guess the man upstairs had a few rewards planned for you after last seasons accident. Meathook wants to be your drag man now...he ain't been doing too bad for himself. Will watch for pics. I'll bet Shawn is just droolin but happy for you none the less............Mac~

Like I said, special things happen to special people.....You sure earned everytthing you've gotten this year and more.

Congrats, Bud!
>>--Ron--<>

Curt,
A great, great deer & an even better story.

Congratulations! Way to go!  :thumbsup:  

Larry

Curt,

Congratulations on a fine whitetail.  I just got done reading the whole thread from beginning to end - awesome stuff.

Good story and congratulations with your deer
 :thumbsup:  

Jacob

congrats!!! what a buck...now about that hat!!!!!

bob    :smileystooges:

Curt,

That too cool.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

Nice story, I miss being in the woods this year.

Mike

Guru,

I enjoyed reading this over the weekend. You sure know how to stretch a good story out.

If you are like me a deer like that is only once in a life time. Congratulations!!! I know you will be living this hunt the rest of your life.

Ray

Way to go Curt!!You,ve been having an outstanding yr but like Don said I wouldn,t wanna hafta get shot first to have a yr like your having this yr.Congrads on a fine trophy!!Sounds like you still have your NY tag maybe ya still have some luck left keep it goin!!

Kudo's! nice shot, beautiful deer.

Gene

Curt, Congratulations. Great job on a great buck. Thanks for sharing the hunt.

Congratulations! A great buck and thanks for sharing the story!

Thanks Guys,I'm still floating.Work was real cool today.There are a lot of guys that hunt.I showed a couple people the pic and before I knew it a bunch of guys were coming up to me asking to see it.

 Hook and Swamp, We talked about that while we were taking pics.I have had a heck of a year,but I'd sure give it all back in a second in exchange for what I went through last yr. But,you know what they say,"That which does not kill you will make you stronger".I totally agree with that.So much good has happened because of that though.Mostly the friendships I have made because of this site.

I hope to have more pics tomorrow.  :thumbsup:

Great Deer. Great Story. Well Told. Keep em Hanging. Congratulations Curt! Awesome Dude.  :bigsmyl:

I just came back to this thread for the story, great telling Guru.  That deer just sets me back a bit, HUGE!!!  

Great telling, great reward for all your work gettin through the year.  Thanks again for sharing.

B

Congrads Curt, Real Nice. Good bucks do something to you, they get into your blood. Bob

Well said Curt!...thanks for sharing,,,mark#78

Curt
Thanks for sharing the hunt and the pics. I particularly like; the meditation of "just another deer", the prayer after the shot, the humility of "could have shot higher 3 or 4 inches". Fine job all around from arrow making to detailed story. Good Hunting!!!!!!

Thanks Guys!!

They sure do Bob..they sure do  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

 more pics to  from a cd i got today

(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/010_7.jpg)
(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/014_11.jpg)
(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/016_13.jpg)

(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/019_16.jpg)
My good buddy John that shared this hunt with me.I owe him a great deal for letting me share that property with him.He's a great guy(even though he shoots a coumpound 8^)  )

(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/021_18.jpg)


This one is a bit graphic,but it shows the damage to the heart,near lung had a similar slice.It also show the knife fellow TG'er Shawn Leonard gave me for my 40th birthday in Sept..Quite a christening for it.
(http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/024_21.jpg)

You can tell a deer is a real Hog when two people can hunker down behind it.

I was kinda thinkin the same thing Meat...the snow and the size of that deer remind me of the Star Wars movie "The Empire Strikes back"....if it had been any colder and night falling, they could have crawled in that deer to keep warm! Beautiful photos made even better with the snow.

Great buck Gu!

As we say down here

DAAAAAAAYYYYUUUUMMMMM! that is a nice deer.

Good going Curt.  You deserve this.

Kyle

JC the creatures on Star Wars you are refering to are called TonTons(sp?) I believe it simply scares me that I know that without looking it up.


 :scared:    :scared:    :scared:    :scared:    :scared:

Curt --
Great story and fantastic photos!
Like the other guy (Bob, I think...) said, "good bucks get in your blood"

Congratulations!
OSO

Hey, I carry that same knife!  Maybe some of that Mojo will transfer to me.

That deer is a HOG!

B

LOL Meat, I didn't wanna sound any more geeky than I did with the Star Wars reference...but yep, Ton-Tons  

Joe

Curt--We chatted in private, but I just wanted to reiterate how happy and proud of you we all are.  As you so aptly stated, what happened a year ago isn't worth any critter of any size, but the Good Lord has definitely been looking out after you since that instant in time.  A good recovery from the incident, a huge hog, a new baby, and now this beautiful whitetail.........  

Life has undoubtedly been a roller coaster ride, eh?  Good job, my friend!    :thumbsup:    TL

Well done Curt!

Beautiful buck! Great pictures, that white stuff adds alot. Us guys up north of you have not had any snow yet but the rut is in full swing. Them bucks in your part are just like our Canadian deer,Big bodies and big racks. I hope you are going to hang that one someplace nice so you can enjoy it for many years to come.

Awesome, Great pics too.

Congrats! Curt! Beautiful Buck!

Looks like christmas came early.  When I first seen the hole in the side of him I thought Snuffer. Congradulations.
Any chance your buddy will be trying a recurve soon?:>)

Curt
 Super buck and nice pics.  :thumbsup:

Thanks,I'm real glad those pics. came out so well.You only get one chance,you take a whole bunch,and usually only get a few keepers.But we ended up with a whole bunch of great ones.

Thomas,yeah it's been a heck of a yr.,but don't forget about the 2 gobblers I killed this spring.First time I've ever bowkilled 2 in one season.Gods of the hunt have definately been with me!!

It's been a heck of a week.Got the deer all cut up last night with Dad and my good friend Tommy(boy we got a lot of meat!!!).We've been friends since kindergarden.We talked a lot about my hunt and reflected back on the last yr of my life. Life is good boys...life is good!!!!

P.S.   aged the deer at 4 1/2 yrs old

Congrats again man, I just e-mailed ya. I told the old lady you liked the knife and she said it was probably on a shelf, well she just saw the pictures and she says Congrats. Love ya man!!  Shawn

Curt,

Man, are you sure that thing is a NY deer.

Hi Bill,how's it goin bud???  It isn't a N.Y. deer,it's a Conn. deer  :thumbsup:    ;)

Nice pics Curt thanks for sharing! We got bucks like that in NY too hope one walks past both of us this weekend.Good luck Mon also

Excellant job on the photo's.  Great deer!

Thanks again to everyone that shared this week with me,I'm still on cloud 9.Haven't been out since,between work,family,and not feeling well.Hope to get out to an archery only area(westchester,or albany)and fill my N.Y. tags.Our gun season opens tomorrow,bummer.Have alot of tags to fill(my sis wants some meat).Then hopefully back to Conn. after there gun season closes(been open since Wed).

 Thanks Again!!!!