I was gonna wait 'til I got my pics back before I made this post but I can't wait, I got my first traditional kill Friday!!! I stink at tellin' stories so bear with me.
I got off work late Friday, right around 5:30 or so. I hustled home, grabbed my gear, and hauled a$$ to a stand I had been saving for the proper wind. The stand is 2/3 of the way up a mountain right below a powerline right of way. The right of way is nasty thick, perfect bedding cover. The terrain is rocky with alot of ledges and boulders and steeper than a mule's face. I placed my Loc-on in a huge cedar tree right on a rocky ledge that is about 8 ft high and runs about 100 ft around the face of the mountain, with a steep draw in the right end. There are 7 or 8 oaks (Red and Chestnut) with in 10-20 yards of the stand just raining acorns and the deer have been hammering 'em. Two MAJOR trails and severl minor ones come out of the thick stuff on my side of the steep draw, onto the ledge and pass by about 10 yards from my tree. This stand has it all, cover, a food source, and terrain funnels.
The deer in this area seem to move up the mountain in the morning near the bluffs to bed and down the mountains in the afternoon to feed. You need a calm wind so that the evening thermals will carry your scent away from the deer heading down the mountain. I finally got the conditions that I needed so I was anxious to see what was gonna happen.
I eased up the mountain, trying not to make any more noise than necessary, but I knew I had to hurry 'cuz it was getting close to prime time. I finally climbed into my stand at 6:52, nocked an arrow and sprayed on some cover scent, waiting on the woods to settle down after my passing.
It was a perfect evening.
After about 45 minutes on stand, I heard some footy steps coming around the side of the mountain, ON THE SHELF BELOW ME. "Great" I think, "the last place I expected to have a deer come in on me." I ease my bow into my hand and try to calm my nerve's, looking for movement. Then I spot it, a spot of black in the brush 40-50 yards away. Black???? Then I make it out, someone's skinny dog is tracking me to my stand! I mutter to myself "Not today, please go away dog." Then to top it off, he sticks his nose in the leaves, takes a deep whiff, and then let's out a loud "WOOF!".
To be honest that ticked me off. :mad: All the hard work and patience I had put into scouting out this spot and waiting on the proper wind, all was about to be ruined by someone's mutt. I grab a rubber blunt out of my quiver and get ready to give him a warm reception if he got any closer to my stand. Fate was smiling on the dog that day. He made a left turn and went the opposite direction around the mountain. I put the blunt away and nock up one my my "I mean business arra's" and settle back against the tree.
About that time I hear more rustling's behind me, this time coming down the mountain out of the thick stuff. I spot movement and a little spike trots down within 15 yards and freezes, broadside. I can still hear the dog moving away and so can he. The hair around his tail is starting to flare and I am thinking he is about to get out of dodge. For reason's only known to him, he shrug's it off and drops his head and starts crunching acorns. I hear another deer coming down the trail behind him, so I hold off waiting to see who else is coming to dinner. I was hoping it was gonna be big brother, but then again I wasn't gonna be all that picky either, this spike would look mighty fine in my empty freezer. About that time a really nice doe (for this area anyway) trots out behind him and starts poppin' acorns right along side Mr. spike. She is a little bigger than spike, so she wins the prize, an all expense paid trip to my house, if I don't blow it.
By this time the spike is about 4-5 yards from the base of my tree. I am trying to keep an eye on him to make sure he don't bust me, and the other on the doe waiting for my shot. There are a couple of bushes between me and her chest so all I can do is wait. After a couple of minutes the doe finally feeds out and stops at about 8 yards. She puts her left leg forward and reaches back to pick up an acorn she missed.
I was so focused I don't remember drawing my bow, all I remember is seeing my arrow in flight. I was focusing on a single rib showing beneath the stretched skin of ther chest, right in the sweet spot. I didn't hit there. I don't know if it was nerves or if she started to jump the string but I hit her high, right where the shoulder joins the spine.
I will pause here to thank the folks that make Grizzly broadheads for making such a great broadhead. That broadhead cut through her scapula, through her spine, and lodged into the opposite shoulder. All that penetration from a 46# bow...... simply AWESOME!!!!
The doe went down like you pole-axed her and the spike simply disappeared, I don't remember seeing or hearing him run off. I grab another arrow and send it into her chest, finishing what the my first arrow started. By this time I am shaking like a leaf and all I can say is "I DID IT, I DID IT!!!!!" over and over and over again!!! LOL I bet you I said it 25 times if I said it once. Then I kissed my bow and held it up to the sky and said "That was for you Uncle Thomas!" and then started my mantra over again, I DID IT!!!!!!
I finally climbed out of my stand and walked over to my doe and sat down. I smooth out her fur, looking her over and apologizing to her for the first misplaced arrow, feeling elated and sad all at once. Any hunter that has ever taken an animals life know's the feeling's that come over you at that moment.
It is now starting to get dark. I don't want to ruin this stand by dressing her out here so I take off with her down the mountain. I get almost to the bottom, find a handy spot and begin the chore of dressing her out.
Now here come's the wierd part. As I am dressing this doe and I have all these thought's and emotions of my uncle runnin' through my head, I catch some movement back up on the mountain. A gray fox is standing there staring at me, about 25-30 yards away. It is dark enough now that all I can see is his sillouhette, no details at all. I stop what I am doing and we stare at each other for what seems forever, but it was probably only about 15 or 20 seconds. I purse my lips together and give my best imitation of a mouse squeek, his response was to sit down and continue staring!! We keep up our staredown for a little longer so I softly speak to him, "What's up buddy?" This seems to break the spell and he stands up and slowly walks up the mountain, with his nose to the ground trailing my path back up towards my stand. He didn't run off like you would expect, just sort of moseyed off like he was gonna check out what I was up to.
I know the fox was probably just a young pup, curious and niave, wondering what the heck I was and what was I doing on his mountain? But I want to beleive that somehow he was sent by my uncle Thomas as a sign that he saw what happened on the mountain that day, and was pleased.
Thanks again to all of you that helped me through YOUR stories and suggestions on this site, that made that it possible for me to take that deer. I could have never done it without your help and generosity. I will never forget that day as long as I live.
Thanks TradGang from Stikbow, Your the best!!! :wavey:
Stickbow,
Conratulations, and thank you for a wonderful story to end my evening. I can't wait to read your next one.
Congrats on a great hunt and an even better story. I can't wait to see the pics.
Congrats...outstanding! :thumbsup:
StickBow,
Way to Go !!!
Great Story !!!
Just need Pics !!!
Now that was a good read. Great job, do not forget to post pics.
Danny
Great story, Stikbow; congratulations!Sounds like you were in tune with your world. My ancestors were from near your area; it is a very spiritual place there in the mountains. Thanks for your words; please post photos when you can. Aloha, Steve
Great story Stykbow,now get the pics posted and Congrats !!! on your first Trad Harvest. :thumbsup:
Congratulations, Stik
You tell stories just fine! There's no going back now.
I like those Grizzlies myself..awesome heads.
Good job!
Great story.
Congradulations.
For a guy that doesn't think he tells a good story... you tell a hell of a story!
Congrats on the first of many. :thumbsup:
I foy stink at telling stories,I'm gonna stop telling mine!! That was awesome dude,CONGRATS!!!!
Congrats!! :thumbsup:
Magic isn't it! Thanks for sharing.
......Excellent story--thanx for sharing :cool:
I'm Jealious :bigsmyl: :notworthy: :notworthy:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Bless your heart, Stick. So pleased to find someone else that "talks to the fox". I had one show me where my first trad harvest was last year. Ain't it great? Outstanding story, and hunt.
Thanks Stik, that was a great job of telling us about your hunt. I was hung on every word of it. :thumbsup:
Congratulations for your success which was obviously the result of many hours of preparation, planning, and the smarts to know when to put them into play.
No doubt that place will always be a special one for you.
Great story Chuck, post us some pics!
awsome story and congrats...
How about some pics to top it off.
Very good :thumbsup: Lets see those pics when you get'em.
Well, You may think you can't tell much of a story- but you sure can WRITE A GOOD ONE!!
Congratulations on what will hopefully be the first of many, and may they all be as special!!! :thumbsup:
Congrats! Great story. I enjoyed it. Thanks.
That fox was prolly wait'n on dinner that you were getting ready to provide.
Great job on the deer!
Congrats!!!!
A great story makes the reader feel like they were there with you, and that's the way I felt after reading yours. Thanks for letting me share in your success, and congratulations on a great hunt! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Stikbow... Congratulations! :readit: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I don,t know ya seem to be a darn good story teller to me,Thanx for sharing
Congrads on a job well done :thumbsup:
Stick:
Congrats and as others have said.... Great story.
Remember your Uncle... Talk to him, he will always be with you.
Congratulations Stikbow. The thanks should also go back to you, you shared your hunt and your heart with us and we are all the better for it.
Thanks again Stikbow...looking forward to the pics.
Way to go Stikbow! Congratulations from A "Baylor" boy. Chattanooga will always be a special place for me.
Clay
That was an awesome story....got me right into it. Great job Stikbow!
I am trying to stay out of my stand till the rut hits but stories like this sure make it difficult! Great story!
stickbow or dances with fox.an outstanding job and an outstanding story it's hard to beleive that was your first deer and first story written. your high school english teacher would be proud of you as is the spirit of your uncle looking down on you. it's amazing how one gets almost machine like when every thing clicks.good luck will continue.
Nice. Congratulations. Jawge
Out-frickin'-standing! :thumbsup:
That was a good read. Great job!
Congratulations and you have a talent for writing a story, the way everyone wants to read it.
Excellent.
Hurry up and kill another one so we can all read about your hunt.
Stikbow, you need to have that story published. Good or better than any I've ever read. And I've read a bunch of 'em :wavey: :thumbsup: ....Van
Stikbow, This is gotta be one of the best hunting stories I have ever read. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great story! You had me laughing with your little sayings throughout the story. Thank you very much for sharing.
Chuck
great story!! but your picture really stink....hint..hint..hint!! :thumbsup:
Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I am sorry it has taken so long for me to reply but I work 3 different jobs, firefighter, as an EMT on the side, and I am in the National Guard also. I don't have a computer at home so the only time I can visit the site is at the fire hall on my days on duty. I also have 2 beautiful daughters that take up just a little of my time also. LOL I should have the pics with the next few days and I promise I will post them as soon as I can.
I don't know if you guys can tell how special this hunt was to me or not but I wanted to share it with all of you because all of you contributed to this deer in one form or fashion. It was through your knowledge and skill that all of you so freely share, not only with me, but with every other "rookie" that has visited this site that you guys helped me harvest that deer.
Mr. Lamb-- that compliment coming from the "Master Storyteller" means alot to this TN boy and I thank you sir for the compliment.
VanTX- I would love to publish this story, to share what traditional archery has come to mean to me, to share my experiences with the great folks that make up this wonderful lifestyle, and to tell the story of my uncle's bow. Only problem is that I don't have a clue where to begin!! LOL :help: :help:
Again, I am glad that all of you enjoyed my story and I will get the pics up soon.
Congratulations Stikbow! Great Story!
God Bless!
Jim
Good job Stik,injoyed the story also,good luck in the future.
I enjoyed hunting with you. Looking forward to future stories of like adventures. :thumbsup:
THis is just the reason the site rocks! and it was a heck of good hunting story!! and hope many more... :D :wavey: :thumbsup:
Ya did good Stickbow. I'm glad to know you're in it for more than just the killin. Good job on your first deer. Great way of tellin the story.