For the past 15 years or so my dad and I have taken off the 3 days before the Missouri gun season to bow hunt the rut before the woods are invaded by all the gun hunters. I really look forward to this hunt with my dad and this year was no different. Dad got us started off on a good note by taking a nice doe Wednesday morning. The hit was not great and the tracking job took some time but we ended up finding her about 200 yards from his stand. He shot the deer with a compound so I'll leave the pictures to your imagination. Regardless, it was a great way to start the trip. I saw 3 deer that first morning and had 4 turkeys at about ten yards but could never get a shot.

On Wednesday evening I was set up in one of my familiar spots when I heard something directly behind me. I slowly turned and looked to see a decent 8 pointer standing only 20 yards behind me. He was straight down wind and I knew he probably wouldn't be there long. Sure enough, he winded me and took off on a steady trot.

On Thursday morning I set up in a new spot I found last year while helping my dad drag a deer out. The sun hadn't been up for more than an hour when I saw a deer heading toward me from the right. I instantly recognized him as the same 8 pointer I had seen the evening before. I got ready for a possible shot as he headed my way. Instead of crossing on the trail in front of me he turned to my right and headed down the hill. When he was directly to my right he stopped at about 25 yards. He was behind a couple trees and branches but I saw a small opening to his chest. Everything just felt right so I took the shot. It was a beautiful sight seeing the arrow past directly through the opening and find its mark in his chest. The shot looked perfect. I watched as he circled around behind me with a growing red spot on his side. He stopped about 75 yards behind me and stood for what seemed like forever but was probably about 30 seconds. He then stumbled and fell to the ground.

He's my second buck taken this year from the ground using a ghillie suit.







That same evening I decided to hang a tree stand and just sit back and enjoy the evening and recount the happenings of the past 24 hours. I hadn't been in the stand for more than an hour when I heard footsteps in the leaves behind me. This trip was about to get even better......

Congratulations Bill! You are having an outstanding year!

Things just keep getting better. How about a picture of you in your guille suit stuck back in cover. Often wondered just how hidden you really are in a hunting enviroment. Obviously they work and so do you.

Beautiful deer, can't wait to see what happened next.......congrats!!!    


David

I slowly turned to my left and saw a small button buck feeding on acorns about 15 yards away. I watched him feed for several minutes and then heard more footsteps behind him. Searching the timber behind him I was finally able to locate the other deer. This doe continued to fed toward me until she was less than 10 yards off to my left. She was standing behind a bunch of branches and I searched for holes in front of her that may potentially bring a shot. As I looked for openings she turned her head to scratch her nose with her back foot. Her head was completely blocked behind her body so I slowly stood up. From a standing position I could now shoot over the top of the branches. I picked a spot and slowly came to anchor. After the arrows impact she spun and sprinted on a dead run from the direction she had come. After a 75 yard sprint she ran smack dab into a tree and fell over stone dead. I could not believe it. Two deer in the same day and I watched both fall within sight. On this day I was truly blessed.



My dad and I have been on a lot of great hunts over the years but this one will rank towards the top for many years to come.

Bill

Great goin', Bill!    

Kevin
 

Nothin' like huntin in God's country! Nice deer!

Outstanding!!!          

Now thats a story!!! Congrats Joe

Oh Yeah I forgot to mention, GREAT PICS!!!

Nice deer, both of them.  You're a killin' machine!

Awsome, maybe one day Ill get a chance at those midwest whitetails!

2 deer in a day = COOL!!    

Huntin with your Dad = PRICELESS don't even come close!!      

Man you are on a roll.  Great job and good shooting.

Bill,

That is a great set of pictures and a wonderful pair of deer.

You did a great job.  

Two great bucks and a doe with your trad bow in one fall season.  Can't beat that!

Why is my memory failing me...were you hunting around Truman Lake?

Chris

WOW that's amazing...good for you

Jer Bear

Dang Bill thats another great buck and a awsome doe, I like the picks. Your having a great season bud.

Congrats    Looks like some great shooting to, nice job    

Tracy

Congrats looks like the frezzer is full.  

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!