Running out of tags

OBXarcher · December 15, 2010, 07:28:00 AM

Short hunt, longer story.

Obviously it's been cold and really windy here at the beach. Wind chill in the single digits. I knew the deer would be moving but not till late since the wind is howling. I went outside two times and said no way too cold. Third time I told myself you can't kill them from the couch. I waited till after 4:00 to even leave the house.

I just backed up into some brush on the side of a good trail. Knocked an arrow and leaned my bow on a bush so I could put my hands in my pockets. Stood there freezing for about 30 minutes. Just as I had enough and was about to leave here he came. Walking from my right to left. I had a very small opening to shoot through. He stopped at exactly the right spot and even looked the other way for me. I picked up my bow, drew and released in one motion. The arrow only had to go 10 yards and looked perfect. He bucked, ran in a tight 5 yard circle and crashed. I was shocked. Then about 30 seconds later he jumped up and ran right at me! He did not know I was there but scared me pretty good anyway. I did not know what to do, then he dropped again about 5 feet in front of me but on the other side of the thick bush. Unable to make another shot and for fear of spooking him I just stood still. He laid there without moving at all then about 2 minutes later he jumped up again and crashed into the swamp 10 yards behind me. All went silent again. He was down for good, or so I thought.

Went back to the house, got my son and a light since it is dark now. We came back to collect my deer. Tons of blood everywhere but no deer. Now that feeling set it. We trailed him for about a 100 yards (it's now about an hour after the shot) and there he was looking at us. Not good. Backed out for another 2 hours, came back and he was 10 yards down the hill dead.

I used my Elkaholic long bow made by Don Reeves in NY. 54#, GT arrows and Muzzy Phantoms. Don makes a great bow. Fast and quiet. So quiet I was able to empty a quiver at the same deer earlier this year and he did not even know I was there.

Freezer is full and wife said only small game from here on out.

Merry Christmas to all !

broketooth · December 15, 2010, 08:01:00 AM

way to go sir way to go

Tom · December 15, 2010, 08:29:00 AM

Good story and recovery.

Huntrdfk · December 15, 2010, 09:00:00 AM

Way to stay with it, nice job.

David

Big Ed · December 15, 2010, 09:04:00 AM

Congrats!!!

greyghost · December 15, 2010, 09:31:00 AM

Exciting hunt, congratulations.

pitbull · December 15, 2010, 05:24:00 PM

Excellent, Congrats!

bolong · December 15, 2010, 07:35:00 PM

:thumbsup Congrats!

December 15, 2010, 08:30:00 PM

Congrats!

Bisch

Horney Toad · December 15, 2010, 10:20:00 PM

good one!

KentuckyTJ · December 16, 2010, 08:18:00 AM

rushlush · December 16, 2010, 03:40:00 PM

Congrats!

Casper · December 16, 2010, 06:17:00 PM

congrats on the deer OBXarcher. sounds like an exciting hunt

ross.bowhunter · December 17, 2010, 06:43:00 AM

Great story and deer! Congrats

joe ashton · December 17, 2010, 01:50:00 PM

Bernie B. · December 18, 2010, 10:58:00 AM

Congratulations on a fine looking buck! That's a great looking bow also!

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

48# Spirit longbow
45# Martin Hunter recurve

Blasterjdh · December 18, 2010, 02:07:00 PM

Great story -congrads

bad arrow · December 18, 2010, 10:06:00 PM

Wow, that was an exciting kill to say the least!Congratulations....Phil

Boone the Hunter · December 18, 2010, 10:29:00 PM

big congrats to ya!

rastaman · December 19, 2010, 09:48:00 AM

Way to go sir! From the ground! Awesome...