I think likely everyone who bowhunts cherishes the experience for each day we get to the woods. That said, there are special hunts that survives forever in our memories. Those are the ones that will sustain us when we are too old to hunt.

A couple of days ago I had one of those epic experiences that will be forever seared in my mind. I had been hunting in Iowa for a few rain soaked days and the public land pressure was pretty high. I finally got a beautiful day with abundant sunshine and the rut began as suddenly as a light switch being turn on.

From my perch I heard the gasping first even before I heard the hooves hitting the ground. I then saw a single doe being chased by three bucks; one being a 150 class brute. All their mouths were wide open gasping for air as they chased in the mountainous terrain of NE Iowa. The doe came on a dead run to me bringing the trio of bucks being lead by the big buck; the morning sun glaring off his bobbing antlers. As the doe closed the distance to 10 yards, she veered away and took the bucks with her on a dead run. She ran a small loop and when she stopped; the buck was standing in the only opening in the thick brush at 30 yards. Without thought, I brought the Black Widow recurve up and snapped off a quick shot. The two blade Eskimo hit home and soon I was standing over him.

As bucks often do, he shrank 25 points after hitting to ground. That said, the only book that truly matters is my own. This old gray haired southern country redneck was on cloud nine. These are the days you live for.

Congrats on a great day!

Very good. 
Thanks for sharing. 

Congrats on that nice buck!

He's certainly one to be proud of! Enjoy the backstraps and memories

A great day indeed! Congratulations on a fantastic buck!

Great buck and nice shooting! Congrats!

That sounds like a very exciting hunt. Congratulations on a great buck! Thank you for sharing your story.

He would score plenty high enough in my book, congrats on a fine buck.

 

Congratulations!!!! 

Congrats on a great buck.  Cherish that one.

Beautiful buck sir! Congratulations!

Congrats on a great buck!

Your a good writer.   Thanks and Congrats
The older we get the more we appreciate days like that!

Fellows I really appreciate all the comments! I've been stuck in Iowa for few days waiting on a few things. I've been just mainly sitting in my room. All those comments have helped pass the days away. Thank you!

That's just dandy! Congrats!

Congrats Mark!  You're still getting it done!

Joel

No shrinkage there Mark.  Glad you experienced a 'grand rut morning'.  Congratulations.
Shick

Great buck, great story, and great photo!  And, you told it very well.
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.
Gary