The 'SOLANA GAMES' have begun!!!

[Izzy]

At trails end.

[Izzy]

What happened to that missing hindquarter?

[Izzy]

Robert is as good as they get. This is my 10th guided hunt and out of those hunts I have never met a guide that I consider a friend like I do him. Hes one of the reasons I returned. I truly cherish his company.

[Izzy]

Sugar Ray Hammond, if your feelings are hurt Im not counting you as a guide. Your more of a chef/host.  

[dragon rider]

Originally posted by Bisch:


And Gregg - Thanks for the compliment but I am quite sure that there were several shooters far better than me in that group!


Bisch

Bisch - watching you and Gregg shoot during our little contest leads me to conclude that you are being far more charitable than accurate.  Damn, you can shoot.

Gregg - you ain't half bad either.

[gregg dudley]

Randy, congratulations, again, brother!  I really like that pronghorn.  I need to buy one do it can sit at home and keep the other bows company while I take my widow, "killer" hunting!   :D

[steadman]

Congrats again Randy! Great buck. I would ove to watch them dogs work  

[Rob DiStefano]

6am friday morning (jan 6th) i'm back sitting on the road tripod.  i like using a neck-mask for more cover up as the hillock off the west side of the road is nearly eye level with my stand seat and those deer can spot ya.  gotta stay Still and Quiet, minimize movement, need a buncha patience for sure.



i saw SO many deer on 7 of my 8 outings that it becomes hard to remember each series of encounters, what i saw, what happened and at what times.  but some will never be forgotten.  and so it was this morning.

at 6:45am the deer arrived as if on cue - 4 or 5 does from the south and a few does and 3 bucks from the north.  they milled around, with the bucks more interested in the rut than food, and within a few minutes the does skidaddled to the nor'west.  the remaining bucks stayed north/right side of my stand, and on the road edge.  it just seemed like they weren't gonna mosey down south into my big shooting window.  the larger of the three browsed to my right, on my side of the road.  he was large bodied, had what i thought was a 4pt spindle rack, and he was centered in my small right side shooting window, which was fairly covered up in small tree limb twigs.


   
it was 6:50am, he was head down in a fairly clear window, and it looked like i could snake in the arrow.  considering this opportunity, and the number of remaining times to hunt, i made the decision to go for it.  i drew slowly to full anchor, he moved forward slightly, i picked my spot just at the chest hair line, made what felt like a perfect release.  a lot happened inside of a second, and as the arrow ticked off a twig, and as the deer dropped and turned, the arrow struck firm for a spine hit and knocked him down to the ground but not dead.  i literally slid down off the stand and administered the kill arrow - he was dead within 10 seconds.  in any event this 5pt whitetail was the result and i could not have been more pleased ...  



... GOT to thank terry green for all his help and guidance in getting me back to hunting - could not have done it without ya, bud!  and of course, also david sheppard - one heckuva texas guide!  the last whitetail i bow killed was over 40 years ago ... my how time flies.  it's Great to be back!!!  now i'm counting the days to solana 2013!!!    

[Bowhunter4life]

Way to go brother!  I knew there was a good buck deer fix'in to hit the ground!

Congrats!

[Bowhunter4life]

And another good buck deer on the ground while I'm cyber high-fivin Randy!

Congrats Rob!  A lot happens in that time from the drop of the string to the hit!  Well done!

[lpcjon2]

Way to go Rob!! I see team pink had a big showing at Solana.

[FerretWYO]

Originally posted by Izzy:
What happened to that missing hindquarter?

Thank you Izzy the group pictures are the most important to me. Nothing is done alone and the people make this hunt.

As for the hind quarter.  Well as I sat on stand waiting I saw two coyotes. It would appear they are rather good trackers as well.

[gregg dudley]

Rob, I was so glad to finally meet you and enormously proud for your first bow kill in 40 years.  Truly a highlight of my hunt.

Congrats Rob!!!

Another one down and more to come, I am sure.

Bisch

[lpcjon2]

Ferret sounds like they are quicker than the vultures. congrats on the deer.

[FerretWYO]

Congrats Rob. That is one heck of a comeback into whitetail hunting. It was great to meet you finally.

[Pierre Lucas]

Congrats everyone...always a great read and great pictures.   Thanks...

God Bless,   Pierre

[dragonheart]

Awesome deal ROB!!   Great effort on the follow up shot.  Never know what you are going to get bowhunting.  Congrats on that buck.  Tasty viddles, for sure.  

[Pat B.]

Way to go Rob and good shooting ---- twice !!!

Wow, didn't know you'd been away for so long. Glad that you're back.

[RC]

Outstanding Rob. Very happy for you. Congrats to you as well Ferret. I gotta start washing cars and cutting grass so I can afford this hunt one day.RC