zvholk
Active Member
Going into my 16 day vacation I had the feeling this was going to be my year to shoot a big buck. Having a few good bucks on camera it wasn’t until 2 weeks ago this guy showed up, and to say I was excited was an understatement.
Other than taking my son on his hunts, November 1 was my first sit of the year. But before I could I had to hang my stand. With the combination of being out of shape and the warm weather I was soaked in sweat by the time I got settled in. By 6:15 I was waiting for the sun to come up taking in all the joy I have for hunting and being in the outdoors. The morning was a good first hunt seeing 3 smaller bucks and a few does.
I had plans of sitting longer that morning but all I could think about was how bad I stunk, so I decided to get down and hang another stand on the other side of the farm for the predicted east wind we are going to have in the morning. After getting soaked again I went to take a shower, change, and get something to eat.
I was back in the stand at 2:00 with my new decoy ready to see some action. With it being 60 degrees I wasn’t expecting to see much until the last 2 hours or so.
At about 5:30 a small 8 came out into the field saw the decoy but payed no attention to him. 6:00 I see tall horns come into the field at 200 yards. I grab my bow and give him a few grunts, he looked and started making a wide loop like he was going to circle around me. He got about 50 yards to my right and I give another soft grunt he comes straight for the decoy stopped at 20 yards. He was off to my right and I could not get a clear shot because of some trees. He made another wide circle in front of me at 50 yards, not taking his eye off the decoy. He just wasn’t sure what to think, I was so sure he would come in but he didn’t. He took off running this time I thought it was all over, he stopped at 80 to 100 yard looking back at my decoy, turned and came back.
Now I’m thinking about all the time I spent practicing long shots for antelope hunting. I told myself I would never shoot a whitetail over 40 yards but have never had a wall hanger give me the opportunity.
I was watching him long enough that I was calm and confident I could make a good shot.
He stopped turned broadside and I range him at 63 yards. As he is looking at the plastic deer I look down at the 60 yard pin on my site, and told myself to aim low. I drew my bow and settle the pin, feeling good I squeeze the trigger, and watch my lighted nock fly through the air looking like the St. Louis arch. Before the arrow got to him he turned 1/4ing away and as he ran off i knew I hit him but was a little back.
I hang my bow, sit down and but my head in my lap saying out loud “63 YARDS!!! What was I thinking!!!!” I must have said that over and over for the next hour.
I get down when it gets as dark as it was going to get that night to go look for blood. Being so far of a shot it was hard for me to pin point where he was standing. I walked to the edge of the woods where I thought he went in and that is when I see the light of my nock. I shined my light and was shocked when I see the arrow sticking out of my deer.
The arrow went in mid body and up into his chest cavity, he didn’t go more than 80 yards.
Other than taking my son on his hunts, November 1 was my first sit of the year. But before I could I had to hang my stand. With the combination of being out of shape and the warm weather I was soaked in sweat by the time I got settled in. By 6:15 I was waiting for the sun to come up taking in all the joy I have for hunting and being in the outdoors. The morning was a good first hunt seeing 3 smaller bucks and a few does.
I had plans of sitting longer that morning but all I could think about was how bad I stunk, so I decided to get down and hang another stand on the other side of the farm for the predicted east wind we are going to have in the morning. After getting soaked again I went to take a shower, change, and get something to eat.
I was back in the stand at 2:00 with my new decoy ready to see some action. With it being 60 degrees I wasn’t expecting to see much until the last 2 hours or so.
At about 5:30 a small 8 came out into the field saw the decoy but payed no attention to him. 6:00 I see tall horns come into the field at 200 yards. I grab my bow and give him a few grunts, he looked and started making a wide loop like he was going to circle around me. He got about 50 yards to my right and I give another soft grunt he comes straight for the decoy stopped at 20 yards. He was off to my right and I could not get a clear shot because of some trees. He made another wide circle in front of me at 50 yards, not taking his eye off the decoy. He just wasn’t sure what to think, I was so sure he would come in but he didn’t. He took off running this time I thought it was all over, he stopped at 80 to 100 yard looking back at my decoy, turned and came back.
Now I’m thinking about all the time I spent practicing long shots for antelope hunting. I told myself I would never shoot a whitetail over 40 yards but have never had a wall hanger give me the opportunity.
I was watching him long enough that I was calm and confident I could make a good shot.
He stopped turned broadside and I range him at 63 yards. As he is looking at the plastic deer I look down at the 60 yard pin on my site, and told myself to aim low. I drew my bow and settle the pin, feeling good I squeeze the trigger, and watch my lighted nock fly through the air looking like the St. Louis arch. Before the arrow got to him he turned 1/4ing away and as he ran off i knew I hit him but was a little back.
I hang my bow, sit down and but my head in my lap saying out loud “63 YARDS!!! What was I thinking!!!!” I must have said that over and over for the next hour.
I get down when it gets as dark as it was going to get that night to go look for blood. Being so far of a shot it was hard for me to pin point where he was standing. I walked to the edge of the woods where I thought he went in and that is when I see the light of my nock. I shined my light and was shocked when I see the arrow sticking out of my deer.
The arrow went in mid body and up into his chest cavity, he didn’t go more than 80 yards.
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