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- Dec 26, 2005
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I had my best day ever in the woods. This morning at 5:45 am I sat in a stand I put up a little over a week ago. First time in I had a nice buck come by as I climbed into the stand, bow was still on the ground, nothing I could do.
Anyway I sat until 7:20am (legal shooting is 6:00am)
Well I was cold and bored. I wacked the antlers together for about 30 seconds and then blew a grunt. I sat down, pulled the neck gator over my nose and ears, put my hands in my pockets and curled up like a dog. I had never had the antlers work, ever! Well wouldnt you know it! About 3 minutes later a giant P&Y 200# plus buck came running in like a freight train and stopped 10 yards from my stand. I couldnt move and the bow was on the hook. As I slowly pulled the bow down he locked on to me. He didnt look worried but slowly started to walk behind me. I stood up, clicked on the release, drew and waited for hin to step into an opening. I used the 30 pin and let it fly. F*@K! I blew it, right over his back. I have no idea why I used the 30. He was standing right behind my trail ribbon which is 18 yards away. He was 20 yards. I instantly got that sick feeling in my stomach as I watched him bolting away. I had ranged all the 25 yard trees last week so I would know to use the 20 or 30 pin. Anyway I wanted to go home and cry. I havent seen a P&Y class buck in years.
I decided to wait to see if he comes back, knowing I will probably never see him again. While waiting (at 10am) a doe came right to me within 10 yards. I wacked her 13 yards (sounded like I shot through a carton of eggs). I didnt see the arrow but at 13 it has to be a good hit right? (wouldnt you know I never seen that arrow but I seen the one go over the bucks back clear as day) I watched her lay down about 40 yards away. I figured I would wait her out. 45 minutes later she was still on high alert and scanning back & fourth. Now I am wondering where I hit her??
I called my buddy, he said get down and put another in her but I didnt want to just incase I jump her. He said what are you going to do wait all day. I said yes, if I have to. Just then I heard a noise behind me. I told him to hold on. (now 11am) When I turned around I couldnt believe what I saw. Another giant P&Y buck only 25 yards behind me now walking away. I blew it again. 2 in P&Y's a matter of a few hours. Definately a different buck with an even bigger rack. I blew it again all because I was not paying attention again like I should have been. What the hell is wrong with me!!! I sat and sulked for another hour but nothing came through and the doe was still on alert.
Fifteen minutes later (12:15pm) she started kicking and flopping. I knew that was it, she was done. I waited another 1/2 hour, got down, kicked out the scrape and hung a dripper over it, then walked away, dug a hole and pissed in it because I couldnt hold it any longer. Went over and recovered my bloody arrow. Looks like a great blood, good hit no stomach material on it. Then walked over and recovered my miss. Clean as could be (except for dirt) but I knew it anyway. I walked over to the deer and she lay dead (finally) I got the liver only. I cant believe she lived almost 2 and 1/2 hours. I'm so glad I never got down. There wasnt much of a blood trail and I may have lost her if I pushed her.
I dragged her out along with my bow and pack. By now I was soaking wet. After getting her dressed and in the truck I considdered going back in but decided against it. I'm glad I didnt go back in. I would have been frozen.
I may have blown it but it was an awesome day. I will be ready next time. I am going in, in the morning but they are calling for 35mph winds. I have 2 mornings left to make it happen on a big boy. Our last day of archery is this Saturday but I will be away with the family leaving Friday. Damn looks like the rut is finally kicking in here in eastern MA. I will keep you updated.
Frank
Anyway I sat until 7:20am (legal shooting is 6:00am)
Well I was cold and bored. I wacked the antlers together for about 30 seconds and then blew a grunt. I sat down, pulled the neck gator over my nose and ears, put my hands in my pockets and curled up like a dog. I had never had the antlers work, ever! Well wouldnt you know it! About 3 minutes later a giant P&Y 200# plus buck came running in like a freight train and stopped 10 yards from my stand. I couldnt move and the bow was on the hook. As I slowly pulled the bow down he locked on to me. He didnt look worried but slowly started to walk behind me. I stood up, clicked on the release, drew and waited for hin to step into an opening. I used the 30 pin and let it fly. F*@K! I blew it, right over his back. I have no idea why I used the 30. He was standing right behind my trail ribbon which is 18 yards away. He was 20 yards. I instantly got that sick feeling in my stomach as I watched him bolting away. I had ranged all the 25 yard trees last week so I would know to use the 20 or 30 pin. Anyway I wanted to go home and cry. I havent seen a P&Y class buck in years.
I decided to wait to see if he comes back, knowing I will probably never see him again. While waiting (at 10am) a doe came right to me within 10 yards. I wacked her 13 yards (sounded like I shot through a carton of eggs). I didnt see the arrow but at 13 it has to be a good hit right? (wouldnt you know I never seen that arrow but I seen the one go over the bucks back clear as day) I watched her lay down about 40 yards away. I figured I would wait her out. 45 minutes later she was still on high alert and scanning back & fourth. Now I am wondering where I hit her??
I called my buddy, he said get down and put another in her but I didnt want to just incase I jump her. He said what are you going to do wait all day. I said yes, if I have to. Just then I heard a noise behind me. I told him to hold on. (now 11am) When I turned around I couldnt believe what I saw. Another giant P&Y buck only 25 yards behind me now walking away. I blew it again. 2 in P&Y's a matter of a few hours. Definately a different buck with an even bigger rack. I blew it again all because I was not paying attention again like I should have been. What the hell is wrong with me!!! I sat and sulked for another hour but nothing came through and the doe was still on alert.
Fifteen minutes later (12:15pm) she started kicking and flopping. I knew that was it, she was done. I waited another 1/2 hour, got down, kicked out the scrape and hung a dripper over it, then walked away, dug a hole and pissed in it because I couldnt hold it any longer. Went over and recovered my bloody arrow. Looks like a great blood, good hit no stomach material on it. Then walked over and recovered my miss. Clean as could be (except for dirt) but I knew it anyway. I walked over to the deer and she lay dead (finally) I got the liver only. I cant believe she lived almost 2 and 1/2 hours. I'm so glad I never got down. There wasnt much of a blood trail and I may have lost her if I pushed her.
I dragged her out along with my bow and pack. By now I was soaking wet. After getting her dressed and in the truck I considdered going back in but decided against it. I'm glad I didnt go back in. I would have been frozen.
I may have blown it but it was an awesome day. I will be ready next time. I am going in, in the morning but they are calling for 35mph winds. I have 2 mornings left to make it happen on a big boy. Our last day of archery is this Saturday but I will be away with the family leaving Friday. Damn looks like the rut is finally kicking in here in eastern MA. I will keep you updated.
Frank
