Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
Well it was not exactly Halloween, but Halloween weekend is always a great weekend to be in a tree. Finally got out in the stand yesterday for only the 2nd time this year. Work & travel has been crazy and lots of family stuff going on past few months. Was out last weekend and buck movement was great. Saw 4 good bucks with 2 of them being shooters, so I had high hopes for yesterday. Was glad to finally be sitting in a tree.
Got in the stand above 2:30, my nephew was in his above 400 yards way. Most of the afternoon was very quiet and only saw 1 doe moving about 200 yards away. Then at 4:40, 1st couple of does came wandering out of the tag alder marsh & thicket. A few minutes later a small fork came to the field edge. Not what I was looking for but fun to watch him come into the food plot and chase the girls around. They were pretty annoyed by him, like someone's little brother.
The does left and the fork stuck around munching turnips. I heard a pretty deep grunt from behind me. The fork looked up and paused. He went back to eating and then looked up again. I heard a crunch off my back right should and the fork horn quickly left the field.
The buck came out under my tree at about 15 yards and his head was low, nose was up and he was licking the air. Had to quickly & quietly adjust my position. He was walking off my right shoulder and was moving to about 45 degrees angle from. I slowly pulled back and got my pin on his left shoulder. He finally paused at about 27 yards. Released my arrow and hear a loud thump. Arrow only went in about 8-10' and I was concerned with my shot, but sure I had my pin where it needed o be. As he ran off I saw blood spraying out his left side and saw him tumble about 40 yards. he got up and I lost him in the thicket.
Sat in my stand for about 20 minutes and decided to go see if there was a blood trail that we could come back later for. When I got to the grass, there was a lot of blood so I start to track him. Found about 50 yards from where I arrowed him. Very relieved to see that the arrow was low and right behind in left shoulder. When we gutted him, the arrow went into the heart and stopped right there.
We knick named him Lobster Claw and have lots of pics of him. The buck looks to be a 4.5 year old will try and confirm that with tooth evaluation. Total of 9 points and inside spread was 18.5". Weighed him tis morning and he field dressed at 227 lbs. Glad I had my nephew there to help get him out and even better to share the experience with him.
Been a dry spell for me last few years bow hunting, good luck to everyone else who is still in the hunt!
Almost like sitting in a cathedral ... great way to clear the mind!
My nephew is 6'4" and goes about 255 lbs ... young strong back, that is a good thing!
Got in the stand above 2:30, my nephew was in his above 400 yards way. Most of the afternoon was very quiet and only saw 1 doe moving about 200 yards away. Then at 4:40, 1st couple of does came wandering out of the tag alder marsh & thicket. A few minutes later a small fork came to the field edge. Not what I was looking for but fun to watch him come into the food plot and chase the girls around. They were pretty annoyed by him, like someone's little brother.
The does left and the fork stuck around munching turnips. I heard a pretty deep grunt from behind me. The fork looked up and paused. He went back to eating and then looked up again. I heard a crunch off my back right should and the fork horn quickly left the field.
The buck came out under my tree at about 15 yards and his head was low, nose was up and he was licking the air. Had to quickly & quietly adjust my position. He was walking off my right shoulder and was moving to about 45 degrees angle from. I slowly pulled back and got my pin on his left shoulder. He finally paused at about 27 yards. Released my arrow and hear a loud thump. Arrow only went in about 8-10' and I was concerned with my shot, but sure I had my pin where it needed o be. As he ran off I saw blood spraying out his left side and saw him tumble about 40 yards. he got up and I lost him in the thicket.
Sat in my stand for about 20 minutes and decided to go see if there was a blood trail that we could come back later for. When I got to the grass, there was a lot of blood so I start to track him. Found about 50 yards from where I arrowed him. Very relieved to see that the arrow was low and right behind in left shoulder. When we gutted him, the arrow went into the heart and stopped right there.
We knick named him Lobster Claw and have lots of pics of him. The buck looks to be a 4.5 year old will try and confirm that with tooth evaluation. Total of 9 points and inside spread was 18.5". Weighed him tis morning and he field dressed at 227 lbs. Glad I had my nephew there to help get him out and even better to share the experience with him.
Been a dry spell for me last few years bow hunting, good luck to everyone else who is still in the hunt!
Almost like sitting in a cathedral ... great way to clear the mind!
My nephew is 6'4" and goes about 255 lbs ... young strong back, that is a good thing!
