Big buck with a little bow

Spike · October 21, 2012, 08:39:41 PM

Two or three days before the big hunt, my dad and I set up two tree stands about thirty yards apart, in one of my dad's buddy's spots. That night we hunted out of it. I waited and waited and didn't see anything. Then at last light I saw a huge buck. I didn't get to look through the binoculars because he just appeared out of no where and I had to get ready for the shot, but I just knew he was huge. After he appeared he started to walk the trail he showed up on. I kind of knew it was farther than what I was practicing, but I couldn't resist the opportunity. I had my bow, aimed a bit high, came to full draw, and shot. The arrow went just over his back. A clean miss. Luckily he didn't catch on or smell me, so I was hoping I would get another chance. Monday night we went out again and while dad was strapping me in the safety harness I saw something that looked like a horse. It was him. Dad was handcuffed on the pegs and strapped himself in. We watched him for about twenty to thrity minutes before he dissapeared into a thicket on our side of the trail. We waited another half an hour before we saw some movement in the brush. He must have been grazing in there, but we just couldn't see him. A couple minutes later we saw another two bodies coming down the trail. One was a real dinky four point and the other was a nice wide six or eight. They were up grazing on the far side of the trail for about fifteen to twenty minutes before they came down towards us. At the same time we saw the big one come strait twords us. He was coming through the woods. When the wide six or eight came into shooting range I had to pass him because the real big buck was coming into shooting range. This time I had the cross bow in my hands and my bow up on the bow hanger. The scrub four was coming twords the big buck and they tickeled there antellers. At that time my dad checked the wind and it was blowing right twords them. They stopped fighting and were about to come by us when they smelled us and started walking away. There was a little branch in my way, so I couldn't shoot. They walked away and we decided to go home so we wouldn't disturb anything else. Wednesday we went there again. That day we got there earlier, moved the stand closer to the trail and dad got into his tree thirty yards away. I didn't see anything until about five forty. I saw a fox and it came right under my stand. I saw him again about twenty minutes later. At about six fifteen to six twenty I saw a rack, and right away I knew it was him. He started down the trail that was about ten to fifteen yards away. The wind was blowing perfect and he wasn't worried at all. I was geting all nervous that I was going to miss or he was going to run and I would never see him again, but I blew that over. Here he came, head behind a tree, so I went into full draw and made a doe bleet. He didn't here it so I made it a bit louder, but he wouldn't stop. I had to take the shot before he got in to the thicket. Thud, he dropped right in his tracks. I spinned him. He couldn't move or do anything other than lean up on his front legs. My dad signaled me to hold up, climbed down the tree that he was in and came over to me. He finished him off with the cross bow. I told him not to look at the rack and he didn't. When I got down I ran right over to him and looked and counted his points. There were six on the left and four on the right. Ten points, this might be the biggest buck that I will ever shot in my life. We gutted him and halled him out. At my house we have a walk in box, so luckily I could wait for a good day to take some pictures.

Here are some of my favorite shots.

code · October 21, 2012, 08:46:00 PM

Nice deer!! Did you gut and skin it yourself?

coyotehunter_1 · October 21, 2012, 08:59:12 PM

You sure worked for that buck. I'm glad it all came together for you and thanks for taking us along on your hunt.

Chet

Spike · October 21, 2012, 09:03:16 PM

Code, I didn't gut this one and its still sitting in the cooler so we haven't skinned it but I do help skin and butcher. I did gut the last one but dad thought I might get this one mounted.

HuntnCarve · October 21, 2012, 09:04:55 PM

It's about time you posted this tale of the big buck Dante. I've been about busting a gut waiting to read about it here since you guys called me that night.

Anyway, way to go young man! You know I am so proud of you! I just had the feeling that you and this buck would cross paths again. And to take it with your bow

. A fine story all around. Well worth the wait.

HuntnCarve
Dave

Hidehunter · October 21, 2012, 09:06:17 PM

Now thats what Im talking about right there. Great Buck Buddy and you earned him. I hope he is going on the wall. Sounds like you have a sweet trail your hunting on there. Love the pics to...I have never seen one from the back like that...I really like it. Congrats on an Awesome Deer!!!

Dont ya just LOVE Bowhunting...

Hidehunter · October 21, 2012, 09:08:58 PM

Just wanted to add that he is at least a 3.5 to 4.5 year old Buck...A definate Big Mature animal. They are not easy to fool and especially not easy to take with a Bow. That really says something about the hunter. Way to go Dante!!!

Spike · October 21, 2012, 09:15:14 PM

Thanks Hidehunter. That's what my dad thought about how old he was. I do LOVE bowhunting and I am sooo glad I didn't shoot him on that second night when I was holding my dad's crossbow.

coyote101 · October 21, 2012, 09:16:59 PM

Great story, great deer, great job young man.

You are my idol.

Pat

FinsnFur · October 21, 2012, 09:38:36 PM

Ho! LEE! CRAP! Dante! That thing is huge.
You earned that bad boy in so many ways buddy. Way to go!

There is one thing I think I would have done differently though. I would have missed

Again nice job buddy. Man that thing is big!

Dave · October 21, 2012, 09:40:05 PM

Congrats Dant! That is one incredible bruiser. I wish I had a scale for it as I know it's over 200 dressed.
And what a fun time we both had trying to pattern this guy, and lucky it worked out the way it did. I thought the game was over after the second hunt when it seemed to wind us (At least we think it was the same buck - I never got a good look at it as I was suffering hanging onto the tree with most all my weight on my rt leg on a tree rung).
He's 19" outside spread, and 17" inside, and just heavy all the way out. He'll post those measurements a little later.
Well, once again Dant, I'm proud of Ya!

Dad

KySongDog · October 21, 2012, 10:08:40 PM

Super nice! Congrats!!

QuoteTen points, this might be the biggest buck that I will ever shot in my life.

I got a feeling there's an even bigger one in your future. Keep after 'em.

Todd Rahm · October 21, 2012, 10:16:52 PM

Bravo lil feller!!!!!!!!!!

Hawks Feather · October 21, 2012, 10:55:50 PM

You sure have every right to be EXTREMELY proud of that buck.

Jerry

Okanagan · October 21, 2012, 10:59:09 PM

Wow! What a buck! Great story and some excellent hunting and shooting.That's bigger than any whitetail I've ever gotten. Good for you!

riverboss · October 22, 2012, 10:58:06 AM

Wow!!! What a nice buck

bigben · October 22, 2012, 03:41:52 PM

Nice buck. Im jealous. Good job

bambam · October 22, 2012, 04:01:33 PM

Nice buck ! Good job.

HaMeR · October 22, 2012, 06:45:46 PM

Way to go Dante!!!! You sure laid the smack down on that big fella!! Congratulations on a fine hunt & a great story my Friend!!!!!!!!!

shaddragger · October 22, 2012, 07:51:42 PM

That is one AWESOME story Dante! Congrats on the monster buck AND on the perseverance it took to get him!

P.S. Great photos Dad! That view from behind is cool!