COOSEFAN Report post Posted January 10, 2012 So since I always try to go hunting on my birthday, I grabbed my bow and headed out yesterday. I ended up at spot that a good friend showed me and despite the bad winds I had 2 shooter bucks and 2 does located right away. There are 4 deer in this crappy digi-pic thru my 15's. The bigger buck is behind and right of the middle doe, you can just see his face basically. All I was after was any 4x4 so both these bucks would fit the bill and the stalk was on! All but the last 100 yards was easy. The strong winds covered any noise and it was steady so scent control was easy. Once I topped out on the last rise before the deer I could see the smaller buck and ranged him at 75 yards. With the winds like they were it wasn't a good shot and I didn't have enough shooting lanes to wait the bucks out at this spot so I needed to get closer. There was a solid cactus patch between the next bush and I and I would have to zig zag to get through it. The biggest problem was that the smaller buck would be in full view the whole time! I had to stay lower than the cactus patches and these unfortunately were small patches! Also, because of all the dead pads and needles everywhere I couldn't slide on my belly. I had to support my fat belly with 1 arm and my tippy toes most of the time while pushing the bow forward with the other arm! It had to have taken 30 minutes or more for me to cover these next 20 yards and I actually probably crawled 60 yards in the process because of the zig zagging! Once I got to the last bush, I peeked through the grass and could see the forehead of the bigger buck at 50 yards and the smaller buck was still bedded as well at around 60. I knew there were 2 does in between the big buck and I also but the wind was steady in my favor so everything was good. I spent the next 15-20 minutes laying there pulling cactus needles out of my belly and hands. I had run all possible scenarios thru my head and felt confident I was going to kill the bigger buck. Finally, I picked my head up to look and the bigger buck was up and quartered away with his head down. I ranged him at 56 yards then slid up onto my knees while drawing bow back. The does blew out fast but the buck stayed still looking at them. I immediately realized I couldn't hold my bow steady! A combination of the wind and my tired arms were making it very hard to hold my 60 yard pin where I wanted it! I finally had it fairly solid and let it go, only to watch it skim harmlessly past his shoulder! I didn't compensate for the wind! I'm sure it wasn't just that but probably a combination of everything I'm guessing. Now, the big buck takes off and already with another arrow loaded I draw back again as the smaller buck is still standing broadside at what I thought was the same distance I had ranged him earlier in his bed. This time I held for the wind but didn't realize he was now a little further and my arrow thankfully just missed his belly. Now, with the rodeo over, I sat back and laughed to myself. It was strange, instead of disappointment at the missed opportunities, I felt satisfied and victorious! I had beaten these deer, I had stalked up to and laid within killing distance of two nice bucks and watched them chew their cud! Sure I missed, I know what I did wrong and learned from it and luckily nobody got hurt in the process. But sitting there, tired and sore, and looking back on the stalk from start to finish with the heart pounding moments, I was reminded why I love bowhunting so much! I was also reminded that I'm getting old! Thanks if you read thru it all! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 10, 2012 Very cool Jim!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADDICT Report post Posted January 10, 2012 Great write up man! Thats the TRUTH! You won. Just getting in tight on deer is worth the time and effort. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZJARCHER Report post Posted January 10, 2012 Awesome story man! Well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
izquik72 Report post Posted January 10, 2012 Sounds like a great adventure. Oh yeah and Happy Birthday!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willyhunts2 Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Cool story sounds like a fun exciting hunt. Those are 2 lucky bucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DCS Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Great write up,when all is said and done it comes down to you and the animal,that's the satisfaction of being the winner!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Awesome, Jim!!! I was stuck here in my office working, so it sounds like a great day of hunting to me either way..... Glad you get to get out there and chase some for yourself every now and then! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Happy Birthday Old Man. Great read Jim. You might not have killed but you certainly were successful on your stock. It took alot to get to where you had to make the shot. Thanks for sharing because it brought back a few memories of my own missed shots. Sounds to me like you had the perfect Birthday celebration. Well, maybe not the perfect but close. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Haha nice story! Thanks for sharing your experience Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted January 11, 2012 That's what you get for chasing Carp Happy birthday though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mariob Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Wow Jim that is a great day. If this is the Jim I think it is then they are lucky you didn't bust em up. Sounds so exciting. I spotted one today and drove around and put a stalk on but was on the wrong side of it and they blew outta there. Great fun Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donniedent Report post Posted January 11, 2012 What a great story! Congrats on the stalk and sorry to hear about the cactus... that crap is no fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted January 11, 2012 Happy Birthday Jim! Great write-up, awesome story! Very exciting, you are pretty tough to crawl through that cactus, I think I'm too much of a baby for that! What a great day, congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted January 11, 2012 you are pretty tough to crawl through that cactus, I think I'm too much of a baby for that! When you get to be Jim's age, your skin gets like leather. Cactus is no problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
