I know we have a few hunters on here so I thought I would share my hunting story...sorry for the long-winded story, it was originally written for an archery forum...
It was a great morning to be in a stand...the deer activity around me was early and often this morning.
The morning started off with a buck presenting a shot before I had enough light to see my pins...I had to let down and he walked away. About 15 minutes later I heard what sounded like a herd of buffalo coming through the woods as a doe came running down the side of the hollow full tilt with a small buck hot on her tail. They got in behind me on the side of the bench while I watched three more deer go through the bottom of the hollow. The last was a buck because I could hear him grunting...my grunting didn't phase him.
Just as I got done trying to persuade the third buck, I heard leaves crunching on the top of the hogback and a split second later a deer started walking down the side of the hollow. I could tell it was a buck as soon as he came into view. He was on a trail I wasn't really expected them to use but would present me a great shot. I could hear him making a guttural "popping" sound as he walked closer...he came to my stand like he was on a string.
As he got to me I drew and he stopped like it was scripted...I watched as the arrow buried itself right where I was focused on. The buck put his tail up and ran about 20 yards, stopped and looked back...he then proceeded to walk away. He appeared to be staggering a slight bit and I thought he would fall over right there (I had another buck do the exact thing)...didn't happen. Now I'm questioning my shot. A couple minutes later I hear a crash in the direction he went.
To be on the safe side I waited 30 minutes before coming down out of my stand...watching 3 more deer lower in the hollow. Once on the ground I checked the arrow...good pink blood. I left the arrow and went back to my truck to return an hour later. I returned with my Dad to help track (which has been customary since I killed my first deer) and we found no blood on the ground by the arrow. I then went to where he stopped...blood all over. We followed a good blood trail about 60 yards and then it trickled down to a couple drops...but about 5 yards away was a brown lump.
http://forums.mathewsinc.com/images/userpix/30649_IMG_0417_1.jpg
It was a great morning to be in a stand...the deer activity around me was early and often this morning.
The morning started off with a buck presenting a shot before I had enough light to see my pins...I had to let down and he walked away. About 15 minutes later I heard what sounded like a herd of buffalo coming through the woods as a doe came running down the side of the hollow full tilt with a small buck hot on her tail. They got in behind me on the side of the bench while I watched three more deer go through the bottom of the hollow. The last was a buck because I could hear him grunting...my grunting didn't phase him.
Just as I got done trying to persuade the third buck, I heard leaves crunching on the top of the hogback and a split second later a deer started walking down the side of the hollow. I could tell it was a buck as soon as he came into view. He was on a trail I wasn't really expected them to use but would present me a great shot. I could hear him making a guttural "popping" sound as he walked closer...he came to my stand like he was on a string.
As he got to me I drew and he stopped like it was scripted...I watched as the arrow buried itself right where I was focused on. The buck put his tail up and ran about 20 yards, stopped and looked back...he then proceeded to walk away. He appeared to be staggering a slight bit and I thought he would fall over right there (I had another buck do the exact thing)...didn't happen. Now I'm questioning my shot. A couple minutes later I hear a crash in the direction he went.
To be on the safe side I waited 30 minutes before coming down out of my stand...watching 3 more deer lower in the hollow. Once on the ground I checked the arrow...good pink blood. I left the arrow and went back to my truck to return an hour later. I returned with my Dad to help track (which has been customary since I killed my first deer) and we found no blood on the ground by the arrow. I then went to where he stopped...blood all over. We followed a good blood trail about 60 yards and then it trickled down to a couple drops...but about 5 yards away was a brown lump.
http://forums.mathewsinc.com/images/userpix/30649_IMG_0417_1.jpg
