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Been awhile - short season

at1010

*Supporting Member*
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Friends of TOO! It has been far to long and I apologize.

I am excited to tell you I killed a nice buck opening morning at 830am.

So the story goes -
I hung a camera and patterned this deer. I didn’t do much he came through this oak ridge every morning. Opening morning wind was perfect. I setup at 530am and waited for the deer to move. At 827, that buck came down wind of me in a creek bank. I knew my thermals would be well above him there so I sat right and grabbed bow. He came up bank, turn broadside to head back into thicket. Full draw and a few “maaaps” later and he was hit right behind the shoulder.

This is really where the story began. I backed out and gave the deer two hours even though I knew I hit him perfect. I started in on the track with my cousin. We found blood right away and the arrow. Long story short, we searched for the deer for 7 hours Saturday. Ran out of blood and couldn’t find deer. Searched Sunday 3 hours by drone in this field I felt he died in and no luck. I then searched Monday after work - no luck. Finally on Tuesday- even though many friends told me “oh he’s probably alive”, I needed to search this one creek again. I found the buck 30 yards behind the stand where I shot him. He made a 500 yard loop.

I am humbled to take a deer like this opening day. I am sad I lost the great Lena protein. I am honored to honor him on my wall and proud of myself for my persistence.

Moral of story - trust your gut and shot. If you know you hit them good. Keep looking, good chance you’ll find him!!

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thanks- that was a rage 2 blade, chisel tip. I’ve killed a lot of deer with those but I do believe it may have closed on itself. The hole in the front side lung was like the diameter of the arrow only.
May have been a fluke, who knows. I've shot a lot of deer with Rages over the years and haven't ever had an issue. But random stuff happens. Great deer man!! Congrats.
 
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at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,944
139
May have been a fluke, who knows. I've shot a lot of deer with Rages over the years and haven't ever had an issue. But random stuff happens. Great deer man!! Congrats.

I agree. I still have rages on my arrows and will shoot a couple does yes this year. Just a very odd situation for sure.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
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Ohio
Shot placement looks perfect. How was the exit? Where did the arrow exit? Great to see your persistence in the recovery.