Buckmaster's Hunting Log
- Thread starter Buckmaster
- Start date
- 25,141
- 261
Huckleberry Finn
Senior Member
- 15,973
- 135
Friday morning I had the car all packed and ready to head to camp with Brendan after a day's work. At that time, Brendan had changed his mind about going with me.
He elected to stay home with Mommy and his sister so he could attend his aunt's birthday party. I was a little disappointed in his decision but I didn't say anything. I proceeded to unpack his portion of the car along with my stuff. I called Scott to have him pick me up after work and we'd car pool to camp. My friend Ron had arrived at camp on Thursday afternoon and was awaiting us. Oh, Brendan just turned 4 1/2 years old this past weekend. It would have been too cold for him anyways.
He elected to stay home with Mommy and his sister so he could attend his aunt's birthday party. I was a little disappointed in his decision but I didn't say anything. I proceeded to unpack his portion of the car along with my stuff. I called Scott to have him pick me up after work and we'd car pool to camp. My friend Ron had arrived at camp on Thursday afternoon and was awaiting us. Oh, Brendan just turned 4 1/2 years old this past weekend. It would have been too cold for him anyways.
Scott and I rolled into camp around 7:30 Friday evening. I noticed Ron had my 4 wheeler parked behind the grapevines. This was our gutting area so I knew had some success. As we unload our supplies we are greeted by Ron whom said he had got a doe out of the Tower blind. I gave my congratulations and proceeded to unload Scott's truck. I took a couple beers out of their carton and placed them in the freezer for a power chill. I noticed a set of frozen kidneys. I thought to myself, "Hum, interesting." Ron came through the door and said, "Hey, I got a doe at the junk pile stand this morning." So, that confirmed my finding. Not a bad day, two hunts; two deer for Ron. Scott and I helped Ron field dress his deer in the dark (with flashlights) over a beer or two.
Saturday morning. I sat in this elevated box blind overlooking one of our plots. We call this spot The Tower. Ron had taken his doe here the night before.
Attachments
-
Tower Stand.jpg
Here is the overall view from the stand. The deer generally walk down this mowed path toward the plot and stand.
This "weed plot" will get an over haul next Spring as it's mainly weeds with a little clover still in it. I mowed it about 3 weeks ago.
I've personally taken 15 deer from this location over the past 10 years. It's a guaranteed spot given you have enough patience.
This "weed plot" will get an over haul next Spring as it's mainly weeds with a little clover still in it. I mowed it about 3 weeks ago.
I've personally taken 15 deer from this location over the past 10 years. It's a guaranteed spot given you have enough patience.
Attachments
-
Tower View.jpg
At 10:19 am Saturday this 4 point appears. Here he is broadside at 20 yards. Bear in mind I'm holding a Ten Point Phantom crossbow. This weapon can handle lethal shots out to 50 yards in the best situations.
Attachments
-
4 point.jpg
Trailing this 4 pointer is a long nosed doe. I knew she was a shooter. She appeared out the right side window so I needed to swivel my chair and bow to the right.
Here is my right shooting lane.
Here is my right shooting lane.
Attachments
-
Right tower shooting lane.jpg
At 25 yards I had a slight quartering toward shot as the doe had approached the plot left to right. I had to shoot before she passed the brush on the right side of the photo. I took aim at her opposite side, and squeezed off my shot, sending my 2 blade Rage through her front shoulder. She took off in a flash. Four to five bounds, jumped over the old barbed wire fence, and down the highwall she ran. I quietly listened for a crash. Nothing but silence.
I sat there questioning my quartering toward shot as all hunters do. I did find confidence in my setup and combination as is always been good to me and a lethal combination. 194 pound draw, 353 fps, 2219 Easton aluminum tipped with 2 blade Rages. This bow has plently of speed and power.
I sat there for 45 additional minutes giving my doe some time. While I was waiting the 4 point came back and brought a buddy, a spike. They grazed and walk around the food plot for quite some time. Here is the spike smelling the arrow that blew through my doe. He was little nervous about what he was smelling. When the two deer left the plot I got down and began my tracking job.
Attachments
-
spike.jpg
I found my arrow stuck under the grass in the plot and it looked to be good red blood on the fletching. I stuck the arrow in the ground at the spot of impact and began my pursuit. I made it the wood line and looked for blood, nothing. So I began following the spot where I had last seen her jump down the highwall. I found some blood and some kicked up dirt, Good sign! I decended down the steep trail to the bottom of the highwall still following blood and fresh stumbling track marks in the dirt. There at the bottom of the highwall and next to the creek I find my prize.
Attachments
-
recover pic.jpg
I proceed to field dress her creekside and I placed her in the creek for a rapid cool down. This process makes for good quality meat along with a quick rapid kill.
Here she is making Piney Creek run red.
Here she is making Piney Creek run red.
Attachments
-
Piney Creek Runs Red.jpg
Now the fun begins. How do I get back to the top of a 200 foot highwall? I call Scott on the radio to go back to camp to bring me some knee boots and some long rope.