Jesse's 2016 Hunting Adventures

[Big_Holla]

I can definitely understand your frustrations as you were going through this. Guess by your last post it's a great reminder to us all that just because we put an arrow where we thought it should go doesn't mean he's dead out there rotting for critters to eat. In years past it was easy for me to just say that it wasn't meant to be, that it won't go to waste, etc., etc. but the year I killed my biggest was the most roller coaster ride of my hunting career. The reminder that they could be still walking and doing as they wish doesn't seem to occur to most of us for some reason. Even so, it reminds us to stay at the top of our game and even then it still can be a roll of the dice.

 

[Gordo]

Well shit, at least it won't go unanswered

 

[Quantum673]

Not exactly what I was hoping for but definitely better than the alternatives. Great to hear he was recovered.

I am in the same boat brother. I can go out back and kill every target around but have lost something when I settle on a deer. I am sure that in my case my woes are because of pressure I have put on myself. Not having harvested a deer since Connor's accident and wanting so bad to take a nice one for him has done it to me. Trying my best to relax and let things happen hopefully that will work for me.

 

[at1010]

Nope. But the neighbor from NC who once again, on the last day at the last hpir, shot a buck found him. Turns out, we shot the same deer. Me high and in the famed "no man's land" and him through the guts over 24 hours later. Waiting now to see him. Same duo that was here when the other guy killed DD. Great dudes who obviously have way better luck than I.

At the end of the day, I need to become a better archer. I got good at shooting dots and no so good at killing deer. I will be switching broadheads to something with a larger cutting diameter to assist with my failures to execute. I've paid my dues and it's not been enough. At this point all I can do is suck it up and keep on keeping on. It's obvious this ain't my gig, but there's no turning back now.

Will follow up with pics and more details later.

You've got to be shitting me. Wow!

 

[Joel]

Son of a ...

 

[giles]

We need a season like Texas... bow hunting sucks. It takes more time then most people have in today's world.

Glad you have closure again and know exactly where your shot hit.

 

[Gordo]

Closure man. Other then you finding him, dead from your shot, there really wasn't a better possible out come.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Killed 1,100 yards (straight line) and 25 hours after I shot him. My arrow entered in the backstrap and exited below spine. He would have survived...

 

[Bigslam51]

Damn it

 

[Dustinb80]

Well shit

 

[brock ratcliff]

Glad you know what happened, Jesse.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Thanks fellas. What can ya do? It's comical how bad of luck I have. Luck had nothing to do with me not doing my part, but they found my fletching in his backstrap. Fractions of an inch mean artery or spine and he's dead seconds or I get a followed up. At the end of the day, I should have held lower, bent at waste more or just held it together a little better. No fun owning up to failure, but it is what it is at this point. I'll learn from it and try to get better as a result.

 

[Gordo]

I'm of the belief that stuff, good or bad, happens for a reason. That's the one belief I'm glued too. Not sure when it'll come full circle to be able to understand it, but you can bet my ass that it will. It's bigger picture type stuff. Roll with it buddy.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Renewable resource. That's what keeps me going when things like this happens. We try our best, sometimes we fail. We sometime assign too much individual value to these animals. A deer is a deer. Get back out there when you feel like doing it and enjoy being there.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I love the woods too much to just stop. Being outside is the best.

Two take-aways from this: First, I'm thankful for the closure and of all neighbors, I'd rather it be this group than some of the other possibilities. Two, I was humbled to show up at the farm today and 4 other men took time away from their families to help me track. Fluteman, aholdren, and my close buddies Jackson and Bryan were not only there, were there before 7AM in the cold to beat some absolutely nasty shit. We walked 4 miles in 4 hours covering the better part of 120 acres. I was confident in our effort and that had my hit been lethal, we'd have found him. It's the most extensive search effort of my career and I'm very thankful for their help.

I was prepared to monitor cams and head back daily looking for buzzards, listening for yotes and riding the quad around trying to confirm a fate. Now that I can hunt with a clear conscious, I'll get back out there Monday AM. Taking tomorrow off to regroup, then it's time get back to work.

 

[aholdren]

Just one question,,,, Did we push Wilson to him???

Good to know where he is but damn!

I truly enjoyed spending quality time with great guys this morning . Every time I get the chance to expand my knowledge on Mythical creatures I try to take full advantage!

Dude you and Greg will Chase and have opportunities to kill more Mature bucks over the next 20 plus years than the adverage guy like me. Thank you for letting me take part in this, I just wish it would have been a different outcome.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I don't think we did, but it's entirely possible.

 

[aholdren]

All right I got one last question, is he what you thought he was? As far as age and size?

 

[hickslawns]

Bitter sweet ending. Has got to be a huge relief knowing what happened. Sour medicine to swallow though. My hat is off to you for the extensive efforts to recover him as well as your crew of helpers. That is the way to do it. Exhaust every possibility. Much respect goes out.

 

[bowhunter1023]

All right I got one last question, is he what you thought he was? As far as age and size?

He's definitely a 3 year old. And I thought 135 and he'll be a couple inches shy I suspect. I'd have been tickled to death. After seeing him, it is also unmistakable that he is from Captain Jack genes. Jack's 3.5 year old left side shed is identical to Wilson's down to the exact same ridge and start of a split G2. Curvature of tines and beams are exact and there can't be more than 2" in difference. Wilson has a touch more mass. Whether Jack was his dad (he was 5.5 in 2013, so he certainly bred does in our area when Wilson was conceived) or they have the same mom/grandma. It's uncanny how similar they are after seeing him up close.