December 2, 2008

2008 Thanksgiving Holiday Update

WOW... Where do I start???

Well I have either been hunting, cooking or eating the past week or so....
Have a head congestion thing going on that is making the brutally cold days miserable. As long as the fever stays down it is much easier to tolerate the cold temps. I did take time to go to the doctor and get a antibiotic and I guess if I actually took the time to get it filled and start taking it I would probably be better by now. I know.... You don't even have to say it! Anyways...lol

Let's see, I really should have been taking notes since I can't remember one day from the next. The most memorable highlights would be the 8PT buck that I have been stalking.

I first saw the 8PT buck on Tuesday morning, he came out of some thick stuff to my left at about 60 yards or so. I decided when I went in that morning to walk a additional ½ mile or so to avoid laying scent where I figured deer would approach from. He was alone and sniffing/feeding as he came out of some thick undergrowth to my left. As soon as I saw him I knew he would be a nice bow kill. He turned his head to feed and I drew hoping I could hold on until he presented himself for a shot. He was not really wide but carried a tall rack, I am not really good at guessing class but for this un-managed property he was a good buck!

I also need to mention that I am hunting on the ground, no blind and I am in a kneeling position. I have a large oak tree to my back to break my silhouette and laid some cedar limbs in front of me for a little break-up. As the buck moves toward my hopeful shooting lane, I am aiming and having to lean back and around the tree to get a good shot. He walks right up and OMG it’s perfect!!! 25 yards and he is sniffing the ground perfectly still!!! I line up on his ribs and CLICK! 

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/gagirlpics/Bow%20Hunting/?action=view&current=2789633.jpg

Nothing happens, the buck is running away and I don’t see my arrow fly… WTH!!! Well just so happens one of the limbs I laid was perfectly in front of my arrow when I shot. What’s the chances! This limb is about 1” in diameter…just enough to catch my arrow as it flies from my bow not 20” in front of me! I was heart broke!!! I guess the best part is knowing I was in his freaking HOUSE with nothing but my bow and managed to get the opportunity to attempt a 25 yard shot! How cool is THAT!!

I managed to see him again following a doe at about 60 yards but he was unresponsive to anything I tried. I have moved my climber around and have managed to remain unknown by the buck but I ran out of time, rain came in hard Friday evening and didn’t let up until Sunday morning. I did get out behind my house Sunday morning but didn’t manage anything but wet and cold.

The last 10 days has been great!! I had some wonderful time with family and managed to spend a lot of time in the woods!