After a long off season, it was absolutely awesome to be back in the woods. There is just nothing like sunrise in the middle of nowhere. I could barely sleep Friday night. I eventually went to bed around midnight, and never needed the alarm that I had set up to wake me at 3:30. Up around 3, I got a shower and loaded my gear, and went to pick up my brother in law for his first ever bowhunt. He has been gun hunting hogs for a while, but hasn't had a chance at hunting deer yet. To make it more special, he was going to be hunting with his grandfather's bow that he recently had restrung. Off we went, and we were in the tree by 6. We set up at the junction between two branches. We were about 20 yards from each other overlooking a feeder I had set up previously. It was a nice cool morning.
The woods came to life as the sun rose. It was a beautiful morning. At 7, as programmed, the feeder started spreading corn, and scared the crap out of us. I almost fell out of the tree it startled me so bad.
Around 7:15, I notice a nice buck coming straight for us at about 70 yards. A good shooter, nice and wide. He was slowly working his way down, and then about 15 yards behind him, his brother shows up, even bigger. I was focused, ready to go for it. Any of those bucks would have been a very nice trophy, but I was going to wait for the big one of course.
Well, I wish I could tell you guys that we bagged both of these bucks, but they hung up on us about 50 yards out and went down another trail. (I don't shoot that far at live targets) That's bowhunting... Had it been gun season, both bucks were down. At least I know they're around and I'll try to ambush them another time.
I went back Sunday morning and killed a doe for the freezer. She went about 60, 70 yards from the shot. The blood trail was easy since I had cut an artery, but she went straight for the thick stuff. I had to be crawling to follow it. It always amazes me what these rather large animals can go through.
Unfortunately, my bro in law didn't get to draw at anything. He did see deer, just all out of range. It doesn't matter, he still enjoyed the experience. He'll be back for more; I think he's hooked on it already.
So, how did you guys do? Let us hear some stories!
Chris.
The woods came to life as the sun rose. It was a beautiful morning. At 7, as programmed, the feeder started spreading corn, and scared the crap out of us. I almost fell out of the tree it startled me so bad.
Around 7:15, I notice a nice buck coming straight for us at about 70 yards. A good shooter, nice and wide. He was slowly working his way down, and then about 15 yards behind him, his brother shows up, even bigger. I was focused, ready to go for it. Any of those bucks would have been a very nice trophy, but I was going to wait for the big one of course.
Well, I wish I could tell you guys that we bagged both of these bucks, but they hung up on us about 50 yards out and went down another trail. (I don't shoot that far at live targets) That's bowhunting... Had it been gun season, both bucks were down. At least I know they're around and I'll try to ambush them another time.
I went back Sunday morning and killed a doe for the freezer. She went about 60, 70 yards from the shot. The blood trail was easy since I had cut an artery, but she went straight for the thick stuff. I had to be crawling to follow it. It always amazes me what these rather large animals can go through.
Unfortunately, my bro in law didn't get to draw at anything. He did see deer, just all out of range. It doesn't matter, he still enjoyed the experience. He'll be back for more; I think he's hooked on it already.
So, how did you guys do? Let us hear some stories!
Chris.