Well, I know I haven't contributed much lately. My wife and I were finally able to move to Jacksonville from Orlando. She's now a full time student at UNF again. This time for anesthesiology. So to say we've been busy is a bit of an understatement.
The past few weekends I was able to make it to our property and do some scouting, set some stands and game cameras, and get organized. It was great to get out of the house and get some sun and exercise. Between my wife's crazy study schedule and me with long hours at the office, I was going stir crazy.
Last weekend I went down to check cameras and make a game plan for an all day Saturday hunt for the opener. My pop was also able to join me, which was really nice. It's been a while since we had time to talk. It looked as though the hogs had really moved in and began to push the deer out. We normally don't see hogs that often, I think the dry spells have kept them at bay on our property. Well, the flood gates opened and the hogs invaded. I have pics of a few deer intermittently, but the majority of the pics were hogs. Lots of them. I have a few pics with damn near 15-20 of them rootin' around.
Fast forward to the opener. My dad and I were back at it and set well before light. Pops had a doe come in on him early but she offered him no shot. I was in a similar boat on the far side of the property, 2 does with no shot. We sat until 11am or so and then met at the truck for a bite and a nap. We headed back out and were set at 330pm.
Around 515 or so, we had a little cloud cover roll through and offer us a little break from the sun. The wind kicked up and started swirlin' and we were lucky enough to stay dry, with only a little sprinkle landing on us. Around 645 I noticed a little movement behind a tree that was blocking some of my view. The figure soon came into sight and it was able to make out that it was a buck. A 5 point that we had caught on camera the previous week.
I slowly stood up as he creeped along feeding. He was oblivious that I was a mere 15 yards away. The wind was perfect. I knew my time was limited with this luck and decided to take him. I Grabbed my bow and prepared to draw as he headed toward one of my shootin lanes. Just as he was about to make it into the lane I drew back. Unfortunately, he didn't continue to walk into the lane and decided to walk dead at me. At this point, I'm at full draw and holding. I must have held for 2 minutes. To me it was an eternity. I decided to slowly let down and as soon as I did, he stopped and looked around as if he heard something. Now I'm tired from holding as it is and I'm now holding all 70 lbs of draw at half cock. I muscle the bow back again, deciding that if I let down again chances are he will bust me. We are not at 10 yards. He finally walks into my shooting lane but is quartering toward me. I was confident in the shot and took it. I hit a touch higher than I wanted to in his shoulder but the arrow sailed completely through him. Entered high shoulder, traveled through his chest, and out the lower rib cage.
He spins a 180 and takes off like a bat outta hell. I soon hear a crash and a thud. Buck down!!! I take a seat and gather my composure. Thanked the lord and sent a text to my dad that I had a buck down. After the shakes left, I climbed down and found my arrow. No blood. My heart sank. Is been nearly 35 minutes now so I decide to walk 25 yards or so in the direction he ran to see if I can spot any blood before all the light has left the sky. Not a drop. Just as I make it to the second row of pines, I see a white belly and it all comes flooding back. Pops soon arrives at the stand and the work begins. No way to use a game cart where we are, no ATV, and no little brother to tell to get to draggin'. 500 yards to the truck. Great!!
I handed dad my pack and bow and he was able to help me get the buck on my shoulders. Was a long walk but we managed to get to the truck unscathed. It was great to spend some time with my dad, not to mention top it off with a buck. Enjoy the pics.
Feels good to get the monkey off my back
Way to go, congrats
now that's what I call spending some quality time with Dad. I'm sure neither of you will forget a second of it, congrats.
There you go! Great story, thanks for sharing.
Nice buck.
