Took this 9pt. Saturday morning not 40 minutes after the season opened up. It is my first buck with a bow. Last picture is of him in velvet on a neighbors property.
Got in the stand right at shooting time. Had a doe come out about 7am but it never came close enough for a shot. About 15 minutes later a smaller buck and this buck came right into the feeder. Didn't even see them until they were within 25 yards. My buck was eating under the feeder and chasing the other one away. Here in Texas we have antler restrictions which means bucks have to be 13" wide or better. Not wanting to make a mistake a looked him over for several minutes before deciding to shoot. Took the shot at 20 yards and had a double lung pass through. He only ran 60 yards before fell.
Very nice! I don't know about you, but for me, the adrenaline right before the shot is almost too much to bare...Almost I got the bug at 16 years old and will hopefully never loose it.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
When he walked out my heart was racing but by the time I took the shot I had calmed down. After I heard him fall I thought I was going to hyperventilate.
Spark,
He was probably around 140. Most of the mature bucks in our area will go 150-200.
I wonder what you guys in Texas do when you get deer this time of year. I got a doe on Friday. It was probably in the high 40s when she was shot, but it was headed for the 80s.
As soon as I could, I packed the gut cavity with 40 lbs. of ice, put a tarp over her, and then two moving blankets (this was in the back of my pickup).
I waited until she was well chilled before skinning and quartering.
I've finally got all of her processed, packaged, and in the freezer -- except for the tenderloins. They are tonight's dinner. They have been marinating since yesterday.
We take our deer to a processor about 20 minutes away so we just get them cleaned as quick as possible. I had my deer dropped off within 4 hours of being shot.
Congrats Chris! Good shooting! Our season opens Wed. I've got to do some serious thinking because where I wanted to put the stand in relation to where the deer are being seen will not work for the wind on Wed. ESE is the wrong wind for that area. Cameras are out again in different areas and they will be checked tomorrow.
Having a very difficult time concentrating on work. Took my 12-yr old daughter out for her first hunt Saturday which was our Youth Hunting Day. Saw 9 deer and a bear cub. Actually had the safety in the "off" position for a few moments when a group of does passed thru, but the right shot never quite materialized. Those youth days are a great time if you've got kids.
Bow season opens here tomorrow...it's not what you'd call great hunting weather, going to be in the low 80's. But I'll likely get a sit in late afternoon just for fun.
Dale
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
This year's Northern Virginia's season is crazy. Pretty much unlimited for antlerless in the counties like Loudoun, Prince William, etc. It started last week in those areas.
Chris, have you ever thought about using that long distance gun of yours on whitetails? I'm thinking that a 405g "hammer of thor" would do quite well on one.
I checked my camera this last Saturday had a bunch of does a small buck and then all of a sudden this guy showed up!! I got one pic of him. I named him Twin Towers for his TALL G2's and the pic was taken on 9/11.
RC
This is the biggest buck I have seen at this camp in 5 years! I am motivated now!!!
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
Nice Buck RC. I am going hunting after a 3 year break first time this year. I have done a little here but usually go wilderness in WVA. for a week. Looking forward to it big time. Where I hunt is big genes for mountain deer, got a 12 point with a 23 1/2 inch spread and a 5 " dropped tine there. Also 9" brow tines and est 250 lbs. I had him mounted as best I have ever got. Hopes on his son! Three years ought to be a big boy as I think good mast, at least here it has been. Good luck guys/
Nice Buck RC. I am going hunting after a 3 year break first time this year. I have done a little here but usually go wilderness in WVA. for a week. Looking forward to it big time. Where I hunt is big genes for mountain deer, got a 12 point with a 23 1/2 inch spread and a 5 " dropped tine there. Also 9" brow tines and est 250 lbs. I had him mounted as best I have ever got. Hopes on his son! Three years ought to be a big boy as I think good mast, at least here it has been. Good luck guys/
Have fun Wood! I wish I would have gotten more pics of this guy but he must have just crusied through I guess. I have my camera set to take a pic every 10 seconds so at night he must have been out of range by the time it was ready to take another pic. At least for now I know he's around! Now everytime I see or hear a deer my heart will be pounding like a little kid again hunting!! I hope I can get him.
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
Did not see anything yesterday morning, but snatched a mommy away from her large fawn yesterday around 6 PM. I think this may be my first opening-day success. Lots of does were out around that particular stand at the time. Came in early this morning. Looking like a washout today.
No success yesterday for me. Had a set of twin bucks, both with 7"-9" spikes walk under the ladder stand last evening, both within 5 yds, one came over and sniffed the actual ladder on the stand. I guess the "Dead Down Wind" scent eliminating spray worked, or I didn't stink too bad to them! I could have dropped an arrow on it.
I also watched a pair of bucks half heartedly dukeing it out for about 15 minutes at 200 yds. Dark enough out that I couldn't make out the racks thru my 8x rangefinder. With the deer there I couldn't get out of the stand until 7:30 p.m. CST without giving away my location.
No does at all.
I did find roughly 5# of Hen-of-the-woods and some fall button mushrooms, and left more Hens to grow for later. This may be a year like 3-4 years ago when I saw 14 different bucks but hardly any does. I put this stand in that spot because Sunday/Monday/Tuesday I had pictures of a bunch of does and bucks on the trail camera.
Esshup My daughter got her first deer with her Matthews bow... Boy was she proud and so was I. Quite a thing to take a buck with a bow.. It was a great day even tho the trophy was a spike.. Still doesn't get any better . Hope you get a wall hanger this season
I got the bug at 16 years old and will hopefully never loose it.
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