The litte buck stood at 40 in the opening in the middle of the picture. The shooter bucks were in the top left corner behind the cedars.
Awesome, makes sitting in those brutal cold temps worth it! Now we need to hear how you pulled of the double when you get a chance.
Just after first light I saw deer moving on the same trail they walked yesterday. Im going to get down soon, move my climber about 125 yards WNW, get out of here and be back this afternoon.
The story: About 1530, I started seeing deer filtering down the hill. I could see a tall spike, bald head and the 8. They got to about 80yds along the stone wall and hung up. They did an about face and headed right back up the hill as if to say that it was to early to walk into the danger zone. I never did lose sight of them. Saw them milling around on the neighbor's property about 200yds away. About 1630- 1645, they started to filter back down and met up with a Doe group which came in from the east. I saw 8-9 Doe, the 8pt(that I shot), a tall tined funky 5pt, 4pt, two tall Spikes and a small Button Spike. First one down the hill was the funky 5pt, had him broad side at 25yds, almost shot him , but his body was smaller then the 8pt. The 8pt was second down the hill and also crossed the stone wall onto my side of the line. He followed the 5pt exactly and when his head went behind a tree, I drew back. The 8pt stepped out and gave me his vitals at 25yds at about 1700. I released the arrow and new immediately that the shot was perfect up and down but back, probably liver. (Gutting showed one lung, liver, diaphragm, slightly quartering toward obviously). He ran 30yds and stopped behind some trees at the edge of the ravine. I lost sight of him but knew he didnt leave. While waiting to see if he was dead or gonna step out, all the rest of the deer continued to filter down. The next group was 3 Doe and the 4pt running them around. All the while the funky 5pt stayed at 30-40yds(only 1 Buck allowed in Winter Bow). The Does and fork horn started down the same trail and I couldn't resist the free gift. As the lead Doe went behind the same tree, I drew back again. When she stepped out I let her have it at 25yds and around 1720hrs. The entire heard of deer bolted, except the funky 5pt. I watched her run back up the hill and saw her take the running tumble about 80yds out. Gutting showed a complete double lung pass through. After dark, I got down and approached the 8pt Buck with a flash light. He was bedded and I saw blinking eyes reflecting back at me. The 8pt got up and stood there all hunched up and then suddenly bolted down the ravine. I heard him crashing and ice breaking in the creek and him trying to climb the other side of the ravine. I decided to leave him and go get the Doe. I got her cleaned up and dragged her out. This morning at sunrise I went back out and found the 8pt on the far side of the ravine about 40yds from where I last saw him. It's been a long season, with lots of ups and downs, but it all paid off yesterday with a nice Buck and lots of venison for the freezer.
What a great hunt! I bet it felt good to gut that doe and warm your hands in those temps we had last night. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk