This past weekend was sort of a fun hunt filled with countless heart felt memories-past and present. I left Denver Friday night and drove to S. Dakota with very little weather hindering my efforts-for a change. I made good time (seven hours total one way). I had good and long time friend Mark Perry along for the weekend’s activities. Mark and I have traveled the world together pursuing one thing or another. Yeah, you can say Mark is one of the two men responsible for giving me the addiction to hunt that I have. Together, the two of us were looking forward to hunting whities-he with his crossbow and me with my Custom Kanga Longbow (the compounds were left home). Hunting stories consumed the entire conversion on the way up... Mark missed a nice 8 point Saturday morning-I guess he didn't have an eight foot pin on his crossbow (he caught a little razzing from me...lol). That was his excuse anyway. On Sunday morning, he bolted a small six. Sadly, we never found it. I think he shot the deer in that "no man's land" under the deer's spine (seems that’s happening a lot this year). We tracked the deer in the snow for 3/4 of a mile. The buck showed no sign whatsoever of being injured. He was actually climbing steep hills. Finally, the blood just stopped... Mark saw a total of 23 deer-all on public land-in the day and a half we were together. I killed my doe from ten feet away Sunday morning (Enigma camo is awesome). One arrow did the job. She piled up 100 yards from where I hit her. It was funny, just prior to shooting this deer; two bucks (both nice eights) were directly under my ladder stand. They were heading towards Mark (I said a little prayer-I really wanted the deer to go towards him because he starts his second round of Kemo on the fifth. He’s inflicted with multiple myeloma. I so wanted him to get a deer!). I heard Mark's crossbow fire from inside his ground blind (I couldn't see him-he was just down the hill from my postion). I thought, "Dang, but that's cool-he got a shot!" Ten minutes later my doe shows up. I drilled her good-a first with traditional gear! Many, many thanks to Mark Perry and Russ Barber for making this another hunt of a lifetime! Some of the photos from the weekend:
Nice work Will! I'm surprised you even had to shoot her; she probably died from fright when she saw that uglyass bow of yours that close up!
Yeah, yeah, yeah Rob, she has a long neck and she spits too! But she aint no stink'n virgin like your beauty! Thanks everyone! I look forward to seeing a few of you in Kentucky Friday night! And if ya'll wouldn't mind, please keep Mr. Perry in your prayers. He's good folk!
Great story and pictures Will , congrats on the Trad kill with yer Kanga and good luck to yer Friend Mark . Its always a pleasure to read your stories Will
