Maybe I shouldn't tell this but very early this morning while on stand, I had the dreaded pain hit. After watching a young buck skirt north of me I could no longer stand it. I slowly and quietly climbed back down from my hangon stand. Good for me that I was hunting right next to a deep creek. Right after doing my thing and trying my best to do some hasty burying in the sand using my boot, another young buck is moving slowly north of me. He finally heads off to the open field toward another wooded area. Quickly I slipped my harness back on, made my way back to my tree and climbed up. It wasn't more than 10 minutes when a nice mature doe is heading my way and I had decided to shoot, but in the corner of my eye I spot this 10 point right behind her. He was slightly chasing her and intent as she neared the winding creek with him 20 yards behind her. Coming broadside at 15 yards he allowed me a wide open shot. I knew I hit him well, but with things happening so fast I still wasn't sure. After waiting 1 1/2 hours I decided to check the spot where the 10 point had stood. Good blood right from the start with tiny air bubbles but no arrow. After 25 yards of trailing there is my arrow. By the looks of things the fletching was barely hanging inside the opposite side when he ran full bore and it fell out coated with blood and no damage. One of the three blades is will be replaced while the other two just need a little touching up and they are actually still sharp. He went about 70 yards into thick small saplings and brush, thats why I couldn't see him fall. Good blood all the way and easily found. Needless to say I am very fortunate I was able to do my business, climb back up my tree and get settled back in only a few minutes before the doe and buck came by. He is no giant and I haven't scored him yet but is the best buck I've had close this season. Lots of small bucks in my areas this year so I am happy, especially being my vacation is over. I'll still hit it a few evenings this week after work. He does have some character with a droptine, though it doesn't drop. It goes straight back off the left beam. I like it. I appologize for the poor pics, I was unprepared this morning and didn't have my camera or camcorder with me, so I made due at home with buck-on-the-trailer pics .
Congrats! It seems that sometimes the most not so opportune moments are followed by the best opportunities. Love the droptine
Congratulations on a nice Illinois buck. I loved the story behind him. Ain't is funny how things work out sometimes? "S&#% Happens"!
