My teammates on Team 20 know it's been a season of close calls for me. I've spent countless hours in the stand and have seen more shooters than any previous season, but for one reason or another none of the big boys cooperated when I had my bow in my hand. Oklahoma's rifle season opened on November 20. Frustrated with how bow season had progressed, I hit the stand that morning with my gun out and took a 140 at 39 yards within the first hour. The elation subsided too soon because, in a way, I felt like I had cheated myself. I don't know how that sentence comes across, but it's just me being brutally honest. After the gun kill, I went back to bowhunting but the big buck activity ended abrubtly and I knew my chances at a big one had just decreased tremendously. On Saturday, November 27, the crisp 24 degree morning found me sitting in a stand in a strip of timber overlooking a brushy draw in the middle of a large CRP field. I had already decided to take a doe if the opportunity presented itself. At 7:30 a group of 5 maneuvered around the steep bank of the draw and right by my ambush spot. When the lead doe entered my lane 20 yards away I "maaayed" and she stopped. The SlickTrick was on it's way and hit paydirt! She ran 35 yards, stood momentarily, then dropped. The other 4 never knew what happened and eventually fed off into the timber behind me. Being as early as it was, I continued my vigil from the stand. At 9:00 I was looking through my binoculars trying to spot the downed doe in the thick CRP grass when something caught my eye in the background. It was a buck sneaking through the draw. I could make out a weird looking rack and decided he would be the one. 61 yards out he stopped when he caught the scent of the doe. He then continued my way. I last ranged him at 35 yards. I came to full draw but he started walking to me. I was counting how many steps he took in my head to ensure that my yardage estimation was correct. Finally he turned broadside but picked up the pace somewhat. Just like before, I "maaayed" and he stopped. This time my arrow was tipped with a Magnus Buzzcut (I routinely carry two different types of broadheads in my quiver). I released the arrow but never saw it impact. The buck wheeled around and ran hard with his tail down. He went into the draw and I saw a flash of white as he crashed. He made it about 75 yards or so. He is unique and I'm proud to have him down. Both of them will help fill my family's freezer. It was my first double with a bow. Here's a pick of both of them together Here is the buck... ... and the doe
Sooner, that's a fantastic hunt and you should be real proud of your season. I know exactly what you mean about cheating yourself too with the gun kill... I know there are many on here who are capable of switching back and forth between the two, but I never was able to. I killed one deer with a gun and decided I'd never do that again.
Nice buck and doe there Sooner. Have you been seeing much big buck activity here in our part of the state? I hunt mayes county and I haven't been seeing many big bucks this season as compared to previous seasons on the same property. It may be that we have more hunting pressure around our lease this year but it really seems down from previous years.
Thanks for replies fellas. This was a real fun hunt for me and I tried to convey that in the story so I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. :D
