Yes, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Tennessee was a bust! We had 37 acres to hunt, had four sits, and saw zero deer. We pulled the plug on that location and have moved down to North Carolina. Our hunt starts tomorrow morning. Our host (who hunts lions with me in Colorado) says the deer are rutting hard. I cannot wait for first light, since I have seen zero rutting activity this year in all the places I have been. Travis, that’s some good news!
Heading back home to Colorado. The trip south wasn’t a total bust. I had two shots in North Carolina. One doe was missed and a second doe is going home with me. I had two bucks in front of me but neither met the 4 on one side criteria. They got passes. It looks like I’ll need to head back to Tennessee and actually find a place in Georgia to hunt. It’s time to do a little research. I hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving.
Well y’all, I haven’t had time to post awhile. Got called into my part time job the middle of November. First a week south of Louisville and now 3 months in Texas City. Brought my bow with me, but trying to find hunting down here is harder than taking a 200” buck. Hope y’all finish the season strong and safe. Happy Holidays.
Yesterday I got the pins out of my finger and the bolts out of my mouth. Prior to surgery I asked the doc if I’d have any restrictions after surgery and he said no. So from a medical standpoint, I’m clear to hunt! But I knew I’d need some help for sure. Called my neighbor and he was willing to help me out. It’s gun season in Ohio but I elected to use a crossbow. Figured my 12 gauge may be more recoil than I wanna attempt right now. Went over to a property I’ve been seeing some does and some small bucks cruise by my trail cam. Sat down on the ground with no blind. Not much action so at 8:30AM we stand up to warm up our legs…27° this morning! We see a forky and what appear to be some does working toward us. Drop down and get ready for a shot. Forky comes across the ridge we are on at 40 yards. And I actually considered it but decided to wait. Does never come up and over. But I can hear steps just over the ridge line. We wait a couple minutes and stand back up and see a big buck and 2 other nice bucks working away from us down the opposite hillside. The lead buck was a slammer and one I’d never had on camera. But they all 3 seem to be leaving. I let out a couple grunts just using my mouth. 2 smaller bucks turn up and head away from us. Wait about 5 minutes and the big buck who was out of sight and down the ridge turns and comes back and is headed toward us! He hits the valley below us and I’m aiming to the right, bow on my left shoulder since I’m left eye dominant. He’s getting closer and I’m trying to settle in on the crossbow sight on the monopod I have it on while standing up. All of a sudden I hear him go left just out of sight. So I switch arms and get back down on the bow. Moments later I see tines. He comes over the ridge just enough I can see his neck and vitals. He’s looking right at us 18 yards away. I squeeze and hear the hit. He goes over the hill and we hear him crash within 70 yards! Biggest buck I’ve ever shot in my life on my first hunt back from the car accident! Amazing moment and I’m just grateful to God that I’m alive and got to be back in the woods. Buddy brought his AtV and helped load it for me and I plan to get him mounted. I did do a quick score today but think I may have messed up. I’ll redo it tomorrow and get it posted. He should be mid 130s I think.
Sounds like an awesome day for you. And in view of your circumstances, it was such a blessing. Congrats again!! Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk
Got the buck entered. 131 5/8 is what he ended up scoring. Taking him to taxidermist tomorrow. Brother came today and helped me cut him up and I’ll be making some deer sticks and canned deer tomorrow.
Five bucks and three does for Team 9 Lives... That means we have room for four more bucks and 6 more does. We need to step into the box if we want to win this thing! Who is still hunting? I am heading back to Nebraska the weekend before Christmas. I have three tags to fill there...
I was looking at that earlier. Only a few points out of 3rd place! I may be able to get one more doe, but I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back out.
Well I'm still hunting but I've contributed nothing unfortunately. I've passed more deer this year than in any year I've hunted. Just can't get a good one in front of me. Still trying though Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk
Amazing story. What a year for you Travis. No one can say you are persistent and resilient. Very happy for you. Couldn't have been any better. Gorgeous deer.
Thanks man. If anybody is interested in hearing the story and its entirety, my wife and I recorded a podcast telling how it all went down. https://sheddinglightstories.buzzs...-bucks-my-car-wreck-and-unexpected-buck-story Also, exciting news. Today for the very first time I pulled back a 50 pound compound bow no pain whenever I did so, my left arm and shoulder are just weak and I’ll have to keep working on that. But I was encouraged.
