This past Thursday, I was fortunate enough to end my up and down season on a high note. After missing two bucks this archery season, I really had mixed emotions as the season came to a close. I decided that I would pick up the rifle for our two week rifle season for a change of pace, a chance to spend some more time with my dad, and well, frankly, for a change of pace:D I had a decent amount of deer activity around me the first few days of the season, but no shooters. On Thursday morning after almost two days of heavy rain and a lot of localized flooding, we had off school, so I decided to take advantage. Ironically, my dad told me that when he had snow days during the season in the past when he was a teacher, he often capitalized and was often successful. After no shooters during the morning sit, I got into the stand around 3:15 for the afternoon sit (about and hour earlier than I can get in on days that I'm working). At 4pm, a decent 8pt came in to my south. Not expecting to see a deer moving this early, I still had my gun hung up, and he was only 40yds out and a little antsy. I managed to get the gun off the hook, spin around, and get it on him by the time he entered the plot. A solid quartering away shot at 30yds put him right down. Not long after the shot, my phone rings. It's my dad calling from his stand on the other end of the property. As I answer, he just says, "You get him?" It was great being able to share another successful hunt with my dad, and it really was a high point of my season. The catch? This deer was in the plot at 4pm. If I hadn't had off from work, I would have entered the plot around 4:00-4:10, and would have surely spooked him out. If it wasn't for my day off, it's very likely I would have never had a shot. While it's not a bow kill, I'm still happy, and thought I would share.
Finch, thanks bud, he definitely has one of the smoothest and darkest capes of any deer I've taken. If he was a bit larger, I would consider taking advantage and having a shoulder mount, but I think I am going to try my hand at a euro mount for this one. Scot/IL, thanks! Ben, how big was he? How is the cabin making out this season? iHunt, thanks! Rybo, thanks! Any luck yet with the smoke wagon? 2Lunger, yeah, no throat patch. Makes him a little more neat, and to be honest I didn't even notice that right away. VS, thanks. While he's not a bow buck, I had a lot of fun with this, and my heart was still racing the whole time. As long as that excitement stays, I don't care what weapon I have in my hand.
Regardless of the euro mount, I would save that cape. You never know when you will need one and that would be a cool one to have in the freezer just incase you would need it.
Vito, thanks! 2 Lunger, not a bad idea, really. I hadn't considered that, but may do so. BowFreak, thanks! Finch, unfortunately it's hard to find anyone around here that wants to even buy hides let alone pay anything worthwhile. fatsbucknut, I think I may be the one I saw during the third week of archery that came into this same area with a doe. He never got more than 70yds then so I can't be sure. VERY similar rack. Rory/MO, thanks, see above:D Duke, thanks!
