This story all starts a little over a year ago. We were all getting ready for deer season in the spring and decided it was time to start putting out minerals. We selected numerous different sites and went to the local co-op to get the supplies to create our own mixture. After getting the minerals out we usually wait a few weeks and put some cameras on the sites. Ty had placed a camera on one of the sites in the creek bottoms of a really good piece of ground. He left it there for a couple of weeks before checking it. When he checked it he was astonished to see this giant drop-tine buck that seemed to have it all. From that day forward we referred to him as “total package.” After looking at the deer more and more we realized that he was a younger deer….probably 3.5 and Ty made the decision that no matter what happened, he needed to walk if anyone ever got an opportunity at him. Fortunately, nobody ever had to be put in that position in the 2007 season. Ty looked hard for his shed antlers and never found them. This spring he put a camera in the exact same place that he had gotten pictures of him the year before, but after checking the camera several times, he still hadn’t gotten pictures of him. We were all starting to wonder if maybe he had been shot by a rifle hunter in the area. Fortunately, he eventually showed up sporting two big ol’ drop tines! What an awesome deer – one that everyone always dreams about! Throughout the summer he was showing up pretty regularly to the mineral site, but usually in the mornings and we didn’t know a whole lot about where he was feeding/bedding. Fast forward to September 14th, the day before Missouri opener. Ty decided he would go out and scout this big field where he had been seeing some nice bucks in the past. He had to climb in a tree to see the whole field so he opted not to bring the camera, and just bring his binocs. Ty couldn’t believe his eyes when the big double drop tine buck stepped out into the open and walked right across the middle of the field toward a big oak that was dropping acorns pretty good. He knew exactly what he had to do and mid day on opening day (the 15th) he slipped in there to that oak tree and hung a set. The wind would be perfect. He and Larry got settled in and it wasn’t too long before they started seeing deer movement. They had some does working their way and eventually feeding under the tree eating acorns. Not too long after that Larry was videoing the does when in the headphones he heard Ty stutter, “T.t….ttt….Total package.” He knew exactly what was happening and moved the camera toward the buck coming in. The deer were a little nervous and the buck offered him a slightly quartered away shot at about 35 yards. He slowly drew back and released the arrow. THWACK! The arrow was forward in the shoulder. Ty couldn’t believe it all just came together but wasn’t so excited about the shot. The penetration looked good however so they decided to wait till the next morning and then pick up the trail. The next morning…NOTHING…they couldn’t find hardly any blood. The only thing they found was the broken off arrow. They searched all day from 8:30am until almost dark with no signs of the monster…that was until Ty was cheking one last thicket where he walked up on the buck. There he layed, neck streteched out racking sticking up in the air. Ty was so relieved and couldn’t believe that he found him after the long day of looking. “Wait a minute,” he thought, “is he actually dead?” He looked a little closer and realized that the giant buck was still alive! Ty couldn’t believe it and since he had been walking all day he didn’t have his bow. He continued to walk by the buck and act like he didn’t see him so he wouldn’t spook. He told his dad to watch the deer while he went to grab his bow. The deer was in very bad shape, what are the odds he would get up? Ty came rushing back down into the bottoms with his bow to find out some really bad news from his dad. The buck had jumped up, stumbled, and crashed through the woods until Terry, Ty’s dad, lost si
Thumbs up to Ty. Great heart and determination. One of the cooler stories I have read in a while. Thanks for sharing it Mike.
A big pat on the back for Ty for stick with the recovery for that long. With a trophy like that waiting for you it does make it easier to keep looking. Congrats on a Stud of a buck too!! Way to go TY. I guess now you get to play cameraman till after gun season.:d
As a bowhunter bad shots have or will happen to us all. Unfortunately not everyone has the determination to spend the time and energy necessary to ensure that all that can be done to recover an animal is. That story is a true testiment to your friend and his talents as a hunter. Congratulations to him. I know what that kind of relief feels like and it is as if a thousand pounds has been lifted off of your shoulders. I hope he sleeps well now.
It's stories like that Mike, that will make you guys even more sucessful as team HB grows. When you surround yourself with people of Ty's caliber you can't lose. Most guys would have given up on that deer after a few hours. Ty showed what he's made of in his pursuit of that deer. I just gained a whole lot more respect for him. and HB. We owe it to the animal to do everything we possibly can to recover them. He did just that.
What a story. Man, that is amazing. What a buck! Well, now he can go and find another obsession/hobby, because there is a lifetime trophy. From here on out, everything else won't quite cut it. Congratulations!
WOW, what a wild ride! Congrats to Ty for having what it takes to go through all of that! The guy has my respect. Truly a buck of a life time!!
WOW. That really is the Total Package. Ty did all his homework, and it's awesome how it paid off. Congrats to him!
Congrats Ty! Way to stick with it. It's great to hear a story like that where the hunter perseveres and finds the deer he is after. Great job!
