Hodaka
11-03-2013, 02:06 PM
So, a few years back I decided to pick up hunting. I have been on hunts when I was a kid (25+ yrs back), but never got into it myself. (Other than gopher control on the grandparents farm)
First season: I got some elk meat for helping with my friends LEH cow, but no chance at anything for myself.
Second season: absolutely skunked! Didn't even see a legal animal, except some turkeys on private land.
Third season (this year): Got a couple nice grouse, but having trouble coming up with much else. Seeing animals, just nothing that's legal/in season.
Then I got a hot tip! Small piece of private land, with at least 3 bucks and 4-5 does!
We scouted it last weekend, and made a plan, then went in yesterday morning. Bow/x-bow only, as houses are nearby.
We stealthed through the bush for an hour and half or so, then finally spotted a buck. No clear shot, so let it move off, and followed at a distance to await a better opportunity. Several other possibilities, but nothing quite right, then we lost it. We moved up to a vantage point to see if we could acquire again, soaked and cold. I was on top of one large rock, my brother in law on another about 40 yards away.
At one point, I heard a noise about 30 yards off, but could not see anything. I threw a stick in the general direction, but nothing. Then, a few minutes later, buck! I pulled the range finder out - 34 yards. The furthest I have shot with my compound is 30, so I wanted him to close the gap a bit. Nevertheless, I drew as he turned quartering. He looked right at me, unconcerned, but turned head on. I let down the draw. After a few moments, he quartered again, and I drew again and held. He turned head on again, and stared right into my eyes, then put his head down and ate some more. I let down the draw again. Again, after a moment he turned - this time broadside! I quickly and quietly drew again, by this point he was about 30 yards, slight downhill angle. Placed the pin, and released.
I saw the lighted nock fly towards him, then disappear. He jumped a little, startled, and cantered off, then switched back a little lower down the slope and went down. Done! We waited about 15 minutes, then walked down to find him. Entry was left side, just nicked the bottom of the backstrap, and exit was mid opposite side - both lungs.
Later, when butchering, we discovered the arrow had gone through a rib on the way in, blasted a nice exit, and I could not find the arrow! Completely buried in the ground somewhere. It also hit a major artery, so he bled out fast.
I am so happy that my first big game kill was with a compound bow, a fairly long shot for me, and was taken cleanly. At no point did we spook him, and he was not stressed. We estimate about 180 lbs on the hoof, 3 pointer. Really healthy looking, living in an area with plenty of food and no hunter pressure.
First season: I got some elk meat for helping with my friends LEH cow, but no chance at anything for myself.
Second season: absolutely skunked! Didn't even see a legal animal, except some turkeys on private land.
Third season (this year): Got a couple nice grouse, but having trouble coming up with much else. Seeing animals, just nothing that's legal/in season.
Then I got a hot tip! Small piece of private land, with at least 3 bucks and 4-5 does!
We scouted it last weekend, and made a plan, then went in yesterday morning. Bow/x-bow only, as houses are nearby.
We stealthed through the bush for an hour and half or so, then finally spotted a buck. No clear shot, so let it move off, and followed at a distance to await a better opportunity. Several other possibilities, but nothing quite right, then we lost it. We moved up to a vantage point to see if we could acquire again, soaked and cold. I was on top of one large rock, my brother in law on another about 40 yards away.
At one point, I heard a noise about 30 yards off, but could not see anything. I threw a stick in the general direction, but nothing. Then, a few minutes later, buck! I pulled the range finder out - 34 yards. The furthest I have shot with my compound is 30, so I wanted him to close the gap a bit. Nevertheless, I drew as he turned quartering. He looked right at me, unconcerned, but turned head on. I let down the draw. After a few moments, he quartered again, and I drew again and held. He turned head on again, and stared right into my eyes, then put his head down and ate some more. I let down the draw again. Again, after a moment he turned - this time broadside! I quickly and quietly drew again, by this point he was about 30 yards, slight downhill angle. Placed the pin, and released.
I saw the lighted nock fly towards him, then disappear. He jumped a little, startled, and cantered off, then switched back a little lower down the slope and went down. Done! We waited about 15 minutes, then walked down to find him. Entry was left side, just nicked the bottom of the backstrap, and exit was mid opposite side - both lungs.
Later, when butchering, we discovered the arrow had gone through a rib on the way in, blasted a nice exit, and I could not find the arrow! Completely buried in the ground somewhere. It also hit a major artery, so he bled out fast.
I am so happy that my first big game kill was with a compound bow, a fairly long shot for me, and was taken cleanly. At no point did we spook him, and he was not stressed. We estimate about 180 lbs on the hoof, 3 pointer. Really healthy looking, living in an area with plenty of food and no hunter pressure.