Story of highs and lows

[hockeybc69]

Kinda long, with a really cruddy ending.... so far... hoping we can get the ending to a high again...

3 weeks ago, my son shot his first arrow at a deer. I met him at the truck, and he was walking circles and when I asked what the heck he was doing, he responded, "I shot a giant". He has a natural sense of sarcasm and I wasnt picking up on that at all, and I knew something was up. He said again, "I shot a huge ******* buck". Colorful words from a 16 year old.

We went over all the details at the truck and he said his shot wasnt bad, but back a little and a touch high.... High lung I thought. We went to the stand and absolutely no blood anywhere at site of impact which was 25 yds from his stand.

He guided me to where the buck entered the woods and we found the arrow about 20 yds into the woods. Only about 8 inches of blood on the arrow and broadhead was broke off with about 1 inch of the end of the arrow. I immediately backed out.

We went back Sunday at 8am and could find no blood at all anywhere. 3 of us walked a ridge top and scoured looking for any sign. He heard it crashing due north, and going that way is a large slough thats about 5 ft deep. Which we thought was good, because he was headed to a dead end. A few hundred yards from site of the shot, I met Brandon in a funnel between two sloughs and I said we have to go back and start over.... He looked down and there was blood on a leaf between where we were standing. The total blood trail was only about 30 yds, and it was a very light color. Making me think lung again. We scoured around the area looking for more blood but nothing. After 3 hours, a friend of mine came over to help. Another hour of 4 of us looking and zigzagging, we decided to start working our way back along a cattail slough. My friend Tim kicked up a buck in an area we had logged aspens 5 years ago. All he saw was a deer jump up and when he got to the cattail slough edge he said it was a huge SOB... It ran across the cattail slough, and off across the road onto the neighbors land. There was no blood in the bed at all. He said it covered the swamp in no time, and didnt look to be hurt the way he crossed the swamp. We went over to the road crossing and looked for blood in the ditches, road, and onto the neighbors property. Yes, we know the neighbor, so thats not a problem. No blood anywhere.... We had to call it off, as he didnt appear to be struggling when Tim saw him run off.... Very hard to call off.

Fast forward..... I texted a neighbor yesterday to see how the deer hunting was going, and he said that Joe Shmoe(keeping identity hidden), found a huge buck dead a couple days prior on his land when he was checking his rifle stands out.... the same land that we saw my sons buck run onto 3 weeks ago.... Talk about a glimmer of hope maybe.

I went over to their land last night after dark and talked to the landowner. He indeed found a 10 pt, that scored over 150. It was all eaten up of course, so he cut the antlers off. He commented that he heard about the deer my son shot, but said, "this definitely isnt his deer. If I felt it was the one he shot I surely would give it to you guys."

WHAT!!!!!!!! He said it was dead longer than 3 weeks, so there is no way it was my sons deer. I said I really doubt my son shot a wide, tall LARGE buck that ran onto this land and that deer is out walking around still, and this wide, tall LARGE buck just happened to walk on his land and die of natural causes. He said he is keeping it and having the rack put on a plaque for his house.... There was nothing I could do to reason with him at all. He is convinced it is not the same deer my son shot.

OK, no, we cant say its 100% for sure the same buck,,, but good grief....

I am going to call him again. This is just crazy. I thought maybe a replica set would be a way to go, but they are a grand.... Cant do that.

Talk about highs and lows.... and what a crappy low we are currently sitting at.

[PurpleFloyd]

Obviously it is tough on him now but if it were me I would be telling him that the true trophy is in the hunt and that the antlers are certainly a reward for a hunt but the experience of the hunt and the lessons you learn from it are the real prize.

There will be things that could have been done during any hunt where a deer is lost that could have changed the outcome ( heck, I have had so many I would need a personal dewey decimal system to keep them in order lol).

If that indeed was the deer(and I am certainly not disputing whether it was, tell him that the guy having them on the wall may have a nice display but he has none of the memories that should complete the experience and he can't take them away from your son.

[PropsterII]

Will he let your son see it to at least confirm one way or the other? Or let you take a photo to show your son? Seems maybe you don't know this landowner as well as you thought unfortunately, because it would be pretty crappy if he wouldn't even attempt to verify. Though I've heard horror stories, especially in IL and IN where you must ask permission to go in to retrieve and some won't even consider it, or even consider accompanying you. Best of luck whatever happens.

[fishuhalik]

Nothing gets my blood boiling more than people that try to steal a deer from someone, and ESPECIALLY a kid!!! A friend of mine had something kinda similar happen when he took his nephew hunting. I don't know how I'd react if I were you. At the very least, if he chose his words carefully, the only thing he'd loose is my friendship. Wrong words and he'd be missing teeth. Hopefully you're a better man than I am...

[hockeybc69]

I have met the guy a couple times over the years. Never was a "bad guy".

Tonight he was a "Dick" when I called him. Oh, just happens to be his first name. Ironic.

I called him tonight and asked if there was any way I could get pictures of the rack, or even stop by with my son to see the rack. He got very offensive and asked why I need to see this rack. I told him my son, who shot this deer asked me if I could contact him to at least see it or see pictures of it. "Dick" responded that his group is against bowhunting and this is a perfect example of what happens to many deer because of bowhunters... I asked him if he would even sell the rack. I offered, $100, $200,,, or what would it take.... he got really ticked off at that point and said we are just going to drop this topic and move on and hung up on me.

I called back about 5 minutes later, and very politely asked if we could at least get pictures of it somehow because my son asked if he could see it. He fired back on me and said that I was bothering him... and he hung up on me again.

Well, Dick better not ever need a hand from us with anything. I am not mad that he didnt give us the rack.... I am absolutely [PoorWordUsage] because he wont even show us or give us pictures of the damm thing..... Quite an incredible encounter.

[hockeybc69]

Here is the track. Red is where we tracked it. We lost it on that point of trees on the north and covered every square inch of that land looking..... Yellow blob is where we kicked him up, and yellow trail is where we watched him exit the property.... Green circle is where "Dick" found the deer.

[PropsterII]

I don't think you have any legal remedy at all, he's probably within his legal rights but way outside any moral or ethical boundaries, but it wouldn't hurt to call the local warden or the DNR to see if they have any thoughts on the matter. Maybe they've got some other experience in the past with him and may have some leverage. Long [PoorWordUsage] but may be worth a phone call. If no luck with that maybe you can call tip anonymously and tell them you suspect landowner Dick has a big rack and you don't think he's registered it

[zepman]

I don't think you have any legal remedy at all, he's probably within his legal rights but way outside any moral or ethical boundaries, but it wouldn't hurt to call the local warden or the DNR to see if they have any thoughts on the matter. Maybe they've got some other experience in the past with him and may have some leverage. Long [PoorWordUsage] but may be worth a phone call. If no luck with that maybe you can call tip anonymously and tell them you suspect landowner Dick has a big rack and you don't think he's registered it

Bingo!!

He wants to play the "Dick" game...play it back!

[Jameson]

H69, If all the neighbor had done in the past was deer drives, something I know you are totally against, and had say three wounded does come onto your land and die, would you give them attitude, too? Would you let them know you didn't want it to happen again? I am sure you would let them have the deer, but they have no reason to let you have your son's deer, the venison is already wasted.

Quote:

responded that his group is against bowhunting and this is a perfect example of what happens to many deer because of bowhunters

And your son just wasted a lot of venison. I have been there, done that. Learned from it, and try to do what I can to avoid it. Something your neighbor is trying to make sure you learn NOW, not next time.

[river rat316]

Ya want me and Mike to go up there and straighten this guy out? We could at least dump all over his land...lol

[Cheetah]

All this over some antlers?...

[Ufatz]

Look at it from his perspective. He finds a nice deer laying dead on his property. Couple weeks go by and some guy calls and says "Hey! That sounds like the same deer my boy shot two weeks ago. We want the rack."

How would YOU react.

Let it go. Oh....and quit bothering the guy, you are not going to do anything more than REALLY annoy him.

Your son just learned that Stuff Happens.

[brian6715]

Look at it from his perspective. He finds a nice deer laying dead on his property. Couple weeks go by and some guy calls and says "Hey! That sounds like the same deer my boy shot two weeks ago. We want the rack."

How would YOU react.

Let it go. Oh....and quit bothering the guy, you are not going to do anything more than REALLY annoy him.

Your son just learned that Stuff Happens.

Sigh, this post disappoints me. A lot less "stuff" would happen if the guy was a decent human being.

If a father/son approached me about a deer I found that they possibly shot, I would do everything I could to help them determine if it is the kids deer. How meaningful is a buck that you find on the ground dead? I can tell you one thing, it is a LOT less meaningful than your first buck with a bow, especially if you are a young kid. The world is full of too many of these self centered types who can't think for anyone but themselves.

[sticknstring]

Bingo!!

He wants to play the "Dick" game...play it back!

Unfortunately, this won't get the antlers back to the kid. Ultimately, all you'd be doing is finishing burning the neighbor bridge down. I've heard these stories many times. It's a huge bummer, but you have to move on.

One other suggestion... let it cool down until after deer season and have your son write the landowner a letter. Let your son describe the importance of that buck and how he'd at least like to see the antlers. Who knows, maybe he'll realize they're just meaningless bone on the wall and this kid should really ought to have them. May be worth a shot?

[hugonian1]

Stick,

I think you get the Bingo.

Let cooler heads prevail.

[CANOPY SAM]

I agree with Brain and Sticknstring 110%!!! Great advice right there.

I've had this happen to me, more than once, where I was quite certain I'd drawn 1st blood but someone else claimed the deer. It's a heart-breaker, but a lesson as well.

And here I thought this thread was going to be about Stories of Highs and Lows we'd all experienced this weekend?

I experienced a high and a low. Friday morning, I set my son, who's been waiting for 5 years to shoot a decent buck, in a stand about 300 yards from mine. He was in a good spot and I could watch him from where I was at. Low and behold a nice 8 point buck comes strolling up to me, but begins to turn and head for the neighbor's land, rather than toward my son. I decided he was good enough for my freezer so I dropped him.

20 minutes later here comes this buck's twin brother, and this one turns toward my boy. I patiently watch him making his way closer to my son, but just before he's going to step into my boy's view this darn buck steps into my wind about 100 yards downwind of me and bolts off to the south, away from my son. Later he said he saw the buck bounding across the field and could've taken a shot, but didn't feel confident taking a running shot at such a nice animal.

I'm proud that he waited. I hope we get another crack at that same buck over the next few days.

[bowhunternw]

I think too much time passed and you have nothing to go on. You think it was his deer but what if it was a roadkill. If you had some kind of proof that it was actually the deer that he shot then I would be on your side.

[bowhunternw]

I agree with Brain and Sticknstring 110%!!! Great advice right there.

I've had this happen to me, more than once, where I was quite certain I'd drawn 1st blood but someone else claimed the deer. It's a heart-breaker, but a lesson as well.

And here I thought this thread was going to be about Stories of Highs and Lows we'd all experienced this weekend?

I experienced a high and a low. Friday morning, I set my son, who's been waiting for 5 years to shoot a decent buck, in a stand about 300 yards from mine. He was in a good spot and I could watch him from where I was at. Low and behold a nice 8 point buck comes strolling up to me, but begins to turn and head for the neighbor's land, rather than toward my son. I decided he was good enough for my freezer so I dropped him.

20 minutes later here comes this buck's twin brother, and this one turns toward my boy. I patiently watch him making his way closer to my son, but just before he's going to step into my boy's view this darn buck steps into my wind about 100 yards downwind of me and bolts off to the south, away from my son. Later he said he saw the buck bounding across the field and could've taken a shot, but didn't feel confident taking a running shot at such a nice animal.

I'm proud that he waited. I hope we get another crack at that same buck over the next few days.

Does the season start a little earlier where you are at?

[DonBo]

This may be an unpopular opinion, but do you really want a "trophy" from a deer that was never recovered and went to waste? I know, the kids first deer and all, but not sure this is something you should be proud to hang on your wall.

[Walleyehooker]

I was feeling sorry for the kid till I got to the 3 weeks later part. It wasn't a good shot to start with and it ran onto someone elses property and died and went to waste other than the horns. I would probably still have gave the kid the horns but in this case I wouldn't blame the guy for keeping them either. This should be a learning experience for him for the next time he sees a big ******* buck.

[hockeybc69]

I want to make this clear. My son only asked me if there was any way he could see this deers rack.

I figured if I was contacting the guy, I would see what the odds were of discussing the antlers themselves.... At this point, he will not show us the antlers and will not even go as far as sending a picture of it.

Does it matter if we see the antlers? Probably not, but its the only request my son made about the deer when we heard about what they found.

The antlers are gone. Waiting a week, month or year isnt going to change this. Its a done deal. Hard to believe a 75 year old guy with his own grandkids can be such a "Dick" about this.

Ufatz, you wouldnt happen to be the guy now would you? LOL. He lives up in your area.

[Ufatz]

Huh?

First, I ain't 75 years old.

Second, I don't know where YOU live but I'm way out in the woods.

Third, I ain't now and never have been a Richard.....in any shape or way.

You and your son had an unfortunate experiece. But it's time to move on.

[InTheNorthwoods]

My thoughts:

1. You and your son, for all realistic purposes, gave up looking for the deer. In that case, I don't think you can be overly upset.

2. What kind of person gets their panties in such a wad over letting a 16 year old kid see a deer that was found under these circumstances? I love big antlers, and I have followed deer via trail cam for years, so I can understand/appreciate the disappointment of learning one is no longer around. I can even the feeling of "ownership" (which is a fallacy) of a particular buck due to the history you have with them, but to deny a kid (or anyone really) an opportunity of viewing them is crazy. Letting the kid see the deer would be the least he could have done. The guy is an epic RICHARD of a Richard.

3. Because of my first point, I don't feel your son is entitled to the antlers. With that said, I would turn them over to your kid in a heartbeat if I had found it (where is the pride in holding on to a set of antlers you found on a dead buck that was likely killed by a neighboring archer?). If I had the money, I'd try use the circumstances as a great opportunity to surprise the kid with a mount of some sort. Seems like this was a big opportunity to build neighbor relations, instead it went the opposite way in a hurry. Unfortunate.

[ozzie]

To me bummer deal. When you heard about the antlers what you should have done is told your boy to go to his house and ask to see if it was the deer he shot just to ease his mind that it wasn't the deer he shot or confirm that it was the deer he shot. You should have informed your son don't expect the antlers as they were never yours and they were lost but take a hard lesson in hunting and life. To me you burned the bridge probably for your son and spoiled this expierience even more by the confrontation. Give it a month and have your son stop by with a little venison and try again to confirm and have him apologize for you trying to go above and beyond (understandable) for his cause.

[reddog]

Im not seeing the ownership here either. I think any tie to this particular deer ended when you called off the search. Not trying to be argumentative,