My First Buck- Long Version

[totally_addicted]

I bought my first bow when I was 14 years old.  I was the first person in my family to take up interest in the sport.  The first couple years, without a driver's license, I hardly ever made it out to the stand.  However, once I turned 16 and started dating the woman who would become my wife, I have been an extremely dedicated bowhunter.  It just so happened my in-laws owned a nice chunk of land that gave me a place to hunt on a regular basis close to home.  Over the past ten years I have had countless encounters, shot a few does, lost a dandy buck in Camp Ripley, but other than that never drew back on another buck.  Waiting for the right one was fine by me.  I enjoy hunting so much that I no longer gun hunt.  The thrill of the having close encounters with deer is an amazing feeling that I cannot achieve with the range of a gun.

 

This year something was different.  My life had changed, new job, newly married, new problems to deal with.  Not as much time to hunt in the past.  All that coupled with a loss of my early season bowhunting property I was just not enjoying gun opening weekend with friends and family.  I was letting it get to me and not able to find the enjoyment that usually accompanies my time in the woods.  However, my best friend, convinced me to get off my butt, turn off the Vikings game and head to stand earlier than I wanted to.  I unwillingly went with no optimism at all.  I got to the stand about 2:15 yesterday afternoon.  I sat down and thought to myself, "With a busy wrestling season approaching (I coach), I'm going to shoot a doe and fill my tag so that I don't end up eating tag soup again.  

 

At 3:00 I noticed a few deer in the alfalfa field in front of me about 80 yards away.  They were skittish with the wind blowing as strong as it was.  As they came back to the woods I could see them working their way towards me.   I thought "If any of these are does, I am going to shoot one."  These three deer spent over a half hour within 30 yards offering many shots within 10 yards that could have ended my evening.  I convinced myself that these deer were just a little too small and gave them a pass.  They hung out by me for most of the night until they wandered off to be never seen again.  At 4:45, I began to cough uncontrollably, and my pessimism was at an all time high.  I figured I scared every deer in the county away after that ordeal.  After a moment, I noticed a couple does had popped out on the far edge of the field out of the CRP.  Too far away to shoot but again something to watch and give a glimmer of hope.  They were content, eating alfalfa, and were not planning to head in my direction.  At about 5:05 I heard a twig snap to the South and I noticed there was a deer sporting antlers headed in my direction.  As he came closer, I noticed he had 5 on one side and was as wide as the ears.  I immediately decided that this was the deer I would be happy to place my tag on, if the opportunity presented itself.

As he came within range he turned and headed towards the alfalfa field and was staring at the does that were feeding.  If he was to continue the path he was on, he would have walked out of my range and onto another day.  I played out all the possible scenarios for his next moves, even though, they were all unlikely with the does on his mind.  I thought there was no way I was going to get a shot at this deer with those does being his reason for being here.  Just as my pessimism was beginning to creep back into my mind, he did a 180 and headed back into the woods headed right towards my lane at 12 yards.  As he stepped behind a tree, I drew.  He stepped out and I squeezed the trigger.  I watched my rage and lighted nock disappear behind his shoulder and lodge itself into the ground behind him.  He took off, tail down.  I watched him scamper through the woods, and after 50 yards, I saw him crash into the ground.  The feeling of joy rushed through my body!  I was so pumped to know that the 10 year wait for the right buck was over.  I texted everyone in my phone letting them know I shot a buck, except my best friend.  I got down and headed back to the spot where he was going to pick me up.  I waited for him with the biggest smile I have had in a long time.  When he pulled up, I tried to hide my excitement.  I told him I had shot a buck!  The celebrating began!  We went home, got the rest of the group we hunt with and went out to do a short track job and take pictures of him!

He's not a monster.  He's a 2 1/2 year old 9 point.  Inside spread was 15 5/8.  He gross scored just over 100 inches.  He weighed 158 pounds.  To me, he is a symbol of hard work, dedication, and patience.  I couldn't be happier with him!  Thank God for my buddy making me get off my butt and get in the stand, or I would still be moping about today!  Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

[eyeguy 54]

great story and the reason we bowhunt. all of a sudden..... it happens!   

[Scoot]

Awesome- congrats!

[Boar]

Awsome!! great hero shot!

[wannafish2]

I cannot wait until my story happens!

 

[leech~~]

"Good things come to those that wait!"  Said no one ever!  :-)

[rkhinrichs]

great buck!

[pumper317]

Awesome!! Big Congratulations.

[huntnfish]

Nice job! Well worth the wait.

[NELS-BELLS]

Congrats!  Thanks for sharing the story and good luck with your wrestling team this season.  My son wrestles for Apollo.

Nels

[DonBo]

Nice job. Worth the wait.

 

[mrklean]

congrats

 

[certified jumbo]

Solid!