Well, I've hunted hard this bow season (ask my wife...on second thought...don't). It's actually the Kansas rifle season right now, a time when killing a deer with a bow is near impossible. Frankly, after the rifles start shooting, it's rare to see a mature buck, let alone get a shot with archery tackle. Still, I'm a die hard, and I was determined to keep at it. Today's my day off, so I went to one of my closer hunting locations before first light to see if providence would swing my way, so to speak. Technically rifles are illegal on this land, but I am reasonably sure it gets rifle hunted, so I put on my orange vest to be safe. A bow hunter feels ridiculous wearing the "pumpkin" jacket and hat, but it's better then getting shot by some crazy gun "hunter" (such a crude way to take an animal...unless it's a coyote). Plus, orange is the law during rifle season, no matter what weapon you're using.
There was a front coming in, so the deer were really moving. I saw 11 does in my area before my buck came. That's about as much action on one hunt as I've witnessed all season. Still, I was skeptical I would catch a mature buck trolling through my area, the rut (mating season) was effectively over. With rifle's blasting, I figured most mature bucks were bedded up well before first light. Nevertheless, I think the front got the deer moving, at 8:30 am, I heard grunting coming on the field edge, and sure enough, I saw antlers. I knew he wasn't a record class buck, but my standards go down once rifle season begins. He was certainly good enough to take. I readied my self as he moved from my left to right at about 20 yards. I picked a relatively open spot to slip an arrow through if he kept on the same course. Thankfully he did. Just when he got to the spot, I rose on my knees a bit, put the pin on his lungs, and let the arrow fly.
Schlunk. The arrow ripped through both lungs and he sprinted off immediately. I was confident it was a good shot, but the number one rule of thumb after shooting a deer is stay put for 30 minutes no matter what. I immediately called Nathan (we have a standing agreement to drop whatever we are doing to help the other with a deer related matter). Nathan left the office and met me within a half hour. What a friend! We tracked the deer as there was good blood sign, but man did the snow start falling. It was covering the trail fast. Thankfully, Nathan spotted my buck down! I ran to him and thanked God for the great experience and the fine animal I had just harvested. I still have a freezer full of deer meat from last year, so I think I will donate the meat on this buck to the "Feed the Hungry" program.
I still have a buck tag for Missouri.....I hope Shari doesn't read this.
15 comments:
So, now you have Nathan outnumbered 1 to 1. Good job Pastor T. You are Der Mensch (the man)!
Tony, this is awesome! And I might add, pretty particular about not over-using this most very reverent word!
Downed in the snow even made the picture and story more exciting. Then getting Brother Nathan involved on the tacking really got my juices flowing. Congratulations on bagging this monster! Probably lost 10 pounds with your heart racing up a storm! You are indeed a true sportsman.
Beautiful deer.
Something tells me that your success is going to lead to an outbreak of the popularity of the soul patch this season!
lol Gunny!
Yes, me, the soul patch, and the deer were one...
That's a nice soul patch!
And a big deer too.
:-)>
The ">" is a soul patch.
What is with the orange? Were you parking cars when you shot this thing?
It's the law Mr. Hough. When the rifle season is open, anyone hunting- whether with a fire pole or a sling shot- must wear orange.
I know you dudes from Texas just shoot stuff whenever you like, so terms like "in season" or "legal" or "fair chase" or "safety" are a bit foreign.
DUDE, nice harvest!!! I am glad you finally got one so you can focus on preaching again! :) LOL
Shari DID see this commentary and "wife-law" states that equal time must be allowed for each other's hobbies. Therefore, she has at least a 6-week scrapbook retreat owed her...
whoa...major violation- wife dissing husband on his blog.
Tony wrote: "I know you dudes from Texas just shoot stuff whenever you like, so terms like "in season" or "legal" or "fair chase" or "safety" are a bit foreign."
Son, I didn't understand a word coming out of your mouth. Perhaps you could provide a glossary for us in the Lone Star State.
Me thinks brother Hough struck a major nerve. Brother Felich retorts with major hater and stereotypical rethoric regarding Texicans. Where does a New York Eye-Tallion get off using a line like "you guys just shoot stuff"? And to think you had to deal with him offering up questions during your examinations. I think there could be a conspiracy theory here. I see arrows laying on the poor dumb animal but could the actual wound be from that thing he carries in his shoulder holster? I think Bambi was knee-capped.
Malcolm, Brother Hough can definitely get on one's nerves :)
Much like Big 12 football, Missouri deer must be smarter and faster than their Kansas counterparts. Good luck filling that Missouri tag....
You still have deer meat in the freezer?
Here are a couple of my family's favorites -- sloppy does, bambiloaf, and bambacos. (Respectively, sloppy joes, meatloaf, and tacos, but made with ground venison instead of beef; the kids prefer the venison to beef.) That, and chili made with bite-size (not ground) chunks of venison.
Mmm, mm.
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