Ethan x-bowed his 1st deer a couple weeks ago and was tickled with it (button buck). He's more tickled with this one!
We were settled in the ground blind at 6:10, feeder spun at 6:30. It was still too dark to see. I didn't check the wind/weather beforehand but we had a N wind. Terrible for this stand.
At 6:35 deer start blowing, close. I told Ethan we'd stick it out and hope for the best.
A few minutes later I can hear corn crunching. I thought I could make out deer in the pen, but couldn't identify them. Ethan said 2 does (young eyes).
When it got light enough to see good, Ethan was already sizing them up to see which was the biggest, lol. I told him to hold tight. These were our "decoys" for a buck.
Just a few minutes later I hear grunting and leaves rustling. Straight downwind!
There's a cedar semi-blocking my view and the buck is behind me, but in front of Ethan. A very few seconds go by and I realize Ethan has eyes on him. His expression was priceless! Then he whispers "He's HUGE, and CLOSE"!
I lean forward and turn to see. The buck is 22 yards, broadside, and lip-curling.
Without me telling him (or even realizing it) Ethan is already up on the x-bow and swinging towards the buck (x-bow is in a field-pod).
I said "are you on him? Can you shoot him there?". He said "Yes, is it on fire?" I flipped the switch and he SMOKED HIM !!!
I knew the buck was toast immediately. We watched him run about 60 yds to the edge of the foodplot (plowing dirt the last 5) then flipping an "end-over" into the taller grass. Thrashing and flopping for maybe 3 seconds, then silence!
Ethan was trembling with excitement. Hell, I think I was too. He said "Pap, I'm shaking hard."
My taxidermy bill just went up. Might have to start a go-fund me, lol.
The boy is ecstatic! And I couldn't be prouder for him!
8 pt, 19 & 6/8" inside spread!
We were settled in the ground blind at 6:10, feeder spun at 6:30. It was still too dark to see. I didn't check the wind/weather beforehand but we had a N wind. Terrible for this stand.
At 6:35 deer start blowing, close. I told Ethan we'd stick it out and hope for the best.
A few minutes later I can hear corn crunching. I thought I could make out deer in the pen, but couldn't identify them. Ethan said 2 does (young eyes).
When it got light enough to see good, Ethan was already sizing them up to see which was the biggest, lol. I told him to hold tight. These were our "decoys" for a buck.
Just a few minutes later I hear grunting and leaves rustling. Straight downwind!
There's a cedar semi-blocking my view and the buck is behind me, but in front of Ethan. A very few seconds go by and I realize Ethan has eyes on him. His expression was priceless! Then he whispers "He's HUGE, and CLOSE"!
I lean forward and turn to see. The buck is 22 yards, broadside, and lip-curling.
Without me telling him (or even realizing it) Ethan is already up on the x-bow and swinging towards the buck (x-bow is in a field-pod).
I said "are you on him? Can you shoot him there?". He said "Yes, is it on fire?" I flipped the switch and he SMOKED HIM !!!
I knew the buck was toast immediately. We watched him run about 60 yds to the edge of the foodplot (plowing dirt the last 5) then flipping an "end-over" into the taller grass. Thrashing and flopping for maybe 3 seconds, then silence!
Ethan was trembling with excitement. Hell, I think I was too. He said "Pap, I'm shaking hard."
My taxidermy bill just went up. Might have to start a go-fund me, lol.
The boy is ecstatic! And I couldn't be prouder for him!
8 pt, 19 & 6/8" inside spread!
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