Ugh. Had one of those weekends.
Late to post. But, I have been running nonstop. Let's set the scene.
I had planning this past weekend for a long while. Was going to head out Thursday afternoon. Hunt Friday - Monday morning.
Come Wednesday I have to get on one of my subs which ends up with me telling him to be there Friday morning to finish the work and I would be there watching him. (Fortunately, he showed early and did the work quickly. But, I lost the friday morning hunt).
Thursday evening I get a call from one of my partners asking if I can come to College Station and meet with a client we had met with a few weeks prior. Is there no other day they can meet? Of course not. So, I say yes. Now I am down to Friday evening - Sunday. Whatever, I'll make do.
Friday evening hunt. I have 7 deer come in fairly early. 4 of them are spikes ranging from 4 inches down to nubbin bucks (this would be a theme through the weekend).
I have 2 does there and one gives a good shot at 19 yards. Let the arrow fly. Complete pass through. I know its a touch high and back (I really wish I had been filming to review the footage). I have been hunting for over 3 decades. But, I know that's a dead deer.
She runs directly away from the feeder which is great because that area is towards the gun blind and fairly open. Shorter scrub cedar out there. The doe runs about 30-40 yards then starts slowly walking head down. Stops at 91 yards. (used my range finder to check). Stands there for 30-40 seconds and I'm thinking she's going down any second. To my astonishment, she walks around the bush. So, I know I need to give her a good bit before I go track her. Fully expecting her to be dead in that vicinity.
The other doe comes back to the feeder. She is super skittish. However, she presents a 10 yard easy shot. I decide to pass thinking I do not want to clean 2 deer tonight. (mistake).
She finally leaves, and I get down. Pick up my arrow. Blood coating the length of it. But, nothing I can really find on the ground. If any of yall know about hunting on the west side of the hill country, its tough to blood trail. The dirt soaks up any blood and there's not a lot of leaves for deer to brush up against. I higher hit means the blood is filling the cavity and not pumping out as much.
I follow her tracks to where she was standing. See she peed there then find good blood that goes for 20 yards. Then, Nothing. I mean nothing. Well crap. I follow her general direction a ways then go back to last blood. I grid searched and grid searched to no avail. Super disappointed.
Next morning I go to different stand. A big ol boar pops out just before daylight. I pick up my AR and put a bead on him but decide you know what I have killed a pig with my bow in forever. So, I put it down pick up my bow. Can't see my pins. Turn on the pin light and its way too bright. Bought the UV3 XL housing last season, and this was my first morning hunt in a pop up with it. well, it is not a good choice for shooting from a dark pop up. May have to switch it out. But no problem just a couple of more minutes and it will be light enough. Then, he just trots off. dang.
The rest of the weekend was spikes, spikes and more spikes.
Oh well, better to be hunting a little bit than not hunting at all.
I had planning this past weekend for a long while. Was going to head out Thursday afternoon. Hunt Friday - Monday morning.
Come Wednesday I have to get on one of my subs which ends up with me telling him to be there Friday morning to finish the work and I would be there watching him. (Fortunately, he showed early and did the work quickly. But, I lost the friday morning hunt).
Thursday evening I get a call from one of my partners asking if I can come to College Station and meet with a client we had met with a few weeks prior. Is there no other day they can meet? Of course not. So, I say yes. Now I am down to Friday evening - Sunday. Whatever, I'll make do.
Friday evening hunt. I have 7 deer come in fairly early. 4 of them are spikes ranging from 4 inches down to nubbin bucks (this would be a theme through the weekend).
I have 2 does there and one gives a good shot at 19 yards. Let the arrow fly. Complete pass through. I know its a touch high and back (I really wish I had been filming to review the footage). I have been hunting for over 3 decades. But, I know that's a dead deer.
She runs directly away from the feeder which is great because that area is towards the gun blind and fairly open. Shorter scrub cedar out there. The doe runs about 30-40 yards then starts slowly walking head down. Stops at 91 yards. (used my range finder to check). Stands there for 30-40 seconds and I'm thinking she's going down any second. To my astonishment, she walks around the bush. So, I know I need to give her a good bit before I go track her. Fully expecting her to be dead in that vicinity.
The other doe comes back to the feeder. She is super skittish. However, she presents a 10 yard easy shot. I decide to pass thinking I do not want to clean 2 deer tonight. (mistake).
She finally leaves, and I get down. Pick up my arrow. Blood coating the length of it. But, nothing I can really find on the ground. If any of yall know about hunting on the west side of the hill country, its tough to blood trail. The dirt soaks up any blood and there's not a lot of leaves for deer to brush up against. I higher hit means the blood is filling the cavity and not pumping out as much.
I follow her tracks to where she was standing. See she peed there then find good blood that goes for 20 yards. Then, Nothing. I mean nothing. Well crap. I follow her general direction a ways then go back to last blood. I grid searched and grid searched to no avail. Super disappointed.
Next morning I go to different stand. A big ol boar pops out just before daylight. I pick up my AR and put a bead on him but decide you know what I have killed a pig with my bow in forever. So, I put it down pick up my bow. Can't see my pins. Turn on the pin light and its way too bright. Bought the UV3 XL housing last season, and this was my first morning hunt in a pop up with it. well, it is not a good choice for shooting from a dark pop up. May have to switch it out. But no problem just a couple of more minutes and it will be light enough. Then, he just trots off. dang.
The rest of the weekend was spikes, spikes and more spikes.
Oh well, better to be hunting a little bit than not hunting at all.
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