Man all the work paid off. September 1, opening day of archery season and my tag is filled. It’s bitter sweet in way because I miss being out there. If you missed the live hunt action click here http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...d.php?t=102007
Every since the news of Tuthdoc’s passing I made a vow to myself that every time I’m in the hunting woods this year it would be in his memory. Like most I only knew him through TBH and met him at Nanza this past year. Man what I would give to have talked with him more that day. But in 30 minutes of conversation I learned more about deer than most do in a lifetime. I prepared a special arrow to set flight in his honor.
Back to the hunt, during the last few years through tireless scouting and preparation we have come across some water holes that can be very productive in the September heat. Our hunting crew would rather spot and stalk them but when its 90 degrees and you want to hunt you settle for what will be the most successful.
September mornings are usually spot and stalk and evening are sat at water. The trail camera at the particular hole I was sitting quit working so we didn’t have any pictures of what was coming in. Being the nice guy that I am I gave Sharpshooter13, Lop_31, my dad, and my brother first dibs on where they wanted to sit. We had good pictures at few other holes and they got quickly picked. Well…..ole faithful was left over so it made it a no brainer. Ole faithful it was!
I got in the pit blind I built four years ago at 330. About an hour and a half into the hunt a doe came in and drank but was very skittish acting. The wind was swirling so I knew she was catching a whiff of my scent. This had me worried but there was nothing I could do. Once again I thought of something TD would say “don’t worry about the wind and just hunt.” He would say “if you prepare your clothes properly and practice good scent control the rest is out of your hands.” So I just sat patiently to see what the rest of the evening would bring.
We miss you here Doc!
At 620 I looked and out of no where he appeared. He slipped in very quietly and I never seen him until he was 20 yards away. This particular setup only allows you to face west which is looking right in the evening sun. The sun was shining through the buck’s antlers and I couldn’t really make out how big he was. He made it to the water and began drinking facing me for about 5 minutes. He then raised his head and started taking steps backwards. At this time I seen his G2’s and about crapped myself.
Dang it…….he must have scented me. After he looked the opposite direction he stepped back to the water hole to drink, but still quartering to me. After he got his fill of water he began licking his right hind quarter, but again still quartering to me. As he took his first step to leave he moved his left leg and exposed the pump station. Now he was barely quartering to me and I was much more confident with this shot.
I let my arrow fly and hit just left of where I was aiming. I have never hit a deer square in the shoulder but my arrow hit directly in the middle of the front shoulder and I got about 13 inches of penetration.
The buck lifted his front legs off the ground and then started scooting with his hind legs. When his front legs hit the ground again they were nearly useless to him. He then scooted with his rear legs for about 10 yards in my direction. He expired just yards from my blind. I don’t think he lived more than 15 seconds after the shot.
Definitely a hunt to remember and sharing it with you guys and gals made it that much more memorable.
The fellas enjoying the moment.
My paw-in-law going to work!
I hope everyone has the best of luck this season.
Every since the news of Tuthdoc’s passing I made a vow to myself that every time I’m in the hunting woods this year it would be in his memory. Like most I only knew him through TBH and met him at Nanza this past year. Man what I would give to have talked with him more that day. But in 30 minutes of conversation I learned more about deer than most do in a lifetime. I prepared a special arrow to set flight in his honor.
Back to the hunt, during the last few years through tireless scouting and preparation we have come across some water holes that can be very productive in the September heat. Our hunting crew would rather spot and stalk them but when its 90 degrees and you want to hunt you settle for what will be the most successful.
September mornings are usually spot and stalk and evening are sat at water. The trail camera at the particular hole I was sitting quit working so we didn’t have any pictures of what was coming in. Being the nice guy that I am I gave Sharpshooter13, Lop_31, my dad, and my brother first dibs on where they wanted to sit. We had good pictures at few other holes and they got quickly picked. Well…..ole faithful was left over so it made it a no brainer. Ole faithful it was!
I got in the pit blind I built four years ago at 330. About an hour and a half into the hunt a doe came in and drank but was very skittish acting. The wind was swirling so I knew she was catching a whiff of my scent. This had me worried but there was nothing I could do. Once again I thought of something TD would say “don’t worry about the wind and just hunt.” He would say “if you prepare your clothes properly and practice good scent control the rest is out of your hands.” So I just sat patiently to see what the rest of the evening would bring.
We miss you here Doc!
At 620 I looked and out of no where he appeared. He slipped in very quietly and I never seen him until he was 20 yards away. This particular setup only allows you to face west which is looking right in the evening sun. The sun was shining through the buck’s antlers and I couldn’t really make out how big he was. He made it to the water and began drinking facing me for about 5 minutes. He then raised his head and started taking steps backwards. At this time I seen his G2’s and about crapped myself.
Dang it…….he must have scented me. After he looked the opposite direction he stepped back to the water hole to drink, but still quartering to me. After he got his fill of water he began licking his right hind quarter, but again still quartering to me. As he took his first step to leave he moved his left leg and exposed the pump station. Now he was barely quartering to me and I was much more confident with this shot.
I let my arrow fly and hit just left of where I was aiming. I have never hit a deer square in the shoulder but my arrow hit directly in the middle of the front shoulder and I got about 13 inches of penetration.
The buck lifted his front legs off the ground and then started scooting with his hind legs. When his front legs hit the ground again they were nearly useless to him. He then scooted with his rear legs for about 10 yards in my direction. He expired just yards from my blind. I don’t think he lived more than 15 seconds after the shot.
Definitely a hunt to remember and sharing it with you guys and gals made it that much more memorable.
The fellas enjoying the moment.
My paw-in-law going to work!
I hope everyone has the best of luck this season.
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