Here is what my 30-06 looks like with the first crop. I'm anxious to see if they fall during hunting season or just hang on the tree all winter.
The rut really started to kick off in my corner of Appalachia the past few days. I watched a nice buck walk across the middle of one of our plots Saturday evening. I was a few hundred yards away but that was the first mature buck I’ve seen in broad daylight this year.
Sunday morning I set up in a tree I prepped on the N end of the small ridge plot. There’s a young red oak still holding leaves in the perfect spot. (Post shot picture).
It took me longer to get out of the tent than anticipated although it shouldn’t be a surprise when transitioning from warm sleeping bag to 28F!
I walked slowly up the leeward slope trying not to sweat. Once in the tree I raised my bow and started adding warm layers. I had just finished putting on my overboots when I turned to scan the plot, it wasn’t legal shooting light yet but getting close. I was really taken by surprise to see a huge bodied deer with antlers visible in grey light. I ranged him at 37 yards. It was now legal light but not good conditions to consider a shot like that.
I held my bow for a minute or so hoping he would come my way and he did just that. I stopped him broadside at 14 yards between two small poplars and executed the shot. The impact sounded familiar but not in a good way. He looked hurt immediately, jogged 50 yards, stopped for a few seconds, and walked off.
I gave the buck 5 hours then climbed down to inspect the arrow and blood. It was dark and sparse so I assumed liver (better than what I initially thought). I backed out about 75 yards in. I could scan most of the area ahead in wide open hardwoods and didn’t see him.
A local friend gave me the number for a buddy of his with a “great dog”. Nine hours later the most excellent dog took us directly to the deer.
I’m planning to bring my oldest daughter up next week for her first hunt (as the trigger person)!
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Heck of a deer especially for a mountain big woods buck. Not easily done. Place looks great. Congrats.The rut really started to kick off in my corner of Appalachia the past few days. I watched a nice buck walk across the middle of one of our plots Saturday evening. I was a few hundred yards away but that was the first mature buck I’ve seen in broad daylight this year.
Sunday morning I set up in a tree I prepped on the N end of the small ridge plot. There’s a young red oak still holding leaves in the perfect spot. (Post shot picture).
It took me longer to get out of the tent than anticipated although it shouldn’t be a surprise when transitioning from warm sleeping bag to 28F!
I walked slowly up the leeward slope trying not to sweat. Once in the tree I raised my bow and started adding warm layers. I had just finished putting on my overboots when I turned to scan the plot, it wasn’t legal shooting light yet but getting close. I was really taken by surprise to see a huge bodied deer with antlers visible in grey light. I ranged him at 37 yards. It was now legal light but not good conditions to consider a shot like that.
I held my bow for a minute or so hoping he would come my way and he did just that. I stopped him broadside at 14 yards between two small poplars and executed the shot. The impact sounded familiar but not in a good way. He looked hurt immediately, jogged 50 yards, stopped for a few seconds, and walked off.
I gave the buck 5 hours then climbed down to inspect the arrow and blood. It was dark and sparse so I assumed liver (better than what I initially thought). I backed out about 75 yards in. I could scan most of the area ahead in wide open hardwoods and didn’t see him.
A local friend gave me the number for a buddy of his with a “great dog”. Nine hours later the most excellent dog took us directly to the deer.
I’m planning to bring my oldest daughter up next week for her first hunt (as the trigger person)!
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