Hunting Report Weekend Bowhunt (long read & lots of pics)

Fishingnerd33 · 11-09-2009, 04:25 PM

All week I had looked forward to being out bowhunting again, in pursuit of the elusive first archery deer. Kate & I have been hunting a fairly small property this year and have seen lots of deer, but very few bucks that we're looking to shoot. Last weekend we were out and found a shooter mule buck that had joined a group of about 20-30 does. We couldn't close the deal last weekend, and were ready to try again.

Saturday we got up and were out to the property by first light. The property we've been hunting on has a wheat field/pasture land that drops sharply down to a creek bottom with trees lining either side of it and it opens up into an alfalfa field to the north.

The group of mulies were up top making their way down to the alfalfa field when we got there. We ended up leaving them alone and went down to our blind to see if any whitetails would be moving around. Nothing. Disappointed we headed back home about 11am for a quick nap and some lunch.

Busy little guy didn't quite get the job done.

Third deer skull I've found on the property, all young bucks...hate to see that.

After some nourishment & sleep we headed back out about 1pm. We moved the blind to a little better location and noticed there wasn't any way to cross the creek without having to walk through the trees for about 100 yards. So we made a bridge across, nothing fancy, just a few dead logs hefted up and over the creek. Works great too!

Adjacent property, which I don't have permission on...bonus tag waiting to be filled. Fence in picture is property line.

The deer have been using the alfalfa field early in the morning and most afternoons and into the evening. Since we had just moved the ground blind and brushed it in again, we decided to leave it and just sit up on top of some haybales out in the field and see what happened.

We got out there and after a slimfast & granola bars we were ready for the evening. About an hour after sitting, I was starting to question our decision. I was about to sneak a peak over the haybale we were leaning against to see if we had anything come in behind us when I hear Kate's whisper, "freeze!!"
I froze and whispered back, "is he with them?"
"No, but it's a pretty good buck with them, but I don't think it's him."
"Can I sit down again?"
"Not yet, they haven't gone into the draw yet. Ok, the does are all out of sight, get down here quick!"

No sooner did my hindquarters hit the hay the deer popped out from behind the hill and made their way down onto the field. The young ones were kicking and chasing each other and the does were being chased by the three bucks that were accompanying them. Two 2x2s and a 3x3 were doing most of the chasing, but there was another bigger buck hanging back a bit. Kate slowly inched her binoculars up and got a closer look at him. "He's a 5x5, but he's not the wide one we saw earlier, he's definitely younger."

Over the next couple of hours, we watched as the deer ate and chased each other around the field, usually between 40 and 75 yards away. Kate & I whispered back and forth for about 5 minutes whether or not to take the 5x5. We decided that if he came within range I'd have to make the final call.

Our view for a couple hours.

5x5 that I had within 5 yards and let the guy walk.

Just before sunset, one of the does came over to our haybales expecting to munch away for awhile. She got about 10 yards away and she saw us, but didn't know what to think. She didn't spook or anything, even being down wind of us, just kinda stared for awhile. Kate & I remained motionless hoping she'd just lose interest and go away.

The entire herd saw her and came over to investigate us. We had 35 deer within 5 yards of us, and they never spooked! It was incredible, I'm sure they could hear my heartbeat the entire time they were there. I was freaking out inside, but on the outside I was cool as a cuke. (Barely)

They checked us out for what seemed like an eternity, probably more like 5 minutes, before moving on. Just then I looked off to the north and here HE came!

He was with a few other does that had slipped in while our attention was focused a little closer. He was working his way down to the other does, which would have put his path on a direct line about 15 yards from where we were perched.

He's 50 yards and closing, paying no attention to the two camoflauged figures on the bales. 40 yards and not a care in the world besides women. 35 yards he freezes, hears something he doesn't like. I strain my ears to hear what could have possibly stopped this guy. Sure enough, a pack of coyotes light up over the hill, started as a pup yelping and that got the whole lot of them going. That got the does all sorts of crazy jumpy, they started getting their fawns close together and just like that they all left.

In desperation, I grunted a couple of times hoping to get the big guy's attention. Nothing. I did a couple bleats with the can call, again nothing. Snort-wheezed him, and got him to stop and turn. Then he looked back at all those women leaving over the hill and off he went.

We were both shaking as we went back to the car in darkness. About the only words said between us were, "that was incredible!" "Stupid coyotes!"

Sunday we were back out before dawn, scaling down the 70' cliff in the dark to the bridge we made the previous day. We made it down with only one scare when my foothold let loose and I slid down the hill about 10'. A lot scarier when it's pitch black. Looked at the marks after it got light out and was embarrassed at my fright.

We sat in the blind until about 10:30am, seeing a few small whitetail bucks cruising along and the mule deer bedded down on the field, but nothing within 75 yards of our blind.

We went back for another nap and lunch and came back out about 1pm. We decided that taking the blind out would make for a little better cover than just perched on some bales so we toted it out to the row of bales and got it set up and brushed in really well, the thing looks like a big bale of hay! We had sat for about an hour and fifteen minutes when a group of does came over the hill, not as many this time, only about 10 or so.

They did their usual feeding and moseying around the field, not a care in the world. A 2x2 was with them that we’d seen the day before, but neither of the 5x5s showed that night. It was a disappointing weekend in one aspect but an incredible one in many others.

We had more deer within 20 yards of us without being detected than I’d had within 100 yards before that day. Unfortunately, that was our last day of bowhunting before rifle season, so my dream of getting a nice muley with the bow may be done for another year.

Despite not being able to take a deer with the bow so far, I’ve learned a ton!! I can say with the utmost certainty that I’ve learned more in the 30 some hours I’ve been out in the field than countless hours reading/watching.

Some of the horses on the property.

I’ve seen the sun dip into the Pacific Ocean, seen it drop behind the Rockies, but I would be willing to bet the sunset here in God’s country rivals them all.

Couple other pictures from previous hunts on the property.

Thanks for reading, hope it was worth making it to the end!

**fishinwithdad** · 11-09-2009, 08:27 PM

Good story!

And this line here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishingnerd33

I’ve seen the sun dip into the Pacific Ocean, seen it drop behind the Rockies, but I would be willing to bet the sunset here in God’s country rivals them all.

... I completely agree!!!

Done · 11-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Nice post. That heart pumping excitement is what gets you addicted to bowhunting.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hawkeye · 11-09-2009, 09:37 PM

Great read and thanks for the pics. Just when you do everything right ol' ma nature sneaks in a coyote. The skill required, and ultimately good luck, make you respect that bow kill even more. I wouldn't know, I haven't been successful with a bow, yet.

thejollyroger · 11-09-2009, 09:45 PM

Great Post! I love that last pic!!

luvsitall · 11-10-2009, 01:20 AM

I always enjoy your posts, keep em coming! good luck

tmn515 · 11-11-2009, 01:25 AM

Good read man!

Troy

fish_hedd · 11-12-2009, 07:50 PM

nice pics, nice storytelling -- sounds like a blast!

11-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fishingnerd33 Fishingnerd33 is waiting...ice rod in hand. Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chadron, NE Posts: 1,578 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 281 Times in 157 Posts	Weekend Bowhunt (long read & lots of pics) All week I had looked forward to being out bowhunting again, in pursuit of the elusive first archery deer. Kate & I have been hunting a fairly small property this year and have seen lots of deer, but very few bucks that we're looking to shoot. Last weekend we were out and found a shooter mule buck that had joined a group of about 20-30 does. We couldn't close the deal last weekend, and were ready to try again. Saturday we got up and were out to the property by first light. The property we've been hunting on has a wheat field/pasture land that drops sharply down to a creek bottom with trees lining either side of it and it opens up into an alfalfa field to the north. The group of mulies were up top making their way down to the alfalfa field when we got there. We ended up leaving them alone and went down to our blind to see if any whitetails would be moving around. Nothing. Disappointed we headed back home about 11am for a quick nap and some lunch. Busy little guy didn't quite get the job done. Third deer skull I've found on the property, all young bucks...hate to see that. After some nourishment & sleep we headed back out about 1pm. We moved the blind to a little better location and noticed there wasn't any way to cross the creek without having to walk through the trees for about 100 yards. So we made a bridge across, nothing fancy, just a few dead logs hefted up and over the creek. Works great too! Adjacent property, which I don't have permission on...bonus tag waiting to be filled. Fence in picture is property line. The deer have been using the alfalfa field early in the morning and most afternoons and into the evening. Since we had just moved the ground blind and brushed it in again, we decided to leave it and just sit up on top of some haybales out in the field and see what happened. We got out there and after a slimfast & granola bars we were ready for the evening. About an hour after sitting, I was starting to question our decision. I was about to sneak a peak over the haybale we were leaning against to see if we had anything come in behind us when I hear Kate's whisper, "freeze!!" I froze and whispered back, "is he with them?" "No, but it's a pretty good buck with them, but I don't think it's him." "Can I sit down again?" "Not yet, they haven't gone into the draw yet. Ok, the does are all out of sight, get down here quick!" No sooner did my hindquarters hit the hay the deer popped out from behind the hill and made their way down onto the field. The young ones were kicking and chasing each other and the does were being chased by the three bucks that were accompanying them. Two 2x2s and a 3x3 were doing most of the chasing, but there was another bigger buck hanging back a bit. Kate slowly inched her binoculars up and got a closer look at him. "He's a 5x5, but he's not the wide one we saw earlier, he's definitely younger." Over the next couple of hours, we watched as the deer ate and chased each other around the field, usually between 40 and 75 yards away. Kate & I whispered back and forth for about 5 minutes whether or not to take the 5x5. We decided that if he came within range I'd have to make the final call. Our view for a couple hours. 5x5 that I had within 5 yards and let the guy walk. Just before sunset, one of the does came over to our haybales expecting to munch away for awhile. She got about 10 yards away and she saw us, but didn't know what to think. She didn't spook or anything, even being down wind of us, just kinda stared for awhile. Kate & I remained motionless hoping she'd just lose interest and go away. The entire herd saw her and came over to investigate us. We had 35 deer within 5 yards of us, and they never spooked! It was incredible, I'm sure they could hear my heartbeat the entire time they were there. I was freaking out inside, but on the outside I was cool as a cuke. (Barely) They checked us out for what seemed like an eternity, probably more like 5 minutes, before moving on. Just then I looked off to the north and here HE came! He was with a few other does that had slipped in while our attention was focused a little closer. He was working his way down to the other does, which would have put his path on a direct line about 15 yards from where we were perched. He's 50 yards and closing, paying no attention to the two camoflauged figures on the bales. 40 yards and not a care in the world besides women. 35 yards he freezes, hears something he doesn't like. I strain my ears to hear what could have possibly stopped this guy. Sure enough, a pack of coyotes light up over the hill, started as a pup yelping and that got the whole lot of them going. That got the does all sorts of crazy jumpy, they started getting their fawns close together and just like that they all left. In desperation, I grunted a couple of times hoping to get the big guy's attention. Nothing. I did a couple bleats with the can call, again nothing. Snort-wheezed him, and got him to stop and turn. Then he looked back at all those women leaving over the hill and off he went. We were both shaking as we went back to the car in darkness. About the only words said between us were, "that was incredible!" "Stupid coyotes!" Sunday we were back out before dawn, scaling down the 70' cliff in the dark to the bridge we made the previous day. We made it down with only one scare when my foothold let loose and I slid down the hill about 10'. A lot scarier when it's pitch black. Looked at the marks after it got light out and was embarrassed at my fright. We sat in the blind until about 10:30am, seeing a few small whitetail bucks cruising along and the mule deer bedded down on the field, but nothing within 75 yards of our blind. We went back for another nap and lunch and came back out about 1pm. We decided that taking the blind out would make for a little better cover than just perched on some bales so we toted it out to the row of bales and got it set up and brushed in really well, the thing looks like a big bale of hay! We had sat for about an hour and fifteen minutes when a group of does came over the hill, not as many this time, only about 10 or so. They did their usual feeding and moseying around the field, not a care in the world. A 2x2 was with them that we’d seen the day before, but neither of the 5x5s showed that night. It was a disappointing weekend in one aspect but an incredible one in many others. We had more deer within 20 yards of us without being detected than I’d had within 100 yards before that day. Unfortunately, that was our last day of bowhunting before rifle season, so my dream of getting a nice muley with the bow may be done for another year. Despite not being able to take a deer with the bow so far, I’ve learned a ton!! I can say with the utmost certainty that I’ve learned more in the 30 some hours I’ve been out in the field than countless hours reading/watching. Some of the horses on the property. I’ve seen the sun dip into the Pacific Ocean, seen it drop behind the Rockies, but I would be willing to bet the sunset here in God’s country rivals them all. Couple other pictures from previous hunts on the property. Thanks for reading, hope it was worth making it to the end! __________________ 'The core of a man’s heart is undomesticated and that is good. "I am not alive in an office," as one Northface ad has it. "I am not alive in a taxi cab. I am not alive on a sidewalk." Amen to that. Their conclusion? "Never stop exploring." ' 'Wild at Heart'by John Eldredge Rest In Peace, OBG.

11-09-2009, 09:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Done Done is always thinking about fishing. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, NE Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 1,160 Thanks: 81 Thanked 167 Times in 113 Posts	Nice post. That heart pumping excitement is what gets you addicted to bowhunting. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." ~John Buchan

11-09-2009, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hawkeye Hawkeye is fishing naked Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: nebraska state penitentiary Posts: 325 Thanks: 111 Thanked 105 Times in 69 Posts	Great read and thanks for the pics. Just when you do everything right ol' ma nature sneaks in a coyote. The skill required, and ultimately good luck, make you respect that bow kill even more. I wouldn't know, I haven't been successful with a bow, yet. __________________ "Imagine how weird phones would look if your mouth was nowhere near your ears," Steven Wright

11-09-2009, 09:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
thejollyroger thejollyroger has no status. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 66 Thanks: 51 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Great Post! I love that last pic!! __________________ -Even a fish could stay out of trouble if it learned to shut its mouth-

11-12-2009, 07:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
fish_hedd fish_hedd is ready for open water. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 158 Thanks: 189 Thanked 45 Times in 26 Posts	nice pics, nice storytelling -- sounds like a blast! __________________ <°)))>< <°)))>< <°)))>< <°)))>< Get out into God's country.....you'll find Him there. 2010 Counter: haven't been out "Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth." -- David Polis

11-10-2009, 01:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
luvsitall luvsitall is sitting in the basins for 3 weeks listening togrrr Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: county with NO ducks Posts: 446 Thanks: 281 Thanked 90 Times in 77 Posts	I always enjoy your posts, keep em coming! good luck

11-11-2009, 01:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
tmn515 tmn515 is fishing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 1,812 Thanks: 848 Thanked 360 Times in 299 Posts	Good read man! Troy

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