October Start

We had a great September this year and took five really great trophy bucks. All three of our hunters were experienced and had each taken many great deer over the years. Looking back on the past week I can tell you that as seasoned hunters we begin to take many things for granted. It was really exciting to start off October stepping back to our early days this week with two new hunters.

We were joined by Big Bernie and Lil Bernie last week. A father and son team, that were just getting started with hunting and wanted us to help them on an archery hunt. Our hunt started out with some practice with the compounds bows and also an introduction for Lil Bernie to a crossbow. Both of them were experienced with the compounds but Lil Bernie could only draw 35# and we felt it would be better for him to step up to the crossbow for this hunt. We then spent considerable time with our 3-D target discussing the shot placement and the angles needed along with the angles that you do not want to take a shot. That evening we headed out to the Condo and had a chance to see a couple of does and a smaller buck first which helped to further our conversations on the shot placement.

Just before quitting time Big Bernie made a perfectly placed shot on a great ten point. After waiting for forty-five minutes we exited the stand, located the place where the buck was standing when we shot, picked up the blood trail, and found the buck only 70-80 yards from the stand. Big Bernie had made a perfect slightly quartering away shot and had taken his first buck with his compound.

Next Lil Bernie was up and for a ten year old he showed his patience. We spent time on Thursday in the Ramp Patch and had several does and another smaller buck but no bucks that we were looking to harvest. Then we spent all morning in the Trophy Trailer on Friday. We had one opportunity early in the morning but Lil Bernie learned a lesson on buck fever! He made the right decision and passed on the shot. At lunch we discussed our options and that evening we headed back out to the Condo. After going thru some high winds and heavy rains associated with a cold front we were finally settled in for the last hour. It can be pretty tough on a ten year old when you sit for three to four hours and only see one small yearling. Then with twenty minutes left on our hunt we had three good bucks come in together and never presented a shot for us. With nothing left to lose I hit the grunt call and one of the bucks seemed interested. A few more grunts and one doe bleat and he can in fast. With four minutes left on the shooting time Lil Bernie made a perfect shot. The buck gave the mule kick and ran from sight. With the rain still drizzling down we made a quick exit and began the tracking. Once again after several tense moments with the blood trail we were rewarded with a great 180” buck that had travelled only 70 yards.

What an exciting hunt we had had with both of them and it was good for me to be forced into remembering some of those little things we take for granted on every hunt.

#archeryhunt #crossbow #trophybucks