2019 Deer Hunting

[undeg01]

Very cool, Dennis. I didn’t have such great luck.

This buck came by once this evening, hot on a doe. I watched him for a bit, got the crossbow on him twice and decided to not shoot him. Then he chased the doe off and 20 mins later, he came back. I decided I should go ahead and take him, then I could give 100% of my attention to helping my granddaughter hunt during rifle season. Well, after I decided to shoot him, what does he do? He lays down. I was afraid to shoot him while lying down so I waited until he got up. 28 yd broadside shot. He mule kicked, walked about 15 yds and just stood in one spot for about 10 mins while the doe and two little bucks kept eating at the feeder. Those 3 left but I never saw him leave. Figured he bled out and laid down nearby. I waited an hour and couldn’t find him. Had good red blood, but it petered out. Called a dog in and looked for a couple hours. No luck. Now I’m just sick to my stomach.

 

[dennishoddy]

Very cool, Dennis. I didn’t have such great luck.

This buck came by once this evening, hot on a doe. I watched him for a bit, got the crossbow on him twice and decided to not shoot him. Then he chased the doe off and 20 mins later, he came back. I decided I should go ahead and take him, then I could give 100% of my attention to helping my granddaughter hunt during rifle season. Well, after I decided to shoot him, what does he do? He lays down. I was afraid to shoot him while lying down so I waited until he got up. 28 yd broadside shot. He mule kicked, walked about 15 yds and just stood in one spot for about 10 mins while the doe and two little bucks kept eating at the feeder. Those 3 left but I never saw him leave. Figured he bled out and laid down nearby. I waited an hour and couldn’t find him. Had good red blood, but it petered out. Called a dog in and looked for a couple hours. No luck. Now I’m just sick to my stomach.
View attachment 146924 View attachment 146923
View attachment 146922

Oh man, that sucks! He is a good buck too. Hopefully he survives.

 

[ignerntbend]

Try to get over the sick @undeg01. You put in your best good faith effort and that's all anyone can expect, besides coyotes need to eat too. Go get you another one.

 

[dlbleak]

And this, THIS, is why I’m awake at 3am! Thinking about all the things that I need to do over the next couple days to get ready for rifle. Yeah, I’m not done yet. I have an elderly friend coming to town that wants to hunt. He’s 78 and I need to make a few adjustments.
Great buck Dennis!
George, sorry to hear about the deer. Most of us have been there.

One of the guys on our lease said he had the best night in a stand ever. He was covered up all evening. Just no shooters.

 

[goldflinger]

Great Buck Dennis!! Congrats. Back at work this morning! Saw deer every sit since I last posted Thursday. No shots! The Does did not cooperate and the only mature 8 point I saw was broke off on his right side. Of course the only good bow shots I had were on Spikes and Fork horns, so we'll hang the bow up and hit it again come Saturday.. good luck guys who are still bow hunting this week. Got some bummer news last night! The best buck on camera in our area was hit on highway 270 just North of I-40. My cousin sent me a pic. of it in the back of someones truck. That is one buck I'm sure I will not shoot during rifle :-)

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Great buck Dennis. That is pretty cool that a doe is at your feeder while you are looking for your buck.
Undeg that sucks but sometimes it happens. Deer are incredibly tough. You gave a solid effort looking, don't beat yourself up.

 

[BobbyV]

Congrats @dennishoddy

 

[retrieverman]

Cooked another skull this morning for a friend of my daughters Dad. I believe this is his second buck ever.

 

[Coach_1]

@retrieverman can you explain the boiling process please? I’d like to learn how and what’s needed. Would save a lot of money.

 

[Woody's Janitor]

I should have stayed in bed this morning. I saw deer in the fields before sunrise and one running like a bat out of heck after daylight.