So a lot of frustration happened this year, took a week off work and all the good spots on a piece of public was taken and all spots were out of state people who also took a week off same as me lol so I had some competition, needles to say nothing good happened that week, then went out the following weekend and the entire thousands (I think at least 7000 or so) of acres all to myself, not a single car/truck.
Last year when I hunted this public land there were very few bow hunters compared to this year, however tried one spot saw a nice 6 pt but didn't give me a chance, saw some does and spikes, then for the afternoon I tried a new spot, I never scouted but looked like a nice transition between bedding and feeding spots, all I saw was 1 small scrape, took a chance and thought I have a really good spot for tomorrow anyway and the wind will be just right.
Then hour before dark saw what I thought was a 6 pt following a doe (it was definitely in locked down phase) turned out to be a decent 10 pointer, waited for what seemed like another hour before finally was a good shot at 30 yards, finally pulled back and released, I saw the arrow pass a little low..... thought maybe I missed some how and only hit brisket nor did he give the nice kick you see when it's a good shot, but he only hopped a little and stood still for a while so wasn't really spooked to bad, finally what seemed like another hour but was probably 5 minutes I saw him slowly walking off and seemed a little wobbly then laid down, I have lost a deer before so I knew to leave em be for at least an hour, thankfully temp was in the 20's, finally waited till way after dark and found em only 20 yards from where I shot em, double lung and possibly cut the top of the heart veins, in a split second he must have lowered 3-4 inches making the shot way better than what I saw, dragged em around 900 yards by myself.... I was tired to say the least, but well worth it!!
I really do enjoy the mobility of saddle hunting, I would never had this chance if I was in a regular stand, and of course here are some pics, Cruzr Xc, and hoyt Torrex 70lbs, Scheels Vendetta Arrows Magnus Stinger 150gr Arrow total 505gr.
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