Freak
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Wow,that rack is all messed up
Freak
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I did this last year once and it was a disaster. I was sika hunting an old pine forest and I hunted the ground in the morning and got a hind. My dad joined me and I gave him my spot and decided to go in further and set up in a small clearing where they were headed to. I spent the better part of an hour messing around just picking a tree. The one I wanted was to big and leaning really bad so I went 20 yards over and got up a few feet and realized I had no lanes to shoot, went to another tree which I didn’t realize until I was half way up that it was dead up top. Now sweating and loosing daylight I had the choice to go in 20 yards and go up a smaller tree or go up that big white pine that I couldn’t get my hands around. I was one sticking and it was a huge pain, I was rushed and finally got up and realized the lean was to the wrong side but I set up anyway, if I would have fallen I would have been hanging there opposite side of my stick and gear so I hooked into my rappel rope so I could get down if it happened. Got my bow up and hung but didn’t untie the rope I used to pull it up. Only about 20 min of light left I took my backpack off and hung it, pullled out a call and hit it and a stag stood up across the clearing and started walking my way. I didn’t even have my release on… scrambled and got it on and grabbed my bow, knocked an arrow and realized it was still tied so one handed I fumbled it off and turned for my shot which was now to my right and almost straight down, got the bow around the tree, drew and had a split second for a shot before he headed into the brush under me. Took a breath and right when I was about to let go the rope I had my bow tied to fell all the way down right in front of him which made him stop dead and my arrow grazed him. He took a few bounds back into the opening and turned broadside so I moved around the tree to the left side now, knocked another arrow and before I could draw I couldn’t get my my footing and all I could think about was hanging off the far side of this tree and how much that was going to suck so I stopped fumbling around and watched him walk away. Climbed out and looked at my arrow which had a few hairs in the mechanical head but no blood anywhere to be seen. Glad it was a clean miss and regret even trying to take that shot.Nothing for me this today but lessons learned and climbing practice. Picked a tree that was probably a bit big, had other options and was just stubborn and kept at it for the climb. Had trouble getting the platform to set right, had to reattach a couple times and then really work to toe hook it. Damn near dropped my bow, I hadn’t tied a good knot on the rope to pull it up but didn’t realize it, by the time it was up with me in the saddle it had nearly worked loose, was lucky there. Rookies make rookie mistakes I guess. Best I can say is that I took my time and thought things through while I was struggling so I stayed safe and that I’m more prepared for tomorrow.
We are proud of you too bud.View attachment 73344
Don’t think I would’ve got her without being in a saddle, or it certainly made it easier. She was working her way along very warily, I was able to move around the tree and keep it between me and her. I thought she was going to keep feeding on the left side of the tree so I was working on getting set for a shot there and she decided to make a few quick steps to a different spot on my right. Waited until she dropped her head to take a bite and got my bow back to that side, waited again until she did the same to draw, and then watched and heard the arrow find it’s mark. 15 yard shot and I ranged her and she was down at 30 yards so she went 15 after the shot, couldn’t ask for anything more there. Nice to have two headed for the freezer at this point in the season and I think my kids are more proud of me than I am of myself!
2 does is better than I’ve done this year so far and I’ve been hunting my whole life. I’m excited to be a part of this team as well, whether your a rookie or a veteran it’s all about team work.Appreciate you all, I’ll be trying to upgrade one of them to a buck, I know two does isn’t a huge boost for the team score, but I had to stick to my goals for my first year bowhunting and in a saddle which were very simple; improve my skills using a saddle and a bow in the field, put meat in the freezer for my family, and if I could continue to have success to donate to HUSH to help others. We’ll see how the next 3 months play out but I couldn’t ask for a better first 8 days in the trees and a saddle. Thanks for taking in the rookie on your team and being so helpful!
Wow! Big looks like an understatement! Nice one!Shot a big doe this weekend. Pic in submission thread and trad kill thread.