Bowhunting

[Smarty]

How's the bowhunting for deer going?  The bucks should be gearing up for the rut.  Let's hear some stories.

[icefishin]

I have only been out a couple times but the last time i out i was huntin from the ground and had a nice 4x4 come up so close i could hear him breathing. I could have almost reached out and touched his antlers he was so close but couldnt shoot because he came in directly behind me. I dont think they have started rutting yet cause i tried to put out a little tinks 69 and it had no affect on the deer i saw. When ever i grunted at them they would turn and look and then continue on their way. Shouldn't be long though. Got my stand up now so if that buck comes back ill get him this time!

[michfish]

I'm a Michigan guy and bowhunting is probably my favorite type of hunting. I shot a fairly nice buck Wed. morning. It was an 8 point by our way of counting (4x4 some would say). If I was better with the technology I would post a picture but I'm a little old-fashioned and I'll have to learn how to add photos to these posts. Our rut is going strong. This buck had a number of scrapes that I found. (At least I think that it was this deer). Also, its neck was swollen. Someone else had hit the deer high in the shoulder and the arrow only penetrated a little way into the deer. It did collapse one lung somewhat. This was the only time that I have found this in any deer that I have shot. The collapsed lung was like an old, blood caked balloon, sealed on the inside against the entry hole from the past arrow. Very unusual. It seemed healthy otherwise. It came in running to my grunt call at about 8:45 am.   The body was also small in relation to the size of the rack. Probably a 2 1/2 year old deer (with a 1 1/2 year old body). Maybe part of it was that it had been wounded. If I can figure out my camera I might try to post a photo if anyone is interested. We have a lot of whitetails and most of us hunt from trees. Of course, we have a lot of woods and it makes it easier to do that.  Good luck to the other bowhunters out there.---

[Smarty]

I've been out about 5 times.  Shot a decent 4x4 last Friday morning about 8:00.  It was the first time I'd seen him, but had him on trail camera pictures.  Only about 16 inch. wide, but his tines are 9-10 long.  His neck was swollen from rubbing and I saw a few scrapes that had been started, but that was about it.  I would think by this next week things should be rolling as far as the rut. I have a doe tag left and will sit a few more times just hoping to get a glimpse of the big one for rifle season.  Good luck!

[icefishin]

Got my first buck with a bow tonight. By no means the biggest one out there but im happy with him. He was chasing a doe around and i grunted a few times and the doe came by at 10 yards with the buck behind her. Shot him from the ground at 10 yards and he went about 30 yards before going down. Should be a 4x4 but his main beam is broke off on the one side and a tine is broke off on the other so he has been doing some fighting.

[Smarty]

Nice buck michfish.  Congratulations to icefishn on his first buck.  What a thrill it is to have deer so close and they not know you're there.  I've been trying to get my doe, but all I see is bucks.  Had a wallhanger come by Saturday night about 5:30.  Some of the bucks I've seen have swollen necks, but most don't and I've been up close and personal.  Good scouting for the rifle season, I guess.  I hope the does start moving some.  Sunday night I had one buck come by about 3:30 and again at 5:00, checking his scrape line.  Same place I shot my buck a few weeks ago.  In fact, he almost looks like a twin to the one I shot.  Good to hear from you guys.

[michfish]

Congratulations icefishin. Nice buck and it looks like a nice shot, even if it was only 10 yards away. I remember my first bow shot at a buck. I was only about 8-10 yards away and I got so excited that I shot right over the deer's back. That was back in the recurve days but I was still embarassed and very disappointed that I had missed such an easy chance. There are always a lot of things that can go wrong when the shooting moment comes. Any time that you are successful it is something to be proud of and something that will be very pleasant to recall in the years ahead. Again, nice job and may this be just the first of many more.   ------michfish

[icefishin]

Thanks guys...its definately something i wont forget. I hope i can repeat it again next year. Congrats to you to Michfish on your buck. looks like a nice one. Good luck to everyone out there and if ya get one post it up. I love seeing pics!

[TLA]

 Check this, somebody missed.