Ok, well opening day for gun season went a little better than usual. For the first time I doubled up, shooting a small doe in the morning and this big feller in the afternoon. I'm hunting for the first time with a brand new Savage 20 guage bolt action shooting Federal Barnes tipped eXpanders. The 'riffle' is topped with a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40. One sweet combo!
I always hear the stories about shooting a deer withing the first 30 minutes blah blah it never happened to me until now. After getting my earlier doe taken care of I decided to go to my bow treestand that I usually dont hunt in gun season since its so far away from the road and during gun season they dont want anyone driving on the farms, everyone has to park and walk in. But it was early and I had plenty of time so I went on the long walk. I wasnt half way to my treestand and he comes trotting right to me!
I've never been a trophy hunter and out over a dozen or so racks I have in the garage most are under 8pt. I hunt to feed the family and because I enjoy it, and always hope for a nice buck but not like some of my friends who wont even shoot anything unless its over 150-class... heck I dont even know what that means. This time I was finally rewarded with a real wall-hanger. Even though it was pure luck getting it walking in to my treestand, I did earn it on the drag out... along with a few pulled muscles in the back I think!
Its not one of the nice perfect symmetrical 'typical' bucks that many seek, this one is definitely non-typical, but I like the uniqueness of it and the character.
Whats also interesting is this is my 18th year hunting I got this 18 point that also weighs 188.
I got one as well with the bow and arrow so I am all done for the year... back to cutting firewood now!
I always hear the stories about shooting a deer withing the first 30 minutes blah blah it never happened to me until now. After getting my earlier doe taken care of I decided to go to my bow treestand that I usually dont hunt in gun season since its so far away from the road and during gun season they dont want anyone driving on the farms, everyone has to park and walk in. But it was early and I had plenty of time so I went on the long walk. I wasnt half way to my treestand and he comes trotting right to me!
I've never been a trophy hunter and out over a dozen or so racks I have in the garage most are under 8pt. I hunt to feed the family and because I enjoy it, and always hope for a nice buck but not like some of my friends who wont even shoot anything unless its over 150-class... heck I dont even know what that means. This time I was finally rewarded with a real wall-hanger. Even though it was pure luck getting it walking in to my treestand, I did earn it on the drag out... along with a few pulled muscles in the back I think!
Its not one of the nice perfect symmetrical 'typical' bucks that many seek, this one is definitely non-typical, but I like the uniqueness of it and the character.
Whats also interesting is this is my 18th year hunting I got this 18 point that also weighs 188.
I got one as well with the bow and arrow so I am all done for the year... back to cutting firewood now!