09-04-2009, 02:43 PM
This buck was actually with another buck that was a better buck (isn't that what hunters always say?). The other buck had better forks on the front and 2-3 inch eyeguards on both sides...he was a really symmetrical buck. But, beggars can't be choosers...after missing the bigger buck at 52 yards (my excitement lead to a poor shot where the bow string hit my arm and my arrow flew out funny), I shot my buck at about 58 yards. Although my immediate thought was that I had hit him too low and in the front leg, I could tell quickly I was wrong. After bolting and running hard for about 30-40 yards, he started limping and went down around 80 yards away from where he was shot. After seeing him go down, I left to get my brothers and the camera. An hour or so after I shot him, we tracked him down and he had expired where he went down. I believe I could have walked right to him after I saw him go down and he would have been dead. The shot hit him immediately in front of the shoulder blade and passed through the deer. He lost a lot of blood...
...my bow is about 20 years old (an Easton Raider) that I purchased after graduating from high school. Although I have been wanting to purchase a new bow that shoots quicker and flatter, I just can't bring myself to change. I love that old bow and have had good success with it. I also have had a hard time switching from my old aluminum arrows. Not ironically, I also shoot the cheapest broad heads I can find. But, they have never seemed to matter. I don't feel like I have ever lost an animal because of broad head performance or lack of a more modern bow...
...all in all, and despite the buck, this was a very enjoyable hunt. I saw lots of nice mature bucks along with the numerous yearlings. I really feel like buck numbers and the deer population has gradually been improving for several years in the areas I hunt.
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...my bow is about 20 years old (an Easton Raider) that I purchased after graduating from high school. Although I have been wanting to purchase a new bow that shoots quicker and flatter, I just can't bring myself to change. I love that old bow and have had good success with it. I also have had a hard time switching from my old aluminum arrows. Not ironically, I also shoot the cheapest broad heads I can find. But, they have never seemed to matter. I don't feel like I have ever lost an animal because of broad head performance or lack of a more modern bow...
...all in all, and despite the buck, this was a very enjoyable hunt. I saw lots of nice mature bucks along with the numerous yearlings. I really feel like buck numbers and the deer population has gradually been improving for several years in the areas I hunt.
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