I have enjoyed reading great success stories and jealously admiring many pictures of critters over the years here. I thought i would give a little back and share my archery hunt.
I decided to put all my hunting days into one hunt this year. Didn't draw any other tags. I made it a personal challenge to attempt to kill a big velvet buck with my bow here in N UTah. I have spent many years hunting this area and have killed some great bucks but never with my bow. After 4 scouting trips, 3 hunting trips, approx 76 miles on foot, 24000 elevation feet climbed, it was time to punch my tag. I was packing into my camp for my final trip of the year when it all came together. Was only about 400yds from my camp when i spotted a nice buck 200 yds up the hill from me. I was soaking wet from sweating on the way in so i dropped my pack, changed out of my t-shirt into a camo shirt, and made my move. I slowly moved up a deep wash/rockslide until was about 100yds away. I then noticed a old dead log the size of pickup truck which i was able to keep between me and the buck. Once I made it to the log i ranged the feeding buck at 71 yards. I wasn't sure if I wanted the buck at first then reality set in. I only had one more day to hunt and this would be my biggest buck in the velvet. With the buck's head down feeding and without hesitation I drew back, leveled the bow, allowed for 6 inches of wind drift, And turned it loose. SMACK!! That's the best sound ever. The buck almost did a front flip down the hill when he bucked. 5 seconds later i hear a big crash in the rocks. 10 seconds later i hear a "death moan". I walked right over to where the buck was standing and looked down the hill to see him 50 yds away, motionless. After retrieving my arrow I made my way down to the buck and found him to be better than i thought. A nice heavy 25 incher with a couple little sticker starting to grow out. I have always believed that what you get out of a hunt is what you put into it. I have bow hunted for 25 years and this was one of my greatest. Not because of its size but the effort it took to get it. The only regret i have is that i did it completely solo. No one to take pictures of you. No one to help pack out meat or camp. Yea I am a little sore. Enjoy!!
Nothing better than resting a heavy pack on a tailgate!!
Here's a few that took me to school this year. Sorry the pics are not the best.
Had these two at 50 yds, they didn't like something and blew out of there
I decided to put all my hunting days into one hunt this year. Didn't draw any other tags. I made it a personal challenge to attempt to kill a big velvet buck with my bow here in N UTah. I have spent many years hunting this area and have killed some great bucks but never with my bow. After 4 scouting trips, 3 hunting trips, approx 76 miles on foot, 24000 elevation feet climbed, it was time to punch my tag. I was packing into my camp for my final trip of the year when it all came together. Was only about 400yds from my camp when i spotted a nice buck 200 yds up the hill from me. I was soaking wet from sweating on the way in so i dropped my pack, changed out of my t-shirt into a camo shirt, and made my move. I slowly moved up a deep wash/rockslide until was about 100yds away. I then noticed a old dead log the size of pickup truck which i was able to keep between me and the buck. Once I made it to the log i ranged the feeding buck at 71 yards. I wasn't sure if I wanted the buck at first then reality set in. I only had one more day to hunt and this would be my biggest buck in the velvet. With the buck's head down feeding and without hesitation I drew back, leveled the bow, allowed for 6 inches of wind drift, And turned it loose. SMACK!! That's the best sound ever. The buck almost did a front flip down the hill when he bucked. 5 seconds later i hear a big crash in the rocks. 10 seconds later i hear a "death moan". I walked right over to where the buck was standing and looked down the hill to see him 50 yds away, motionless. After retrieving my arrow I made my way down to the buck and found him to be better than i thought. A nice heavy 25 incher with a couple little sticker starting to grow out. I have always believed that what you get out of a hunt is what you put into it. I have bow hunted for 25 years and this was one of my greatest. Not because of its size but the effort it took to get it. The only regret i have is that i did it completely solo. No one to take pictures of you. No one to help pack out meat or camp. Yea I am a little sore. Enjoy!!
Nothing better than resting a heavy pack on a tailgate!!
Here's a few that took me to school this year. Sorry the pics are not the best.
Had these two at 50 yds, they didn't like something and blew out of there
