My first... and second trad kill

[Braden]

Now in my third year hunting with trad equipment. Got these two within minutes of each other. Will give the full story later, but here are a few pics.

Braden

[Boho]

Way to go Braden. That's a tremendous feat. Can't wait for the details. :highfive:

[Scooter]

Congrats. Now where's the story?

[Ray Cover]

Nice Braden! I'm envious :highfive:
Ray

[James Wrenn]

Well that is one way to play catch up. :) Great job and you look happy in the picture. I like that look. ;) :highfive:

[SubconsciousShooter]

Way to go, now that`s a handsome couple : )

[Esquire]

Braden,

VERY nice! Congratulations! Looking forward to the story.

Mike

[Braden]

Well, I had hunted the sam stand the week before and was covered with deer. Unfortunately, the deer were very spooky and I did not climb high enough. They stuck around, but stayed very alert the entire time. My face mask was slipping down in my eyes and everytime I tried to adjust it, they would look up at me. I had deer within 20 y of me for at least an hour, but no good shot opportunities.

I went back the next day, and moved my stand to the other side of the road, and decided to climb a little higher next time. I wanted to switch trees because I was afraid that they would be looking for me next time.

I rested the stand, and returned in a week. This time, I climbed higher and used face paint instead of a mask (it was alot more comfortable for me, but messier). I saw many deer out in the food plot, but none on the road that I was hunting. They were out there for at least an hour, and I was begining to regret my stand location. Then, at about 5:15, I saw a couple of deer working their way over to me. It was beginning to get dark in the woods, and I was unsure if they would make it over to me before light ran out.

Through the trees, I could see that it was multiple deer. The lead doe was a little spooky. That, combined with the fading light, made me decide to take the first doe that offered a good shot. An 80lb doe first approached and offered an 18 yard broadside shot. I pulled back, picked a spot, and released.

Now, I had been practicing at low light (to no light) conditions in my backyard, on my deer target, and felt confident on my shooting abilities, but could not see the shot. I had these arrrows made for tukey hunting (black and green feathers w/ black nocks). In the low light, I could not see where my arrow hit, but I could tell by the doe's reaction that the hit was good. She hauled tail, running hard and low, and running into everything in her path.

I then sat back and congratulated myself. I felt good about the shot, and just new that I had finally killed a deer with my recurve. Everyone kept asking me, "When are you going to kill something with that bow?" and would sometimes call me Robinhood. In fact, I had almost taken my compound (which I hadn'teven brought on a deer hunt in three years), just to finally get some meat for the freezer. Boy was I glad that I didn't! I think that some people even thought of my recurve more as a novelty item, than an actual hunting weapon. Finally, finally, finally!

Little did I know, but the hunt was not over...

[Bill Carlsen]

...if you are using carbon or aluminum arrows you should get youself a couple of the lumenoks. They are great in low light conditions and tell you exactly where the arrow went. Nice shooting, by the way. :highfive:

[swampy]

Congrads :cheers:

[Pinelander]

Way to go, Braden... :highfive:

That buck is very wide for 6 pt. headgear, I've never seen such wideness with three on a side. Do you think that deer was 2-1/2 years old or maybe older?

On with story, will ya? The suspense is killin' me, LOL.

Let me guess... the buck came in minutes later to investigate what all the ruckus was about.

[Braden]

Okay, so I am sitting there waiting, and about 2 minutes have elapsed. Out of nowhere, I see a nice little 6pt come in. Then really out of nowhere, this 8 pt appears. His spread is passed his ears and his body size dwarfs the 6 pt. At first, I don't want to be greedy, but he offers me a broadside slightly quartering away shot at 12 yards. I just couldn't resist, and I felt pretty confident about the first shot. So I told myself that if I could get an arrow out of my quiver hanging behind me, that I would take the shot. Well I could, and then I did. Now it was even darker, and I could not tell if the shot was good. I did not think that I would miss at that range, but his reaction was not very telling of a good hit. He just bounded off into the woods and easily cleared a brush pile.

I climbed down, and saw two distinct blood trails, but decided to hold off until next morning. I could not be certain where the buck was hit, and it was supposed to get down in the low 30's. So I eased on out and had a nice sleepless night.

The next morning, it was opening day of youth weekend, and I was already commited to take this kid hunting. He got a shot at a doe, but missed. Then we were off to look for my deer.

After following the two sparse blood trails, we found both deer. Neither one had traveled 100 yards. In fact, I had walked within 30 yards of the doe when I walked out the evening before. Both deer had been shot a little high and back but the combination of the angle of quartering away and the elevation of the stand, caused the arrow to go right through the boiler room. On both, the broadhead had lodged in the offside shoulder, preventing a pass thru, and making for a limited bloodtrail.

Needless to say I was excited. I had just shot my first trad bow kill, and the biggest deer with any weapon.

I was shooting a Check-Mate King's Pawn 64" at about 55# @ 29, with 31 inch Easton Axis 400's, and 125g 4 blade Stinger. The 8 pt (in the pic, it may look like a 6, but my hands are covering the brow tines) weighed 200# and had a 16.5 inch inside spread.

I would like to thank everyone for their help in getting me set up, informing me that you can shoot carbons with trad bows, and answering all of my never ending questions.

Braden

[Boho]

I'm really proud of you Braden. I'm so happy for ya I would kiss your wife if I could. LOL Congrats and you can kill a few more does and 2 more bucks you know. :shooting:

[Braden]

Thanks Tom, I appreciate the kind words. And if you look closely, I am wearing my wedding band in the picture.

[Boho]

LOL I see that. Just don't tell her you took it off to shoot those deer. :)

[tuffshot]

Braden,

Good story and great shooting I am sure it has been worth the wait! :highfive:

[SubconsciousShooter]

A good story and some fine shooting there :highfive:

[Passthru]

Wow! :youdaman:

[W.Tim]

good shooting ---congrats on your season!!!!!!!!! W.Tim :bow2: :cheers: