I saw this buck on day one. He was in a good spot for a stalk and he was just asking me to kill him. I said I was waiting for something bigger. Day two and day three I also saw this buck in a perfect place for a stalk and he was just asking me to kill him. I said I was waiting for something bigger. Day four I saw this buck in an impossible place for a stalk. He was saying there was no way I could put an arrow in him laying out in this wheat field. Trophy quality be danged. I wanted to kill him. So I began my chore to bring him home.
He was in a little bowl about 300 yards in diameter. He and a balance 3X3 bedded dead center in the stubble. The only approach was a little flat from the timber into the exact spot they were bedded. When I looked from the edge of the trees I could see about one or two dozen stalks of wheat that had been missed during harvest. Luckily both bucks were bedded close enough together I felt I could belly crawl out 100 yards without detection. Being heard might be another issue.
Luckily wheat is rather slick and my fat belly slid over it without too much trouble. Toes kicking, fingers digging into the dirt. Just like the good ole days of my youth hunting open country mulies outside of Bakers City, Oregon. It was fun and a few times I might even have forgotten I'm post back surgery, fat and 47 now. Wind was perfect, the bucks seemed to be deaf, which always helps, and the little straws of wheat seemed to be giving the cover I was hoping for. After about 100 yards I was beginning to leave my own blood trail. Not as easy getting 230# over wheat stubble as it was getting 145# over it when I was 18. But I was still having fun and the bucks and wind were cooperating.
When I reached the tall wheat I pushed my range finder through and took a range finder reading. Man! That's still a long poke. But I had plenty of confidence in the Bowtech Experience and I was feeling it was a good day with my concentration. So I decided if I could draw undetected I would take the shot. I rolled over on my back, rotated around so when I sat up I would be pointed in the right direction. And then I drew my bow still lying on my back.
Well, you remember that saying about the mind might be willing but the body can no longer deliver? There I am at full draw, flat on my back, trying to sit up without using my hands or arms. My feet are coming up in the air but my back will not leave the dirt under the stress of my new found girth.
This was easy in my teens! Not sure if it was all the farting, groaning or cussing but both bucks stood up. It was now or never! So I let down on the draw, rolled over on my stomach, collected my knees underneath me and raised up while pulling the bow all in one motion. Surprisingly both bucks were looking the opposite direction as the pin fell into place and the arrow was gone!
The buck did one big mule kick and bolted about 10 yards and then he began to walk. It looked like his whole body had turned red. He tried to walk up hill, but gravity was pulling him back. The arrow started to work it's way out from being completely past the nock. Now the blood was pumping a trail about four feet wide. After what felt like about ten seconds gravity won and he was down for good. Diaphragm, Liver, Lung and Heart all penetrated. Paunch completely missed
. The shot had been long, but the location of impact perfect! I might not be 18 anymore, but I never shot this good in my youth. A trade I will gladly take!
There was a time I thought I might like becoming a trophy hunter. But I later learned I have a weakness in that way of thinking. Fun and enjoyment of the stalk and the challenge of trying the impossible are my trophies. And I am dang proud of this one. Horn size could not have made the enjoyment any better. I had a blast...even though I'm glad they weren't 500 yards into that darn wheat
Sorry for the pics. The camera was at the truck a long arse way from the stalk and I figured I should wait for the wife to experience the approach with me.
