Author Topic: DBHAWTHORNE's 2011 Late Archery Whitetail (Read 8725 times)

DBHAWTHORNE · « **on:** December 12, 2011, 10:24:28 PM »

It was a tough but great season. Between the 170+ deadeye buck and the 200 inch monster there was a lot to be excited about. As it stands now deadeye is still alive and will survive the late season (no access for hunters and no one hunting within several square miles of his location). Now I just hope he survives the winter/predators. The 200 inch monster fell to the arrow of a fellow archer around the first part of December. I had pushed all my chips in on hunting the once in a lifetime buck and I found myself scrambling to find another mature buck to hunt after he was killed. I found no shortage of very respectable 3 1/2 year old bucks (120-140 inches). However, finding a mature animal proved to be difficult. This past Friday my wife killed a nice 127 gross 5x5 and a good friend of mine was hunting one of my stands that had several P&Y class animals coming in each day. Unfortunately my friend never got a shot despite sitting the entire day. On Saturday my friend helped me search for my wife's buck which she had hit in the liver. We painstakingly followed the trail 700 yards uphill and recovered my wife's trophy.

It was a good day!

Sunday found me checking cams and I discovered I now had one Mature buck showing....at night of course. My friend hunted my other stand the entire day again and yet again none of the P&Y class animals presented themselves.

This morning I decided to hunt the same stand I had my friend on during the weekend because he wasn't able to hunt and there was generally a lot of action from the nice 3 1/2 year old bucks. I wanted to get a look at them and mainly just enjoy the hunt. I arrived at the stand around 0600 and was settled in by 0615. At 0900 I had a few does come through on one of the travel corridors approximately 80 yards from my stand. At 0930 I had five yearling bucks come into my location. They were milling around for the next 30 minutes and constantly moving between my stand and the travel corridor 80 yards in front of my stand.

At 1000, just as it looked like the yearlings were leaving I caught a flash of antler. I could tell it was a nice buck and I figured it was one of the 3 1/2 year olds. I was finally able to get a good look at the buck and realized he wasn't one I had seen on camera. I could see that he was wide 5x5 with very nice main beams. His mass and tine length were average and I figured he would go 140 gross (give or take an inch or two). I determined that he was 3 1/2 so I decided to pass him up despite his impressive head gear.

He was there only a five minutes when I heard a grunt/snort/wheeze and saw another 5x5 coming down the hill at the buck. I was familiar with this 5x5 as I had many trail cam photos of him. I had judged him at 3 1/2 and 135. They squared off and postured a few moments. Seeing them side by side allowed me to realize the buck I hadn't seen before was actually older than the 5x5 that was a regular at my location. Comparing body shape and size it became obvious that this 5x5 was definitely a mature animal! Fortunately the mature buck won the stand off and stuck around. He was at 35 yards when I took the shot. My arrow hit a few inches lower than the sweet spot but the results were still pretty sweet. I watched him run 25 yards before falling and expiring within seconds.

When I walked up to him his antlers actually looked even more impressive. After finishing the work (700 meter drag) and getting him prepped for butchering I put a tape on his antlers. He has a 19 4/8 inside spread and 23+ inch main beams. His mass is average and tine length is average. His green gross is 148. It didn't matter much but it was a nice surprise since I had judged him as being smaller. After looking at pictures of those giants for the past two season I believe I am completely underestimating a lot of animals and this was one of those cases.

It was a great end to a great season!! I couldn't ask for a more beautiful buck!! Now I am ready to enjoy some fresh venison while I am waiting to see what next season holds!

johnnyaustin44 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:30:42 PM »

Congrats that's a dandy.

gjbruny · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:33:32 PM »

Big Big congrats bud!!!! you had a heck of a season!

cool double throat patch!!!!

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:37:05 PM »

WTGA! Nice Buck!!! :tup:Sounds like an exciting season!

Turner89 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:40:36 PM »

cool story DB. really nice WT

DBHAWTHORNE · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:45:03 PM »

Thanks guys. It was definitely a great season. I love hunting Northwest Whitetail.

I forgot to mention. After hearing guys raving about the Trophy Taker Shuttle T-Lock Broadheads I decided to give them a try this year. I was highly impressed with the results. My entrance/exit holes were unlike anything I have had with my G5 Montecs or Muzzy broadheads. The broadhead hit the off side leg bone and it still looked good as new. Once could just be a fluke so I look forward to trying them out on a few more animals over the next couple of years.

huntnnw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2011, 11:01:43 PM »

Congrats again... you put the work in for sure this year

Bigluke1981 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2011, 11:03:55 PM »

Great story and awesome buck, Congrats!!!

PolarBear · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2011, 11:07:51 PM »

Good job, congratulations!!

Bean Counter · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2011, 01:04:30 AM »

Great writeup and great pics

carpsniperg2 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2011, 01:33:16 AM »

Great looking buck!

the509hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2011, 02:43:02 AM »

that is one of the ugliest bucks i have ever saw, u should be ashamed of that little thing.

btw nice buck im just jealous that that is a wayyyyyyy nicer buck than mine congrats on one heck of a trophy.

Steve Jo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:08:48 AM »

gorgeous animal, unbelievable patience!
you earned it! Congratulations.

PS: thosee shuttle T's are nice! you catcg the bottom of the heart?

3nails · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:40:40 AM »

Nice one! I especially like the color of his brow.

LittleJohn · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:42:47 AM »

Congratulations!! I have been following your posts. Your patience and determination produced a mature animal that anyone would be proud of. Its obvious that you have put in the time and energy to succeed!! Hats of to you.
You did a great job on the photos too.

bearpaw · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2011, 06:21:34 AM »

great buck db, congrats....

wamuledeer · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2011, 06:39:23 AM »

Very nice buck, congrats.

400out · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2011, 06:42:11 AM »

Way to go! nothing wrong with that buck!

HornHoarder · « **Reply #18 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:05:15 AM »

Way to go DB. I'm glad things worked out for you. Sure sounds like you earned that one. Congrats.

Skillet · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:11:40 AM »

Great buck! That cape has great coloring, too. Congrats-

GoldTip · « **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:27:42 AM »

Nice looking buck, congrats!

BULLBLASTER · « **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:19:43 AM »

good job DB... you put your time in for that one!

stormin85 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:23:17 AM »

nice job bud way to go, solid deer, and just think dead eye makes it through this year he could be even bigger next year!!

and you will have that much more history with him.

engelwood · « **Reply #23 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:44:15 AM »

Gorgeous buck! Congratulations!

DBZona · « **Reply #24 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:56:44 AM »

Nice! Not the buck you were originally after, but given the time you devoted this season, that is a true trophy!

Congrats DB!

jgrimes · « **Reply #25 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:58:15 AM »

Congrats DB! The shuttle t's did the job for me as well; great broadheads! I've enjoyed following your posts throughout the season. Hopefully Deadeye makes it to the 2012 season. I'm really pulling for you to tag out on him as I'm sure all of us here are.

buck man · « **Reply #26 on:** December 13, 2011, 12:34:02 PM »

Great job DB! You deserve it

antlerman · « **Reply #27 on:** December 13, 2011, 01:18:37 PM »

:tup:Until next year!

bucklucky · « **Reply #28 on:** December 13, 2011, 01:29:25 PM »

Nice buck man, congrats!

stew pidasso · « **Reply #29 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:14:12 PM »

Beautiful buck, way to go DB.

DBZona · « **Reply #30 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:16:33 PM »

We must of just missed your wife dropping them off at Randys. Went in there with a buddy this evening and it was nice to see your bucks in person. Pictures do not do your buck justice and your wifes buck is just so cool looking. Those G2s are long and the mainbeams are sweet!

jamesjett · « **Reply #31 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:18:43 PM »

Congrats DB! Nice buck and great write-up! Thanks for sharing!

BeeMan · « **Reply #32 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:35:04 PM »

Congrats DB!!

KFhunter · « **Reply #33 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:54:51 PM »

very nice

good lookin buck, enjoyed seeing your hunt unfold via HW and the trail cams

RIVERRAT · « **Reply #34 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:01:31 PM »

fantastic buck!!! way to put in the work.....you were definately rewarded.

Elkslayer · « **Reply #35 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:20:59 PM »

Nice job DB!

He will make a nice mount with that double throat patch!

Birdguy · « **Reply #36 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:39:47 PM »

Great buck. I, as many others have, would like to thank you for sharing all your cam pics and stories with us this year. It was a great way to build the excitement for a great hunting season. A couple guys at work and I would have a few minutes of dreaming while looking at the latest pictures you posted. Again congrats and thank you.

DBHAWTHORNE · « **Reply #37 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:05:53 PM »

Quote from: Steve Jo on December 13, 2011, 05:08:48 AM

gorgeous animal, unbelievable patience!
you earned it! Congratulations.

PS: thosee shuttle T's are nice! you catcg the bottom of the heart?

A bit lower than I wanted but it did the job quick!

DBHAWTHORNE · « **Reply #38 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:11:06 PM »

Quote from: DBZona on December 13, 2011, 07:16:33 PM

We must of just missed your wife dropping them off at Randys. Went in there with a buddy this evening and it was nice to see your bucks in person. Pictures do not do your buck justice and your wifes buck is just so cool looking. Those G2s are long and the mainbeams are sweet!

It is unfortunate she missed you. Randy has done our work for quite some time now and we have always been pleased. I have to agree that pictures do not do my buck justice. Nor does seeing him from a stand at 35 yards

. I killed him because I knew he was mature with little consideration to his antlers. I knew he had a nice rack but I didn't realize how nice until I had him in my hands. I was surprised by his width and main beams.

My wife is very happy with her buck. He is not her biggest but she got really pumped when he came out and it was a great experience.

DBHAWTHORNE · « **Reply #39 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:16:29 PM »

Quote from: stormin85 on December 13, 2011, 08:23:17 AM

nice job bud way to go, solid deer, and just think dead eye makes it through this year he could be even bigger next year!!

and you will have that much more history with him.

Unbelievably deadeye may play second fiddle again this year after what I found on one of my scouting cams today. I will post up pics later.... maybe see how many people are hunting this giant.

runningboard · « **Reply #40 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:17:44 PM »

congrats on a very nice buck, good job

jnevs23 · « **Reply #41 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:28:45 PM »

Congrats on a great buck. I really like the colors

DBHAWTHORNE · « **Reply #42 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:54:53 PM »

Thanks for the congrats everyone. I love hunting these Northwest Whitetail.

Arteman · « **Reply #43 on:** December 13, 2011, 11:42:50 PM »

Great buck man, good job! I was following the trailcam thing on deadeye earlier this year, was hoping to see that stud buck hit the dirt. Hope you find his sheds or get him next year.

Pathfinder101 · « **Reply #44 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:27:48 PM »

Nice job, man!

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Author Topic: DBHAWTHORNE's 2011 Late Archery Whitetail (Read 8725 times)

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