Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 02:25:18 AM
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 :whoo:. 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 :chuckle:
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.
Post by: huntnnw on September 18, 2013, 02:42:30 AM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 18, 2013, 03:29:29 AM
Your stories are always great. :chuckle:
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 03:44:40 AM
Your doing a life size then because it was such a memorable stalk? Lmao
We didn't take that hide anywhere! The 1,000 ticks didn't bother me as much as the fleas :yike: Never shot a deer with fleas before.
Been butchering this evening. So much fat it's like butchering a cow. He's not bloated in those pics...that's all fat! Don't think we are going to be sharing too much with this guy. He is going to taste GREAT!!! :drool:
Post by: rasbo on September 18, 2013, 03:56:41 AM
Post by: Eli346 on September 18, 2013, 04:32:33 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on September 18, 2013, 06:06:54 AM
Enjoyed your story and the laugh. :tup:
Post by: trophyhunt on September 18, 2013, 06:20:30 AM
Nicely done!:yeah: I'm 44 now and completely get it!! Nice job.
Enjoyed your story and the laugh. :tup:
Post by: Elkslayer on September 18, 2013, 06:50:56 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 18, 2013, 06:56:35 AM
Post by: huntnphool on September 18, 2013, 06:57:38 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 18, 2013, 07:02:24 AM
Post by: jackmaster on September 18, 2013, 07:03:23 AM
Post by: Widgeondeke on September 18, 2013, 07:20:37 AM
Reminded me of my first antelope stalk in WY. Thanks to the cactus I too left behind some of my DNA. He wasn't the biggest, but the memories are worth all of it.
Congrats RadSav
Post by: Timberstalker on September 18, 2013, 07:25:09 AM
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 07:37:03 AM
Reminded me of my first antelope stalk in WY.
Did plenty of that back in the 80's at Oregon's Gerber Reservoir. Those were some fun times! I think my success was 1 successful stalk in about 50 tries.
Post by: ghosthunter on September 18, 2013, 07:37:59 AM
No story no hunt.
I know some folks who pay thousands to go on elk hunts. They get a elk maybe, but most the time there isn't a good story. Just money spent and animal killed.
Thanks for the story.
Post by: quadrafire on September 18, 2013, 07:41:15 AM
I have never tried to pull a bow on my back, but I can imagine trying to set up at full draw.
Congrats.
PS: don't some of you ever sleep? (looking at the post times) :yike:
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 07:49:15 AM
PS: don't some of you ever sleep? (looking at the post times) :yike:
You must not be self employed :chuckle:
Post by: JLS on September 18, 2013, 07:51:56 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on September 18, 2013, 07:59:11 AM
Post by: h20hunter on September 18, 2013, 08:04:03 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 18, 2013, 08:08:34 AM
Post by: C-Money on September 18, 2013, 08:16:45 AM
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 08:19:56 AM
This is one of those stories that it sure helps to have met you in person. I'm sitting here picturing you on your back at full draw trying to sit up. In my mind the angry sqaw is back at the truck with a spotting scope laughing. I'd shoot that buck also, fun story and thanks for sharing.
No way the squaw is sitting at the truck when bucks are around. That's usually my job. Though I'm usually sleeping instead of looking through the scope. ;) She was on the BIG bucks that day! Six shooters, two were monsters, and three dinks worked a ridge 87 yards from her. I would have liked to have watched that...she was still borderline insane when I met up with her after dark. She did get a good laugh after I told her of the miscalculation of my current abilities. In her mind she was picturing a RadSav turtle >:(
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 18, 2013, 08:22:06 AM
Otherwise, congrats on the fresh backstrap :tup: :drool:
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 18, 2013, 11:58:33 AM
Tasty young buck there.
Post by: Becky on September 18, 2013, 12:06:19 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 18, 2013, 12:07:01 PM
Post by: gunnarnewt on September 18, 2013, 12:25:42 PM
Post by: Cougar125 on September 18, 2013, 12:32:34 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 18, 2013, 01:45:57 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 18, 2013, 01:53:57 PM
Post by: Bill W on September 18, 2013, 02:01:01 PM
Post by: Dr. Death on September 18, 2013, 02:02:14 PM
Great job!
Post by: Curly on September 18, 2013, 02:10:15 PM
Reminded me of my first antelope stalk in WY.
Did plenty of that back in the 80's at Oregon's Gerber Reservoir. Those were some fun times! I think my success was 1 successful stalk in about 50 tries.
You ever find arrowheads at Gerber? I used to camp there and find arrowheads back when I was in college in OR. Sure wish I hadn't lost those arrowheads........ :'(
p.s. - I forgot to congratulate you. :brew: Looks like a trophy to me. Great story. :tup:
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 18, 2013, 02:15:41 PM
Congrats on a nice deer and an excellent story. One thing I might add is you aren't fat, you just suffer from "skinny leg syndrome", the same as me. I can identify with that part of legs in the air and the body not rising.
You guys need ankle weights :chuckle:
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 18, 2013, 02:21:16 PM
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 02:23:31 PM
You guys need ankle weights :chuckle:
And a personal trainer I expect.
Might need to cut back on the peanut butter cookies too. >:(
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 02:31:47 PM
You ever find arrowheads at Gerber? I used to camp there and find arrowheads back when I was in college in OR. Sure wish I hadn't lost those arrowheads........ :'(
A bunch of 'em. I had very little success hunting goats there until I spent a day looking for arrowheads. I found a series of old indian pit blinds. Looks like they used to have fires and knap their arrowheads right in the blinds. I was digging in one located in the timber between two pastures and a nice buck walked by. Seems the animals were still using the same trails as they did back when the natives roamed those very woods. Added some gravity to the experience knowing I was shooting animals from the exact same blind as the native hunters so long ago. Felt I should be wearing moccasins' and buckskins. It was eerie and cool at the same time.
Post by: Smossy on September 18, 2013, 02:35:11 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 18, 2013, 02:47:49 PM
You ever find arrowheads at Gerber? I used to camp there and find arrowheads back when I was in college in OR. Sure wish I hadn't lost those arrowheads........ :'(
A bunch of 'em. I had very little success hunting goats there until I spent a day looking for arrowheads. I found a series of old indian pit blinds. Looks like they used to have fires and knap their arrowheads right in the blinds. I was digging in one located in the timber between two pastures and a nice buck walked by. Seems the animals were still using the same trails as they did back when the natives roamed those very woods. Added some gravity to the experience knowing I was shooting animals from the exact same blind as the native hunters so long ago. Felt I should be wearing moccasins' and buckskins. It was eerie and cool at the same time.
Yeah, but for all of us, please stay away from the loin clothes! :yike: :bdid:
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 03:06:36 PM
Radsav needs to write a book. Bet it would be one hell of a read.
Are you saying I need to write a book about adventures in bowhunting the northwest or a book about all the stupid things I've done in my life :chuckle:
I've written two, "Sound Smell and Think Like an Elk" "Modern Solutions to Tuning Your Compound Bow", neither were ever published. Both written in the eighties so I expect they are way outdated now. Not sure I'm up for the rejection associated with doing it again.
Post by: Becky on September 18, 2013, 03:09:33 PM
Radsav needs to write a book. Bet it would be one hell of a read.
Are you saying I need to write a book about adventures in bowhunting the northwest or a book about all the stupid things I've done in my life :chuckle:
I've written two, "Sound Smell and Think Like an Elk" "Modern Solutions to Tuning Your Compound Bow", neither were ever published. Both written in the eighties so I expect they are way outdated now. Not sure I'm up for the rejection associated with doing it again.
I vote for the latter :chuckle:
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on September 18, 2013, 03:20:35 PM
Post by: KFhunter on September 18, 2013, 03:22:59 PM
Your doing a life size then because it was such a memorable stalk? Lmao
We didn't take that hide anywhere! The 1,000 ticks didn't bother me as much as the fleas :yike: Never shot a deer with fleas before.
Been butchering this evening. So much fat it's like butchering a cow. He's not bloated in those pics...that's all fat! Don't think we are going to be sharing too much with this guy. He is going to taste GREAT!!! :drool:
My kind of deer :tup:
would be better if it were a fat whitetail though
Post by: Johnb317 on September 18, 2013, 03:23:55 PM
Post by: Smossy on September 18, 2013, 03:32:40 PM
Just hunting adventures in general. I think with your vocabulary and way of explaining things with such realism you could really open the eyes of alot of hunters or inspiring hunters like myself. Dunno. Your just good at keeping peoples attention with the longer stories.Radsav needs to write a book. Bet it would be one hell of a read.
Are you saying I need to write a book about adventures in bowhunting the northwest or a book about all the stupid things I've done in my life :chuckle:
I've written two, "Sound Smell and Think Like an Elk" "Modern Solutions to Tuning Your Compound Bow", neither were ever published. Both written in the eighties so I expect they are way outdated now. Not sure I'm up for the rejection associated with doing it again.
Post by: Elkbow33 on September 18, 2013, 03:39:16 PM
Post by: KFhunter on September 18, 2013, 04:39:18 PM
Just hunting adventures in general. I think with your vocabulary and way of explaining things with such realism you could really open the eyes of alot of hunters or inspiring hunters like myself. Dunno. Your just good at keeping peoples attention with the longer stories.Radsav needs to write a book. Bet it would be one hell of a read.
Are you saying I need to write a book about adventures in bowhunting the northwest or a book about all the stupid things I've done in my life :chuckle:
I've written two, "Sound Smell and Think Like an Elk" "Modern Solutions to Tuning Your Compound Bow", neither were ever published. Both written in the eighties so I expect they are way outdated now. Not sure I'm up for the rejection associated with doing it again.
The next Patrick F McManus! :chuckle:
Post by: Ridgerunner on September 18, 2013, 04:45:09 PM
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 04:57:17 PM
You ever find arrowheads at Gerber? I used to camp there and find arrowheads back when I was in college in OR. Sure wish I hadn't lost those arrowheads........ :'(
OIT? If so what year? My brother, Darren Fry, was there in Diesel Technologies late 80's.
There were some monster Muledeer hanging around the camp ground at the north end of the reservoir back then. Curious as to when you were there and if they were still hanging around? Did you experience the never ending Nighthawk attacks while you were there? Used to make me jump out of my skin. Never did get used to it.
One day after an antelope season ended we decided to spend an extra day and shoot sage rats around the camp ground. I think we ran out of ammo after tagging about 200 of them. Don't thing we even made a dent in the population. That was sure fun.
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 05:19:13 PM
Just hunting adventures in general. I think with your vocabulary and way of explaining things with such realism you could really open the eyes of alot of hunters or inspiring hunters like myself. Dunno. Your just good at keeping peoples attention with the longer stories.
I have been thinking the past few years about re-writing Sound, Smell and Think Like an Elk and publishing it myself if rejected again. Not sure where I would find the time though...Oh yeah that's right...stop wasting time on Hunting-Washington. That would free up plenty of time :chuckle: Seriously, if I end up selling the business in a few years I will probably write again. Before Doug Walker passed he wanted me to get back to writing for Western/National Bowhunter. He had brought up some good ideas I would like to take a little further. Just not the same writing a column for someone else even though Scott Walker and I knew each other somewhat a long time ago. So I would try to adapt them to book form I think.
For now, just trying to keep up with an angry squaw and keep updated with our H-W family is work enough.
Post by: Curly on September 18, 2013, 06:08:57 PM
You ever find arrowheads at Gerber? I used to camp there and find arrowheads back when I was in college in OR. Sure wish I hadn't lost those arrowheads........ :'(
OIT? If so what year? My brother, Darren Fry, was there in Diesel Technologies late 80's.
There were some monster Muledeer hanging around the camp ground at the north end of the reservoir back then. Curious as to when you were there and if they were still hanging around? Did you experience the never ending Nighthawk attacks while you were there? Used to make me jump out of my skin. Never did get used to it.
One day after an antelope season ended we decided to spend an extra day and shoot sage rats around the camp ground. I think we ran out of ammo after tagging about 200 of them. Don't thing we even made a dent in the population. That was sure fun.
Yeah, OIT. I was there 1988 - 90.
I think I was there after a couple very bad winter kills according to the locals, so the deer population was way down. We didn't notice any big muleys but then most of the time spent out at the reservoir involved lots of drinking and being stupid college kids, so maybe I just missed seeing them..... :)
My roommate was in diesel tech, I was in Civil. So maybe my roommate knew your brother, but I don't recall the name Darren Fry..........but that was about a quarter century ago; I have trouble recalling what I had for dinner last night. :P
I think I recall nighthawks but they didn't make that big of an impression.
I also seem to remember finding a bunch of old military cartridges while looking for arrowheads. Seems like they were anti tank rounds or something......very large. The water level was very low when we were there.
If only there were message boards like this back then. I didn't know much about mule deer hunting back then since I was used to blacktail hunting and my roomates were from the wet side of OR, so they didn't know much about mule deer either. That was back in the day before all the special permits......... : Tried my luck at mule deer back then (1988 - 1990) but didn't know what I was doing. Did ok on ducks and geese though. (I only got to hunt one season, though).
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2013, 06:30:10 PM
I never found any of the spent shell casings. Maybe that happened after our time there as well. I've never been to Gerber when the water level was high either. Usually just enough water to hold a few fish and breed swarms of mosquitos. I assume guys that got too drunk and passed out would be sucked dry by the mosquitos before they regained consciousness. Even NWT wasn't as bad as Gerber campground :yike:
Post by: lewy on September 18, 2013, 06:45:23 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on September 18, 2013, 08:41:26 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 18, 2013, 08:53:36 PM
That was funny, nice story. Humility and humbleness are the best of traits
:yeah: RadSav is one awesome dude.
Post by: earlmarne on September 18, 2013, 09:06:53 PM
Post by: Smossy on September 18, 2013, 10:32:32 PM
Whatever makes you happy brother, Tell Lorraine me and Beck say hello :wave:Just hunting adventures in general. I think with your vocabulary and way of explaining things with such realism you could really open the eyes of alot of hunters or inspiring hunters like myself. Dunno. Your just good at keeping peoples attention with the longer stories.
I have been thinking the past few years about re-writing Sound, Smell and Think Like an Elk and publishing it myself if rejected again. Not sure where I would find the time though...Oh yeah that's right...stop wasting time on Hunting-Washington. That would free up plenty of time :chuckle: Seriously, if I end up selling the business in a few years I will probably write again. Before Doug Walker passed he wanted me to get back to writing for Western/National Bowhunter. He had brought up some good ideas I would like to take a little further. Just not the same writing a column for someone else even though Scott Walker and I knew each other somewhat a long time ago. So I would try to adapt them to book form I think.
For now, just trying to keep up with an angry squaw and keep updated with our H-W family is work enough.
Post by: MLBowhunting on September 18, 2013, 10:48:08 PM
Post by: Dan-o on September 18, 2013, 11:08:58 PM
Post by: RadSav on September 19, 2013, 02:50:02 AM
Great stalk and great buck. Sounds like a perfectly placed savora ;)
I think that makes eight with the new titanium head. Only two (caribou and antelope) of those made it more than 50 yards and none over 80. I'm excited to get the modifications done and get them on the market.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on September 19, 2013, 04:00:43 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 19, 2013, 09:34:12 AM
Post by: OnHoPr on September 19, 2013, 12:47:12 PM
Post by: ribka on October 02, 2013, 08:27:21 PM
Looks like will be a good eating deer
Post by: RadSav on October 02, 2013, 10:11:19 PM
Looks like will be a good eating deer
The hanging loins were off the chart fantastic :drool: Mesquite marinated and grilled to perfection on the Weber, mashed crock pot potatoes with Tillamook butter and steamed asparagus. Left earth and went to heaven for a few moments. Then it was all gone and I was forced to return :(
Double ground the burger with 7% apple wood smoked bacon...my oh my! Elk? Who eats elk these day :chuckle: I've got three freezers full of elk and antelope and I guarantee that stuff is taking a back seat for a while :chuckle:
Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 02, 2013, 11:57:28 PM
Post by: Smossy on October 03, 2013, 03:20:25 PM
Ill be over for dinner :tup:Looks like will be a good eating deer
The hanging loins were off the chart fantastic :drool: Mesquite marinated and grilled to perfection on the Weber, mashed crock pot potatoes with Tillamook butter and steamed asparagus. Left earth and went to heaven for a few moments. Then it was all gone and I was forced to return :(
Double ground the burger with 7% apple wood smoked bacon...my oh my! Elk? Who eats elk these day :chuckle: I've got three freezers full of elk and antelope and I guarantee that stuff is taking a back seat for a while :chuckle:
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 04, 2013, 01:54:46 PM
Post by: Bshiftbc on October 04, 2013, 09:46:01 PM
Post by: RadSav on October 04, 2013, 10:43:21 PM
As a point of clarification, many men get undertall as we age. When I check my BMI chart, I find that I am 13" undertall for my ideal weight.
I should only be 9" under tall. But after the back surgery I'm closer to 10" under tall :chuckle: That would be pretty cool...I'd have like a 33-34" draw length. That would generate some KE :yike:
Post by: buck man on October 05, 2013, 02:44:47 PM
Post by: JJD on October 06, 2013, 04:33:10 PM
Post by: JJB11B on October 06, 2013, 06:00:00 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on October 06, 2013, 07:18:01 PM
Rad, 8 animals means you've been dragging your feet when it comes to production. Not fair to the rest of us sliver slingers ya know. We just might wanna try them Savora broadheads out.Great stalk and great buck. Sounds like a perfectly placed savora ;)
I think that makes eight with the new titanium head. Only two (caribou and antelope) of those made it more than 50 yards and none over 80. I'm excited to get the modifications done and get them on the market.
Post by: RadSav on October 06, 2013, 11:51:55 PM
Rad, 8 animals means you've been dragging your feet when it comes to production. Not fair to the rest of us sliver slingers ya know. We just might wanna try them Savora broadheads out.
That is eight animals for me personally. That ferrule actually has a flaw that we found during field testing. So even though MLBowhunting's great Montana bull makes 20 successful kills with the 100 grain it has to be modified before we can take it to market. That's a $20.00 titanium head that has a tendency to break when striking rock, cinter block and steel plate. Way strong enough for animals, but the world of self proclaimed experts would never go for that after spending $1.00 let alone $20.00. Since as you know most deer and elk wear concrete, steel or bullet proof glass flack jackets :chuckle:
I've made the modifications needed to make it bullet proof, but do not yet have the stainless production blades. And the tooling for the blade boxes has not yet been completed. Dang tool/die makers are going to be the death of me yet! >:(
I've also been waiting on the Tool and Die guys to finish the little "Madman" blade tooling for eight months. :yike: Dang Bass Turds...and now they want to cut corners instead of building to print. Been frustrating as all get out. Then once we do get them I have a strict 10 dead animal field test criteria they must pass before final approval for market. Call it old school marketing, but "field test" to me means "testing a product" rather than having a bunch of self promoters taking pictures of animals and calling it good. In the old days we could make a trip to Catalina and get it all done in a couple of days. These days it takes a group of knowledgeable guys all across the states and possibly a trip or two to the YO.
Post by: zackmioli on October 07, 2013, 12:19:44 AM