Post by: duckzach on September 08, 2016, 09:25:22 AM
I was blacktail hunting on the West Side. Spot and stalk. I was seeing lots of does, and finally spotted a nice 2 pt on a landing above me. I snuck around the landing so the wind was in my face and eased up to where I had last seen him. It was pounding rain and wind, so I was able to close the distance to 40 yds undetected.
When I drew back, the deer stood up perfectly broadside. Right when I let the arrow fly, the deer took a half step forward so I hit a little further back than I would have liked, but still it looked like a good clean shot. The buck was with a doe and they both took off downhill back into some thick timber.
I waited about 45 minutes, then I walked over to get the arrow. The arrow had a small amount of blood (The pounding rain had washed most of it off) and I did not have a good blood trail to follow. I started following the trail I saw the buck run down, and there he was bedded down. He looked dead. As I started towards him, a doe busted from the timber and the buck sprung up and ran further downhill into a deep drainage.
I waited another hour, and then started looking, following every deer trail, and looking in every nook and cranny I could. I looked for at least 3 hours in the thickest/thorniest/nastiest terrain you can imagine. No blood, no sign, and I started to get that sinking, sick to your stomach feeling.
I hiked back out. Prayed. Got some water. Prayed some more, and then went back in for another look. I finally found my buck tucked in a spot I had stepped over at least a dozen times. God is so Good. After a long pack out, I got him all iced down. There is no doubt God had his hand in helping me find that deer.
Post by: Duckslayer89 on September 08, 2016, 09:29:31 AM
Let me start of by saying this is my first post. I have read through the forum for a while but never posted anything. My experience yesterday deserved to be shared.
I was blacktail hunting on the West Side. Spot and stalk. I was seeing lots of does, and finally spotted a nice 2 pt on a landing above me. I snuck around the landing so the wind was in my face and eased up to where I had last seen him. It was pounding rain and wind, so I was able to close the distance to 40 yds undetected.
When I drew back, the deer stood up perfectly broadside. Right when I let the arrow fly, the deer took a half step forward so I hit a little further back than I would have liked, but still it looked like a good clean shot. The buck was with a doe and they both took off downhill back into some thick timber.
I waited about 45 minutes, then I walked over to get the arrow. The arrow had a small amount of blood (The pounding rain had washed most of it off) and I did not have a good blood trail to follow. I started following the trail I saw the buck run down, and there he was bedded down. He looked dead. As I started towards him, a doe busted from the timber and the buck sprung up and ran further downhill into a deep drainage.
I waited another hour, and then started looking, following every deer trail, and looking in every nook and cranny I could. I looked for at least 3 hours in the thickest/thorniest/nastiest terrain you can imagine. No blood, no sign, and I started to get that sinking, sick to your stomach feeling.
I hiked back out. Prayed. Got some water. Prayed some more, and then went back in for another look. I finally found my buck tucked in a spot I had stepped over at least a dozen times. God is so Good. After a long pack out, I got him all iced down. There is no doubt God had his hand in helping me find that deer.
Dude way to go that is bad ass. I bet you were super stoked. Finding Blacktails in the rain after arrowing can be tough lots of guys probably would have just kept hunting. Congrats. Any pictures?
Post by: cbond3318 on September 08, 2016, 09:31:43 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 08, 2016, 09:32:23 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 08, 2016, 09:34:39 AM
Post by: Tim in Wa. on September 08, 2016, 09:40:51 AM
Post by: Buckewe on September 08, 2016, 09:44:40 AM
Post by: jackelope on September 08, 2016, 09:48:25 AM
Let me start of by saying this is my first post. I have read through the forum for a while but never posted anything. My experience yesterday deserved to be shared.
I was blacktail hunting on the West Side. Spot and stalk. I was seeing lots of does, and finally spotted a nice 2 pt on a landing above me. I snuck around the landing so the wind was in my face and eased up to where I had last seen him. It was pounding rain and wind, so I was able to close the distance to 40 yds undetected.
When I drew back, the deer stood up perfectly broadside. Right when I let the arrow fly, the deer took a half step forward so I hit a little further back than I would have liked, but still it looked like a good clean shot. The buck was with a doe and they both took off downhill back into some thick timber.
I waited about 45 minutes, then I walked over to get the arrow. The arrow had a small amount of blood (The pounding rain had washed most of it off) and I did not have a good blood trail to follow. I started following the trail I saw the buck run down, and there he was bedded down. He looked dead. As I started towards him, a doe busted from the timber and the buck sprung up and ran further downhill into a deep drainage.
I waited another hour, and then started looking, following every deer trail, and looking in every nook and cranny I could. I looked for at least 3 hours in the thickest/thorniest/nastiest terrain you can imagine. No blood, no sign, and I started to get that sinking, sick to your stomach feeling.
I hiked back out. Prayed. Got some water. Prayed some more, and then went back in for another look. I finally found my buck tucked in a spot I had stepped over at least a dozen times. God is so Good. After a long pack out, I got him all iced down. There is no doubt God had his hand in helping me find that deer.
Amen, brother.
You forgot the pictures though. Congrats and welcome to Hunt-WA
Post by: duckzach on September 08, 2016, 09:52:55 AM
Post by: fishnfur on September 08, 2016, 09:57:34 AM
Post by: lamrith on September 08, 2016, 09:59:08 AM
Congrats on getting your deer!!
Post by: Dan-o on September 08, 2016, 10:07:55 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 08, 2016, 10:44:00 AM
Post by: jagermiester on September 08, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
Post by: ldjbuff on September 08, 2016, 03:28:11 PM
Post by: yakimarcher on September 08, 2016, 03:31:31 PM
Post by: MLBowhunting on September 08, 2016, 04:11:22 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 08, 2016, 04:17:45 PM
Post by: JLS on September 08, 2016, 04:33:05 PM
I love seeing stories like this. Too many give up way too soon so I love it when I hear about someone who went the extra mile to do the animal justice. Congratulations on meat in the freezer! :tup: :tup:Agreed. Outstanding show of perseverance.
Post by: ghosthunter on September 08, 2016, 04:49:33 PM
Reminds me.... I hunt a lot with a old guy. He has killed a lot of elk and deer.
I shot a spike elk a few years back with a muzzy.
Followed good blood for 100 yards than nothing. I went up and down every trail nothing.
Returned to the last blood spot and called my old guy. Told I couldn't find the bull.
He said "use your nose"
I found the bull 15 feet from where I as standing. No substitute for experience or old hunters.
Post by: Old Man Yager on September 08, 2016, 08:08:27 PM
here is a picture of it quartered out. Straps/tenderloin/neck in the bag. Ready for the long long looong back back down :)Good job sticking with it!! A word of advice, I personally wouldn't cut the antlers off the skull till I got it home, game warden might have an issue with that if you get checked!!
Post by: Jason on September 08, 2016, 08:25:50 PM
Is there a requirement to leave the antlers on the skull?here is a picture of it quartered out. Straps/tenderloin/neck in the bag. Ready for the long long looong back back down :)Good job sticking with it!! A word of advice, I personally wouldn't cut the antlers off the skull till I got it home, game warden might have an issue with that if you get checked!!
Post by: brew on September 08, 2016, 09:20:08 PM
Post by: csaaphill on September 08, 2016, 09:55:55 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on September 08, 2016, 10:04:11 PM
Post by: WaltAlpine on September 09, 2016, 04:00:51 AM
Great story
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Post by: Elkpiss on September 09, 2016, 07:17:06 AM
There are a few areas on the wet side that are any deer so maybe it's ok to remove the head gear. :dunno:
Im pretty sure its any deer with archery equipment in almost the entire westside.. So why would the skull plate matter? there all legal... :dunno:
Post by: jeffitz on September 09, 2016, 07:21:22 AM
Post by: JLS on September 09, 2016, 03:44:02 PM
Is there a requirement to leave the antlers on the skull?here is a picture of it quartered out. Straps/tenderloin/neck in the bag. Ready for the long long looong back back down :)Good job sticking with it!! A word of advice, I personally wouldn't cut the antlers off the skull till I got it home, game warden might have an issue with that if you get checked!!
Nope.
If there is a point restriction (i.e. spike, 3 pt min, etc) you have to have the antlers with intact skull plate with you.
Post by: HntnFsh on September 09, 2016, 06:01:54 PM
Post by: lokidog on September 09, 2016, 11:32:12 PM