Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Smokepole on November 26, 2022, 04:41:39 PM

Title: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Smokepole on November 26, 2022, 04:41:39 PM: This was supposed to be easy, but I been tracking all day, and I'm whooped. I'll tell the story later. Right now I'm drinking.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: highside74 on November 26, 2022, 04:43:14 PM: Wootwoot :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: KFhunter on November 26, 2022, 04:47:05 PM: Congratulations!!

That is a DANDY!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 26, 2022, 04:47:16 PM: Great reason to tie one on!! Congrats on a great buck!!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: greenhead_killer on November 26, 2022, 04:49:35 PM: Great deer! Looking forward to the story
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: elkboy on November 26, 2022, 04:51:32 PM: Dang, Smokepole, that is an incredible whitetail! Please do follow up with a story... and cheers!!! :brew:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: JakeLand on November 26, 2022, 05:10:29 PM: Great buck !!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: high_hunter on November 26, 2022, 05:17:00 PM: Stud buck and looks like fun tracking in the snow. Looking forward to the story and enjoy your reward!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: huntnfmly on November 26, 2022, 05:24:54 PM: Congrats nice buck thanks for posting
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: hunter399 on November 26, 2022, 05:26:34 PM: Heck ya!👍
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Sakko300wsm on November 26, 2022, 05:35:37 PM: Congrats!!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Twispriver on November 26, 2022, 05:44:53 PM: Great deer - sounds like he made you earn it :tup:

But ...... Smokepole with an archery deer ........
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2022, 05:47:20 PM: Sweet buck! Congrats
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Pinetar on November 26, 2022, 05:51:55 PM: Great buck, CONGRATS and looking forward to the story.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: elkboy on November 26, 2022, 06:29:36 PM: The long brow tines, the boxy rack, the bull neck... that is a whitetail hunter's dream.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: WildBear on November 26, 2022, 06:31:59 PM: Awesome!!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: pd on November 26, 2022, 06:41:01 PM: Very impressive.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Dan-o on November 26, 2022, 07:15:56 PM: That's a beautiful buck. :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: NumaJohn on November 26, 2022, 07:59:06 PM: Beautiful buck! Congratulations!

John
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: elkrack on November 26, 2022, 08:58:10 PM: Sweet whitey!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Encore 280 on November 26, 2022, 09:10:42 PM: I hope you're not drinking cheap stuff! :brew: Congrats on a dandy buck!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Alchase on November 26, 2022, 09:23:50 PM: Beautiful buck Smokepole!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: hard hunter on November 26, 2022, 11:12:45 PM: Great buck, looking forward to the story
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 27, 2022, 04:32:08 AM: That is a masher white tail! Hope you hang it on the wall in some way. Sounds like a long day. Get some rest.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:46:59 AM: Thanks you guys. I didn't drink too much last night, but what I did drink, I really enjoyed! Thanks for the attaboys. It was a fun day.

Here's the story...
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:49:54 AM: I had a few visitors to the trail cam this summer, mostly does and a tiny buck or two. This is my first year hunting big game with archery stuff, so I spent most of the fall gearing up and learning to shoot a modern bow, after giving it up for the past 25 years. Back in the 90's I shot finger style at the range and for grouse and rabbits. Always rifle hunted with my dad & family. In my old age, I thought it would be good to go the "Easy Route" and use a bow to bag a whitetail buck during the rut.

Threw my back out bad right before Thanksgiving. Could barely walk, and I needed help getting dressed. It was tough to get my wife to put hunting gear on me opening morning, when she said I should be in bed. But I would go the easy route and just sit and wait. Not do any hiking or anything. I promised.

I saw a nice 3 point in broad daylight, but couldn't get a shot. He would have been nice for a first archery buck. I thought I might take him the next evening, because the bigger one I really wanted was deeply nocturnal, and chances of seeing him during daylight hours was pretty slim.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:51:40 AM: A three point would be nice and tender. I'm mostly a meat hunter anyway. I just wanted to get a buck. I even saw a fat spike that looked pretty tasty on the trail cam. Venison steaks and gravy is my favorite meal.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:53:05 AM: Lots of these around this year, too. Caught chasing deer on the trail cam.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:54:35 AM: So the next day I got up early to wait for the three point or the spike. It was a slow morning with nothing going on, and about 9 a.m. I decided I was about done. Time to soak the back and take some Advil. But then I heard a ruckus. A dark-colored doe came running down the ridge, with a buck trailing. They ran in circles, about 20 yards out, with the buck's nose stuck so far up her rump, he couldn't smell me. I drew back, and made a farting sound with my lips. The buck stopped and looked at me broadside - then jumped the string soon as I released.

The arrow stuck him good, but not where I had aimed. Let's just say my windage was way off. Not a shot I'm proud of at all. I watched the buck walk off and disappear. Then he came into the open again and dropped! I was pretty relieved. But then he got up again and moved to a sheltered spot and dropped.

It didn't take long for the crows to start worrying him, and he got up and walked out of view at some point, leaving a good blood trail in the deep snow. I'd give him time, and hobble back to the cabin to soak my back and wait a couple hours.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:55:45 AM: In the late morning, my wife suited up in her boots and gaiters. My back was so screwed up, she said I couldn't do anything. We went in to find the buck, but he was gone. Crows must have pushed him. We had a good blood trail, and multiple beds with pools of red. He was headed up into the rocks and steepening snow, straight up. We pushed on, and the blood diminished quite dramatically. Still finding small pools, but hardly any color in the snow between them. About noon, the blood trail quit completely, and we were left in a sea of deer tracks crossing all over the mountain. My back was stiff as a board, and the wind was getting cold on my sweat. Snow storm coming. Then I saw a flash of movement.

The buck saw us and trotted farther up the hill, across an open ridge. Crap! We came down and called it off until later… or the next day. The waiting was agony. The worst part of archery hunting IMHO. I was pretty sick thinking about the buck getting away. We checked the weather report, which was calling for snow after 10 pm. And at 2 in the afternoon, we decided to go back up there before all the sign was buried in new snow.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 05:57:39 AM: I'm 60 now, and my wife isn't far behind. Bucking the deep snow is no easy task, especially when it's steep ground. I guess I've never felt like an old hunter like this before. Deep snow will do that to ya. But I'm blessed to have an amazing wife. She picked up the blood trail again, and we started forward. Little tiny specks of blood so small, I just took her word for it. She pointed the way and I followed her like a lost dog. My eyes ain't worth a damn anymore. Then we found a pool of blood! Then a pool that was smeared into the snow, like he'd gone down and slid. My heart started racing and my back quit hurting with a shot of adrenaline.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 06:02:01 AM: The deer had begun a descending traverse, so I thought he might be running out of steam. We were getting late in the day, and I was worried about getting out before dark. We had a pack with us, fire starter, and headlamps -- but the wind was really whipping, and we were cold and sweaty.

The camp robber has always been my favorite bird. The beautiful Canada Jay will always entertain, and I will always stop to watch. If I have a morsel, I enjoy feeding them. And I know the jays love venison, so I paid notice when I saw one light from ground level. They are usually in the tree branches…

We found the buck under a big pine full of camp robbers. They hadn't hurt much. Removed an eye and cleaned up some stuff. I was so relieved to be there with my woman and my buck and my favorite birds. I can't take much credit for anything. I just feel blessed in every way.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 27, 2022, 06:39:29 AM: Thanks for the write up, great story of perseverance and grit! You win the day, rest that back and soak in a hot tub or sauna.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: hunter399 on November 27, 2022, 06:59:48 AM: Great story
Nice look in buck ,is that a little double eye guard there.
Totally relate to your story,only about ten year behind ya.
Sit back and enjoy that deer stew or a backstrap steak.👍
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 07:11:36 AM: Quote from: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 27, 2022, 06:39:29 AM
Thanks for the write up, great story of perseverance and grit! You win the day, rest that back and soak in a hot tub or sauna.

Thanks Rutn. I will soak it off!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Smokepole on November 27, 2022, 07:13:30 AM: Quote from: hunter399 on November 27, 2022, 06:59:48 AM
Great story
Nice look in buck ,is that a little double eye guard there.
Totally relate to your story,only about ten year behind ya.
Sit back and enjoy that deer stew or a backstrap steak.👍

Thanks H399. Yeah, it's a weird camera angle. That g2 looks like an eye guard, but it's not. Gonna sample some of that steak pretty soon!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: raydog on November 27, 2022, 07:52:09 AM: Great write-up and an excellent buck. And if I may say, one heck of a wife you have!
Hope your back gets better soon!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Caseknife on November 27, 2022, 07:57:33 AM: Good buck especially for your first archery buck! Lower back pain can be so debilitating, think you are doing good and then........crap. Then trying to track a buck through the deep snow on a steep hillside, you did good for sure.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2022, 08:01:54 AM: Way to stick with it! You got him!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Wingin it on November 27, 2022, 09:12:58 AM: Way to stick with it! Great buck! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Ironhead on November 27, 2022, 09:20:06 AM: Great buck, some people would have given up. I appreciate your perseverance and following up on your mortally wounded buck! That certainly adds to the story and adventure. Congratulations!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: bearhunter99 on November 27, 2022, 11:49:20 AM: Way to stick with it. Kudos to you and your wife for not giving up. Dang nice buck to boot!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Quackwhacker on November 27, 2022, 04:08:40 PM: Great buck! Way to stick with it. Definitely the toughest part of archery hunting.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: lewy on November 27, 2022, 05:18:09 PM: Awesome, we’re was the hit, liver?
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: TVHunts on November 27, 2022, 05:32:33 PM: What a great story and big buck! Congrats on your first archery buck!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: 3boys on November 27, 2022, 06:14:05 PM: Way to stick with it and git er done! Great deer.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 27, 2022, 06:25:12 PM: Congrats on a dandy and great story!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Birdguy on November 27, 2022, 06:34:47 PM: That is awesome! Great buck as mentioned, great sportsmanship in finding it and how cool to have your wife there with the assist! That is a great story hope you get to hang that that memory up as a reminder of a great day! Thanks for sharing with us :tup:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on November 27, 2022, 08:20:03 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: bigmacc on November 27, 2022, 08:48:14 PM: Dandy, congratulations 👍👍
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: outdooraddict on November 27, 2022, 09:08:19 PM: Where did the shot end up hitting? Great buck and congrats. Way to push on, when many would have given up
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 27, 2022, 10:20:51 PM: Nicely done, love the rack.👍
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: ganghis on November 27, 2022, 10:34:46 PM: Awesome deer, Smokepole - and using archery gear, nonetheless. Way to fight through the pain and trust your better half for the win!
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Smokepole on November 28, 2022, 03:50:33 AM: Thanks you guys. I got the deer skinned yesterday and quartered. We're expecting below zero weather so I'm gonna bone him out before he freezes solid. He wasn't a tank, maybe 200 lbs. or so on the hoof. Still some fat left on him, but I can see he has whittled away at his reserves. His neck sure is huge.

The shot wasn't what I wanted it to be. I tried for an easy double lung shot, but when the buck lurched the arrow stuck him right through both hams near the femoral artery. The arrow stayed in, so bleeding was slowed down and things just took a while. I was using old school xx75 camo hunters with muzzy 4 fixed blades.

My favorite part today. Boning out the meat and weighing it up. Gonna make cube steaks and burger the rest in a day or two. :EAT:
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: beav1980 on November 28, 2022, 08:35:58 AM: Nice job man! Was this a special permit hunt?or just a regular late season archery hunt?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Smokepole on November 28, 2022, 10:32:34 AM: Regular season hunt.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: elkboy on November 28, 2022, 10:39:41 AM: Quote from: Smokepole on November 28, 2022, 03:50:33 AM
Thanks you guys. I got the deer skinned yesterday and quartered. We're expecting below zero weather so I'm gonna bone him out before he freezes solid. He wasn't a tank, maybe 200 lbs. or so on the hoof. Still some fat left on him, but I can see he has whittled away at his reserves. His neck sure is huge.

The shot wasn't what I wanted it to be. I tried for an easy double lung shot, but when the buck lurched the arrow stuck him right through both hams near the femoral artery. The arrow stayed in, so bleeding was slowed down and things just took a while. I was using old school xx75 camo hunters with muzzy 4 fixed blades.

My favorite part today. Boning out the meat and weighing it up. Gonna make cube steaks and burger the rest in a day or two. :EAT:

Arrows can sure be deadly if they get near major arteries! Good work on tracking and recovery- glad you and your wife could tag-team it through the deep snow and rough terrain. I hope your back is feeling better, too.
Title: Re: Right Now I'm Drinking... Archery Buck Down - Updated with Story
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 28, 2022, 10:40:40 AM: Great buck and great story. Congrats :tup: