On
my way in to the bedding area stand, I hung a scent wick drenched with
Special Golden Estrus high on a branch atop the ridge. Nearing my stand,
I placed one on either side. With the wind blowing away from the bedding
area, up and over the ridge, my hopes was that my scent triangle may draw
in any bucks working the backside or the crest of the ridge.
Not long after light had come, I saw this was indeed working. A yearling
buck came in on a rope, lip curling the scent time and time again. He had
no more than had he left when I saw his big brother.
Standing on the ridge was a buck with points seemingly shooting out
everywhere. My first thought was that he was a solid 140s buck, but not
one that I wanted. I was going to take one of the big boys or go down swinging.
Unfortunately, that is when the buck started to walk. With each step, the
buck acted like he had a hinge in his back, curling up his back high and sinking it down with the next step.
He had been badly hurt and I had to take him. As he approached 42 yards,
he stopped broadside and viewed the bedding area. Having ranged the tree
next to him with my Monarch Laser rangefinder the both that morning and
the afternoon before, I was supremely confident of the yardage. With him
standing perfectly still. I brought my Outback to full draw, set my pin
on his lungs and squeezed the ACC into flight.
The buck barely kicked before dashing ten yards and coming to a stop. As
he momentarily looked around, I couldn’t believe it. I had missed. As he
walked another ten yards away, I was honestly bummed. Sure, I wanted one
of the two monsters I had seen, but screwing up a shot left me feeling
sick.
That was when he toppled over.
Grabbing my stuff, I climbed down and went to inspect the animal.
The Snyper had burst a wicked hole through both lungs, causing the
buck to travel only 20 yards after the shot. Further investigation revealed
that he had been previously shot under the spine. Though the backbone had
been clipped enough to cause some nerve damage, it wasn’t enough to take
him down. The lack of urine on his tarsal gland, summer coat and normal
sized neck did show that this wound had robbed his desire to breed.
As a bonus, it was obvious that the buck was bigger than I had thought.
After taping him out, he grossed 150 1/8th. A nice payoff for doing the
right thing.
After Tyler snapped a couple rolls of film for me, I went back to camp
and cut the 3.5 year old buck into steaks and roasts. With my Iowa tag
now full, I was beyond thrilled with my year. A total of 6 shots had resulted
in 2 bear, 1 doe and 3 P&Y bucks. Best of all, not one of them had
traveled over 100 yards.
As much as I’d love to claim to be a great shot, I really am not. In
each case, the reason things ended so well was because of using good equipment
and practicing religiously. Simply by flinging 6-12 arrows before heading
out each afternoon, I am confidant that my equipment is solid and that
I can make the shot. For me, confidence is everything.
When I am able to remain calm and believe I will make the shot I almost
always do. My 2004 season showed how true that could be. Trust me when
I say that this approach can work for anyone else just as well as it does
for me.
For a fantastic Illinois or Iowa bow hunt, contact www.performanceoutdoors.com
via the web or at 800 996 0477.
For a comprehensive guide to cutting edge stand hunting methods, check
out Steve Bartylla’s new book. A personally autographed copy of Advanced
Stand Hunting Strategies, can be purchased by sending a check or money
order, for $22.50, tax and shipping included, to the following:
Steve Bartylla
909 N Chestnut Ave.
Marshfield, WI 54449
Be sure to include your name and the shipping address.
Wildlife Research Center Scent Killing sprays and soaps, along with Select
Doe Urine, Select Buck Urine, Mega Tarsal Plus, Active Scrape, Excite and
Special Golden Estrus. http://www.wildlife.com/
Becoming A Student Of Whitetail Deer For those looking for every advantage in understanding whitetail deer, Steve Bartylla's column Becoming A Student Of Whitetail Deer is a must read.
Email Steve Bartylla at bowwriter@yahoo.com
On
my way in to the bedding area stand, I hung a scent wick drenched with
Special Golden Estrus high on a branch atop the ridge. Nearing my stand,
I placed one on either side. With the wind blowing away from the bedding
area, up and over the ridge, my hopes was that my scent triangle may draw
in any bucks working the backside or the crest of the ridge.
