RichP
Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2019
- Messages
- 203
Didn’t think I was going to be able to hunt this season. Had rotator cuff surgery in September. Been feeling good with very limited mobility. I had practiced shooting lefty all summer knowing it will be a long rehab.
Saturday I grabbed my crossbow and took the 1/2 mile hike to a ladder stand near my cabin. Busted in on a few coyotes on my way in. Usually when coyotes are on you hill you don’t see deer. I figured I’m going to sit anyway since my options are very limited.
Once dawn came I immediately started seeing deer. Doe buck, doe, buck .. All well out of range. The rut is on! I decided today is the day to sit in the stand all day. Well that all changed at 8:30.
Here comes this doe walking on a trail 50 yards downhill from me. She turns and is headed right for me with a buck trailing behind. I’m primarily a meat hunter and am happy with a full freezer. When the doe got to within 10 yards i looked and the buck was broadside at 40 yards. I shifted the crossbow on the rail towards him. she spotted the movement and ran. He just looked at her like what are you doing! I had a clear shooting lane and took the shot. The bolt drove into his shoulder and he took off. Ran about 30 yards and fell. Even though I was sure he was dead in like 25 seconds (I could see his chest rise and fall with his last breaths) I sat down and waited for 30 minutes. I’ve walked up to deer that I thought were dead only to have them get up and run.
After the adrenaline rush subsided I got down and walked up to my buck. This is definitely not even in the same class as some of the animals you guys bag, but this is the biggest for me.
Now the real work begins. Go figure this I’m at camp alone and I have a 200 lb deer down and I’m one handed. I always have a plan. Picture time first, then tag and gut. Grab my gear and head back to the cabin to get the ATV. Thank god!
It was definitely a struggle to skin, quarter and package, but with determination and drive anything is possible.
One armed hunter is eating great in North Central Pennsylvania!
Saturday I grabbed my crossbow and took the 1/2 mile hike to a ladder stand near my cabin. Busted in on a few coyotes on my way in. Usually when coyotes are on you hill you don’t see deer. I figured I’m going to sit anyway since my options are very limited.
Once dawn came I immediately started seeing deer. Doe buck, doe, buck .. All well out of range. The rut is on! I decided today is the day to sit in the stand all day. Well that all changed at 8:30.
Here comes this doe walking on a trail 50 yards downhill from me. She turns and is headed right for me with a buck trailing behind. I’m primarily a meat hunter and am happy with a full freezer. When the doe got to within 10 yards i looked and the buck was broadside at 40 yards. I shifted the crossbow on the rail towards him. she spotted the movement and ran. He just looked at her like what are you doing! I had a clear shooting lane and took the shot. The bolt drove into his shoulder and he took off. Ran about 30 yards and fell. Even though I was sure he was dead in like 25 seconds (I could see his chest rise and fall with his last breaths) I sat down and waited for 30 minutes. I’ve walked up to deer that I thought were dead only to have them get up and run.
After the adrenaline rush subsided I got down and walked up to my buck. This is definitely not even in the same class as some of the animals you guys bag, but this is the biggest for me.
Now the real work begins. Go figure this I’m at camp alone and I have a 200 lb deer down and I’m one handed. I always have a plan. Picture time first, then tag and gut. Grab my gear and head back to the cabin to get the ATV. Thank god!
It was definitely a struggle to skin, quarter and package, but with determination and drive anything is possible.
One armed hunter is eating great in North Central Pennsylvania!
