fly Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) We all watch the hunting shows and know how it's supposed to go right? Start out by scouting, find a buck you want to take, develop a plan, pass the smaller bucks and finally take the Monster on the last day! That's exactly what happened to me this past week. I was fortunate enough to get drawn for a public ground hunt 30 minutes from my house. I've put in many years and have been selected in 2011, 2013, and then again this year. From previous years I have seen how the big bucks travel. The stay in the tall grass and avoid trees. That's how they get so big! Well, this year I drew the 22nd-28th of October. My buddy Dave drew October 29th-November 4th. He's put in every year and the last time he was selected was 2004. After my previous experience we decided to haul a tripod stand out to the edge of a field and conceal in a large autumn olive bush. I scouted the area 2 days before my hunt (basically sat on a ladder by the road as not to mess up the hunt for others). I spotted the buck below running with an 8 point and fork horn and determined where the tripod should go. I hunted every day from the 22nd-28th. Some days I'd hunt for 2 hours in the AM - then go to work then back to the stand for an hour before dark. Needless to say by the 28th I was exhausted! Today (the 28th) was my last day and was only hunting the morning due to my daughters basketball game this evening. I had seen this buck only once while on stand throughout the week but at 75 yards it was not a feasible shot for my bow. However, this AM was different. Right at first light (around 7am) I spotted a dark figure walking through the briar field at 75 yards. Binoculars revealed that it was the 12 pointer! It happened so quick my nerves didn't have time to give me the shakes. The buck was traveling across the field and the closest he would get would be 50 yards. As I got ready for the shot he stopped and looked my direction as if his 6th sense was telling him trouble was brewing. The Steel Force Phat Head found it's mark and the buck turned and ran hard! Due to scant light and a tree (still with leaves) I didn't see the buck fall. I wasn't sure I had hit him although it sure sounded like a good hit. As I sat there all the thoughts bow hunters have started racing through my mind. What did I really hear? Could I have missed? Was I steady on the shot or did I pull? Maybe I should have let him walk and perhaps he would have come back only closer. How long do I torture myself before getting down and looking for blood? After an hour I got down and found the bloody arrow right away. YES!!!!!!! Oh heck YES!!!!!! The blood trail was only specs but enough to follow. After 100 yards this is what I looked up to find. I did the whole falling out thing (glad no one was there to witness) and once I finally gained my composure I took the following pictures. After a long drag out I loaded him into my truck and headed for my buddy Dave's house. Dave was just as happy for me as if he had taken it. The mark of a true friend. Then we headed for my sons school (Zion Lutheran). I called the secretary and informed her i would like my son Frank Jr to come outside and see the buck I just harvested. Next thing I know the entire 7th grade comes out to see the deer! I doubt this would happen in a public school. Anyway, the kids and teachers were thrilled and more than happy to pose for this picture. Finally, it was off to the taxidermist and my daughters basketball game. A beautiful sunset ended one of those perfect days we occasionally are blessed with by the Good Lord. Feel free to take a guess on age and score. Edited October 29, 2014 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytshooter09 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Awesome buck Nothin like puttin in the hours and they finally pay off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Very nice Frank. Think he will gross in the 140's, I am not seeing the 12th point. 6 on the left and 5 on the right? Looks like a mature deer to me. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) Congrats again Fly! Im goin with 148 and a 5 1/2 yr old..could be older, tough to tell laying down split right brow tine makes 12? Nice shot too man..double lung and maybe clipped the pump station too..cool! Like to see the kids come out, nothing wrong with a little blood...and a big 'ol buck...alo tof future hunters right there! Edited October 29, 2014 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Wooooow! I've been reading a lot of kill stories on here and Archery Talk. Yours is by far, hands down my favorite. Days like that only happen once in a lifetime. Your photos are spectacular, I see you still have leaves on your trees there. The school picture is my favorite. Congratulations Mr. Fly that is an awesome deer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytshooter09 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 He has a nice split g-2 on right side there's a pic on team 1 thread that shows it really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Great buck Fly! Really hard to age him on the pictures but I'd guess 5.5+. Maybe closer to 7.5. My reasoning would be the kickers, mass, rack just had an older deer character to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I come up high with 146 give or take on his score. Dandy buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 very nice buck... congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 After looking at some of the other pics, think he may be real close to 150. Carries that mass out the the length of the beams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) Thanks everyone. This picture shows his forked right G-2. I removed the heart as I slice it up, use flour and a Cajun rub and fry it up. The arrow missed the heart but got both lungs. Looked like a red bubble party on his shoulder. I tried to clean him up for some pics, but the bubble blood just kept up as soon as I cleaned it. Edited October 29, 2014 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Wow, congrats Fly! That's the kind of buck we dream about. He's heavy with points everywhere....I would guess 150's. My cousin got drawn for Frank Holten park to bowhunt during first shotgun season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Is this one your biggest buck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Great deer Frank! That's a heck of a shot at 50 yards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 one heck of a deer fly, I'm sure a lot of time and effort went into that, great to be able to share with friends and family as well! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) Thanks again everyone. I hunted Frank Holten last year Mud. That canal makes it tough! Got to have waders to get across which is a real pain. I don't generally take 50 yard shots Chris, but this buck gave me a large target. I was lucky! I butchered it today. The shot was low - hit a bone which shot it up into the lungs. The exit hole was several inches higher than the entrance hole which one would not expect when shooting from an elevated position. RangerClay - this buck has the most points but as far as score it looks like he will be my 3rd largest. I just put the tape to him and got a green score of 150 2/8 (non-typical). I also examined his teeth and he has some characteristics of a 3.5 year old and some of a 4.5 year old. Given how thick and muscular he was (like a bull) and the fact that there is a lot of green leafy plants in the vicinity and very few nut trees my best guess is 4.5 years old. Edited October 29, 2014 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zizzer59 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Congrats Fly, that's a beautiful buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Congrats on a great buck! Great story and write-up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 What an awesome buck and great story. Perfect shot. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Awesome buck! Congrats Fly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 The pic from the school is awesome. Congrats on the trophy, and thanks for the great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbarcheryhunter Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Wat to go fly !!! He sure looks like a good one and more points for us :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Another thought occurred to me about the exit hole being higher than the entrance hole. Perhaps some of you all have had this happen? At 50 yards perhaps the buck was doing the typical drop before he turned and ran. The broad-head may have entered just as he was doping and by the time it came out the opposite side was much lower. Perhaps the trajectory of the arrow did not change from hitting a bone, but rather the deers body simply lowered at just the right time? Is this possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 CONGRATS !!!!!!!! What an AWESOME deer and story !!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 Awesome deer frank. If you've got the jaw bones still is like to see them. Congrats. Hell of a deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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