MadHuntinPastor

Here is a pic of my 8pt I got 2 years ago. Took a long time to get back but I think it looks pretty cool! I also Included the euro from my 8pt muzzleloader I just got from this past season. Two in a row and hope to keep em comin!!

Put a post in the ML room too since it is my first buck with a smokepole. It was a morning hunt and I had seen a couple deer and was ready to shoot anything since I haven't gotten a deer yet this season. I planning on a long time in the stand due to the rut starting. Around 8:30 I reached into my backpack to grab a granola bar. Stuck in my mouth and before I could bite it I saw a nice 8 pointer broadside right underneath me. 10 yards or less!! With my granola bar still sticking out of my mouth...I started to slowly shoulder my gun, but the buck slipped behind a tree. He then turned to walk away with the tree still in the way. Stopping to thrash a small pine tree gave me the chance to discard my annoying snack. I was hoping he would start to walk the same path he was originally on, but he continued to walk towards the thick cover. I had one window at 20 yards through some just a couple branches. I let the 209 primer fly and the 50 cal TC Black Diamond put a smack on him. He ran like he was hit good, but was gone in a flash. After waiting for about an hour....I started looking for some sign. NOTHING. looked and circled for at least a half hour with nothing. Feeling very bummed I walked a little deer trail about 30 yards from my shot and SAW some Wonderful red stuff on the ground!! Excitedly I backed out and called my buddy to help me track. We lost the trail 20 yards into it!! Heart sinks! We walked all over through the thick covering all over for about an hour. Before we gave up I went back to the blood trail and my buddy walked a rub line. As I'm looking for blood he comes back and says "I found him! He is hit hard but still alert. I was 40 yards from him and he was staring at me but didn't move!" He assures me we can get a good final shot on him. So we sneak back in and he walks a different way for a better angle. He points to a log and tells me that is where he is. I see nothing. We start sneaking closer nothing. Needless to say he isn't sure we are at the right log. We are there for about 10 minutes looking around and see nothing when the deer hops up and runs down a hill towards a swamp!! UGHH!! Now I'm bummed that I didn't make the perfect shot and that my buddy walked us in the wrong way!!!! We decide to back out and try again in the AM. We figured he wouldn't go far since he hung around so long with us so close. The next day we go in and walk right to the spot he was last seen. We make our way down the steep ravine with little hope. Just praying. As we get to the bottom we split up and just start to look. Hoping to find a needle in a haystack. I cross the creek and walk up the first trail I see. Stop and scan the thickets and see my 8 pointer laying right there!!!!! I was so excited to have worked so hard and not giving up. Euro Mount coming and the tenderloin was delicious last night!! Biggest bodied deer I have shot. Thanks for reading this. Joel

Great lookin bird! thanks for sharing the pics!!

When the does are heatin up the rain never stops a buck from lookin. Strong wind gusts can slow them down, but even that can be just what the Dr. ordered to get out Mr. Big. Can't shoot em cuddled up in your bed!

Huge buck. Congrats to your bud

Happy to have retieved this 8point yesterday. He was walking away from me at just 20 yards when I shot my 50 caliber TC Black Diamond with a Burris Fullfield scope. Very happy and will be doing a Euro Mount with him!! Thanks to all the fellas that helped me in here through the years!

Congrats bro!! Very proud of ya!

didn't hear much last Sat. for opening day in VA. Trying to arrange to make it back out this Sat. Go team!!

this Saturday!!!!!! almost here. can't wait!!!!

when I rub the hair on my head it falls out too.... whether I have a tan or not:p hehehe

Well I had a great time last week on a Pheasant/Chukar/Quail hunt at a preserve in WV. 10 - 10 - 10 birds. We hunted two different fields. (the second was better) I opened the day shooting the rooster in this pic. We only got 5 of our pheasants. We did a little better on the quail and chukkar. 8 of the q and 9 of the chukar. As we worked a strip of woods back to the truck on the last trip. The dog pointed and we had found a left over pheasant hen which flushed my way and was the last bird of the day. So here are the pics of the first and last birds taken solo by me for the day. Loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I love the sig. Just changed mine. Here are a couple pics from a pheasant hunt I just did. These were the nicest two birds that I shot.

PM sent to strut for Galloping Gobblers as our winning name. Now let's go out and smack some big turkeys!!!

Four team members to check in. Let us know your thoughts and please vote for your top 3 not just your favorite. so far Galloping Gobbler's is barely winning against Stuffin' & Gravy. Cut'n'Strut is hanging around in 3rd and Giblet & Gravy is bringing up the rear. This sounds a little like a NASCAR race!! hahaha

Kraabel2003 - do you have a 2nd and 3rd place vote?