fly Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) Illinois passed a law in 2012 making the use of crossbows legal. I've been a compound hunter for 25 years - never thought about crossbows till the new law passed. I researched the brands and decided on the Ten Point - Stealth XLT. Got it brand new from Craigslist for $850.00. It took a little getting used to, but I'm loving it! My first kill was what I thought to be a nice eating doe - turns out it was a 1/2 year old buck with no noticeable buttons from 30 feet high. Wish I had shot the bigger doe in tow now, but at the time I was thinking about tender steaks. Anyway, an hour later a herd of about 7 or 8 does runs about 100 yards from me. Two bucks in tow. One big, one medium with half a rack. The does run to the next hill and out of sight. With fading light I had to make my move. I started grunting and got the attention of both bucks. After a couple series of grunts the medium back ran away towards the does. The big buck started walking away towards the does as well. I usually carry a snort wheeze call but left it at home - I just did my best snort wheeze with my own vocals. It worked. The big buck got all excited and started pacing back and forth on the snow covered creek bank looking for me (still 100 yards away). Thank God he was upwind. After a few more grunt series and a couple more snort wheezes he had enough and came in to whip my butt. I had ranged a tree he was headed for at 30 yards earlier that evening. As he approached the tree, I let out a Baaap! He stopped. I put the 30 yard dot on his vitals and squeezed. The bolt was so fast I never saw it, only heard that glorious sound of a chest cavity being punctured. A double lung shot = a 20 yard recovery - good thing too because by the time I got down it was dark. Saw 14 deer in all and has to be the best single evening of deer hunting I have ever had. I love hunting in the snow and this was the first of the season. Take a guess at the score if you like. Edited January 4, 2013 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Congratulations! Nice way to break in the new weapon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Congratulations on the late season success Frank. Sounds like a great afternoon, and looks like a bit of work. I would guess that buck in the mid 130's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msman825 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 yup congrats on a very nice late season buck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Frank, your are da MAN! congratulations bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 yup i'm with william ... mid 130's... congrats again Frank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 First Harvests with New Crossbow Ill give you right around 140 on him. Nice looking deer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Nice looking buck... congrats! I would say right around 140ish as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Awesome deer Congrats! I would say 140s as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Thanks everyone! Some updates: He weighed in at 202 pounds field dressed and green scored 138 gross, 136 net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 I sure am impressed, awesome hunt !! I have taken several deer with my x-bow years ago, and they sure can shoot LOL too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 First Harvests with New Crossbow Very nice! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonLester Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 First Harvests with New Crossbow Nice congrats on a great hunt and two nice deer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 That deer's a stud! Congrats Fly! Sounds like a darn good hunt. That ought to top off the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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