Hypodermic Vaccination

[fly]

I posted parts of this in the contest room but figured I'd post the full story here.

Below you will see a trail cam picture of two bucks on my recently purchased property in IL. It's only 32.49 acres but has some nice bucks moving through during the rut and a couple nice resident bucks that show up regularly. Below are a couple bucks from August I had named COVID (the smaller 8 in front) and Corona (the larger 8 in the back). I had a few daylight pictures of both prior to the start of the season but only night pictures once October 1st came around.

Well, I was fortunate enough to take COVID in early November with my compound. I primarily use my crossbow now that it is legal in IL so it was extra special to get one with my Mathews. I already posted that story in the bow hunting room. However, I have to add that I did not realize it was COVID until a few days ago when I was reviewing pictures. COVID is the first harvest picture included below.

COVID was a very nice buck and I was tickled with the harvest. However, I was still looking for a buck from my land that would be suitable for mounting in the new house. Corona was the number 2 buck that I had pictures of and would just make the cut. I estimated him to be 4.5 years old with 135 inches of antler and thanks to a hot doe I was able to verify this estimate. But now I'm getting ahead of myself. My two daughters (Molly 8, and Maddie 9) had been asking for guinea pigs since the summer. I told them after hunting season or after I get a good buck suitable for mounting. Without fail I would be questioned after every October hunt... Did you get a wall hanger? I always replied, nope. One day Molly said... I don't think you're trying very hard. Laughing,  I asked if she wanted to come with me? She said - yes and we'll get a big buck too! A good weather day came and off we went to the double man stand for the evening.

After several hours of NOTHING a doe came running into view with Corona in hot pursuit. Molly looked at me and asked if that buck equated to guinea pigs? As I stood I whispered - yes. Trying her best to hide the doe jumped in the creek and Corona followed. I grunted and that brought him out and straight towards me. I had a 50 yard shot with my crossbow but only had a neck shot. The doe bolted from the creek and for a split second I had a broadside shot as he turned to follow but opted not to take it.  (I remember wondering if I would regret that). Corona jumped back into the creek and like a rabbit the doe turned and ran right at our stand, turning at 20 yards. This was my chance. As Corona made the turn I yelled MEEP! as loud as I could. He stopped slightly quartering away at 20 yards and looked up at us. I sunk the rage hypodermic into the sweet spot. It did not pass through (to my surprise) but the tip did penetrate the skin on the opposite side. After the shot the buck followed the doe into a thicket. After several minutes of glassing I spotted him still alive bedded about 100 yards away. I was focused on his actions trying to get as much information as possible. After several more minutes he stood and took a few steps and bedded again. I could see the hole in his side. I kept thinking... stay down! Focusing on Corona I heard more activity in the thicket. Another big buck was moving in. Focusing on Corona I never got a good look at the other buck. I do know that he came at Corona and Corona stood and turned toward the approaching buck. It has now been at least 15 minutes since I had shot him. I could not believe he was still alive! About that time the doe (I had no idea was still in the thicket) bolted into the creek and both bucks ran after her. However, they didn't get far. Corona went into the creek and out of sight first. Then buck number two a second later. I listened as all hell was breaking lose in that creek. The sound of antler crackling, leaf thrashing and ground stomping went on for several minutes. What a show it must have been.

it has now been almost a half hour since the shot and darkness was approaching. Two different mature bucks walked through the thicket on the trail of the hot doe. It was an evening that personifies the rut and Molly got to witness the whole thing. Not knowing how that buck had survived for so long after what appeared to be a perfect shot, I opted to retrieve the next morning.

The next morning I walked to the creek where the previous nights battle had occurred and there was Corona - dead on the sandy bank. The pictures below will provide a better conclusion than I can write.

[wtnhunt]

Congratulations Frank.  Two nice bucks. 

Congratulations to Molly too.  lol. Good luck with the guinea pigs, we went with rabbits when Allison asked for guinea pigs since rabbits can tolerate being outside year round.

[fly]

Thanks William. We thought about rabbits but the girls wanted an in the house pet and I figured the GPs would be better suited for inside living. So far they have been doing well with pet responsibility.

[RangerClay]

Congratulations Frank!  You always tell the best stories and I really enjoyed all of the pictures.

I'm curious, what did the autopsy have to say when you gutted him?  Only get one lung?  Did the Rage fail to deploy?  Or just an old tough buck?

Edited December 1, 2020 by RangerClay

[fly]

Thanks Joe. This is what I can tell you about the new Rage Crossbow Hypodermic (No Collar). First, I'm disappointed. The broad-head did kill the buck but it should have passed through completely and opened a hole on the opposite side. My Xbow shoots 316 fps (probably only 300 after several years, but still 300 is plenty fast to get a pass through). The broad-head did NOT hit either shoulder blade (note the entrance hole image below and exit). The exit hole is a pin hole and only the tip penetrated the skin. The entrance hole is what I would expect. The angle was slightly quartering away.

The bolt was found about 100 yards from where I shot the deer. It was on the ground near the area the buck first bedded. There was about 12 inches of bright red blood on the bolt (about half the length). One of the blades from the Rage was busted off and the other was deployed. From the entry wound it is apparent that both blades deployed on impact. It looks to me like the blade broke on the rib prior to entering the chest cavity. I never found the blade. As far as lung status I can't provide a report. I wasn't diligent in the field dressing.

The deer did not act like a one lung hit. It acted like a gut shot deer because it bedded right away then would get up several minutes later take a few steps and bed again. I did see the deer wagging it's tail as it walked to the second bed. That's when I thought... he is down for the count! Five minutes later he is up walking again!

Final thoughts... I believe only one blade penetrated the chest cavity and only hit one lung. While the trajectory (based on entry and exit holes) indicates a double lung shot, the time prior to death does not. I know for a fact the deer was still alive at least 20 minutes after the shot. From everything I know a deer with a double lung hit is dead within 1-2 minutes. I therefore must conclude that only one lung was sliced by the single blade.

Next year I will continue my quest for the perfect crossbow broad-head that has a cut on contact tip. I have had Fantastic success with the Bloodsport Gravedigger for my compound and recently see it is NOW crossbow compatible. I'll get a new Xbow for next season and I'll try out an old GraveDigger I have saved.