bowin_in_illinois Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Went out Friday evening after work to the "killing tree" by my house. About 4:30 I saw a doe in the timber heading to an opening where I could get a 25 yd. shot. She was slowly browsing her way along, and about 15 feet from the opening she just sorta starting browsing back the way she came. My heart was racing. I don't know about the rest of you, but I get just as excited about a doe as I do a buck. About 45 minutes later, I looked to the North and saw a buck come out of an area that has been filled with rubs and start heading right for me. I was trying to get a good look at his rack...but I was also trying not to look at it, if you know what I mean...lol. I decided this year to try and take only bucks that are 3-1/2 or older, so I was trying to not judge him by his rack, but by his body. His face seemed a little more boxy, and seemed to have a grayish tint to it, and I don't know how to explain it, but he seemed to carry himself like an older deer. I knew his rack had nice mass, but wasn't very tall...and it was getting close to decision time...and I obviously decided to take him. As soon as he went behind the tree I was in I drew back and when he came out on the other side quartering away from me, I let it fly. I heard it hit, and watched him take off. He ran about 50 yds. and stopped and stood there for a while....that's when I knew I must not have hit him good. When he finally started walking again, he was walking pretty "clinched". I saw my hole, and it was far back...but I knew he was quartering away when I shot, so I knew I had to have gotten into his liver. He ended up walking within 35-40 yds. of me, and although I only shoot one pin (set to 25) I knew I had to try and get another one in him. I shot too low and hit him in the leg. he ran off back into the timber from where he had come from. As soon as he was into the timber, I snuck down and headed out. I knew I had to give him some time. On my way out, I found my second arrow, and blood from where he had stood there, and it was nice dark liver blood A couple hours later...we took up the trail...and it was rough. We followed blood for 3 hours until it took us out of the timber into a field. It had started raining, and the blood was washing away. I decided to call it a night, and to go out in the morning. The next morning, I went out, and followed a mowed path along the Macinaw River (which was the direction he had been heading) and just kept scanning each side of the path. about 75 from where we gave up the night before I saw him laying against a tree. ***relief*** Long story...but a happy ending. Here are the pics. If you have any skill judging deer age on the hoof, let me know what you think. I'm still learning, and could use any tips you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossy_71 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Congrats on a nice deer. Judging by the photos, he appears to be on the mature side. Nice to see people up their standards. Deciding to harvest mature deer will be a tough undertaking but the benefits of future hunting will be rewarding by allowing your deer to reach more of the potential. Good story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 His body looks pretty dense - can't tell from the pic re: the age, but I'd say you made a good choice. I def would have taken him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Good job following up on that shot. Nice deer. To be honest with you, seeing as you are in Illinois, I'd guess that deer is a 1.5 year old, maybe a 2.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardwood_HD Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 nice job.. congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Congratulations. Tough to age the deer from your pics to be honest. The best pic of the body has that sign over it. From what I see I would guess a 2.5 year old Illinois buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Nice deer man, congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Nice deer and congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Congrats on a nice deer:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Nice buck. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY_Bowhunter14 Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 thats a beautiful buck!!! congrats on the kill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetucker Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Good ethics and values!!Congrats on a nice buck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Nice buck!!! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Way to go, nice buck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 good buck... congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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