13 replies to this topic

[briarpatch]

To say it's been a tough year is an understatement.  Have not seen a shooter buck in range since October. and have had only one doe in range since then, too.  Both times I elected to pass.  Winter bow in NJ can be a good time to get one for the freezer, but even that has not worked for me.  Yesterday, my brother-in-law put me in a spot that was a 'slam dunk'.  I did have a shot at an older doe around 4 pm, but her fawn was in the way the whole time.  They eventually walked off.  I did get some good video of a gobbler that strolled through.  Then around 4:30, I have a group of 4 does milling around to my right, but no shot chances.  Finally, one gave me a quartering away shot at 15 yards.  The Tornado sent the Red Hot (tipped with a Grim reaper of course) right through her and into the ground.  I waited a little bit, then got down, and checked the arrow.  Covered in blood...Great!!!!  Started following the trail...steady blood for around 30 yards...then it started to get a little dark.  I decided to back out and get help.  Went back in an hour, resumed the trail.  We got to large puddles of blood, and then nothing.  Not one speck of blood.  My brother-in-law figured out that the deer back-tracked.  We did so as well, and found where she'd turned off.  A few minutes later, we found her piled up.  I'd hit her a little back, and only got the far side lung.  Thankfully, she'd back-tracked towards our four-wheeler path, and getting her out was easy.  Now, I have until the 31st to get a buck!!!!

[Tim50]

Congrats....Good luck with your buck quest!

[maad]

Congratulations on a productive hunt and great story, you've got time to get a buck just hope they haven't shed there antlers.

[topfueler1]

Congrat to ya! We went the last three days of archery season in southern York Co., PA. We didn't even see a deer and this is on private land. My buddy who lives up there saw them two times a few days before we went heading over to my area. The patterns have changed they are in a conservatory mode it's instinctive. How about those Grim Reapers they are awesome. My buddy took an eight point on 11-12-11 with the Grim Reaper. Through the center of both lungs it looked like it got hit with a twelve ga. slug. God luck to ya and i hope you get a buck before the season ends!

[Pronghorn]

Way to go now go get a buck.

[briarpatch]

thanks for the kind words all....this is the first time I've ever had a deer back track on it's own blood trail...when I got to the spot where the blood quit, I was completely confused....my brother-in-law pulled a 'CSI' on me and looked at the blood spatter....from the way it spattered, he concluded that the deer had turned around....these animals are amazingly tough....even though the heart and one lung were intact, the far side lung was completely obliterated....next time...I wait for the broad side shot.....

[Fieldtip]

Good job Briarpatch.  You are never to old to learn something new. I've seen this happen many years ago while tracking a buck. Love those Grim Reapers! they open up a very nice hole and do a lot of damage!

[Brubaker]

Congrats!

[Stalker]

briarpatch, on 21 January 2012 - 10:00 PM, said:

thanks for the kind words all....this is the first time I've ever had a deer back track on it's own blood trail...when I got to the spot where the blood quit, I was completely confused....my brother-in-law pulled a 'CSI' on me and looked at the blood spatter....from the way it spattered, he concluded that the deer had turned around....these animals are amazingly tough....even though the heart and one lung were intact, the far side lung was completely obliterated....next time...I wait for the broad side shot.....

Great job on the back track. I'll remember that if a blood trail suddenly ends.My bother in law cost me a deer this season.Your lucky.Good luck on the buck quest.Im in the same boat 10 days left.

[Hardawaypoints]

Congrats on taking out a slickhead.  They eat mighty good. Good luck on your buck.  

Jim

[gahunter]

congrats on your late-bow season GA doe!if your kill'in deer in ga in january with a bow your doing something right!!!

[briarpatch]

gahunter, on 24 January 2012 - 06:11 PM, said:

congrats on your late-bow season GA doe!if your kill'in deer in ga in january with a bow your doing something right!!!

Thanks Gahunter....but it was a late season NJ doe!!!

[firemedic396]

Briar, that's great to hear! At least we've had a mild winter for bow hunting so far. Good luck with finding that buck! Greg

[gahunter]

sorry,my mistake,but if late season NJ hunting is anything like late season GA hunting,u get the point.