First Bow Harvest

[CatDaddy]

Well, I did it, and couldn't be prouder! First year bow hunting, poured my heart and soul into finding and harvesting a mature buck on public land. E-scouting, boots on the ground, deer behavior research, trial and error, and time in the stand were the key. Not to mention 1000+ arrows shot in the backyard. Started in September, closed the season on Thursday.

Found a spot that you could only access by kayak. I'm not a kayaker, but decided it was worth it. Took my piece of ish 10' Pelican sit-in and made the move. Cameras told me this was a doe haven in Sept and early Oct, but became a rut destination as the season wore on. Mature buck after mature buck showing up on camera. The one I shot wasn't one of the giants, but it's a giant in my book for year one hunting from the ground. Could NOT be happier!

Here are a few pics of the buck, my blind setup, and a video of the drag to get him back across the river. Some great coworkers offered to come be part of the adventure on the drag out. Not sure they fully understood what they were in for, but they're 15-20 years younger than me so I didn't turn them down! Backstraps and venison chili will be their reward for the help.

I scored him just for the hell of it - don't really care but was curious. Any guesses? Ever since KDM helped my son harvest a giant symmetrical 4x4 I've fallen in love with them myself. This one will look great next to his on the wall, though mine will be a euro mount.

Video link below to the river recovery. Of course it was at night!

 

[Prairie Doggin']

Well, I did it, and couldn't be prouder! First year bow hunting, poured my heart and soul into finding and harvesting a mature buck on public land. E-scouting, boots on the ground, deer behavior research, trial and error, and time in the stand were the key. Not to mention 1000+ arrows shot in the backyard. Started in September, closed the season on Thursday.

Found a spot that you could only access by kayak. I'm not a kayaker, but decided it was worth it. Took my piece of ish 10' Pelican sit-in and made the move. Cameras told me this was a doe haven in Sept and early Oct, but became a rut destination as the season wore on. Mature buck after mature buck showing up on camera. The one I shot wasn't one of the giants, but it's a giant in my book for year one hunting from the ground. Could NOT be happier!

Here are a few pics of the buck, my blind setup, and a video of the drag to get him back across the river. Some great coworkers offered to come be part of the adventure on the drag out. Not sure they fully understood what they were in for, but they're 15-20 years younger than me so I didn't turn them down! Backstraps and venison chili will be their reward for the help.

I scored him just for the hell of it - don't really care but was curious. Any guesses? Ever since KDM helped my son harvest a giant symmetrical 4x4 I've fallen in love with them myself. This one will look great next to his on the wall, though mine will be a euro mount.

Nice work!

 

[Twitch]

That is awesome! Now you’re hooked

 

[Vollmer]

Awesome
Not much out there is a bigger rush.

 

[NodakBob]

Great job! I’ll guess 108, not that score matters in my book.

 

[Zogman]

Awesome, truly awesome! Congratulations.

 

[Wirehair]

Congrats Cat!!

 

[pointer]

Good job, I would guess in the 120 to 130 looks pretty even

 

[KDM]

OUT F'N STANDING!!!!! Congratulations!! Dandy Buck!!

 

[Davy Crockett]

Atta boy Catdaddy Well done and congratulations.

 

[measure-it]

Great Job!! There's nothing like the up-close excitement of bowhunting.
I'll say it scores about 131 net.

 

[ND58201]

Nice job!! Congrats!! I guess 116”

 

[CatDaddy]

Thanks for all the congrats guys! Did any of you watch the video link? Wondering if it worked. It was quite the adventure getting it back across....

I've got the score sheet - I'll post later tonight! Honestly, it may as well have been a 200" deer for how jacked I am about him.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Yes,the vid works. I can only imagine how pumped you must have been . I think you have it figured out. I bet your already thinking about next year.

 

[lunkerslayer]

Well done CatDaddy what kind of bow you using?

 

[Davy Crockett]

My only bow kill was a doe and that was almost too exciting.

 

[guywhofishes]

YES! Worth the effort!

 

[1bigfokker]

Did you hear your heartbeat when you open your mouth?

 

[bucksnbears]

Proud of you CatDaddy!.
You learned a valuable lesson 1st year...., assess by water is HUGE!.
Ain't gonna guess " score", don't matter.
Great buck/ effort.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Did you hear your heartbeat when you open your mouth?

I bet two bits that he did. Even a doe gave me me the shakes worse than a dog shitting razorblades. I only wish I would have bow hunted a lot more when I was younger .