Tuesday night I couldn't sleep, I didn't know if it was the falling snow or the cold temperatures but I was feeling like something good was about to happen. Five o'clock the alarm went off and my wife said look at all the snow, I jumped out of bed and said "oh yah, this will get them fired up!" A quick scan of the weather network and I confirmed the stand I would sit for the day, a stand I picked two days earlier, yards from a good rub and several trails that narrowed due to the turns and twists of the ravine below . This stand has a great view of the area so I made a lunch the night before and planned to sit all day. Even if I didn't get a shot at a deer I'd at least be able to watch them from downwind and learn how they moved with a NorthWest wind. A quick shower and a hot bowl of oatmeal and I was on the road. The wet snow was pouring down and I couldn't believe that the plows weren't out clearing the streets. Arriving at the base of the large triple trunked oak tree I was amazed at how wet I got walking in, my gloves were soaked and I questioned how I would sit all day with frozen fingers. Once settled in I couldn't take it any longer I had to get rid of the gloves. The snow was stinging my eyes as I scanned the woods for any sign of wildlife when, at around eight o'clock, I saw something move and confirmed it was a deer. I stood up and grabbed my bow off of the hook that I so painfully screwed in with numb fingers less than two hours earlier. I strained to see the antlerless deer and wondered where it had gone until I realized it was now standing less than 20 yards away, that's when I noticed a large bodied deer where I had originally seen the first deer, and it was a buck! He started towards the doe and I thought I might actually get a shot at him. I counted 10 points and noticed good mass, I decided if I got the chance I would take it. He got within 10 yards of the doe and she bolted away from him and right through my shooting lane, I drew my bow waiting for him to follow in her steps and when he did I let it fly. :archer: After waiting for 10 minutes I scanned the hillside with my binoculars and saw him lying motionless 40 yards away from where I shot him. I thanked the hunting gods for another great morning in the woods and quickly climbed down to check him out.
It was a 40 yard shot downhill and hit the buck behind his left shoulder a little low, missing both lungs, but right on target taking out his heart.
It was easier to take him downhill and out by canoe so after field dressing him it was a quick canoe ride to the fourwheeler.
I haven't checked the trail cams in the area lately, maybe there's a before picture so I'll have to take a look later.
Steve
He has lots of mass. 