Stuck in the Rut

I over slept Sunday morning and was darn lucky that I didn’t get a speeding ticket on the way to my Eastern Colorado hunting area.  I like to be in my stand by nautical twilight (when the center of the sun is geometrically 12 degrees below the horizon and general outlines of ground objects begin to be distinguishable). Today though, the sun was rising as I franticly donned my gear on the tailgate of my truck.

I stuck to the cover as I slipped toward my stand, hoping to avoid being spotted my deer that may still be out feeding.  I was nearly to the stand when I saw a couple of tails waiving goodbye in the field just ahead.  Frustrated, I raised my binoculars to try and see what I’d kicked out when I noticed movement from behind a tree to my left.  It was difficult to see antlers through the sticks and limbs, but the bulky build was instantly recognizable as that of a buck. He was looking toward the does as if wondering what the heck their problem was, and then after a moment, began walking my way.  I could soon see that he was fairly wide and had decent tine length. Then as I was trying to make a decision on wheather or not to shoot, he let out a couple of grunts that pushed me over the edge.

Slowly sinking into the chest deep grass, I drew my bow as he approached a narrow shooting lane just ahead of me.  With no time to range the buck as he quartered toward me, I guessed him to be about 35 yards.  Times like this are when I really appreciate shooting a fast rig.  As I settled in, both my 30 and 40 yard pins were within his vitals — a fantastic feeling I assure you.  

The impact of the arrow sounded like a two-by-four being broken in half.  It was loud!  As the buck spun I could see the arrow buried right up to my bright-yellow Blazers.  In a frantic adrenaline-fueled dash the buck stumbled as he crested a slight rise and then expired just beyond it.

I haven’t put a tape to him yet, but I anticipate the buck will go somewhere in the low 140’s.  I was particularly impressed with the job that the Steel Force Phat Head broadhead did on this buck.  I’m shooting a light arrow — too light in some people’s opinion.  To compensate for the lack of weight, I’m shooting a deep penetrating cut-on-contact fixed blade broadhead.  On this buck, the Phat Head shattered the heavy base of his scapula before exiting behind his off-side shoulder, and upon recovery, it was no worse for ware.  With a little sharpening, it will be hunt-ready in no time.

Isn’t it funny how what seems to be a stroke of bad luck can sometimes turn out to be the key factor in your success.  As I said before, I overslept and was tempted to just roll back over and call the morning a bust. You can’t kill ‘em from your bed though, and it just goes to show that anything can happen if you are dedicated to spending as much time as possible in the field — even when you feel like you might be wasting your time.

Danny’s Key-Equipment

Bow:  Hoyt AlphaMax     Arrows:  Easton Flatline     Broadheads:  Steelforce Phat Head

Sight:  Spot Hogg Hogg-It Hunter     Quiver: Fuse Satori One-Piece    

Stabilizer:  Fuse Axium Sidekick     Vanes & Wraps: Bohning Blazer    

Release:  Scott Silverhorn      Bow Strings:  Winner’s Choice

Safety Harness: Hunter Safety System Pro Series   

Apparel:  Cabela’s Microtex in Outfitter Camo    

Treestand:  Summit Raptor Series HAWK Hang On and Bucksteps Tree Steps

Boots:  LaCrosse Alphaburly Sport     Call:  Primos Buck Roar

Binoculars:  Nikon 10.5 x 45 Monarch X     Rangefinder:  Nikon 550 w/ ID Technology