Mike P Pulls the Trigger! FINAL UPDATE

Crossbow Hunting

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Mike P
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Mike P Pulls the Trigger! FINAL UPDATE

Post by Mike P »

Yep! I did. At 6:05 this afternoon on the edge of a bean field that borders the neighborhood I took the shot. The good news is that I hit him. The bad news is the shot placement was not where I would have liked.

It was a quartering away shot at 34 yards, four yards beyond my comfort zone. But I had to take it. It was the first time in three years that this buck presented me with a shot. This is an old buck; five at least and very well may be six. We call him old gray face.

I have blood, and lots of it. It is bright red. The shot was just a smidge high but the Phoenix buried the arrow up to the bright orange vanes from his left side entering behind his ribs and going forward up toward the boiler room. I would have liked it a tad lower and I am sure I overcompensated for the 34 yard shot by holding too high. Any other deer and I might not have taken the shot. But as this was old gray face, it never entered my mind to take a pass.

I followed the blood for 75 yards in the dark. It was an easy trail to follow. I came to a rather good sized pool of red and did not find any more within a ten yard radius of the pool. I decided to back out and hit it first thing in the morning. I only pray the yotes don't do to me this year what they did last season to the palmated buck.

Old gray face is a huge typical ten, very wide and very tall with great mass. I think he might have even been better last year but I only caught a fleeting glance of him on two occasions. He should still score very well.

I will try my best to take good photos tomorrow when I go after him. I still do not have my Sony SLR yet, it is still in Chicago at my son's house. I will have to make due with the crummy Nikon Coolpix but I hope to provide you with a feel for how the hunt went down. Hell, I will even take shots of the blood trail.

No dinner for me tonight. I am too excited to eat. It is wonderful to recapture this feeling. To put an arrow into this old gray ghost has me over the moon! I wasn't even hunting him! I was trying to check out another ten that had hit the bean field last Thursday and Friday. That the old gray man showed up was just pure stupid luck.

Let's hope that luck holds and I put my hands on him tomorrow morning.

I need a drink now.
Last edited by Mike P on Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Carnivorous
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Post by Carnivorous »

Good luck on the recovery. I am sure he did not go far.
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longwinters
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Post by longwinters »

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than be good. I think you may have both qualities. Sounds like maybe a liver and one lung shot. From the blood sign do you think that there was any off side penetration? Here is hoping that you find him tomorrow...and congratulations when you do.

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groundpounder
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Post by groundpounder »

Good Luck and Congrats! Now take that drink and get ready to find him in the morning. Can't wait for the pics!
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R.J.
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Post by R.J. »

You did the right thing , if he stopped or bedded where you found the pool within 75 yards he should be vital hit ... he must have jumped up and I'm guessing you will find a new blood trail withing teh next 20 yards ..

Best of luck on the recovery ... looking forward to the pic's !
See Ya. ... R.J. > " Remember , Trophies are measured by the time and energy expended to get them , not the size or quantity of the quarry "
FredBear
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Post by FredBear »

Great job Mike!
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Post by Kenton »

oh boy, i think i might not get much sleep waiting to here this story.
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Sandman
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Post by Sandman »

Best of luck on the recovery ..
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Fishn-Hunter
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Post by Fishn-Hunter »

Congratulations sounds like an awesome deer, its hard to leave them over night but without a doubt best thing to do when in doubt. I look forward to the pictures.
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sumner4991
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Post by sumner4991 »

Can't wait to see him and the smile on your face tomorrow. Good luck Mike P.! 8)
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Esox
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Post by Esox »

From the details it sounds like a good hit... He'll be down somewhere nearby and I'm sure if the weather's OK you'll find him... I hope the coyotes are busy somewhere else tonight... Good Luck Tomorrow.... Report in with plenty of pics....
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Post by crazyfarmer »

goodluck Mike!!! keep us posted
raydaughety
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Post by raydaughety »

Way to go Mike!!!!! Good luck in the morning :wink: .
God Bless !!!!!!!!!

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VixChix
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Post by VixChix »

Congrats, Mike! Try to get some sleep tonight. :lol: I'll be checking back here for an update in the a.m.!
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awshucks
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Post by awshucks »

Wow, you weren't kiddin about not hunting just one this year. Good for you!

Good luck in the a.m. :)
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