Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Had a crazy hunting session here in SE Michigan this past Sunday night. Had a weeks worth of rain and thunderstorms leading up to the season kickoff and didn't even bother going out on 10/1 due to questionable weather. Sunday was the first decent day. Upper 60's with a NW wind at about 8mph.
We hunt on a horse farm and most of our stands are surrounding a large hay field. The woods surrounding are predominately mature oaks. Here's my view...
5 min after getting settled there were does and fawns on the field and at one point we had over 20 deer out there mingling about...including a bachelor group of 4 and 6pts. The young bucks were sparring, always fun to watch and all this activity went on pretty much all evening. Shortly after 6pm I heard something and turned to look down and I had two nice young 8pts and a 6pt directly below me. First time I've had that happen! They were in no hurry but kept looking towards the open field like they were aware of something I wasn't. They slowly moved off and eventually came out onto the field about 50yds north of me.
Now this is the stand I took a nice big 7pt out of last fall after he stopped to hit a licking branch that is to my 1 o'clock. Same as last year, right about 7:30pm the branch starts shaking and bobbing up and down. I new there had to be something decent down there so I got ready. After a few minutes of this a big 8pt steps into view working the treeline. I had to stand up and when I did that 6pt moved up to the branch and the 8pt turned back to push him off. I had a very short window of opportunity at a hard quartering away shot. I let out a "baaa" and he turned a little more to the right, and at this point his head and neck were already screened by the branch. I took the shot and manage to sneak it in right behind his shoulder. Total time from first seeing him and the shot was about 5-6 seconds. Distance was 24yds.
As you can imagine with that many deer around they all startled and ran a few yards then stopped and looked around. I couldn't see the big buck as he ran out further onto the field but in an area where I'm screened and cannot see so I could not follow him. After a bit I started second guessing myself as I could not see my Lumenok and wondered did I hit the shoulder and is the arrow still in him or did I blow through and bury the arrow.
After climbing down and rejoining my buddies we got the lanterns and headlamps and went back to track. We immediately found blood but no arrow. Ended up having to track the deer across 450yds of hayfield, through dew laden grass (which kept the blood fresh). Across the hayfield and into the woods on the other side and to a small creek. Now I'm really worried that I put a bad hit on him. After crossing the creek we decided to wait 5min as we had been tracking pretty quick and weren't sure if we were pushing him. Well, turns out we didn't need to wait as he was 15yds past where we decided to pause.
Here is what we walked up on...
Turns out I didn't need to worry about the shot...in behind the right shoulder and out between offside shoulder and sternum. So I took out one lung...hence the long run. Man those 150gr VPA's make big holes way out of proportion for their width. Amazing broadhead!
190lbs dressed...so maybe 220-230lbs on the hoof. I went through 3yrs of trail cam pics and we have nothing on this guy. Never seen him before but very glad I saw him once!
We hunt on a horse farm and most of our stands are surrounding a large hay field. The woods surrounding are predominately mature oaks. Here's my view...
5 min after getting settled there were does and fawns on the field and at one point we had over 20 deer out there mingling about...including a bachelor group of 4 and 6pts. The young bucks were sparring, always fun to watch and all this activity went on pretty much all evening. Shortly after 6pm I heard something and turned to look down and I had two nice young 8pts and a 6pt directly below me. First time I've had that happen! They were in no hurry but kept looking towards the open field like they were aware of something I wasn't. They slowly moved off and eventually came out onto the field about 50yds north of me.
Now this is the stand I took a nice big 7pt out of last fall after he stopped to hit a licking branch that is to my 1 o'clock. Same as last year, right about 7:30pm the branch starts shaking and bobbing up and down. I new there had to be something decent down there so I got ready. After a few minutes of this a big 8pt steps into view working the treeline. I had to stand up and when I did that 6pt moved up to the branch and the 8pt turned back to push him off. I had a very short window of opportunity at a hard quartering away shot. I let out a "baaa" and he turned a little more to the right, and at this point his head and neck were already screened by the branch. I took the shot and manage to sneak it in right behind his shoulder. Total time from first seeing him and the shot was about 5-6 seconds. Distance was 24yds.
As you can imagine with that many deer around they all startled and ran a few yards then stopped and looked around. I couldn't see the big buck as he ran out further onto the field but in an area where I'm screened and cannot see so I could not follow him. After a bit I started second guessing myself as I could not see my Lumenok and wondered did I hit the shoulder and is the arrow still in him or did I blow through and bury the arrow.
After climbing down and rejoining my buddies we got the lanterns and headlamps and went back to track. We immediately found blood but no arrow. Ended up having to track the deer across 450yds of hayfield, through dew laden grass (which kept the blood fresh). Across the hayfield and into the woods on the other side and to a small creek. Now I'm really worried that I put a bad hit on him. After crossing the creek we decided to wait 5min as we had been tracking pretty quick and weren't sure if we were pushing him. Well, turns out we didn't need to wait as he was 15yds past where we decided to pause.
Here is what we walked up on...
Turns out I didn't need to worry about the shot...in behind the right shoulder and out between offside shoulder and sternum. So I took out one lung...hence the long run. Man those 150gr VPA's make big holes way out of proportion for their width. Amazing broadhead!
190lbs dressed...so maybe 220-230lbs on the hoof. I went through 3yrs of trail cam pics and we have nothing on this guy. Never seen him before but very glad I saw him once!
Drew
2013 Matrix 355 Xtra
TT Single Stage
Nikon Bolt XR
Boo & Xcalibur flemish strings
18" BE Zombie Slayers
VPA 3-blade broadheads
2013 Matrix 355 Xtra
TT Single Stage
Nikon Bolt XR
Boo & Xcalibur flemish strings
18" BE Zombie Slayers
VPA 3-blade broadheads
- nchunterkw
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Fantastic deer Drew! Way to go!
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
<{{{><
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
<{{{><
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
That's a great buck!!! Congrats!!!
Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Awesome Buck, congrats Drew!
It’s not the way you rock, it’s the way that you roll!
- Carnivorous
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Beauty buck congrats...
A touch of frost has heightened your awareness and your heart steadily beats in anticipation. Your senses are suddenly alert to the movement on the forest floor and you realize that the moment of truth is at hand.
Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Great buck congrats!
vixen 11
exocet 175 with Aging custom stock #27
Exocet 175
exocet 200
matrix 355
Micro Camo 335
Micro Nightmare 335
380 Lynx
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exocet 175 with Aging custom stock #27
Exocet 175
exocet 200
matrix 355
Micro Camo 335
Micro Nightmare 335
380 Lynx
BJ custom arrows
Boo string on vixen
Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Really nice buck
congratulations!
if all goes well tomorrow morning I hope to be posting mine too:)
congratulations!
if all goes well tomorrow morning I hope to be posting mine too:)
Micro 355
Hawke xb30 pro scope T&T Triger boo force 10 string Zombie slayers 16.5 arrows c/w right helical blazer vanes aluminum nocks or lumenoks
Micro 315
Tact zone scope force 10 string 16" inch executioner arrows aluminum nocks or lumenoks
Hawke xb30 pro scope T&T Triger boo force 10 string Zombie slayers 16.5 arrows c/w right helical blazer vanes aluminum nocks or lumenoks
Micro 315
Tact zone scope force 10 string 16" inch executioner arrows aluminum nocks or lumenoks
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Congratulations on a beautiful Trophy Class Buck !
Gene
Gene
Camo Micro 355 w/ XB30 SR Pro & TT trigger
Camo Matrix 380 W/ XB 30SR Pro & a Boo trigger
Very Nice 98 Jeep Tj
Sweet old 73 Bronco ( 2nd Owner)
Scamp tralier
Camo Matrix 380 W/ XB 30SR Pro & a Boo trigger
Very Nice 98 Jeep Tj
Sweet old 73 Bronco ( 2nd Owner)
Scamp tralier
Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Great job!
-
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Congrats on your great buck Drew! He's a dandy! Thanks for the story and pics.
Paul
Paul
You're only paranoid if everyone isn't out to get you.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
My enemy's friend is also my enemy.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
My enemy's friend is also my enemy.
- Onetimeonly x-->
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Nice deer Drew thanks for sharing...
'13 Matrix 380/Hawke XB30 Pro Scope
'13 Matrix 355/Hawke XB30 Scope
Boo Triggers & Custom Strings
Wabi Custom Calls
AND A WHOLE LOT OF FRESH AIR!!
Godspeed!!
Scott
'13 Matrix 355/Hawke XB30 Scope
Boo Triggers & Custom Strings
Wabi Custom Calls
AND A WHOLE LOT OF FRESH AIR!!
Godspeed!!
Scott
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Nice high rack
Vixen 2, metal ibex,Phoenix,sapphire,matrix 330 ,matrix 355 ,vortex and baby grand piano y25 relayer.
Trigger tecs,leupold crossbones and nikon bolts.
Zombie slayers and mostly swat broadheads.
Trigger tecs,leupold crossbones and nikon bolts.
Zombie slayers and mostly swat broadheads.
- GrassyKnoll
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
He is a beautiful buck.... Congrats Drew..
Matrix 380 Xtra with Vortex Viper XBR, Trigger Tech,
Matrix 380 Xtra with Vortex Viper XBR, ^^^
Matrix 380 Blackout with Vortex Viper XBR,
Micro 335 Raid with HHAv Vortex Crossfire II Pro Grade trigger
Matrix 380 Xtra with Vortex Viper XBR, ^^^
Matrix 380 Blackout with Vortex Viper XBR,
Micro 335 Raid with HHAv Vortex Crossfire II Pro Grade trigger
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Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Beautiful deer and a testament to how tough these animals are, even after the pass through shot, the deer still covered a long distance.
Re: Big Buck Down...M355 Strikes Again!
Congrats on a great buck! Are you getting him mounted?
That 355 sure does a job!
That 355 sure does a job!
Team Matrix 355
Matrix 355 The Crusher
TT 2 stage trigger
Executioner arrows
Easton XX75 magnums 2219
Xcaliber custom string
Boo Custom String
Vixenmaster Custom string
8ptbuk string
Rocket 3 blade 2" cut
Slick tricks
HSS Vest 30' lifeline
Matrix 355 The Crusher
TT 2 stage trigger
Executioner arrows
Easton XX75 magnums 2219
Xcaliber custom string
Boo Custom String
Vixenmaster Custom string
8ptbuk string
Rocket 3 blade 2" cut
Slick tricks
HSS Vest 30' lifeline