The Old Man of the Woods
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- AJ01
- Posts: 2504
- Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:09 am
- Location: Deep in the Heart of the East Texas Piney Woods!
The Old Man of the Woods
Back before bow season began, I noticed an Old Warrior coming to a feeder on one of the places we hunt that looked as if he had been "rode hard and put away wet", as they say.
He walked with a distinct limp on his back left leg. One side of his headgear was now a long spike, and the other was a cluster of mangled points. It was evident, he had passed his prime, and from the looks of things, he had been possibly hit by a car or truck on one of the old county roads around the place.
I told the "Outlaws", "If you see the Old Man, please shoot him, otherwise he'll either starve to death during the winter, or the Yotes will get him".
Everyone agreed it was the right thing to do.
Well, when season arrived, he vanished. I told myself, "Someone on another farm got him". Well, time passed without seeing him. Then a couple of weeks back, the Old Man showed back up, this time even worse for wear. The cluster of points on his good side had been broken off, now all that remained was a big, thick stump of antler. The limp was even more pronounced.
I knew it was only a matter of time.
I texted a good buddy of mine on the 10th of November and ask, "you wanna go hunting today." His reply was, "I'm already in the stand." I chuckled to myself and texted back, "I'll be out shortly." I got a reply of "I've been in the stand most of the day and haven't seen anything yet".
Youth is a wonderful thing! Robert is 15 years my junior. He only started hunting about 6 years ago, and he's been more excited than a new gun dog!!
Anyway...
I make it to the farm about 14:30 hours, grabbed my gear and head off to my favorite stand located down on a creek bottom. It was in the low 50's temp wise and had been spitting rain most of the day. I meandered the 1/4 mile to the stand from where we all park and made my way to the ladder.
I climbed in, pulled my bow up, cocked it, settled my gear into place, and hit the cushion with my rear.
I texted Robert and said, "I'm in the stand. Happy Hunting!" this was around15:00 hours. At 15:15 I texted him and said, "My hunt is over. I just killed the Old Man."
The elderly statesman had come down a long winding trail from the creek. As I watched him approach, I had mixed emotions. There was the excitement of a large bodied mature buck coming into view, then the sadness of knowing his race had been or was about to be... run.
Perhaps in those moments, I could see me limping thru the woods. Knowing one day, my time would be over. Knowing that I too am not Immortal.
As he closed the distance, it was clear the pain in his steps had taken their toll. When he would stop to browse, he never put any weight on his left hind leg.
When he finally stood at 20 yards, I said to myself, the prayer I always say, "Lord, if You allow me to harvest one of Your creations, please let my aim be true, let my arrow fly straight. May it find its mark, and may the end come swiftly for your animal".
I then pressed the trigger.
It was over quickly. He ran maybe 25 yards from where the arrow hit him. The big 150gr VPA 3 blade had done its job. Once more, euphoria and sadness swept over me. Perhaps I'm getting soft in my old age. I don't know.
He and I had quite a time getting out of the woods. It was like pulling a truck uphill. And I only had to move him about 100 yards to get to the road than runs thru the place. Nothing reminds you quicker than dragging a deer that you are out of shape!!
I had him aged by one of my local Game wardens. We put him at between 6 and 6.5 years of age. That's old for a deer in East Texas.
He had a broken left leg, up in the hip area, that had not healed even close to correctly. Game Warden was surprised he had survived the initial injury.
He wasn't much to look at. But I skinned out his skull, a testament to a life well lived. I'll keep it in his honor.
He walked with a distinct limp on his back left leg. One side of his headgear was now a long spike, and the other was a cluster of mangled points. It was evident, he had passed his prime, and from the looks of things, he had been possibly hit by a car or truck on one of the old county roads around the place.
I told the "Outlaws", "If you see the Old Man, please shoot him, otherwise he'll either starve to death during the winter, or the Yotes will get him".
Everyone agreed it was the right thing to do.
Well, when season arrived, he vanished. I told myself, "Someone on another farm got him". Well, time passed without seeing him. Then a couple of weeks back, the Old Man showed back up, this time even worse for wear. The cluster of points on his good side had been broken off, now all that remained was a big, thick stump of antler. The limp was even more pronounced.
I knew it was only a matter of time.
I texted a good buddy of mine on the 10th of November and ask, "you wanna go hunting today." His reply was, "I'm already in the stand." I chuckled to myself and texted back, "I'll be out shortly." I got a reply of "I've been in the stand most of the day and haven't seen anything yet".
Youth is a wonderful thing! Robert is 15 years my junior. He only started hunting about 6 years ago, and he's been more excited than a new gun dog!!
Anyway...
I make it to the farm about 14:30 hours, grabbed my gear and head off to my favorite stand located down on a creek bottom. It was in the low 50's temp wise and had been spitting rain most of the day. I meandered the 1/4 mile to the stand from where we all park and made my way to the ladder.
I climbed in, pulled my bow up, cocked it, settled my gear into place, and hit the cushion with my rear.
I texted Robert and said, "I'm in the stand. Happy Hunting!" this was around15:00 hours. At 15:15 I texted him and said, "My hunt is over. I just killed the Old Man."
The elderly statesman had come down a long winding trail from the creek. As I watched him approach, I had mixed emotions. There was the excitement of a large bodied mature buck coming into view, then the sadness of knowing his race had been or was about to be... run.
Perhaps in those moments, I could see me limping thru the woods. Knowing one day, my time would be over. Knowing that I too am not Immortal.
As he closed the distance, it was clear the pain in his steps had taken their toll. When he would stop to browse, he never put any weight on his left hind leg.
When he finally stood at 20 yards, I said to myself, the prayer I always say, "Lord, if You allow me to harvest one of Your creations, please let my aim be true, let my arrow fly straight. May it find its mark, and may the end come swiftly for your animal".
I then pressed the trigger.
It was over quickly. He ran maybe 25 yards from where the arrow hit him. The big 150gr VPA 3 blade had done its job. Once more, euphoria and sadness swept over me. Perhaps I'm getting soft in my old age. I don't know.
He and I had quite a time getting out of the woods. It was like pulling a truck uphill. And I only had to move him about 100 yards to get to the road than runs thru the place. Nothing reminds you quicker than dragging a deer that you are out of shape!!
I had him aged by one of my local Game wardens. We put him at between 6 and 6.5 years of age. That's old for a deer in East Texas.
He had a broken left leg, up in the hip area, that had not healed even close to correctly. Game Warden was surprised he had survived the initial injury.
He wasn't much to look at. But I skinned out his skull, a testament to a life well lived. I'll keep it in his honor.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Wow, What a Ride!
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Lots of emotions in writing there and I don't really have the right words .
Recently, my game camera shows a deer with a badly busted right rear leg.
I may take your lead first chance I get.
Appreciate your post. Great l shot with a cool crossbow!
Recently, my game camera shows a deer with a badly busted right rear leg.
I may take your lead first chance I get.
Appreciate your post. Great l shot with a cool crossbow!
EXCALFFLICTION 1991 ->>----------> 2024
Matrix 355
Huskemaw and Leupold crossbow optics.
Boo Strings
SWAT BH's and TOTA heads.
Teach Your Family How To Hunt So You Don't Have To Hunt For Your Family
Matrix 355
Huskemaw and Leupold crossbow optics.
Boo Strings
SWAT BH's and TOTA heads.
Teach Your Family How To Hunt So You Don't Have To Hunt For Your Family
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Same here Norm. For me, the dominate emotion is sadness. As you know AJ, you did the right thing. RIP Old Warrior! Much respect!
Some people just like stepping on rakes
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
The Old Warrior probably has some stories to tell as well. Glad you helped him to the other side AJ. Very noble thing to do with your tag!
It’s not the way you rock, it’s the way that you roll!
- IronNoggin
- Posts: 3621
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:53 pm
- Location: Port Alberni, Vancouver Island
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Maturity & understanding come with age.
I generally have those mixed emotions each time I harvest as well.
You just paid one hell of a fine Tribute to an Old Monarch!
Very much appreciated your tale and the way it was presented.
Thanks for that.
Made my morning.
Cheers & Respect!
Matt
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Congrats on a true trophy! Way too much emphasis is put on a set of antlers in the hunting world today. All deer taken are special and should be treated with respect. Think of what a boring world it would be without the majestic whitetail to chase around! !
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Congrats on a nice deer. All deer are trophy's in my mind.
2007 Phoenix
Custom Wood Stock
Gold Tip II 311 Grain
Meat Seeker, 3 blade, Mechanical 100 Grain
Boo Astroflight String
Varizone Sighting
Custom Wood Stock
Gold Tip II 311 Grain
Meat Seeker, 3 blade, Mechanical 100 Grain
Boo Astroflight String
Varizone Sighting
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Kudos AJ, Now that's a "book" animal.
Hybrid Micro BD 360
Micro Mag 340
Boo Strings - Trinity Strings
Zombie Slayers
Swat & TOTA Broadheads
Micro Mag 340
Boo Strings - Trinity Strings
Zombie Slayers
Swat & TOTA Broadheads
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Great story and congrats on the buck
vixen 11
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
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: The Old Man of the Woods
Congrats on closing the chapter in a fine way with a sweet looking bow. Some deer have more significance to us than others.
Micro Wolverine/Matrix 350 SE
Recovering Excalaholic
Recovering Excalaholic
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
One old warrior paying tribute to another. Boy that'll stir up some emotions. AJ what an excellent write up man. It's quite possibly the best one I've ever read.
Thanks for sharing this excellent story with us.
RIP Old Man of the Woods
Take care
Corey
Thanks for sharing this excellent story with us.
RIP Old Man of the Woods
Take care
Corey
-
- Posts: 4260
- Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:55 pm
- Location: south eastern pa (bucks county)
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Congratulations if your gonna eat it the horns don't really matter...every deers a trophy as already said.
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.
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- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:41 pm
- Location: Southern Michigan
Re: The Old Man of the Woods
Congratulations on the harvest you made the correct choice as a hunter and conservationist .
Nice post thanks for sharing the hunt !
Nice post thanks for sharing the hunt !
Hunt eat sleep repeat.