Day 5 (4th of Hunting) came early with Anticipation running
HARD through our veins!
Given the amount of traffic we had seen down south, the decision was made to re-try the closer Muley area. The main road along the way was now clear, and we arrived to the first spot just before first light...
Within minutes while stopped for a chat, we saw a spike Muley wandering a nearby mountainside.
Whatcha Think says my Partner?
Game ON was my grinned reply...
This time of year I hunt mainly for Food, and that spike certainly looked downright TASTY!
Although the little bugger was somewhat aware of my uphill approach, he did not panic. In fact he stalled at 40 yards, with far too much brush between us to even consider a shot. Same again 100 yards later. Then another stop at 60 yards, but again
FAR to much interference for a safe conclusion. Finally after an hour of this game he had enough, and bolted straight uphill. Not overly disappointed, it was a FUN game of
Cat & Mouse, and with the bow, they Win usually more often than not...
Pulled out, regrouped, and set off to the next location.
Within moments of our arrival and less than 100 steps from the truck I spotted a larger bodied 2 point Muley sneaking along an ancient cut line. Although I figured I knew where he was likely headed, I was immediately concerned as that approach is even more heavily brushed in than the previous one. Well... you Never Win if you don't try...
At about 60 yards the buck finally became aware something wasn't quite right. He froze and scanned all around him as I ever so cautiously placed each careful step when he was looking elsewhere. Heart
HAMMERING again, I desperately looked for anything resembling an opening as I closed. Something downhill slightly spooked the buck, and he moved just a tad closer, again however with dense brush between us. Desperately looking for
The Angle through the brush with the rangefinder, I clocked him at 43 yards. Then, as if by Magic, there it was!! An opening perhaps 10 inches in diameter, but not on his chest (the shot I prefer by FAR!). The way was clear, but centered on slightly above where his neck met the body. Mind now Racing, I went over the many hundreds of times this bow has produced golf-ball and smaller groups at this range.
Hmmmm... Dead Rest, 40 yard chevron planted firmly on the
Sweet Spot. His head turned to look back downhill, presenting me with the widest
Margin Of Error I was going to get. His body tensed slightly as he stared HARD downhill away from us.
Now or Never, and before I even realized it another Big John
Work of Art Streaked from the Matrix. Watching INTENTLY through the scope, I saw the Luminock disappear when it reached the target. And I mean
DISAPPEAR!
Settled back on my haunches to collect my wits and run over what just happened in my mind. If that shot was true he would not be far...
Partner wanders over -
Let's go see...
A big pull of White hair (lower throat patch was the aiming point) followed immediately by great volumes of obviously spouting blood. Dam Good Sign. Very Easy follow, but to both of our amazement he went damn near 60 yards?
Here is the
As He Lay shot, in which you can easily see the blood trail was literally
Immense!
And a shot showing the massive entrance wound:
Although a shot I would be very hesitant to recommend to any but the Most Experienced, it did Exactly as designed: Cut both carotid arteries and the windpipe! Upon cleaning him we discovered less than a tablespoon of blood inside - it had simply poured out everywhere upon his departure route.
Now Tagged Out, we spent the balance of the day searching for another Muley for my Partner. We did manage to see many does, and finally near dusk another spike buck. Wasn't in the cards for that fellow unfortunately, as one of his many doe companions finally busted my Buddy while on Final Approach.
No disappointment this day though, we wandered home full of that Warm Feeling that Success in
The Pursuit can bring!
We loaded the deer & most of my gear that same night and had another Great Visit rehashing our Adventure of the past several days. Tad is The Best Bow Hunting Partner a man could
EVER ask for! His Generosity, his Experience and his Professionalism are all absolutely second to NONE, and I Thoroughly Enjoy being afield with him! Makes The Gig SO much more FUN with someone like him by your side!
The ride to the ferry was uneventful except seeing 3 wrecks along the way. Dunno how they managed that, as by then the roads were Fine (IMHO) due to the warming trend of the last 2 days.
The ferry was another story. Rode up just as the sign switched from "On Time" to
CANCELLED! AAARRRGGGHH! 3 hour wait, and finally onboard.
Then the wander through the Carnage of the last Big Storm from Nanaimo to Port was MORE than interesting. Must have been downright INTENSE to be in the eye of that one!!
Woke to 10 degree temperatures yesterday, and simply could not hold the deer in that. My Island Hunting Partner wandered over, and between the two of us we had them cut & wrapped by late afternoon. And Oh, BTW, that whitetail is indeed as TASTY as I thought she might be!
Thus concludes another late archery season on the mainland for me, and as the season on
The Rock has now faded into history, it is actually
The End of it for another year. Had many Great Hunts with Good Buddies, and am already Looking Forward to the next! And Here's Hoping my Bowhunting Partner will forgive my sin of wandering off with his new hunting boots rather than my own second set! Honest Mistake Buddy! I am indeed Sorry and hope you will forgive me enough so we can hunt this late season again next year!!
PS: Anyone wandering from Vancouver Island towards Kelowna in the next little while with room for a set of boots, I have a Marvelous Reward in mind if you could carry them back to their rightful owner...
Oh, and a final PS: The reason I was tagged out had to do with a Blacktail a little bit before this hunt.
I will get to that story, for it may be interesting to some...
Unlikely today though as I am now WAY behind on the rather lengthy list of chores that follow being away...
Cheers,
Nog
"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."
