Here is the Buck my buddy Paul shot on a 700 acre Farm just 6 miles south of Fargo, ND. I will try to post a story with it soon. This 5×5 green scores 136 5/8″.
I just hasd some big long cool story and it got erased somehow?????? 
another pic
another pic
Saaaweeeet. That is a dandy prairie buck 
Hopefully you will get the story back on here for us to read 
They are usually action packed and full of detail 
Saaaweeeet. That is a dandy prairie buck Hopefully you will get the story back on here for us to read They are usually action packed and full of detail
Very nice P&Y. .. Jack…
Very nice P&Y. .. Jack…
Ok, I will try this again. 
This one is for AM Watson.
The buck in the above pics was harvested by my good buddy Paul. This buck was taken from a 700 acre farm just South of Fargo. This farm is about 15 miles North East of the group of farms I usually hunt when I’m up there. This farm is primetime buck country with a river bottom that runs right through the middle. So each side of the river is huntable for Paul. This farm is hunted by mainly 2 people, Paul and our buddy Dale. About a month earlier, Dale harvested a real old wide rack 4×4 that was probably starting to decline. I believe Dales buck just missed P&Y but was a mature animal they had been seeing over the last couple years. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to hunt this farm only a couple of times a few years back. They have a few food plots set up that the deer just devour, not to mention all the crops planted each year. The very second time I haver ever sat with my bow, I had a encounter with a 140’s class 5×5 on a very chilly December morning that still makes my knees shake when I think about that buck @ 30 yards away with not a clear shot 
.
Paul is with out a doubt, the most dedicated, ethical deer hunter I know. The amount of time Paul spends scouting and watching these deer is unbelievable. Paul actually never stops scouting and does it year around. Bow hunting mature brusier whitetials is with out a doubt Paul’s true passion, or should I say “obsession”. Paul has been chasing whitetails since he was like 10 and bowhunting just as long. Although Paul has some great trophies on the wall and probably a half a dozen or so that are 130 to 160 that he shot with his rifle. The P&Y Buck with his bow, has eluded him year after year. Not saying he hasn’t been close or even had some missed opportunities. Just hasn’t been lucky enough I guess, until now. So, I’m glad his time finally came. It couldn’t happen to a better guy or hunter. Paul has given/taught me my hunting and archery foundation. I look at him not only as my best bud but also my mentor. I apreciate not only what he has taught me, but also Paul lets me hunt his stands and land, no questions asked 
! In exchange from what I see and learn each day from sitting and observing the deer movement.
Paul had been scouting a few nice bucks on this farm for about 2 weeks coming out each evening and going back each morning form approximately the same spot. Two of the bucks really had his attention. One of the bucks was he was watching from the section road about 2/3 of mile away was a nice 5×7 that he has some great trail cam pics from this year and the year before. This buck would net in the 150’s. The other buck that had his attention was a nice heavy 5×5 that would go in the 130’s. The problem was Paul could not get the right wind, to get in their set up his stand and hunt them.
On the morning of the harvest he caught the 5×5 sneaking back into the river bottom woods just as daylight was breaking form the section road where he scouted. The wind was starting to switch that morning and was going to give Paul the wind he needed to get in their and try to harvest one fo these 2 brutes. Paul waited until noon, with the right wind and went to hang his stand. Paul is about as anal with his scent control as I am. He got showered up and his scent controlled, with his hunting clothes on and hung his stand in place he hoped to intercept one of the bucks. I can’t tell you how important I have found this to be. Anytime I step foot in the woods during or right before hunting season I go to the max to cover my prescence in the woods. It just increases your odds greatly of seeing big mature bucks. Can you still see deer or big deer with out doing it… Yes, but I will do just about anything to increase my odds.
Paul was pumped and couldn’t wait to hunt that afternoon. He started to head to his stand just before 3PM. Paul had to take his time getting in, due to a few does and fawns there were already up and moving around. He finally got setteled in, awaited the sunset and the action to start. Around 3:45 he had his first sign of action, a doe and her two fawns work their way past his set up. About 15 minutes later a group of seven does and fawns along with a 110 to 115″ class 4×4 buck came in and browsed their way through. Paul told me that he remebered thinking about the same time that nice 4×4 walked off, how excited and pumped he was about all the action so far. He felt good about his chances, but then thought how many other times he had the same feeling. He told me to think about how many times we thought we had a buck patterned or figured out and something weird happens or for some reason that buck is the one carrying the lucky horeshoe in his pocket. I told him, I knew what he was talking about and what he felt. How many times as bowhunters have we thought we had the upper hand and have come up empty . I would say about a 99 out of a 100 for sure. ie: The monster walks down the other trail, he comes within in bow range but cant get a clear shot, a doe swirls down wind of you just as your about to get a shot and gets nervous, I have even had kids playing on the adjacent land turn bucks around, even spook one by me as I’m climbing into my stand and stop 8 yards from me while I’m at full draw with no shot (Don’t worry about that last buck, Paul took him 3 days later with is rifle a nice 142″ tall tined 4×4). You get the point, somehow they have that 6th sense that keep them alive.
So with about 40 minutes of shooting light left Paul hears something coming in and coming his way fast. He catches the motion of a doe on a pretty good trot, off in the woods making her way towards him. Behind her was two bucks hot on her tail and bird dogging this doe where ever she went. Paul looked at the bucks through his binocs as the 3 came to a stop. He viewed two 5×5 bucks. One was a “Tweener” buck (a buck that is very close to P&Y) and the 130’s buck that he had been scouting the last 2 weeks. The doe started up again with the bucks still interested in her but not pushing her as hard as before. The doe came right down the 15 yard trail in front Pauls stand he had just set up ealrier that afternoon just inside of the field edge. The doe made her way out into the field. Paul knew that something would happen now, just didn’t know what. The “Tweener buck took the inniative and worked down wind of the does trail. This urged the 130 class buck into the action, but was trailing behind. Paul said the “Tweener” buck who was now 10 yards down wind of him and the other buck stopped about at the same time. The P&Y buck was stopped behind a tree and Paul had no shot. The “Tweener was stopped down wind of his stand and seemed to be getting a little nervous, that something did not seem right. Paul said that this stand off seemed to last forever as the bucks were looking out in the field, not wanting to commit to the open field, away from the security of the river bottom woods. Paul himself was getting nervous of having the “Tweener” buck downwind and was thinking that this deer could blow the game at any moment. Just then the big buck started to move. Paul glanced at the smaller buck and picked this time as his chance to draw. Once at full draw, Paul focused his attention back to the bigger buck. He found his anchor point, set his 20 yard pin on the deer, picked his spot and just waited another second until the deer was totally clear and boradside, before letting one rip. The buck scurried off and stopped about 50-60 yards out and looked back. The buck acted as if nothing had happened and started to walk down the field edge away from Paul. Paul said his shot felt and looked good. He looked back to the point of impact and saw his arrow stuck in a tree. Now he started second guessing what he had seen and wondered if he did miss? He took a quick read on his range finder and came up with 18-19 yards, so he felt good about that. Paul watched as the buck walked calmly down the field edge. The buck got about 200 yards down the field when he veered off into the thick cover of the river bottom woods. With his mind starting to play tricks on him, Paul had to get down and look at his arrow. As Paul walked up to the arrow sticking out from the tree, he seen that it was covered in blood and determined the hit to be a clean pass-through. Not wanting to push the buck he went home and gave the buck time to expire. Paul came back later that evening to find the buck had dropped only 15 yards off the field edge where he had seen him last. Great job buddy!
As mentioned above, this buck greens scores @ 136 5/8″ and will be a matter of time before it is “offically” scored and entred into P&Y. To make this story even sweeter is that Dale has both of the sheds of this deer from last Winter. I have not confirmed this with Dale but, I’m sure those sheds will be given to Paul shortly.
I think just getting a mature Whitetail within in bow range is an amazing feat but that is only half the battle. To actually harvest one of these smart, cunning, lucky brutes is another. Just to think the season is less than 6.5 months away! 
Ok, I will try this again. This one is for AM Watson.
The buck in the above pics was harvested by my good buddy Paul. This buck was taken from a 700 acre farm just South of Fargo. This farm is about 15 miles North East of the group of farms I usually hunt when I’m up there. This farm is primetime buck country with a river bottom that runs right through the middle. So each side of the river is huntable for Paul. This farm is hunted by mainly 2 people, Paul and our buddy Dale. About a month earlier, Dale harvested a real old wide rack 4×4 that was probably starting to decline. I believe Dales buck just missed P&Y but was a mature animal they had been seeing over the last couple years. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to hunt this farm only a couple of times a few years back. They have a few food plots set up that the deer just devour, not to mention all the crops planted each year. The very second time I haver ever sat with my bow, I had a encounter with a 140’s class 5×5 on a very chilly December morning that still makes my knees shake when I think about that buck @ 30 yards away with not a clear shot .
Paul is with out a doubt, the most dedicated, ethical deer hunter I know. The amount of time Paul spends scouting and watching these deer is unbelievable. Paul actually never stops scouting and does it year around. Bow hunting mature brusier whitetials is with out a doubt Paul’s true passion, or should I say “obsession”. Paul has been chasing whitetails since he was like 10 and bowhunting just as long. Although Paul has some great trophies on the wall and probably a half a dozen or so that are 130 to 160 that he shot with his rifle. The P&Y Buck with his bow, has eluded him year after year. Not saying he hasn’t been close or even had some missed opportunities. Just hasn’t been lucky enough I guess, until now. So, I’m glad his time finally came. It couldn’t happen to a better guy or hunter. Paul has given/taught me my hunting and archery foundation. I look at him not only as my best bud but also my mentor. I apreciate not only what he has taught me, but also Paul lets me hunt his stands and land, no questions asked ! In exchange from what I see and learn each day from sitting and observing the deer movement.
Paul had been scouting a few nice bucks on this farm for about 2 weeks coming out each evening and going back each morning form approximately the same spot. Two of the bucks really had his attention. One of the bucks was he was watching from the section road about 2/3 of mile away was a nice 5×7 that he has some great trail cam pics from this year and the year before. This buck would net in the 150’s. The other buck that had his attention was a nice heavy 5×5 that would go in the 130’s. The problem was Paul could not get the right wind, to get in their set up his stand and hunt them.
On the morning of the harvest he caught the 5×5 sneaking back into the river bottom woods just as daylight was breaking form the section road where he scouted. The wind was starting to switch that morning and was going to give Paul the wind he needed to get in their and try to harvest one fo these 2 brutes. Paul waited until noon, with the right wind and went to hang his stand. Paul is about as anal with his scent control as I am. He got showered up and his scent controlled, with his hunting clothes on and hung his stand in place he hoped to intercept one of the bucks. I can’t tell you how important I have found this to be. Anytime I step foot in the woods during or right before hunting season I go to the max to cover my prescence in the woods. It just increases your odds greatly of seeing big mature bucks. Can you still see deer or big deer with out doing it… Yes, but I will do just about anything to increase my odds.
Paul was pumped and couldn’t wait to hunt that afternoon. He started to head to his stand just before 3PM. Paul had to take his time getting in, due to a few does and fawns there were already up and moving around. He finally got setteled in, awaited the sunset and the action to start. Around 3:45 he had his first sign of action, a doe and her two fawns work their way past his set up. About 15 minutes later a group of seven does and fawns along with a 110 to 115″ class 4×4 buck came in and browsed their way through. Paul told me that he remebered thinking about the same time that nice 4×4 walked off, how excited and pumped he was about all the action so far. He felt good about his chances, but then thought how many other times he had the same feeling. He told me to think about how many times we thought we had a buck patterned or figured out and something weird happens or for some reason that buck is the one carrying the lucky horeshoe in his pocket. I told him, I knew what he was talking about and what he felt. How many times as bowhunters have we thought we had the upper hand and have come up empty . I would say about a 99 out of a 100 for sure. ie: The monster walks down the other trail, he comes within in bow range but cant get a clear shot, a doe swirls down wind of you just as your about to get a shot and gets nervous, I have even had kids playing on the adjacent land turn bucks around, even spook one by me as I’m climbing into my stand and stop 8 yards from me while I’m at full draw with no shot (Don’t worry about that last buck, Paul took him 3 days later with is rifle a nice 142″ tall tined 4×4). You get the point, somehow they have that 6th sense that keep them alive.
So with about 40 minutes of shooting light left Paul hears something coming in and coming his way fast. He catches the motion of a doe on a pretty good trot, off in the woods making her way towards him. Behind her was two bucks hot on her tail and bird dogging this doe where ever she went. Paul looked at the bucks through his binocs as the 3 came to a stop. He viewed two 5×5 bucks. One was a “Tweener” buck (a buck that is very close to P&Y) and the 130’s buck that he had been scouting the last 2 weeks. The doe started up again with the bucks still interested in her but not pushing her as hard as before. The doe came right down the 15 yard trail in front Pauls stand he had just set up ealrier that afternoon just inside of the field edge. The doe made her way out into the field. Paul knew that something would happen now, just didn’t know what. The “Tweener buck took the inniative and worked down wind of the does trail. This urged the 130 class buck into the action, but was trailing behind. Paul said the “Tweener” buck who was now 10 yards down wind of him and the other buck stopped about at the same time. The P&Y buck was stopped behind a tree and Paul had no shot. The “Tweener was stopped down wind of his stand and seemed to be getting a little nervous, that something did not seem right. Paul said that this stand off seemed to last forever as the bucks were looking out in the field, not wanting to commit to the open field, away from the security of the river bottom woods. Paul himself was getting nervous of having the “Tweener” buck downwind and was thinking that this deer could blow the game at any moment. Just then the big buck started to move. Paul glanced at the smaller buck and picked this time as his chance to draw. Once at full draw, Paul focused his attention back to the bigger buck. He found his anchor point, set his 20 yard pin on the deer, picked his spot and just waited another second until the deer was totally clear and boradside, before letting one rip. The buck scurried off and stopped about 50-60 yards out and looked back. The buck acted as if nothing had happened and started to walk down the field edge away from Paul. Paul said his shot felt and looked good. He looked back to the point of impact and saw his arrow stuck in a tree. Now he started second guessing what he had seen and wondered if he did miss? He took a quick read on his range finder and came up with 18-19 yards, so he felt good about that. Paul watched as the buck walked calmly down the field edge. The buck got about 200 yards down the field when he veered off into the thick cover of the river bottom woods. With his mind starting to play tricks on him, Paul had to get down and look at his arrow. As Paul walked up to the arrow sticking out from the tree, he seen that it was covered in blood and determined the hit to be a clean pass-through. Not wanting to push the buck he went home and gave the buck time to expire. Paul came back later that evening to find the buck had dropped only 15 yards off the field edge where he had seen him last. Great job buddy!
As mentioned above, this buck greens scores @ 136 5/8″ and will be a matter of time before it is “offically” scored and entred into P&Y. To make this story even sweeter is that Dale has both of the sheds of this deer from last Winter. I have not confirmed this with Dale but, I’m sure those sheds will be given to Paul shortly.
I think just getting a mature Whitetail within in bow range is an amazing feat but that is only half the battle. To actually harvest one of these smart, cunning, lucky brutes is another. Just to think the season is less than 6.5 months away!
Thanks for sharing an awesome story!! 
Thanks for sharing an awesome story!!
Yep, there you have it, another very detailed hunt from Lip Ripper I have never hunted the Dakotas, but I think they may be a sleeper state for big bucks like the one above. Great story as usual and of course I will be looking forward to many more this Fall
Yep, there you have it, another very detailed hunt from Lip Ripper I have never hunted the Dakotas, but I think they may be a sleeper state for big bucks like the one above. Great story as usual and of course I will be looking forward to many more this Fall
Great story, Super Pics,
I am not a hunter, will somebody explain P & Y? Thanks,
dave
Great story, Super Pics,
I am not a hunter, will somebody explain P & Y? Thanks,
dave
Ask and you shall receive
Pope & Young Club
Quote:
Great story, Super Pics,
I am not a hunter, will somebody explain P & Y? Thanks,
dave
Ask and you shall receive
Pope & Young Club
Quote:
Great story, Super Pics,
I am not a hunter, will somebody explain P & Y? Thanks,
dave
Or in other words.. P&Y (POPE & YOUNG)is the recognized club for big game animals and is how a deer and other big game animals are measured that are shot by a bow & arrow to be considered a record class harvest. A deer needs a measurement of at least 125 net inches to be considered a P&Y class animal. There are a few other requirements but, that is the major one to accomplish. The other ones are easy as long as the animal was taken legally and ethically.
Or in other words.. P&Y (POPE & YOUNG)is the recognized club for big game animals and is how a deer and other big game animals are measured that are shot by a bow & arrow to be considered a record class harvest. A deer needs a measurement of at least 125 net inches to be considered a P&Y class animal. There are a few other requirements but, that is the major one to accomplish. The other ones are easy as long as the animal was taken legally and ethically.
Congrats to Paul and his magnificent buck and another GREAT job to you, Rob for your depiction of how Paul is a true and devote bowhunter. From reading your story it semed like we were right there in the stand with Paul! (Kinda crowded though 
) Bowhunting is one of my true passions so to read stories like this only justifies why I look forward to each new bowhunting season. Great story about a great deer!
Congrats to Paul and his magnificent buck and another GREAT job to you, Rob for your depiction of how Paul is a true and devote bowhunter. From reading your story it semed like we were right there in the stand with Paul! (Kinda crowded though ) Bowhunting is one of my true passions so to read stories like this only justifies why I look forward to each new bowhunting season. Great story about a great deer!
Right ON Zimmy! At least I know I’m not the only one here @ IDA, that feels that passion burn HOT 
deep inside all year around!
Right ON Zimmy! At least I know I’m not the only one here @ IDA, that feels that passion burn HOT deep inside all year around!
Rob, and Steve,
Thanks
I knew I’d learn something, if I’d just ask. My son started bow hunting last year, and finally this year he became more proficient, upgraded to a bow that fit and was comfortable as well as flat shooting with good velocity, getting his first deer w/bow. I do like venison 
dave
Rob, and Steve,
Thanks
I knew I’d learn something, if I’d just ask. My son started bow hunting last year, and finally this year he became more proficient, upgraded to a bow that fit and was comfortable as well as flat shooting with good velocity, getting his first deer w/bow. I do like venison
dave
Dave
Congrats to your son! Shooting a deer with a bow in his second year . Glad to be of help!
Dave
Congrats to your son! Shooting a deer with a bow in his second year . Glad to be of help!
That first deer with a bow is special!!! I remember it like it was yesterday. My uncle “sold” me an old bear compound bow that was old. I think I paid $10.00 for it, it came with 6 arrows, which I promply lost in practice. I shot almost everyday all summer in anticipation of our first hunt. We planned a camping trip up north of Pierre to spot and stalk mule deer. Needless to say I missed a big fat mule doe that weekend, but had a passion installed in me that will never die.
Later that season, after many hours in the tree stand and many close encounters, I finally got a shot at a nice mature doe at 20 yards. I drew, picked my spot and released. I was shaking so bad, and it happened so fast, I lost track of what really happened. I sat and waited my 30 minutes and got down. I looked for my arrow, couldn’t find it and decided to go get my uncle. I of course was a little excited when we found the blood trail. Big read bubbly blood. Wow, my first deer and a lung shot to boot I thought. We trailed her for about 200 yards and there she was. Lucky for me, I missed so badly that I sent the arrow right through her hind quarters, severing the main artery to that area. You would have sworn it was a perfect shot. All and all it turned out to be “perfect”. After that, I was hooked and for many years bought both east and west river archery tags.
I’ve been out of the sport for about 3 years now, and I miss it like you wouldn’t believe. I started getting geared up again this Xmas and I can’t wait to start punching holes in the “Block”.
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