Shot of a lifetime

I was on the ground Sunday night between a hay field and a pumpkin patch. Seeing does and fawns all around. I was in a wind row of pines watching the deer in the hay field.

At about 7 pm two bucks enter the firld about 200yds away, one was a nice 6 the other was the bully of Lino Lakes.

He was a perfect symetrical 8 with brow tines at least 10 inces long. He was feeding in the field when his head shot up and he stared into the woods he just come out of. Then he bolted in my direction. It was a local homeowner who was sneeking thru the brush to see this behemoth a little closer. I was watching this show thru my binoculars, when he was about 70 yds away I started to ready myself. I tryed not to stare at that rack but it was not easy. At forty yards he turned so I snorted to stop him, When he stopped I took a deep breath and let her go. Thanks to the Luminocks I watched my arrow fly over his back,

Now the question for you hunters, I am new to archery, do you think I will see this buck again while there is still daylight? Some say he will not show himself again. I hunt Lino Lakes on private land and have it to myself and a few beef cattle.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank You

paul

I feel your pain!! How did the deer re-act after the arrow. Did he see you?

I feel your pain!! How did the deer re-act after the arrow. Did he see you?

I think it is a good chance you will see him again during the rut. I would not hunt that stand for at least two weeks bare minimum.I would let things cool off and try anouther stand. Then I would sneak back in there 2 to three weeks from now. As soon as you pressure a big boy to much it is a good chance he will leave and find him self a new area or “core area”.It is best to back out and let things cool down for awhile.

I think it is a good chance you will see him again during the rut. I would not hunt that stand for at least two weeks bare minimum.I would let things cool off and try anouther stand. Then I would sneak back in there 2 to three weeks from now. As soon as you pressure a big boy to much it is a good chance he will leave and find him self a new area or “core area”.It is best to back out and let things cool down for awhile.

I agree, if he didn’t see you don’t hunt the area for a couple weeks like Tony said, if he did he’s probably still around and try not to take chances, too much pressure and he will leave the area or travel just at night. Practice, practice practice incase you see him again.

I agree, if he didn’t see you don’t hunt the area for a couple weeks like Tony said, if he did he’s probably still around and try not to take chances, too much pressure and he will leave the area or travel just at night. Practice, practice practice incase you see him again.

Eyedoctor, what did he do after you shot??? That might be the tail of the story?? These suburbia deer will put up with a little more pressure than normal, ie the neighbor oming to take a looksy, but if he heard that arrow whiz by him that is another story. It all depends then. Is there a way to veiw/glass this field from a distance or safe spot??? Thanks for sharing your encounter, sorry it did not quite turn out the way you dreamed it would. Just make sure you take something away form it and learn from your mistakes.

PS: If you need help locating him or other bruisers??? I’m just over in Blaine, give me a call.

Eyedoctor, what did he do after you shot??? That might be the tail of the story?? These suburbia deer will put up with a little more pressure than normal, ie the neighbor oming to take a looksy, but if he heard that arrow whiz by him that is another story. It all depends then. Is there a way to veiw/glass this field from a distance or safe spot??? Thanks for sharing your encounter, sorry it did not quite turn out the way you dreamed it would. Just make sure you take something away form it and learn from your mistakes.

PS: If you need help locating him or other bruisers??? I’m just over in Blaine, give me a call.

This deer will be seen again and you will have another opportunity. Bucks do not leave their home range because they have been shot at. In fact, it takes a lot to actually have a buck leave his home range. At best, you will want to lay low for a little bit. At worst, he may go nocturnal. But, this is so early into the season, I can hardly believe this deer will go nocturnal already. Sometimes I really think people give deer way too much credit. They don’t think, “Hey I just got shot at”. The buck may or may not have heard or seen the arrow. One thing is for sure, the buck reacted to a sudden noise or sight. In all honesty, I truely believe you have every chance to get close to this buck again and sooner than you think. Try setting up in a different location on the next trip out

This deer will be seen again and you will have another opportunity. Bucks do not leave their home range because they have been shot at. In fact, it takes a lot to actually have a buck leave his home range. At best, you will want to lay low for a little bit. At worst, he may go nocturnal. But, this is so early into the season, I can hardly believe this deer will go nocturnal already. Sometimes I really think people give deer way too much credit. They don’t think, “Hey I just got shot at”. The buck may or may not have heard or seen the arrow. One thing is for sure, the buck reacted to a sudden noise or sight. In all honesty, I truely believe you have every chance to get close to this buck again and sooner than you think. Try setting up in a different location on the next trip out

Thank You everyone for wheighing in. The buck just high tailed it out of there. ran about 50 yds and looked back. I am not certain he knew exactly where the arrow came from. I am giving the area at least two weeks to cool moved about 1/2 mile away and plan on taken a couple of his girls. The farmer is really upset about losing pumpkins year after year. The deer just take a few bites and move on. So thinning the herd is the only way I was able to get permission. This is a prime area and I am very blessed to hunt this close to home. If you have more to add please do.
And yes I am shooting arrows every other day, I dont want to make that mistake twice. Every time I close my eyes at night I see that deer and the arrow flying over his back.

Good luck to all and hunt safe

paul

Thank You everyone for wheighing in. The buck just high tailed it out of there. ran about 50 yds and looked back. I am not certain he knew exactly where the arrow came from. I am giving the area at least two weeks to cool moved about 1/2 mile away and plan on taken a couple of his girls. The farmer is really upset about losing pumpkins year after year. The deer just take a few bites and move on. So thinning the herd is the only way I was able to get permission. This is a prime area and I am very blessed to hunt this close to home. If you have more to add please do.
And yes I am shooting arrows every other day, I dont want to make that mistake twice. Every time I close my eyes at night I see that deer and the arrow flying over his back.

Good luck to all and hunt safe

paul

Don’t lose too much sleep over the clean miss It happens to all of us at one point or another If he bolted and then stopped, he was just startled a little. If he knew you were there, he would have made a beeline out of there and not looked back until he was in cover

Don’t lose too much sleep over the clean miss It happens to all of us at one point or another If he bolted and then stopped, he was just startled a little. If he knew you were there, he would have made a beeline out of there and not looked back until he was in cover

I agree Watts, if he stopped and looked back he was just cautious, he’ll be there. Hopefully there won’t be much traffic in the timber around there to push him nocturnal, you should be able to get another shot at him especially because he didn’t see you.

I agree Watts, if he stopped and looked back he was just cautious, he’ll be there. Hopefully there won’t be much traffic in the timber around there to push him nocturnal, you should be able to get another shot at him especially because he didn’t see you.

eyedoctor2 – first off congrats on your attempt! Pat yourself on the back because you were in the right spot at the right time and was able to fire a 40 yard shot at this buck! No – you didn’t score but you at least were in a position where you could score.

I agree with MossyDan, AMWatson and LipRipper – the way you described the buck’s actions after your miss the buck will hang around your area and odds are you will have another encounter with him. It’s early in the season and you have time to let things settle down. Good luck and hopefully next time you will be posting his picture!

eyedoctor2 – first off congrats on your attempt! Pat yourself on the back because you were in the right spot at the right time and was able to fire a 40 yard shot at this buck! No – you didn’t score but you at least were in a position where you could score.

I agree with MossyDan, AMWatson and LipRipper – the way you described the buck’s actions after your miss the buck will hang around your area and odds are you will have another encounter with him. It’s early in the season and you have time to let things settle down. Good luck and hopefully next time you will be posting his picture!