Iowa Bow Buck

Words that are coming to my mind right now: frustration, anger, happiness, joy, sorry, relief, disbelief, just to name a few! Now, don’t get me wrong, I am extremely happy with this buck, however, things didn’t quite work out the way I was planning for this year.

I had put in my time all year, trail cameras, scouting, food plots, you name it, I did it. I spent many nights and days thinking about stand placement, scent control, techniques, and routines. I have hunted many all day sits during this past week, and planned on continuing to do so until the 15th of November.

However, at 9:30 AM on November 8th, my plans changed. I was sitting in my favorite stand in the middle of a funnel. I have seen more mature whitetail deer in this stand than any other in my hunting career.

The winds were light and variable- a cool crisp 31 degrees was displayed on my truck gauge. I new it was going to be an excellent day on stand. The morning started off slow, with only seeing a few small bucks, and five or six does. Not the type of action I was looking forward to.

Then it all changed. I picked up the horns and began banging them together. I hear footsteps..I begin to think, this could be the one! Nope, just a dink little eight pointer. Man he had some balls coming into the type of noise I was making.

He dilly daddles around for a while, and I spot movement to the west. I pull up the binocs, and I instantly think shooter. I put them away, and ready myself. Aim small miss small right? I quit looking at the rack ( I always quit looking at the rack if I decide shooter). This is where my first mistake was made. For some reason, the binocs made him look like one of the bucks I was after, dark, wide, heavy chocolate beams. I thought this buck was "cocoa". He continued down the path towards the little buck- when he was about 100 yards off, the little buck tucked tail and ran faster than I am sure he has ever ran before. I continued to focus on the spot I was going to place my arrow. He steps out into the opening, and "I found a hole and let her eat." (thanks ghost for the line!) The spitfire broad-head entered my desired location, and went through both lungs. The buck impersonating "cocoa" ran only 40 yards and expired.

Now- at this point I have no idea this buck is not "cocoa"- but I see him down, and begin to gather myself. I sit down in my tree-stand, and try to contain myself. Who do I call first? Who can help me drag this "monster" out?

Not more than ten seconds later, I hear loud angry grunts coming from my east!!! WHATS THIS?? COCOA!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes, my downed buck had resurrected from the dead? Surely not- As I glassed the true cocoa I looked up to where my buck was down, and he was still down.

I am guessing that all three bucks came into the rattling. However, I made a huge mistake in not making sure that the buck I shot was the one I was after. My heart sank, as I knew I could not harvest my buck this year. I had to watch him stroll on through, presenting many perfect 20 yard broadside shots. My heart sank even more as he exited the area, unaware of my presence. I didn’t even think to get my video camera out.

As I had to gather myself again, after not being able to comprehend what had just taken place. Tears of joy, and sorrow filled my eyes. I was thankful to the good Lord above, for allowing me to harvest such a great animal. I am a little upset that I didn’t get to harvest a booner this year, but I am extremely thankful for the land, and even more than that, the plain ability to be able to hunt in such a great area! I love Iowa! Only 360 days until next years rut!

Good luck out there guys! Stay safe, and we’ll see you in the woods!