All Day In The Blind Paid Off

ryalred · October 26, 2010, 12:49 PM

It had been awhile since I had killed a decent buck and I was determined to get one this year. However, I wasn't putting in the time, I knew I needed to to get a good deer--a third of archery season nearly gone and I had hunted only twice.

On opening day of Primitive Arms Season here in Oklahoma, I spent all day in my new ground blind location. It had been raining off and on all day (good thing I was in the tent blind). I had seen 10 does and two bucks (non-shooters) and time was running out. I was beginning to gather things up in the blind when I scanned the area again, and caught a glimpse of this one coming. He was taking his time and I was running out of time (daylight time) and he wasn't in range. I had been practicing quite a bit with my muzzle loader and I had determined that I wouldn't shoot at anything past 150 yards.

I turned my scope down to 3x for better visibility and he finally came into comfortable range for my Traditions in-line 45 caliber. Using a broom stick I had left in the blind as a rest, I made the shot. Of course the smoke just boiled and I couldn't see a thing. When the smoke finally cleared, all I could see was the tall grass where he had been standing. I felt like it was a good shot, but you never know for sure until you see them on the ground.

I dug my gutting knife and flashlight (it was getting dark quick) out of my backpack. It wasn't until I got about half way to him that I saw the tip of his antlers and then the white of his belly. I had stepped it off as I went--123 yard--and he had fallen where he stood. He field dressed 146 lbs (the third largest I have ever killed) and his rack was the second best I'd ever taken.

.284 · October 26, 2010, 01:14 PM

Great story, great buck, great pictures.........way to go!

Congrats all the way around! I'm sick with jealousy:barf:

huntinaz · October 26, 2010, 03:17 PM

Nice buck, thanks for the story and pics!

DiscoRacing · October 26, 2010, 03:34 PM

Congrats... Ive never even seen a rack that big in any woods I have hunted it nearly 25years.

davlandrum · October 26, 2010, 03:55 PM

Nice buck!

markj · October 26, 2010, 04:36 PM

Good job, can we all come over for some jerky?

Kreyzhorse · October 26, 2010, 08:13 PM

Very nice! Congrats on your buck.

slammedsi · October 26, 2010, 08:20 PM

Great buck. Watched several under the feeder here in Far North Texas (Right on the Red River). It made me sick as season dosent start here till the 6th. And 3 of the bucks were really good shooters.

BIG P · October 26, 2010, 09:59 PM

Congrats thats a great smoke pole buck he'll look good on the wall.

October 26, 2010, 12:49 PM	#1
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	All Day In The Blind Paid Off It had been awhile since I had killed a decent buck and I was determined to get one this year. However, I wasn't putting in the time, I knew I needed to to get a good deer--a third of archery season nearly gone and I had hunted only twice. On opening day of Primitive Arms Season here in Oklahoma, I spent all day in my new ground blind location. It had been raining off and on all day (good thing I was in the tent blind). I had seen 10 does and two bucks (non-shooters) and time was running out. I was beginning to gather things up in the blind when I scanned the area again, and caught a glimpse of this one coming. He was taking his time and I was running out of time (daylight time) and he wasn't in range. I had been practicing quite a bit with my muzzle loader and I had determined that I wouldn't shoot at anything past 150 yards. I turned my scope down to 3x for better visibility and he finally came into comfortable range for my Traditions in-line 45 caliber. Using a broom stick I had left in the blind as a rest, I made the shot. Of course the smoke just boiled and I couldn't see a thing. When the smoke finally cleared, all I could see was the tall grass where he had been standing. I felt like it was a good shot, but you never know for sure until you see them on the ground. I dug my gutting knife and flashlight (it was getting dark quick) out of my backpack. It wasn't until I got about half way to him that I saw the tip of his antlers and then the white of his belly. I had stepped it off as I went--123 yard--and he had fallen where he stood. He field dressed 146 lbs (the third largest I have ever killed) and his rack was the second best I'd ever taken. __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

October 26, 2010, 01:14 PM	#2
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	Great story, great buck, great pictures.........way to go! Congrats all the way around! I'm sick with jealousy:barf: __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

October 26, 2010, 03:34 PM	#4
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	Congrats... Ive never even seen a rack that big in any woods I have hunted it nearly 25years. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

October 26, 2010, 03:55 PM	#5
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Nice buck! __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

October 26, 2010, 08:13 PM	#7
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Very nice! Congrats on your buck. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

October 26, 2010, 03:17 PM	#3
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	Nice buck, thanks for the story and pics!

October 26, 2010, 04:36 PM	#6
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	Good job, can we all come over for some jerky?

October 26, 2010, 09:59 PM	#9
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	Congrats thats a great smoke pole buck he'll look good on the wall.