I shot at my first buck with a bow when I was 16. The buck was a monster and later killed by one of our members. He scored 132 gross. I still remember that morning like it was yesterday.
Well many years have passed since then and I did manage to kill a couple great P&Y bucks in IL several years ago. But, I still hadn't killed a buck in Bama with a bow. Wasn't because I hadn't had chances, but I just wanted to get a good one for my first one. I guess it was because of that old buck many years ago. I know, you all think I am crazy but that is the truth.
I have let many many bucks walk in Bama over the years trying to get a big'un. I even let a few walk around 120 inches down at Portland Landing a few years ago.
Well Saturday afternoon I was hunting with my wife and a friend. He and I scouted out a new area we are hunting during midday and decided to both hunt it that afternoon.
We get in the woods early around 1:30 and it was beautiful. I could see him in his tree about 80 yards away. I had some pines behind me and oaks in front. I love boarder areas.
It was a slow afternoon with only tree rats providing any activity....until about 4:45. I see a large bodied deer to my left coming up the edge of the oaks. When he got about 30 yards from me he turned into the edge of the pines and started on a path to walk behind me. I got ready. I bleated with my mouth and he stopped for a second. Not enough time to shoot. After a couple more steps he stopped again and this time I had time.
I released and he just turned and slowly trotted off. By then it was too dark to see the arrow impact. I was sick for a second. I didn't hear any impact or anything. As he trotted back the way he came from, he started to wobble and quickly crashed. I love a MUZZY.
Anyway, after 33 years of dreaming of that old buck in Coosa County, I finally put an arrow in a nice Bama buck. I will post the pics later today. He was a big bodied old buck. Was surprised that he topped the scales at 201 lbs.
Bowhunter84 is going to do an European mount for me and I will check the jaw then for age. He looked old to me.
He won't make the book or anything, but it doesn't matter a single bit. He is a trophy in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
