I had made plans sat . last to tackel my roof project the weather man said there was rain for friday night and clearing for morning however Abington was not included in the forecast . I awoke to a steady rain on saturday that lasted way past noon any how I was no way opening up roof in this weather . We moved the materialsfrom curbside to the rear of the house so that was it for sats workday . I know had the whole afternoon open I decided to visit an old wood lot I used to hunt over in Huntingdon valley .I donned my cammys grabbed my bow , treestand , and possibels bag aka bag of tricks calls, binocs , lures etc . etc .I have had permission to park my truck at a nearby bodyshop thats adjacent to the woodlot . After perking I lured up my boot pads with good old tinks 69 a deadly lure at rut time . Iwalked into the woodlot and was awestruck with all the sign trails rubs , rubs and more rubs there was even a rub right next to my truck . This old boy was definatley setting up his territory which means rattling and grunting would be the ticket . I was in my stand maybe an hour when 3 doe came out I thought misre big would be right behind them but they were alone and ran back towards the swamp . Awhile later 5 more doe came by above me and went up and over the old railroad bed I,M now thinking all the buck must have been shot out because these does had no horney stalkers behind them . THAN OUT OF NOWHERE A HUGE P+Y BUCK APPEARED NO DOUBT THE RUB MAKER HE WAS PROBABLY TIRED AND THATS WHY THE DOES WERE SO FAR IN FRONT OF HIM . He than hit my trail I took in with the tinks and foolowed it right down to me my heart was in hyper drive I began to trembel I HAD TO SIT FOR A SECOND SO I WOLD NOT PASS OUT MY COMPOSURE WAS SOMEWHAT IN TACT SO i CAME TO FULL DRAW AND WAITED FOR HIM TO CLEAR THE TREES . This is the first time I DREW BACK ON Abuck since 11 years ago my mind was racing and the sun was setting fast I realesd and heard the arrow hit the dirt however I did not see my arrow the way the deer bolted with a high tail is asign of health not injury every deer I ever shot the tail always goes up under there but . However Icould not see my arrow I began lowering my gear and stated to decend with my stand however the seat was badly jambed up and I was stuck 8' up and it was getting dark . So only one thing to do jump I LANDED ok but I damaged my knee a little its OK NOW . Icontinued looking for my arrow till after dark no luck I m thinking I hit the buck and the arrow is in it but there was no blood . Only one thing to do come back in the Am when there was light I said I would give it an hour . First I seached for the arrow all around the area no luck than I looked for blood I zig zagged the woodlot in a hundred yards each way no dice no arrow no blood . I CALLED IT QUITS WENT BACK AND GOT MY STUCK TREE STAND DOWN PACKED IT UP AND HEADE OUT DEJECTED AND LOOKING TO THE GROUND AS I WALKED BACK TO THE TRUCK THERE BURRIED IN THE GROUND WAS MY ARROW LAYING RIGHT AGAINST THE GROUND WITH NONE OF THE SHAFT STICKING UP IT WAS LIKE I SHOT THE BOW RIGHT AGAINST THE GROUND IT WAS COMPLETLY BURRIED . You think with the angel at which I shot the arrow would be sticking up somewhat .Anyway the arrow was nole and void of any flesh , hair or BLOOD . THIS WHOLE SCENARIO WILL REMAIN ONE OF THE UNSOLVED MYSTERYS OF THE WOODS . ONE THING IS NO MYSTERY HUNT ONE OF THESE LOCAL WOODLOTS AROUND THE SE OF THE STATE AND MAYBE YOU'LL SEE A BIG BUCK . This is the 3rd one I missed in this woodlot over the years LIKE THE TERMINATOR SAYS "I'LL BE BACK ".
Aww! Sarge, a bitter/sweet story. Bitter you missed the deer. Sweet you found the arrow and could feel Ok that there wasn't a wounded animal out there needing recovery.
Hope the knee heals up.
Life is good! I started out with nothing and I still have half of it left!
Archery Ending
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 23:02:14
