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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 14, 2015 22:03:11 GMT -5
Hi Woody. Please put Team 1 down for a doe. I have never had this size of exit from the 358 Hoosier. I wonder if I hit a branch, which sent the round tumbling. Thanks. Mike
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 13, 2015 20:48:48 GMT -5
Today was his funeral. I went back to the house after and his wife said the next time I come out, she would like me to pick out one of his mule deer mounts to take home. Wow. I was floored and speechless. This family is amazing. They truly are a second family to me.
Good luck tomorrow all. I'm taking my boy out for his first opening day! Let the tradition begin.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 12, 2015 19:40:18 GMT -5
Holy cow!! Nice work dad!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 12, 2015 19:39:04 GMT -5
Woah!!!! Brutus beefcake is a perfect name for him. Nice job John!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 12, 2015 19:30:02 GMT -5
I sent this to the land owners, they appreciated it and asked me to read it at the funeral tomorrow. I'm not certain I can. I hope I can get the courage up to say something special about him.
Mr. B – A Veterans Day Buck
Veterans Day 2015 is likely a day I will never forget. I entered the property with a heavy heart, as this was the first hunt after the land owner had passed away on Monday. I got in the stand around noon, because I spent a couple hours hanging out with the land owner’s family. We shared stories and pictures, just like any other gathering prior to a funeral. Prior to walking out to the stand, the land owner’s daughter said they have been seeing a nice 8 point above the pond. I told her that my plan was to hunt up there because of the wind and I appreciate her letting me know.
It is now 1:30 and here comes that 8 point I had just heard about. He made a quick scrape, I tried to grunt him back, and then he headed on his way. I quickly grabbed my antlers before he could get out of ear shot. He came right back to me, but now was about 60 yards away. I didn’t know what else to do to get him closer to me, so I decided to try what a buddy was telling me about earlier in the day, and that is a snort wheeze. I did that twice and he bolted as fast as he could. So now I know not to do that again. About 20 minutes after the buck ran off, a small fork came in, but he only had one side left. He hung around for a bit and then followed the 8 pointer.
The wind was just perfect for my stand, I kept thinking to myself. Both bucks that I saw came right to me. I just felt like I was being guided by something. It was almost as if the land owner was there with me. I could certainly use his steady hand and patience when it comes to hunting. I can still hear him say to me “Take your time, there is no need to rush”. Granted, he said this to me in a different setting, yet it applied to this situation. I look up and see that fork again, as if he was doing a circle around me. Less than 5 minutes later the 8 pointer entered directly in front of me, approximately 100 yards away. He made a scrape about 40 yards from me, and reared up on his hind legs to rub some of his scent on the branches. I drew my bow back and waited for him to make his final steps. He took 5 more steps and I released. It was a good shot, patience paid off as it always does. He tried to run, but quickly stopped when he realized his shoulder was hurt. The arrow went through his front left shoulder, through both lungs and stopped at the other shoulder. He broke the arrow when he tried to run. He walked to his final resting place, stumbled, and laid down.
I quickly sent a message to the land owner’s daughter, telling her we got the big 8. I met her up by the house and we formulated a plan to get him out. This is where things got a bit exciting. We took the truck down to the pond, drove over the damn, and partially up the hill where Mr. B was. This property is pretty hilly and there are a few ruts in it that could make for some tricky maneuvering. She helped me field dress him, drag, and load him in the truck. We talked about how her father taught her how to field dress a deer and how she dressed the first deer she ever shot. It was a nice time reflecting on some of her moments with her father. The tricky part was still ahead of us. We needed to get back up a steep incline that is rutted up. She said you may want to get some speed up to make this hill. I put my fx4 in 4 High and headed on up. We made it all the way to the top of that include, but did not have enough momentum to make the next. She jumped out of the truck and went and got her truck, we tied the tow rope and to safety she pulled me.
After we made it back up to the house, it was time for pictures and stories. I decided to name the buck after the land owner, as it was probably the last buck he saw. Mr. B, you will be missed my friend. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
RIP Mr. B!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 12, 2015 18:12:30 GMT -5
Brad is probably the best deer hunter I know personally. He and his wife get it done year in and year out on regular old southern Indiana farmland. There's not a more deserving couple. The Lord has blessed them immensely. If you have not read his book, you are missing out. Congrats to both of them.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 11, 2015 22:43:32 GMT -5
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 11, 2015 22:20:56 GMT -5
Woody, pleas put team 1 the back strap bunch down for a 10pt. Thanks.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 11, 2015 22:14:58 GMT -5
Got out to the property by Bloomington around 10:30 this morning. Chatted with the land owner for a couple hours before I decided to head out. 1:30 I saw what looked to be a nice 8 pointer the family was telling me about. He came in, made a scrape and went on with his business. I grunted a few times, but he didn't care. He kept walking. I decided to try and rattle. He came right back, but stopped around 60 yards out. I had never done a snort wheeze before, so I figured I would give that a go. Well, he didn't like that. He bolted. So now I know. Ha A few minutes later a fork came in. He was missing his entire right side. So I guess we could call him a deuce. He followed the buck. Around 5:30 the 8 pointer came back, at least I think it is the same 8. He made a scrape right in front of me, then gave me a perfect 40 yard shot. He hit the deck about 50 yards away. This is a special buck for me. The land owner passed away on Monday. He and I have become pretty close over the years. I felt like he was hunting with me. I'm gonna miss that old man, he was a great man and mentor. Thanks Mr B for letting me be part of your life. To my surprise, he turned out to be a 10 pointer. Mike
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 9, 2015 20:25:55 GMT -5
Great buck woody. Congrats!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 9, 2015 15:01:28 GMT -5
Update. My buddy met with the dog tracker this morning. The dog got on the scent right away, tracked it right to a gut pile. We are not sure if someone else shot it or just found it. Either way, he is someone else's. I hope that person was able to recover it in time to use the meat. What a whirlwind of emotions the last few days. We have been putting up posters and visiting websites and shelters the last two days to find the dog. Ugh. This just stinks!!!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 9, 2015 9:46:10 GMT -5
Is it possible to track a dog similarly to the way you track a deer? If so I would love to have someone come out and try to look for my dog. I will pay for whatever is needed or wanted.
Thanks.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 8, 2015 10:34:59 GMT -5
Update. We found a little blood. My buddy is waiting for the deer tracker to call him.
I'm heading ha k to Indy. My wife called me last night and said the dog is not in the house or the yard. He has a dog door and invisible fence. He didn't come home last night. This dog has never left the yard before. So now to get home and try to find my sons best friend. Ugh!!!!.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 7, 2015 23:02:09 GMT -5
Thanks. I'm kicking myself. This is the very first time I have ever got buck fever. I was shaking like a leaf.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 7, 2015 22:44:49 GMT -5
I look forward to my time up here every year. This year was no different. I got in the stand at 6:30. My buddy saw a doe following a buck around. I saw nothing. We headed out for lunch. Got back in the stands by 1:30. By 2, we had a 4 pt come in. By 2:30 I had a monster Michigan buck come within 20 yards. I shot. Hit him high. The arrow stuck in him and he ran. He ran about 50 yards then stopped. He got a little wobbly then continued on. I lost him after a few minutes. The trees are think in this woods.
We gave him an hour prior getting down. Immediately we find zero blood. Zero!!! We searched for 2 hours and found nothing. I have tried like crazy to find a deer tracker with a dog. I can't seem to get anyone to come look. So my buddies and I will be looking again at first light.
So...more to follow.
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 6, 2015 17:34:06 GMT -5
No horns with me tonight, I do have a grunt call though. He is around 200 yards out. Feeding south east from me while following this doe. Very cool. Good luck! It's that time of night!!!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 6, 2015 17:25:14 GMT -5
Big big deer just entered the field. Rattle him over!!!!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 6, 2015 12:12:26 GMT -5
Great story budd, congrats on the buck!!!
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Post by michaeladkins on Nov 6, 2015 9:25:21 GMT -5
En route to a farm we have in Greene county. Buddy missed a bruiser last weekend. I'm hoping to settle the score. Should be out for this evenings hunt down here if all goes well. Good luck fellas Good luck. I'll be down there in Greene county Wednesday and next weekend. Love it down there.
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Post by michaeladkins on Oct 17, 2015 21:36:34 GMT -5
I saw 1 deer all day. That was a fork horn this morning. I prob won't get to get out again until I get back from the UP.
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