I was plesently surprised on my way in to find the area tore up with waist high rubs and scraps. I was able to sneak in undetected to the transition around 3pm and set sticjs and got settled in my saddle. It was a beautiful afternoon and I was perched just 28yds on the downwind edge of the transition with the ability to also see the flat below me.
At 3:45 I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching along the transition and I was pleasantly surprised to see a cage. The buck was slightly quartering to me when I released my arrow which unfortunately hit farther back than I liked. As the buck trotted off I could see intestines hanging out of his far side. I quitely
remained in the tree beating myself up over the shot, replaying the scenario in my head.
I waited over an hour after I last seen the buck to sneak down and take a peek at my arrow. I instantly knew what I was dealing with when I saw the dark red blood and stomach matter on the arrow. I knew from past experience to back out with any type of gut or liver shot. So I quietly made my way out of the woods in the opposite direction the buck went.
The threat of freezeing rain and sleet the following morning was heavy of my mind throughout the evening. I was determined to give the buck at least 10 hrs to hopefully expire. At 2am as I left home to go track the book the sleet and rain began.
Unfortunately I was able to find any blood at impact so I made my way to the last location I had seen the buck. Thankfully I was able to find blood and I was on the trail. I ended up finding 5 different beds before finding the bucks final resting place. The buck only traveled 200yds from the point of impact but it was my most difficult track yet. I started on the trail at 2:30am and did not recover him until 6:30am.
This buck is 4th since joining the beast 5 years ago. I want to thank everyone in the beast community. I can not imagine hunting a different way.
