Paul and I (we shot in the 2008 Winter Animal Target League) were sitting in our two man stand on Saturday night watching over our clover patch that we planted this summer. Paul had his bow with him.... I don't take mine out ...I'm only there to eat apples and watch my side of the stand!

We had a nice 6 pt come out to the food plot and even though he got into the "zone"  he wouldn't, I mean WOULD NOT give Paul a good shot. We have a stump out at 22-23yds that if a deer comes inside of that, they're in the "shooting zone". He fed for quite some time, 10 - 15 minutes, then darted off to the "thick stuff" on the opposite side of the plot. Paul wasn't too disappointed in not getting a shot....he slowly turned to me after the deer ran off, put his fingers an inch apart, and whispered "we were this close".

Just a few minutes later a doe with her two fawns came into the clover, down 60 yards or so, feeding their way toward us. As she came up to the stump, she picked us out of the tree, just as Paul was trying to draw. She bolted back 30 yards or so but her fawns stayed right in front of us. Paul didn't want to shoot one of her "babies". As she started to slowly feed her way back to her fawns she threw her head up and looked off to the far side of the plot.

Paul was focused on her so much that I didn't think he saw the legs and antlers in the "thick stuff". I whispered to him "there's your buck". Just then, the buck came out into the clover with his nose down, ears back, grunting on every other step.....Paul drew as soon as he came out. I whispered "I'll stop him with a grunt". As soon as he got inside the stump I let out a soft "blahh"....he didn't stop. A second & louder "BLAH" ....nothin'.The third time I yelled "BLAAAHHHH" and he stopped in his tracks, but he was beyond the stump!....I put my chin on Pauls' shoulder and whispered in his ear "he's too far". Just when I said "far", he let it fly! He dropped the hammer on him right behind the shoulder!

We watched him out to 50yds or so but he didn't act badly hit. We recovered his arrow only a few feet from where he hit him and it only had 4" or so of blood on it. We backed off and let him lay-up for the night. It was 32 degrees that night and we truly didn't know what kind of shot it was. We found him the next morning 70 yards out with a perfect heart shot! Paul was beside himself. He was so excited...unreal.....pretty cool for a 10 year old!!!

He wanted me to email you because he said, " Mike would be so proud of me.....it's a good thing we shot in that league! I wouldn't have been able to do it without all that practice!!" You must've made a good impression on him, Mike. Well, it looks like you'll be seeing us again this winter!



Mark and Paul Wolfenden



PS. - I've added a few pics of the happy hunter.....I think we have a bow hunter for life!!!

 

Below is a photo of the heart. Those of you who may be squeamish may not wish to scroll to the next photo.

BACK TO THE BUCK-POLE PAGE