Skychief
69 Cal.
I had a great evening yesterday. I plan to add an account of the hunt for this buck once my chores are finished. Until then, let’s see if I can post a photograph.....
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2019 flintlock buck
- Thread starter Skychief
- Start date
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Skychief
69 Cal.
Walkingeagle
54 Cal.
WOW!! That is a beautiful buck all around! Large body and large rack. Well done sir.
Cannot wait for the story...
Walk
Cannot wait for the story...
Walk
Great looking animal. Congratulations.
Very well done.
I Like It!
And George Washington likes it too...
LD
And George Washington likes it too...
LD
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2016
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Well, HELL! Ya cant miss that thang commin at ya!
Friend I don't know if it's the buck or your big cheesy grin that is the best aspects to them photos!
Well done sir
B.
Well done sir
B.
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2010
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Thats got to be the biggest 8 Ive seen! Great buck Skychief. Way to go....
Skychief
69 Cal.
Thanks guys.
I'm feeling very blessed to have seen this buck, for the second time, yesterday evening.
On November 8th, I stopped him broadside at 30 yards, with a recurve bow in my hand. I may have killed him had I shot, but, I like a sure thing and watched as he continued his cruising for "early" does.
I sure hoped that our paths would cross again, and tried mightily for the next month to help it happen. Our two week firearm season found me with the 45 caliber flinter, which I used yesterday, hunkered down in blown down treetops, dry branches, side hills and other hidey-holes which the winds suggested I hide within.
Yesterday was the second time I laid eyes on him. I was perched upon the ground next to a downed cherry tree and a few pole sized river birch trees.
With a good half hour of light left, I heard his approach in the dry leaves, in the 2 o'clock position. As he crested a hill and before his descent, I recognized him instantly as the sun glanced off his antlers. He worked his way in front of, then to the left, of my hide.
As he traveled within 50 yards of me, I timed my small movements, thumbing back the cock and setting the trigger when he was obscured by a few trees.
As he neared a point downwind of me, I bleated softly and he came to a stop about 40 yards out and on the level with me as he had joined me in the bottom-ground. He was quartered to me, so I lined up the sights right on his "shoulder" and touched her off.
Reminding me of last year's buck, he ran for all he was worth, at first toward me, then really hit his stride as I watched his exit for about 100 yards before the trees and brush obscured him. I listened for a crash, but, heard nothing to announce a certain end.
Unsure, I sat until dark, then made my way to where he had stood. There, I tied 3 pieces of my patching material on saplings, indicating his initial line of travel. Next, I crept out of the woods....
After some thought, and kind offers from some hunting buddies, we took up the "trail". Problem being, there was none, where blood sign was concerned. After looking quietly for about an hour, I was ready to make the call to come back in the morning to continue looking.
One of my friends and I were walking out when our "coon" lights saw a white belly and antlers 20 yards away!
Thank Goodness!!! He made it about 100 yards and as far as the 4 of us could tell, shed no blood upon his track. We even backtracked him upon his discovery, finding nothing.
The shot hit as intended, through his "shoulder", lungs, and liver. A rib was centered upon entry, and his back rib on the offside had been struck by the ball but did not penetrate though.
As thrilling as taking an animal like him is, the larger thrill, for me, comes from getting to know them and their tendencies. Watching them as they near is hard to top, though.
Having a flintlock along somewhat like the Old Boys, can not be bettered.
Wishing you all success and safety, Skychief.
I'm feeling very blessed to have seen this buck, for the second time, yesterday evening.
On November 8th, I stopped him broadside at 30 yards, with a recurve bow in my hand. I may have killed him had I shot, but, I like a sure thing and watched as he continued his cruising for "early" does.
I sure hoped that our paths would cross again, and tried mightily for the next month to help it happen. Our two week firearm season found me with the 45 caliber flinter, which I used yesterday, hunkered down in blown down treetops, dry branches, side hills and other hidey-holes which the winds suggested I hide within.
Yesterday was the second time I laid eyes on him. I was perched upon the ground next to a downed cherry tree and a few pole sized river birch trees.
With a good half hour of light left, I heard his approach in the dry leaves, in the 2 o'clock position. As he crested a hill and before his descent, I recognized him instantly as the sun glanced off his antlers. He worked his way in front of, then to the left, of my hide.
As he traveled within 50 yards of me, I timed my small movements, thumbing back the cock and setting the trigger when he was obscured by a few trees.
As he neared a point downwind of me, I bleated softly and he came to a stop about 40 yards out and on the level with me as he had joined me in the bottom-ground. He was quartered to me, so I lined up the sights right on his "shoulder" and touched her off.
Reminding me of last year's buck, he ran for all he was worth, at first toward me, then really hit his stride as I watched his exit for about 100 yards before the trees and brush obscured him. I listened for a crash, but, heard nothing to announce a certain end.
Unsure, I sat until dark, then made my way to where he had stood. There, I tied 3 pieces of my patching material on saplings, indicating his initial line of travel. Next, I crept out of the woods....
After some thought, and kind offers from some hunting buddies, we took up the "trail". Problem being, there was none, where blood sign was concerned. After looking quietly for about an hour, I was ready to make the call to come back in the morning to continue looking.
One of my friends and I were walking out when our "coon" lights saw a white belly and antlers 20 yards away!
Thank Goodness!!! He made it about 100 yards and as far as the 4 of us could tell, shed no blood upon his track. We even backtracked him upon his discovery, finding nothing.
The shot hit as intended, through his "shoulder", lungs, and liver. A rib was centered upon entry, and his back rib on the offside had been struck by the ball but did not penetrate though.
As thrilling as taking an animal like him is, the larger thrill, for me, comes from getting to know them and their tendencies. Watching them as they near is hard to top, though.
Having a flintlock along somewhat like the Old Boys, can not be bettered.
Wishing you all success and safety, Skychief.
Last edited:
Skychief
69 Cal.
Sorry for the top and bottom borders of the first photo from the cell phone text. Leave it to me........
Nice buck! And I thank you for sharing your hunt!
I don't care where you are, that's a great buck! Thanks for the write-up as well. I'd have passed on him at 30 yards with my recurve as well. I've done it several times, in fact. Deer can do a lot of moving in the time it takes an arrow to travel 30 yards, even from a wheel bow. Passing can be agonizing, but not nearly so much as wounding one.
Glad to hear you got it done with a .45. I'm hunting with one this year myself, albeit a cap lock. The buck in my avatar was taken with my compound at all of 10 yards. Close is better!
Congrats!
Glad to hear you got it done with a .45. I'm hunting with one this year myself, albeit a cap lock. The buck in my avatar was taken with my compound at all of 10 yards. Close is better!
Congrats!
Big Rviers
36 Cl.
If there's a word bigger and better for that "Awesome" buck I would like to hear it. Great story and an awesome buck.
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Great story Sky 
B.
B.
Fantastic buck and a great storyline.
I’m glad he gave you the second chance and Thanks to your persistence it paid off!
Congrats again on a fine mature whitetail!
I’m glad he gave you the second chance and Thanks to your persistence it paid off!
Congrats again on a fine mature whitetail!
Congratulations on a truly fine harvest!
And a fantastic story line to boot!
Thank you for sharing!
Sam A.
And a fantastic story line to boot!
Thank you for sharing!
Sam A.
BradCayton
40 Cal
Holy cow!!! What a buck! Congratulations
