Ground Shrink

[Kent Dorfman]

I finally filled my buck tag this afternoon but I would be lying if I said I was thrilled with the accomplishment. I spent an enormous amount of time in the woods this past fall as I took to heart what others said about paying your dues and no shortcuts. Unfortunately, the deer is considerably smaller than what I had hoped for.

It all happened very fast. I got to my stand at about 4:00pm which was located in a large forest on the edge of a briar thicket with a Corn Feeder about 40 yards in front of me. I figured with the snow on that the deer would be pounding the feeder and I was right. I bumped 3 deer off the feeder on the way in. At about 4:30, a doe came busting out of the thicket from behind me. From deeper in I heard a soft grunt and then a loud grunt. In the snow covered background I could see a buck trotting in the thick brush with his neck stretched out and low to the ground. He stopped at the edge of an opening about 20 yards to my left. I’m a right handed shooter so this was perfect. When he turned his head, the saplings around him made it difficult to count points but he looked big. I drew back and as soon as he hit the opening I let the arrow fly.

The shot placement was good and the snow made tracking a breeze. I never got a good look at him running off. I immediately called my wife and told her I had just shot the monster I had been looking for and she was thrilled for me. When I walked up on the buck, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. A 5 point with no more than a 14 inch spread.

There is no excuse other than I blew it. I know some will say they are all trophies but this was not what I wanted and I would breathe life back into this deer if I could. I’ve already taken 3 does this year and our freezer is now full. It’s going to be a long 10 months waiting for a do-over.

[OLDHAT]

Ah, you'll get you one next year.

Nothing wrong with a 5pt, what was on the other beam?
(I just couldn't resist man, I'm sorry).

IN 1997, I took a buck, hunting was horrible, drought, no acorns, little time due to business, so I took one of the 1st bucks I seen, was a "90"" 7pt, and I still regret doing it to this day.

Heck with it man, there are other deer and they will be there next year..you know that 130" deer you may have been hunting will be potentially pushing 150" next year, so you gave him a chance to grow. Is it your 1st buck with Bow?
Look at it this way, since you are done hunting, you can focus back on your job and the family!

In all honesty now, did you learn anything this year in the woods or see anything/use any of the tactics that were touched on on the "learning to kill big bucks" thread? If so, it would be interesting to get some feedback... on if you thought that any or all of that info helped.

Oh, you gotta post a pic!

Oldhat

[teambringit33]

don't lose sleep over it...

[deerjunkie]

Wheres the pictures???????????

[ohiosam]

Could of been worse. A few years ago on the first day at about 8:00 of gun season I shot at what I thought was doe. Turned out to be a spike buck:mad: . I guess that is "ground swell". Of course I had chances at 2 nice bucks that week and all I could do is watch:irked:

I'm guessing you hunt for fun, don't let this take the fun out of it for you. Be philosophical, you gained experiance and knowledge this season that will help you in the future. Now you have some time to start scouting and preparing for next year.

[TheCream]

Your story sounds a lot like mine this year, Kent, only I didn't have the luxury of a lot of time in the woods. I finally had a few days off for a long weekend around Veterans Day, so subconciously I knew I needed to make it happen then. Similar story, buck came in trailing a smaller buck and a doe, right at dusk. Of course the smaller buck came through walking, the buck I shot came in SPRINTING! In a glance I saw the frame, thought it looked good, big body, deep grunt. Like you said, it all happened so fast, I had to decide what to do in a split second. It was almost like I instinctually drew and shot, smoked him, and he turned out to be a 16.5" wide 8-pointer with short tines. I have passed up probably 6-8 bucks bigger than that this year, but in a rush I had to make a quick decision. I'm still happy with mine, though. It was a tremendous hunt that night, loads of action, lots of bucks chasing, and capped it off with an archery buck.

It happens, buddy!

[bowhunter1023]

Sounds like you didn't pay much attention to your own thread about "How to kill big bucks." :mischeif:




LOL Sorry, I had to. I mean after all you took a shot at my old lady and I didn't even get to see it. So I'm gonna say I don't feel sorry for you. Just respect the animal, which I'm sure you did, and it becomes a trophy. The Lord provided for you. I'm jealous you got to hunt in the snow and harvest a deer. That has been a long time goal but the pieces have never come together. Congrats on your buck. Now you got something to fuel that fire for the next 10 months.

[CARPN-JAKE]

I think most of us have had a similar thing happen at least once....I know I have...Just be thankful you got to enjoy a yr in the woods and learn from your experiences....Hey...Congrats on your deer also

[bakerboy]

A serious problem left out of the how to kill big buck thread. You will never shoot the big one if you never shoot, and you may never get a shot if you take the time to be sure. That's a catch 22. Personally, I find it very, very easy to underestimate a buck. I've let a few walk and then see them at a different angle and....... holy cow! What a screwup. Don't loose any sleep over it, mission accomplished, one less deer for a poacher or a car.

[Kent Dorfman]

Sounds like you didn't pay much attention to your own thread about "How to kill big bucks." :mischeif:




LOL Sorry, I had to. I mean after all you took a shot at my old lady and I didn't even get to see it. So I'm gonna say I don't feel sorry for you. Just respect the animal, which I'm sure you did, and it becomes a trophy. The Lord provided for you. I'm jealous you got to hunt in the snow and harvest a deer. That has been a long time goal but the pieces have never come together. Congrats on your buck. Now you got something to fuel that fire for the next 10 months.
bowhunter1023, the shot was aimed at you, not your girlfriend, but either way, I apologize as I was out of line.

Thanks for the encouraging words but the fact remains that I screwed up and nothing can change that. I told myself at the beginning of the season that I wasn’t going to shoot anything that I wouldn’t be proud to mount and this buck is certainly no wall hanger.

Bakerboy, I had that happen this year. I passed on a buck that looked a lot bigger from the back side walking away than he did from the front side walking in.

Killing a big buck with a bow and arrow is the most difficult endeavor I have ever undertaken.

[OLDHAT]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Killing a big buck with a bow and arrow is the most difficult endeavor I have ever undertaken.

Kent, book buck= every 2-3 years if you are a "normal hunter", now there may be years you repeat, even threepeat, but on average I say it's every 2-3years.
You up your chances if you own and manage the property, or go to a guide service, but me at this point I do neither.

I still see at least 3 different ones each year and sometimes up to 5, very rarely the same one 2 times in the same year. So what are the chances of getting maybe 3-5 deer within shooting range year after year.

Big Buck hunting is way over-rated, those that choose to do so know it, it sucks from time to time especially when you do hunt for big deer and screw it up as you may just get 1 opportunity with a decent shot all year and screw it up. Also, "head-hunters" have no problem "eating" tag soup, I know I've made plenty of stew with mine.

Oldhat

[XX78]

I'm jealous, nice job!

[Milo]

:bowdown:

[OHBOW76]

My goodness, I hate hearing this. ANY deer is a trophy with a bow. You shot with a bow this time of year following gun season, and in some pretty cold conditions, good job. Use the experience and learn from it. In the future try not to let the excitement get the best of you, dont put some much pressure on yourself (hunting is supposed to be FUN), and if in doubt dont shoot.

I agree with some of the other comments, if you truly wnat a big one, be prepared to eat a tag or two, or three, etc. It seems to me you already had plenty of meat int he freezer, you just let your nerves and the pressure get to you and it led to a poor decision.

[Kent Dorfman]

It seems to me you already had plenty of meat int he freezer, you just let your nerves and the pressure get to you and it led to a poor decision.
That’s exactly what happened. A life lesson I will never forget.

[Kent Dorfman]

I'm jealous, nice job!
I’m so frustrated I could pick on a little kid.

[XX78]

I’m so frustrated I could pick on a little kid.


Hey man whatever floats your boat!

[Monroe]

I have learned to never judge a deers rack as he is going away from you - always looks bigger - per a previous post.

Anyhow - where are the pictures so we can really lay into you?

[Thunderflight]

Could be alot worse. At least your deer hunting and had the opurtunity. I know alot of folks who would be estatic to shoot a 5 point.

[outdrjoe]

i agree witohbow 76 any deer is a trophy i know guys that have nvr seen deer in range to shoot wit their guns let alone a bow u should be happy with wat u got and thank god u got that and also congrats

[ohio hunter]

Kent, try not to dwell on it. Although I can relate. About 7 years ago, I shot what I thought was a nice doe. Little did I know, a yearling was with her. The big doe went into a ditch and when she came out I shot her. Then up pops another deer. When I got up to it, I realized I had shot a tiny deer. I was so upset and embarassed. I have not shot a doe since then and have only bagged two deer total since then.

[shawn_b]

at lest u got somthing all i have is a nice tag

[Double drop]

by all means never eat a tag....always fill it with a doe at the very least!
DD

[Kent Dorfman]

Any deer is not a trophy. I let bigger bucks go in October. I was not out there for the meat and the experience I wanted was the thrill of killing a big buck. It would be easier to go to the grocery store. I swatted XX er mosquitoes in 90 degree heat, sat threw driving rain and froze my butt off in November because I wanted a big buck and now I have to wait another year for my chance.

I did learn and my time in the woods was fun but I fell short of my goal and that is disappointing.

[eschatts]

Any deer is not a trophy. I let bigger bucks go in October. I was not out there for the meat and the experience I wanted was the thrill of killing a big buck. It would be easier to go to the grocery store. I swatted XX er mosquitoes in 90 degree heat, sat threw driving rain and froze my butt off in November because I wanted a big buck and now I have to wait another year for my chance.

I did learn and my time in the woods was fun but I fell short of my goal and that is disappointing.

Mike actually shot a buck that was a little less than what he wanted this year also. Cheer up there is always next year.

[Thunderflight]

If it's not a trophy then why did you shoot it? If you thought it was a bigger buck then you obviously didn't pay attention. There is alot more to life than having a wall full of big bucks.

[ohiosam]

t I fell short of my goal and that is disappointing.

Setting goals is good. However there are a few things about goals that you need to remember.

1. Make sure your goals a both reasonable, yet challenging. For most of us setting a goal to shoot a new world record buck is probably unreasonable. However for most of us who have killed a few deer setting the goal kill a doe isn't challenging enough.

2. Make sure you have the skills to accomplish your goal. Kent this might be where you fell short. Judging antlers on the hoof is very difficult. Maybe you need to find a way to hone that skill. Others here might have advise on that.

3. Becareful setting goals that involve other people or things that are out of your control. In activities like deer hunting you can do everything right and something out of your control goes wrong. Make sure you have the right mind set that if things out of your control happen, you can deal with it.

4. Give youself adequate time to achieve your goal. Just be realistic. Very few hunter kill big bucks every year.

[NKFD13]

[quote=Kent Dorfman;226700]Any deer is not a trophy. I let bigger bucks go in October. I was not out there for the meat and the experience :confused:

Look, if your out for a "trophy buck" and you shoot a 5 point instead don't get on here and piss and moan about it because there are many of us who would be quite happy with it. If all you want is a trophy on our wall than go on a canned hunt and quit complaining if regular hunting is to hard for you. I am sorry how this comes across but I just get tired of people putting an emphasis on "the trophy", I apologize if I offend anyone.

[Fish-n-Fool]

Sorry for your frustration!

Now - Welcome to big buck hunting! I have found I only score on a P&Y sized buck with my bow about 1 out of 3 seasons now that I hold out for one. I have had the good furtune to string a couple back to back years of shooting borderline P&Y or better bucks with the bow, but it is tough. Granted I don't have a lot of time, but I make the most of the weekends and do a lot of sitting.

I think you will find that perhaps you need to kill a few more bucks with your bow before committing to only a "trophy" buck. I would hate to be so disappointed after harvesting a buck with a bow! I have shot a very small 5 and 7 pointer with my bow, but man I was still pretty satisfied at the time. Maybe try holding out through gun season and then targeting a secondary goal. There is no shame in harvesting a smaller buck with your bow.

I killed several smaller bucks with my bow before getting to the point of holding out. I still can't hold out for anything near P&Y or better, but that is my decision and I am always pumped when I get my deer.

Until you reach the point that eating your tag really doesn't mean much to you, even after hunting hard the entire season, "trophy" hunting isn't for you IMO. I have eaten some tags after long hard seasons (and I'm no "book" buck hunter), but I never regret it. I will tell you it is especially satisfying when you finally do score. I once took a large 8 pointer on the last day of ML season within 30 minutes if legal light. I had hunted my butt off and had shots at numerous smaller bucks during bow season & passed. I hunted all week of firearms and didn't see anything I wanted. I bow hunted through ML season. That last evening an 8 pointer came down my trail, I got into position and of course it was a 1.5 yr old basket rack. I passed and watched him go by and honestly thought I would not get my buck that season. After 5 minutes his big brother followed him out and I made the 25 yard shot on a 130 inch 8 pointer. I got this buck mounted it meant so much to me. You begin to doubt yourself after going so long without taking a shot.

[Redhunter1012]

Kent, same thing happened to me this year. I have a few nice bucks on the wall, but none with a compound. This year I decided to hold out for something special. Saturday of gun season I had a small but sorta tall 9 point come running into me while walking to the stand. I drew as he approached and ended up taking him. As soon as he took off after the shot I knew he wasn't the caliber of buck I wanted. I was very disappointed in myself because I pride myself in letting little ones walk. I passed up close to a dozen deer this year that were alot better than this one. But, it was my first compound buck and I look at it a little better now. It may not be soon, but there will be a time when you look at that hunt and harvest and are really proud of it and will share this story with a little more enthusiasm. Congratulations on a good hunt and experience. And by the way, I'll finally get around to posting pics of my deer a lttle later today.:)

[tapeworm]

The key is having fun. Did you have a fun hunt? It sounds like you did, up to the point of walking up on the animal. Sometimes expectations can take the fun out of our hobby. At that point why keep hunting? My expectations vary daily. Sometimes I am big buck hunting(my definition of a big buck not a books definition) Sometimes I am doe hunting and sometimes I am deer hunting and the first shot I get is taken small buck or not. As long as I am having fun.

[OHBOW76]

Amen, tapeworm......

[mrex]

Mike actually shot a buck that was a little less than what he wanted this year also. Cheer up there is always next year.That's not exactly true Ed. Although I was a little bummed that the deer broke off part of his g4 running away from me (and I still can't find it) and yes, I have taken better bucks, my goal for this season was to hunt with my boys as much as possible (while they still think dads a cool guy) and BBBC #10 for me --- mission accomplished.

What fooled me about the buck I took this year was his body size, he probably didn't field dress 130 lbs. I'm not beating myself up over it. If I still had a buck tag and he walked in front of me this afternoon, I wouldn't change a thing.

ONE of the downsides to killing the buck of a lifetime, like what happened to me 2 years ago, and there are several, is the possibility that it might take some of the luster off of future hunts. It shouldn't, but it can, and that's reality.

I killed a 160" buck last year and didn't jump up and down about it.

I have experienced what flounder is going through and it's a lesson only learned through experience.

[eschatts]

That's not exactly true Ed. Although I was a little bummed that the deer broke off part of his g4 running away from me (and I still can't find it) and yes, I have taken better bucks, my goal for this season was to hunt with my boys as much as possible (while they still think dads a cool guy) and BBBC #10 for me --- mission accomplished.

What fooled me about the buck I took this year was his body size, he probably didn't field dress 130 lbs. I'm not beating myself up over it. If I still had a buck tag and he walked in front of me this afternoon, I wouldn't change a thing.

ONE of the downsides to killing the buck of a lifetime, like what happened to me 2 years ago, and there are several, is the possibility that it might take some of the luster off of future hunts. It shouldn't, but it can, and that's reality.

I killed a 160" buck last year and didn't jump up and down about it.

I have experienced what flounder is going through and it's a lesson only learned through experience.

I would agree with that mike, once you harvest a really nice buck anything smaller is a little less luster.
The up side is you got to spend hunting time with your sons, thats worth more than a trophy buck to me any day of the week. You can never recapture lost time and lost opportunities.

[Custard]

How is it ground shrink when you shot him on the ground? I've only heard the term used when shooting from an elevated platform.

[Milo]

That's not exactly true Ed. Although I was a little bummed that the deer broke off part of his g4 running away from me (and I still can't find it) and yes, I have taken better bucks, my goal for this season was to hunt with my boys as much as possible (while they still think dads a cool guy) and BBBC #10 for me --- mission accomplished.

What fooled me about the buck I took this year was his body size, he probably didn't field dress 130 lbs. I'm not beating myself up over it. If I still had a buck tag and he walked in front of me this afternoon, I wouldn't change a thing.

ONE of the downsides to killing the buck of a lifetime, like what happened to me 2 years ago, and there are several, is the possibility that it might take some of the luster off of future hunts. It shouldn't, but it can, and that's reality.

I killed a 160" buck last year and didn't jump up and down about it.

I have experienced what flounder is going through and it's a lesson only learned through experience.
we want kent!!

[stumphole]

Milo, I believe you may just be right :D

[Milo]

Milo, I believe you may just be right :DI get that a lot stumpy:D:D

[Custard]

I shrink in the shower

[Milo]

I shrink in the showerHot water helps. :whistle:

[TheCream]

I shrink in the shower

Three words: too much information. :yikes:

[mrex]

Be careful how you respond flounder. I know from experience that some of these guys are capable of going to another forum that they think you don't read and put some really bad words in front of your name.

[Kent Dorfman]

Be careful how you respond flounder. I know from experience that some of these guys are capable of going to another forum that they think you don't read and put some really bad words in front of your name.
Are you talking about syber thugs?

[mrex]

Are you talking about syber thugs?
And some of the toughest (and obese I've been told) fingers to ever punch a key board.

[swantucky]

Be careful how you respond flounder. I know from experience that some of these guys are capable of going to another forum that they think you don't read and put some really bad words in front of your name.


That was supposed to be a secret Mike!! By the way great job on you and your son's bucks!!

[Kent Dorfman]

Several months back, I got called out on a thread about trophy walls because I didn’t have one to show. As a joke, mrex sent me this PM with some of his. I didn’t use it because I new everyone would recognize the buck in the middle. This was back in August. I'm sure the site admin can look at my PM history. I have several saved from mrex from months ago.

Why the heck would anyone send a PM to themselves? I'll be happy to forward the original message to the moderator or anyone else who would like to see it. Milo, if you keep this up I’m going to get trkyslyr over here to beat you down—again!


08-31-2007, 12:00 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Athens Ohio
Posts: 719


trophy wall
Flounder - the next time you get asked for a trophy wall pick, show them mine at http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/PupFan1/trophywall001.jpg

[mrex]

I had a really interesting conversation with another forum member this morning. He believes it is not uncommon for the accuser to also be the perpetrator. He called it the “Jimmy Swaggart” syndrome. Apparently, the perpetrator assumes that everybody’s mind works like his.

It is well documented on this forum that Milo and babkerboy don’t care for each other, yet, the “tone” of their writing is similar and they definitely share the same disdain for the DOW. baker starts threads like “ODNR is going to screw things up” and Milo’s signature is “I will not question the ODNR, they are gods”. baker reminds us that Milo heads his ignore list and Milo is proud of it. bakerboy kills a great buck then shows us a picture of the landowner with the deer. Could it be that when some of us can’t find something to argue about, they pick a fight with themselves? Hmmmmm….no stretch connecting the dots here.

bakerboy, IF you’re not just a figment of Milo’s imagination, I apologize for dragging you into this.;)

[coonskinner]

every buck i've kilt was bigger than i thought...i have almost passed on every one i did shoot...the 2 i posted i wanted to pass even though i was huntin one for 2 yrs...i had accidently passed one of them on the first day of archery season...on the eight pointer...and when i did shoot it on the 16th of nov. in -16 windchill of the same year...i felt it was a different buck,much smaller but what the heck after freezin for a couple hours in the baker climber...i was very surprised when i walked up on it immediately realizing it was bigfoot(the deer)...:D
the other deer i posted ...its either 11/12/13 point cant really remember but i knew it was a decent buck...it completely circled my tree at 10 yds...as the doe did...there goes somes theory that only young deer stay around when human scent is present...:D but it too was bigger than i thought...but thats ok,i learned to adjust...:Dtoday i will pass deer up that size...prolly:D

[coopdog123]

o well just go out next year and take a beter one

[Monroe]

Several months back, I got called out on a thread about trophy walls because I didn’t have one to show. As a joke, mrex sent me this PM with some of his. I didn’t use it because I new everyone would recognize the buck in the middle. This was back in August. I'm sure the site admin can look at my PM history. I have several saved from mrex from months ago.


what does this have to do with anything?

Awesome collection, can I have a story on each of these? i love stories, let me get a beer.

[deerhunt45]

I'm gonna do my best Barney Fyfe here and try to nip this in the bud...

I think I can also speak for Ed on this, at least generally. As moderators, you expect us to control spammers (pretty easy to spot), trolls (harder sometimes), make sure posts are in the appropriate forums and generally try to keep things neat and orderly, try to keep threads on topic and provide support for members. We try our best to do this. From posting pics to editing threads, we are here for you because we believe in this site and it's value. It is totally a volunteer position. I don't think it's ever been better around here, jmo.

In turn we (moderators) are rewarded with ALL (Bold capital letter and italic) of the information exchange. It has big rewards, being able to meet and get to know other members and the prospect of meeting more like minded folk has been a big positive for me. Just helping with this exchange is for the most part, fun for us and the site will continue evolve.

That said, it also has its challenges. Moderating for mulitiple identities and trolls, especially when they are covert about it, is more time consuming than you can imagine. If you never tried to moderate a public forum of this size, you don't know what I'm talking about.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to the point of this post. Perhaps it has no point :whistle:

[Custard]

So, are you telling Milo to shut the hell up?

[Freedomrules3]

My goodness, I hate hearing this. ANY deer is a trophy with a bow. You shot with a bow this time of year following gun season, and in some pretty cold conditions, good job. Use the experience and learn from it. In the future try not to let the excitement get the best of you, dont put some much pressure on yourself (hunting is supposed to be FUN), and if in doubt dont shoot.

I agree with some of the other comments, if you truly wnat a big one, be prepared to eat a tag or two, or three, etc. It seems to me you already had plenty of meat int he freezer, you just let your nerves and the pressure get to you and it led to a poor decision.


I agree with its a big accomplishment shooting a buck or any deer right after gun season. Just take the lessons learned and move on . You have accomplished something worth being proud of .... Congrats , many a hunter has ate his tag this late in the season. :D
I've ate my Ohio tag 3 years in a row now , found it tastes better in a slow cooker :whistle:

["J"]

Well are we at least going to be able to see a picture of the beast that started this thread????? :whistle: :yikes: :D