Awesome deer. Nice going. Details are required.
The weather was quite cold; low 30's and 100% humidity and foggy. I was putting in a "french drain" around a house, and the elevations were critical which meant a lot of jumping in and out of the trackhoe to shoot grades. That was getting real old so about 4:00 pm I told my laborer "we're outta here, the conditions suck for work but are perfect for hunting." He couldn't have agreed any faster.
I dropped him off at his house and then stopped by my house just long enough to grab my bow and my hip quiver which held three arrows. Thirty minutes later I was in one of my favorite spots. I had a special private land only buck tag which was good for a month long season; actually a rifle season. But any "lesser" weapon was also legal.
I headed into the wind up a draw filled with pines and spruces but with plenty of open spots in between. The heavy fog would roll in like in waves and then sorta clear out a bit; which made it perfect for "still hunting." ie: "Walk little, look lots." I should have had roughly an hour of daylight left, but I knew it would be less in this weather. It was real foggy and visibility was sparse. I spotted 2 does and they looked at me then disappeared in the trees. I hadn't been seeing any bucks with the does yet but figured the rut should be starting soon.
A few minutes later, sure enough, here comes this buck down the draw in the direction of the does. I stepped behind a tree. He came closer and closer, and at ten yards I stepped out and drew my Oneida. Apparently a bit confused as the fog was swirling, he took about three steps toward me and then stopped, staring at me with his left shoulder the closest point. I didn't even look at the sight pins he was so close; it just felt "right" and I dumped the arrow and watched it disappear in his chest. The buck instantly did that little jump/kick that bowhunters are familiar with; he then ran towards me off to my left and disappeared into the fog. Just as he did his jump/kick I heard the arrow rattle as it hit the ground.
It was getting dark but I waited about fifteen minutes and then followed him for 82 yards where he lay piled up.
What a wonderful ending to a "tough day" at work!
