NDR: The deer monkey has left the building.

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
In late 2009 after 35 years of shooting and hunting with a compound bow I switched back to traditional archery. Since then I have been successful with moose, elk and javelina. I have been spooked by both deer and turkeys and have missed both at least three times in the past couple of years. I don't know what it is about those two but I would become unglued when they got within shooting range. It probably doesn't help that I choose to hunt on the ground in a ghillie suit. I have had both deer and turkey within 3 yards of me at times and love it. I have finally realized that I am almost invisible when wearing that outfit and learned to relax a little. Still......I get nervous.

Finally last week while hunting a new area a buck presented himself and I was able to close the deal. A fat 6 (no brows) at 11 yards. Double lung shot and I watched him fall less than 75 yards away. If you're following the sous vide thread, it's whats for dinner today. The deer monkey is finally off my back.


 
Great Story Pete! And nice buck too.
Let us know how dinner turns out!
 
Pete,

Congrats, now you have me thinking of dusting off my old Redwing Hunter recurve, hummmmmmmmmm. I too love bowhunting from the ground. Sure a tree stand (old school tree stand, not a shooting house) is/was more productive, but nothing compares to the rush you get when you are eyeball to eyeball with a critter.

Again, congrats on a nice clean kill.
 
Thanks Dave,

Yes, I am having a ball with my longbows and hunting from the ground where I only have 20 inches to fall instead of 15 ft. when I snooze is a blast. I have had many close encounters with deer, turkeys, and elk while wearing my ghillie. I have had critters stare at me WHILE I drew and shot and not know what was going on until the arrow zipped over their heads, backs, chest etc. haha. Needless to say, I find it difficult to pick a spot when that happens.
 
Pete
Way to go!! I still have that monkey on my back after years of bow hunting with the progression from hickory, lemon wood. to recurve to compound to lock and load :)
wis boz
 
Nice buck Pete. Good for you. I gave up bow hunting for a few years due to a shoulder injury but picked it up again last year when I found a compound bow that I can draw back and hold at full draw. No deer yet but I'm hopeful. I've been hunting from a ladder stand but that limits me to a location. I like the ghillie suit idea. I may have to give that a try.
 
Thanks Ed,

As I said above, sitting in the woods in a ghillie is like being invisible. It's taken me a few years to actually believe it but its true. Hunt how you're comfortable but you do have options.
 
Great job Pete ! Nice buck, too !

I picked up a Ghillie suit this year. I haven't deer hunted in it yet but I have worn the jacket and hat/face mask duck hunting a few times. I really like the concealment it offers for the head and face. I could see wearing a Ghillie and setting out on a sand bar. I doubt the ducks would even notice you until it was too late.....

Thanks for sharing.
 
Great little buck there Pete, very cool. You are having a great fall eh?

Next time there is a DHBP paintball challenge I want to be on your team. : )

Mike
 
Nice buck Pete! What ya' think about trying judo,longbow ,layout for next year? That should be a challenge for you....think about it. Shoot the apple off an applehead ! Cool.
 
Don't laugh I HAVE thought about it Joe. If I could kneel in the layout I'd at least have a chance to get a shot off. Actually hitting them would be tough unless they decoyed like the old squaw used to. Even then it'd be a miracle.
 
What a grand trophy whitetail buck, Pete. Heck, I'll bet you can hardly wait until next year now. Way to go!
Al
 
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