I arrived at my stand about 6:30AM and it was a cold, calm, clear morning. At 7:30, I had two fawns come past my stand and a spike showed up about 15 minutes later. There was a ruckus going on over the hill in front of me, I think it was a flock of turkeys scratching, so I just sat and waited patiently. Then it happened. Around 8:15 I heard footsteps and I knew deer were coming so I stood up and knocked an arrow. All of a sudden, 20-25 deer showed up and were all around me. I stood as still as I could,but several of the deer were looking at me like I should not be there. I started looking at the deer closely and finally at the back of the pack were two large bucks. They worked their way on a hill top in front of me about 40 yards away and bedded down. This was the beginning of a 45 minute standoff that would go on where I had to stand still with my bow in my hand. After a few minutes the two big bucks got up and did some friendly sparring, nothing too brutal but it was really a site to see. The bucks laid down again and a 4pt. came in and went up to one of the bucks and started another little sparring match. It was different, the big buck was lying down and the smaller buck was standing when this was going on. A few minutes later, a deer came in from behind me and walked right under my stand. I could not look at him because the bucks were all looking in my direction. He stomped his feet time and time again to try and get me to move but I stood motionless. Finally, after a few minutes, he gave up and moved on.
The bedded deer were content and were not planning on getting up for a while I could tell.
My two-way radio had been going off for 30 minutes strait and Mike and Ron were thinking something had gone wrong and decided to finally come over to my stand and see if I was ok. As they were walking up the trail the little 4pt. heard them and stood up, this triggered the two big bucks to stand up also finally and look at something other than me for a change. This was my one and only chance to draw my bow and take the shot and I did just that. It was a 35-40 yard shot through trees and branches but it was all I was going to get so I let the arrow fly. I heard a thud and the deer kicked up his hind legs and they all ran off in a matter of seconds. When Mike got to my stand he went over to where the deer was standing and could not see anything at first. Then after closer inspection he found 10 or so small drops of blood but no arrow. All three of us were now looking for blood and other signs and Mike found my arrow, broken in half and blood from tip to tip. It took a little while to pick up any trail because the deer ran straight down a hill and left little sign. Then we found a massive trail that just started about 30-40yrds. from where he was originally shot to where he finally was found. He ran 150 yards or so at least it seemed like that far at the time.
When we field dressed him we found the arrow had gone through his heart. Ron went back to camp and brought his son Dustin back along with the deer cart to haul him back. Dustin was excited to see this large buck and we loaded him up and hauled him back.
When we weighed him the scale said he weighed 165 pounds but he looked to me like he would be well over 200. The taxidermist told me that bucks some times loose 25-40 pounds after the rut, but put the weight back on after it is over. He measured the spread and said it was 18" and the larger horn was 5 1/2" at its base. He told me it may be borderline B & C but he would find out after 6 months or so when the antlers have dried.
I will never forget this experience but think that the hunt is only a small part of what makes this all a good time. The true good times is spending quality time with your friends, telling stories, cutting firewood, taking deer to the check station, and enjoying a good hot meal after the hunt is over.
Joe VarVera 12/31/01
