Well, since the season opener Dale and I had been spending as much time as possible watching a few wonderful bucks. ( Damn work kept getting in the way) I had been watching a particular buck that I named Limpy.  The first night out we set up our blind were we had been seeing him feed night after night. Like clock work......he showed up at Limpy o'clock (7:30).  Limpy came within 45 yards and I was still a little apprehensive about shooting more than 30 yards. A group of does caught our scent and off he ran.  Night number two rolled around and we moved the blind over a little hoping for a closer opportunity. Limpy o'clock rolled around and again, in he came, this time about 100 yards further down the field. He just decided to bed down right there. 

 Frustrated I decided to give stalking up to him a try.  Dale stayed in the blind and out I crawled.  I managed to crawl all the way down to him. However,  I didn't notice another group of whities watching me, and of course the snorting and stomping started.  Limpy stood up and there I was 25 yards away wondering if I should just stand up and draw or what!  Im new at this and I stood and drew a little to slowly because he had decided that he needed to leave......quickly.  FRUSTRATION at it's finest.....

 Night number 3, and we decided to try a different spot, as we drove down to were we had wanted to try building the blind who happened to be laying right of the road way 20 yards or so?? Limpy.  Dale suggested that he seemed to think that he was hiding and that I could probably walk up to him.  He was right.  I walked right up to within 20 yards, drew my bow and prayed for him to stand.  All I could see was his head and a little neck.  Dale told me never to shoot head on, so I waited.  Well after what seemed like an eternity he did not stand, but rather shot out of his bed like a rocket.  I didnt know a whitetail could jump that far that fast.  Im learning the hard way apparently.  He was gone again.  I was starting to take this personal.

 Night 4 rolls around and we brushed in to hind our blind hoping to once again get a chance, well tonight Limpy came in way across the field and had no intention of coming anywhere near us.  I think he'd had enough of me, lol.  So the beginning of the week rolls around and its back to work for me and Dale was sent to Kindersley.  I decided to head out on my own and see what I could find.  My oldest son Justin decided to tag along and keep his mamma company, this turned out to be a god send.  I looked around and decided to try something totally new.  I had seen bucks coming in to the far end of field at the same corner every night.  I set up the blind and we waited.  It was soooo hot I didnt think anything would move until late.  7pm rolled around and in the deer started to come.  A few nice bucks came in so I decided to get ready just in case.  I reached down for my release and frustrated to no end I realized that I had left it in the truck.  What an idiot.  Out I ge, andt sneak down the tree line make it to the truck....was my release there.....nope left it at home.  Dales bow case was still there so I grabed his and tried to make my way back without spoking the entire field.  Made it back and vocalized my displeasure to Justin.  I wasnt sure it was even worth staying till dark.

  8pm was approaching and I was thinking of calling it a night, because we were hot and tired.  Justin whispered.... buck mom.  There stood a new buck,  and he was coming straight for us.  I got ready and when he came around the bush I was already at full draw.  He made it to 40 yards and was perfectly broadside.  I let the arrow fly and did this buck jump.   As the arrow was in the air, he shifted slightly quartering to me.   He spun around and was off running across the field.  My heart sank when I saw an arrow hanging out.  My first thought was.... I didnt get good penetration.  I later learned that what looked like fletching far from his chest was actually my broadhead sticking out the far side.  I was worried, excited, pumped and just plain giddy as I watched him hit the bush line. This was my first buck and I called Dale for advice.  At first he didnt believe that I'd shot a buck but my reaction told him differently really fast.  He told me to give him a while, mark where I saw him enter and sit and wait.  This part was agonizing.  We had friends in the area hunting and over they came to check in.  We waited an hour or so and headed for the bush to take a look.  It was now dark and when we got to the fence line to scan for him there he was bedded and to my displeasure not expired.  Give him a little more time......again it seems to take for ever.  On the blood trail we went, we had pushed him....darn it.  flashlights in hand we hit the trail.  Justin was amazing with spotting the blood trail.  Thankfully it wasn't too long and there I was cradling my buck.  He was a little smaller than I had thought ( ground shrinkage Im told) But I didnt care.  This was my first archery buck, I got all on my own, full velvet.  So I couldn't be happier.  What a great hunt.  The only thing that would have made it more perfect would have been having Dale with me to experience my first archery kill.  Hope you like the pics!

Here are some of the bucks that I was really hoping to bring home.  Limpy is first.



This is Shorty 4



And this is Boss.  He is the biggest we know of in the area.

Congratulations Robin...Great story also...

Great buck, well done.

robin is finally sleeping. she is still on cloud 9 and has been grinning ear to ear all day.  we went and pulled out our blinds tonight and she was a little sad that her archery quest is over for the year.  well....if i can swing it, i may get her out for elk, but no promises.  anyway, she really appreciates the kind words.  every day that chick gives me a new reason to smile....

Beauty deer Robin! Way to stick at it and not let the frustration get to you - it sure can at times! Congrats on a great buck!!

Nice pics and great story. Goes to show that scouting and persistence pays!

Very nice buck Robin, thank you for the story and pics.

Yup Dale, I would think he has enough promise to make it over 170".  I wish you had some better pics of him to get a guy pumped up.  At least you know he is there and maybe you can get a chance at him and show us a nice close up!!

Congrats Robin on a fantastic deer.  Most people would be happy with that as a rifle deer let a lone an archery deer.  It's nice to see the ladies having soem fun hunting.  Great stuff for the both of you.  Congrats again

actually nube, i wont be chasing that buck.  there are a couple reasons.  some guys are not going to believe me, and a few more will think im just plain stupid, but ill explain.

first, although he is a great buck and a true trophy by nearly anyones standard, if i were to kill him, it would rob me of the opportunity to hunt for a true giant in november.  a few years ago, and a few big bucks ago i would be all over the chance to kill a deer like that, but with several larger already at home, it would be just another good buck.  scoring on him with my bow would sweeten it some, but it doesnt change the fact that he isnt what i think will be the best i lay eyes on before its all done. 

secondly, there is another hunting couple in the area that has hopes of getting him.  aftre the help they gave robin, i will gladly sit back and give them first dibs as a thank you. and in all honesty, if that other girl does manage to stick him, she will appreciate him much more than i would.  i wish them the best of luck.  if they happen to get it done, pics will be coming.