BDN9
11-01-2014, 08:32 PM
I just missed the what was possibly biggest blacktail I've ever seen alive let alone had a shot at. I'm completely depressed. It was really exciting too which is helping me cope.
I put my deer target out in the middle of a meadow as a decoy and figured I was wasting my time but, what the heck, it was only an hour before dark and it was a nice evening to sit outside. I tried a series of doe bleats every 15 minutes. About 50 minutes in I slowly stood up to see a little more and right away I caught movement. Sure enough, it's a BIG blacktail looking right at the decoy about 120 yards away. He bounded off behind some blackberries so I made another bleat and waited. I thought I'd blown it by standing and he was gone but then he appeared on the other side of the bushes. He looked for about a minute and here is when I got to see how big he was, he was a tall and wide 3X4 with a big body. I was starting to shake now and trying to gain control but it all happened quickly after this. He jumped the fence, walked right for my decoy and was moving fast. At this point he wasn't offering any shot so I kept ranging him, 55 yards, 45 yards, 40, 35 yards and that's when I clipped in. He took about 5 (or it turns out maybe more) steps and turned broadside. I guessed 30 yards, drew, he looked at me but didn't move and squeezed off what felt like a perfect shot....the arrow went straight over his back! He bounded about 30 yards and then slowly walked off. I didn't think he was too spooked and I didn't want to spook him more so I left him. I know where I'll be going at the next few weeks. I just hope I get another chance.
When I walked out I ranged where I think he was and I think it was 25-27 yards. I still should have hit him with my 30 yard pin so I either screwed up the shot with buck fever or he ducked a few inches in combination with my aiming for 30 yards.
I posted this to make myself feel better but also let people know that blacktails come into decoys!!
I hope I'll be posting some pictures of him on the ground in a few weeks! For now I need a drink!
I put my deer target out in the middle of a meadow as a decoy and figured I was wasting my time but, what the heck, it was only an hour before dark and it was a nice evening to sit outside. I tried a series of doe bleats every 15 minutes. About 50 minutes in I slowly stood up to see a little more and right away I caught movement. Sure enough, it's a BIG blacktail looking right at the decoy about 120 yards away. He bounded off behind some blackberries so I made another bleat and waited. I thought I'd blown it by standing and he was gone but then he appeared on the other side of the bushes. He looked for about a minute and here is when I got to see how big he was, he was a tall and wide 3X4 with a big body. I was starting to shake now and trying to gain control but it all happened quickly after this. He jumped the fence, walked right for my decoy and was moving fast. At this point he wasn't offering any shot so I kept ranging him, 55 yards, 45 yards, 40, 35 yards and that's when I clipped in. He took about 5 (or it turns out maybe more) steps and turned broadside. I guessed 30 yards, drew, he looked at me but didn't move and squeezed off what felt like a perfect shot....the arrow went straight over his back! He bounded about 30 yards and then slowly walked off. I didn't think he was too spooked and I didn't want to spook him more so I left him. I know where I'll be going at the next few weeks. I just hope I get another chance.
When I walked out I ranged where I think he was and I think it was 25-27 yards. I still should have hit him with my 30 yard pin so I either screwed up the shot with buck fever or he ducked a few inches in combination with my aiming for 30 yards.
I posted this to make myself feel better but also let people know that blacktails come into decoys!!
I hope I'll be posting some pictures of him on the ground in a few weeks! For now I need a drink!