The morning started out as it had all season, verrrrrrrry quiet. As I sat in the stand all morning the only thing I heard and saw was Mongo firing his trusty Black Angus then a little later him looking for his kill. Just in case you were wondering he looked in vain for he missed for the 6th time this season! OK to be fair he did bag a 4 point buck later in the day. Anyways back to my tale, after my lunch I change stands. This did not help my frustration. Once again nothing. Feeling of frustration began to set in. Was I doing something wrong? (Usually) Was I making noise? (Undoubtedly) No. Did I smell? (Like body paint, one dollar bills and clamadia) No, I am not Tard (Hey I don't smell......Much) and I showered before leaving for the hunt, sprayed scent killer on every layer and was wearing Scentblock tm .

It was getting late, I thought, so I decided to go back to the car to check on Mongo incase he had a deer and offer my help. He was not so I looked at the clock and found that I still had a few hours left of legal hunting time. I swallowed my frustration and set out for a stand that Mongo had put up the previous week but no one had hunted yet. Not knowing the stand very well, height, firing lanes, or distances I did not get any hopes up if I was to even see a deer.

As I walked to the stand, 100 yds from the car, I heard a stirring in the woods. I pulled my bow just incase and a little excitement came over me. Damn turkeys! They all started to gobble at me as I passed. OK I admit it did make me laugh a little.

I got to the stand, shouldered my bow and climbed to the top. It was not the most comfortable stand. Once I secured my harness to the tree I sat down. I did not like it. The seat was a metal tube with fabric across it. I sat there quietly listening to nothing. Frustrated again I move my leg to find that it had fallen asleep, thanks to the seat. I stood up to shake out my leg and get feeling back, and I decided that I had enough bad luck. As I turned to undo my harness I was staring at what I thought was my imagination getting the best of me, an 8 point monster buck. I just stared at it and thought, “Holy shit look at that”. The adrenalin rush started but I some how maintained full control. I surveyed the area he had entered to see where a firing lane would be. I saw 2 possible lanes. I raised my bow and the arrow hit the rest making a small noise. He looked up but a tree blocked me from his vision. He immediately went back to feeding. All set and steady as a rock I readied the bow waiting for him to make his move. He proceeded slowly to his right. As he walked I drew my bow and followed him. He stops, dead solid center in the firing lane. I quickly determine the distance and pick a firing pin, ready, aim, fire…..

With a thunderous crack I stood up straight and said to my self, “WOW, I hit him”. I watched as he darted off into the woods. The mechanical head failed! The arrow did not make a clean exit. I followed his trail to find him about 150 yds away. Seeing the entry of the arrow into the kill zone showed a perfect shot, right where I aimed. The arrow did get knocked out and showed the evidence of a lung shot. After getting it out of the woods and back to camp I, for the first time, proceeded to follow the rules of “Gutting for the gutless” as seen on Mongo and Tard. I will leave Mongo the honor of telling that tale.

My frustration is gone!

If I knew how I stayed stone cold during the whole thing I would gladly share my secret with all of you as it was the key to my success. I can only hope that my next opportunity I can maintain that kind of solidity. For that one moment I was in total control of EVERYTHING around me. Truthfully I am still in shock. Good luck to you all and stay cool.

Click on any of the pictures below for full sized image. What a beauty!!!!!