BLOOD LIKE WATER RUNS TRUE
Whitetail Deer
Like the blood in your heart, arteries and veins, a river's waters also runs true supporting all that is connected to it.
I love hunting deer in the river bottoms. What is not to love? The critters have every thing they need to exist; water, food, cover, and escape routes if needed. As a hunter, there are places to hid, to ambush, to observe the deer's movements and then to formulate a plan to get archery close. And while I would be hunting in a few days, a limited stretch of a State Wildlife Area, I knew from past experiences, that some deer would be migrating up and down the river during the rut and some mature bucks from adjacent private properties, and growing older, might be parading past the stand.
And this is where I would be archery hunting white tailed deer this season in eastern Colorado along the South Platte River. My five day hunt would start next Monday, a time period between the end of the ML season and the start of the rifle season. If I was not successful then, I would return on November 6th to complete my archery hunt until the end of the month.
I had hunted ducks along this same stretch of river for the past 20 years, and also two previous times, I archery deer hunted in the years I could draw a tag. I was successful killing a good buck during those two outings.
The buck seeing the decoy came to within archery close
The buck seeing the decoy came to within archery close
and fell to the stick with a 15 yard killing shot
and fell to the stick with a 15 yard killing shot
I first year I hunted this river bottom, I decoyed in a buck, the day after the rifle season in early November.
a 1 pm this buck walked right under my tree stand for a 20ft kill shot.
a 1 pm this buck walked right under my tree stand for a 20ft kill shot.
I watched him go down 20 yards away. Kill on November 10th.
I watched him go down 20 yards away. Kill on November 10th.
The next time I had a chance to hunt river bottom bucks was three years later.
So even though I had killed both of these two bucks in November and after the rifle deer season, I was eager to go hunting again and those five days next week would be that time.
this group ended up at the bottom of my tree stand, trying to figure out the strange smell.
this group ended up at the bottom of my tree stand, trying to figure out the strange smell.
Two weeks ago I had hunted/scouted this same river bottom for two days, set up my tree stand in the same area as the last buck killed and also place a trail camera near by.
where there are deer there got to be a few turkeys around. Yep, river bottom are the best.
where there are deer there got to be a few turkeys around. Yep, river bottom are the best.
So there is Part 1 of this story and coming next Friday, there might be a Part 2.
River bottoms seem to hold all sorts of critters, these bottoms are surely an exciting place to archery deer hunt. I am excited to be going again, so time to pack and head out early Monday morning. The weather looks good with a cool down and NW winds. Yep, I will be hunting with the stick and over a buck decoy. It is time!
Go get em Paul. Will be rooting for you. I’m headed to KS the first week of November and can’t wait. The rut is approaching and I’m getting excited.
Have fun Paul--------->
Good luck, Robb
Go get em Paul, I always enjoy your dedication and stories!!!!
Good luck Paul, will be excited to read Part 2!
I’m betting there won’t be a part 2!!
Looking forward to it, Paul. Good luck & stay safe!
Go get em!!! Can’t wait for “The rest of the story!”
May your string draw quiet and your stick fly true! KILL EM PAUL. :) :)
Best of luck! Can't wait to follow this hunt.
Hope a nice buck comes your way, Paul !
Looking forward to it Paul...
Always enjoy your passion, stories,and pictures Paul.Although I guide,hunt javelina,deer,elk,antelope,bear,and other animals,I feel that I have lost some of the burn to go,and recover some of it when I read your stories.Thank you
Good luck, Paul, be sure and take you some Dot's to munch on.????
Good luck Paul, you are a great example of what one can do later in life! I know that I use you as an example when I talk to others about bowhunting into our 70's and 80's!
Ok Paul, we know you're going to kill a buck, that's a foregone conclusion. We just want the story!!
As usual Paul you’ve got it going on and are living a dream! Good luck and be safe!
Paul, you are one together hunter... your stories and scene pics bring a warmth to my heart dude! And by the way... anyone say you have a striking resemblance to Lee Marvin? ;o)
Amazing pic's and adventures Paul! Thanks for sharing them with "us"!
Good luck Paul, go get em!!
Always look forward to a Paul story good luck and be safe!
Cool...thanks for sharing! Kevin
Good luck Paul, looking forward to the recap.
