Pennsylvania Double
Friday, October 22, 2010 gave way to a beautiful day with the weather in the mid 60's and mostly sunny. We had a full moon all week and I was anxious to leave work early that day because I had a new stand to hang, overlooking a food plot, that I had not hunted yet this year. It was about an acre of field corn mixed with soybean that I knew would be a magnet for the deer. After quickly hanging the stand early that afternoon, I rushed back home to get things ready for the evening hunt. All day I just had "that feeling" that today was going to be a good day for hunting and even made the comment earlier before leaving the house to my wife and son. After getting in my stand, that was positioned about 16 feet off the ground and overlooking my food plot, I noticed it was around 4:30 pm and the woods where bursting with excitement. It seemed as though everything was out in full force from birds, squirrels, chipmunks, turkey and deer. I watched a flock of about three dozen young turkey feed heavily through the standing corn and soybean for a good half an hour before the crunching of leaves caught my attention from behind me. I knew by the difference in sound it was no squirrel. I caught movement of a doe feeding her way through the oak trees, just out of my comfort range. It wasn't ten minutes later, a noise caught my attention again, only this time the young button buck was taking a path that would come almost directly under me. At about five yards and slightly quartering towards me, I picked my spot and my Mathews Ovation set on 70lbs. sent a Victory 350 arrow tipped with a Steel Force Phathead S.O.B. 100 grain broadhead through the deers front shoulder. The arrow entered high on the deers right shoulder and exited between and behind the legs on the opposite side. As the deer bolted, I could see the lighted Firenock glowing on the end of the Victory arrow which was buried in the dirt. The deer made it 50 yards before expiring. It was only 5:30 pm and I had a deer down. It was early and way to nice of an evening to quit so soon. I still had a buck tag to fill. After tagging my young deer and putting him in the bed of my Kawasaki Mule, I quickly made it back into my stand to enjoy the rest of my evening. It was around 6:30 pm. and I was watching three more doe feed their way out across the field in front of me, when again I heard the unmistakable crunching of leaves headed in my direction. I caught a glimps of movement at about 20 yards. At about 15 yards I caught a glimps of antlers through the oak leaves and branches. The 8 point buck stopped at a mere 10 yards, peering out into the standing corn and soybean. Minutes ticked by before the buck was convinced the coast was clear and it was time for supper. As he passed behind a large oak tree, I again came to full draw with my Ovation. When the buck stepped out the other side of the tree, he was 7 yards and broadside. The Phathead S.O.B tipped Victory again flew true,slipping its way through the bucks ribs, tight behind its front shoulders. The lighted Firenock showed clearly where my arrow had came to rest sticking in the dirt. The buck exploded at the shot and made a short, quick, 50 yard dash before coming to a hault. I could tell he was wobbly as I watched him stand there in one spot for a few seconds. I thought to myself,"c'mon boy fall." No sooner had the thought crossed my mind, the buck crashed. I watched through my Leupold 10x28 Gold Ring binoculars as the buck took his last couple breaths and raised my bow to the sky to give thanks for two beautiful animals and a hunt I will never forget. -Keith A. Richter-
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