2015 A Zone Buck (Archery)

[GGFerrier]

Still pumped from this mornings hunt. It was a long, hot, hard day... But as you all know, worth it all once you hear that THWACK!

 

[Hungarydog]

Good job, headed out for b zone opener this weekend

 

[DWarcher]

Very nice!

 

[trkyslr]

congrats and nice shot!!!

 

[KClark]

Good job, great way to start the fall.

PS: Damn star thistle!

 

[209hunter]

Nice buck!

 

[realunlucky]

Congratulations. Always wanted to try an A zone hunt

 

[GGFerrier]

Thanks guys. It really was a great hunt.

Congratulations. Always wanted to try an A zone hunt

It tough because it's all Private Property. They really need to open up a Doe Season. 15+ doe to 2 legal bucks. I'd love an A Zone meat hunt.

 

[land cruiser]

Great shot! I missed a fork first week I went out and didn't see any legal bucks this last weekend.

 

[GGFerrier]

Great shot! I missed a fork first week I went out and didn't see any legal bucks this last weekend.

Saw a bunch of big boyz (4x and 3x) all on a non hunting neighbors property, during AO... Then nothing during the week off, some spikes on Saturday and then Sunday this guy and his buddy showed up.

 

[land cruiser]

Ha, talking about seeing non hunting, some 4x4, 5x5 and 6x6. All tule too 80 head herd all in all.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Congrats !!! way to get us all started.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Congrats!

 

[gmajor]

Well done! I had a brutally hot A zone hunt a couple weekends back. All does.

 

[brushape]

Sweet, looks like potter valley

 

[GGFerrier]

Solano Co.

 

[Zackman]

Congrats!

 

[Bughalli]

Well done!

 

[GGFerrier]

Some people asked for the story... Im no writer but I tried to make it as exciting to read as it was doing it.

A good friend of mine owns 170acres in Solano county. There's only 3 of us that hunt it and we give the bucks the even years off.

During A zone archery only saw some friggen toads! Biggest A zone blacktails we've ever seen but with the fires and impending rifle season those boys were never to be seen again.

So the Sunday after the general opener we took to the hills.

We sat and watched 2 different groups of 7 deer feed on the backside of his property all morning. All Doe with a spike still hanging close by. At about 0745 my buddy decided he was done and going golfing...

I decided I'd move the front side and watch his pond to see what came in. As we walk down the ridge, we spotted 2 bucks about 560yrds away and about 700' below. He briefly contemplated staying but the call of the links was too great.

I watched as they fed and ultimately bedded in the shade of a scrub oak. Two beautiful heavy forked horns with big healthy bodies. The bigger (mine) bedded first and closest to the base of the tree. The second bedded about five minutes later.

We parted ways and down the draw I went. At 160yrd, I slowed considerably. Zero wind and there hadn't been any all morning... Every step waited for Murphy to ruin my stalk before it even started.

At 70 yrds, I took a position behind a large oak and started to worry I marked the wrong spot. But then is saw it... The twitching ears of a bedded buck. I studied my route carefully and saw that there was a path of bare hardpack that I close much of the distance in defilade.

They were bedded in waist high brush but I had a great view of his head and neck. So there I stood... Even though I was now slightly below him I waited the eternity for him to look away.

At 50yrds out the adrenal glands kicked into overdrive. In ten yard increments I closed, ranged and set my single pin for the next closest 10yrd mark.

At 30yrds, I decided the next my next movement would be my last and searched for a spot to shoot from. Found a spot were I would be level with him once he stood and only 20 yrds away.

I set my sight to 20 and waited for him to look away again. My spot was going to be in the open and I knew I need to be ready to rock n roll as I moved to it. I pulled back on my Mathews NoCam HTR and started towards my spot.

I got there and he was still looking away. Standing in the open at full draw, I suddenly realized I needed him to stand. Well now I was committed so I just gave a bleet...

He turned his head nonchalantly, as if he were too cool for whatever doe was calling. I must admit I was blown away that they didn't spring up and bolt. He seems to look right thru me. My KUIU Vias worked perfectly...

Knowing his hide-quarters would be coming up first I tried to anticipate about where his front shoulder would be when he stood. The whole time staring right at me. I remember his shoulder slowly rising into my sight scope and pin settling in the perfect spot.

I don't remember releasing the arrow, I never do. I saw the arrow, heard the thwack and knew I made a good shot! He took off down the little knoll and crashed into a downed oak. Then I heard the crash and the sound of antler on rock.

Form my position I could see my arrow...

After five minutes I started looking for blood and didn't have to go far.

The trail was 15yrds long and like that the whole way.

Two mile trek back for the quad.

80lbs hanging at the butcher

 

[GoodToGoGuy]

That's an awesome story. I live in Vacaville and do a lot of hunting and fishing in Solano County, but have yet to have the opportunity to hunt the local deer because everything's private. Congratulations!