UnknownTruth
New member
- Oct 11, 2008
- 12
- 0
- 1
Ok, I know it sounds a little sad, but my favorite trophy is a spike. Yeah, that's right. I know, I know not much antler, but I have taken many a deer, and it's the hunt that makes the memories is where the trophy comes from for me. Yes I do have some fine antlers, including a 10 point.
The reason why I love the spike so much is because well, I had to go through H-E double hockey sticks to get it. It was a very cold Alabama morning and I woke up way too early. I ate, got my blind all set (all natural blind of course, not some pop up modern item) and had pretty much everything planned out. Well, you know things don't always go according to plan, and this day was no exception. First off, even though it was cold, I manage to get my feet stuck in the only mud in a whole acre area. So, no my feed are wet and getting colder by the second. The wind changed of course and was blowing right at my back, so now, I have to move, and the ground was kind of crunchy from little ice cycles coming up from it like a potato chip carpet. I was thinking to myself, you know, I don't think I'm going to see anything today. However, I never give up, so I started walking slowly down a small stream that cut through the property. One hour passed, but now I'm at least getting warmer. I make my way over to where I thought the deer would be feeding, but of course, they knew I was there before I did, and nothing in the field. Now, I'm starting to have a little self pity, but I continue, 3 more hours passed with no sign. The day is getting warmer by now, I decide to take a little break, eat the sandwich I made for lunch and have a sip of coffee. I don't really pay too much attention to the hunting at this time, but I notice some squirrels running around chasing each other. I have my bow laying about 2 ft from me laying against the log I was using as a seat. I finish lunch, and start to get up and just as I am bent over picking up my bow, I see this spike....just staring at me. Thinking back now, I realize that the wind was in my favor for scent control. Anyways, there I was stuck in place like a vine in a tree branch. He keeps me in his gaze for what I estimate to be 3 minutes (felt a lot longer in that position) Now, my muscles are aching! Finally, he decides to start walking away. I let him go about 10 yards until he is behind a tree, giving me the time to straighten out. Oh such relief. Now, I am on the trail, I have to be quiet, but I have to get to a clear area for a shot too. So, I keep stepping ever so slowly, and stalk him behind some bushes. It takes me a few minutes to get there, but when I arrived. Nothing, he was gone. Disappeared into thin air. Well, there goes nothing, besides my feet are wet, I'm getting too cold, and I am generally just ready to go home. So, I follow the stream to a hill where a trail takes me back to the field. Looking around one last time I spot this same spike at the bottom of another hill. I know I should be heading in now, but why not give it one more shot. I jump across the stream and go after him. The hills are fairly steep so it he climbs I should be able to see him. Well, I am able to keep up with him this time, and we go over another hill and just as I am about to come over it, he comes over the top and gives me a nice 25 yard shot. I take it, and he goes down almost immediately. I watched him slide down the far side of the hill and come to a rest with part of my arrow left in him (some of it broke from the fall) and he lays there. Ok, just to be sure I wait an hour or so, then I go get him, and field dress him, and throw him over my shoulder.
Since he is a spike, I figure hey, I can carry him all the way on my shoulder without getting tired. Boy let me tell you, it is a whole different world between figuring and actually doing. After climbing the hills up and down, I had to get across stream with it (I threw it across) and climbed the last hill to the field. Tired as I was, I just left him there at the woodline, and got the truck to come back and get him. That is why he is my favorite trophy. So, what is yours and why?
The reason why I love the spike so much is because well, I had to go through H-E double hockey sticks to get it. It was a very cold Alabama morning and I woke up way too early. I ate, got my blind all set (all natural blind of course, not some pop up modern item) and had pretty much everything planned out. Well, you know things don't always go according to plan, and this day was no exception. First off, even though it was cold, I manage to get my feet stuck in the only mud in a whole acre area. So, no my feed are wet and getting colder by the second. The wind changed of course and was blowing right at my back, so now, I have to move, and the ground was kind of crunchy from little ice cycles coming up from it like a potato chip carpet. I was thinking to myself, you know, I don't think I'm going to see anything today. However, I never give up, so I started walking slowly down a small stream that cut through the property. One hour passed, but now I'm at least getting warmer. I make my way over to where I thought the deer would be feeding, but of course, they knew I was there before I did, and nothing in the field. Now, I'm starting to have a little self pity, but I continue, 3 more hours passed with no sign. The day is getting warmer by now, I decide to take a little break, eat the sandwich I made for lunch and have a sip of coffee. I don't really pay too much attention to the hunting at this time, but I notice some squirrels running around chasing each other. I have my bow laying about 2 ft from me laying against the log I was using as a seat. I finish lunch, and start to get up and just as I am bent over picking up my bow, I see this spike....just staring at me. Thinking back now, I realize that the wind was in my favor for scent control. Anyways, there I was stuck in place like a vine in a tree branch. He keeps me in his gaze for what I estimate to be 3 minutes (felt a lot longer in that position) Now, my muscles are aching! Finally, he decides to start walking away. I let him go about 10 yards until he is behind a tree, giving me the time to straighten out. Oh such relief. Now, I am on the trail, I have to be quiet, but I have to get to a clear area for a shot too. So, I keep stepping ever so slowly, and stalk him behind some bushes. It takes me a few minutes to get there, but when I arrived. Nothing, he was gone. Disappeared into thin air. Well, there goes nothing, besides my feet are wet, I'm getting too cold, and I am generally just ready to go home. So, I follow the stream to a hill where a trail takes me back to the field. Looking around one last time I spot this same spike at the bottom of another hill. I know I should be heading in now, but why not give it one more shot. I jump across the stream and go after him. The hills are fairly steep so it he climbs I should be able to see him. Well, I am able to keep up with him this time, and we go over another hill and just as I am about to come over it, he comes over the top and gives me a nice 25 yard shot. I take it, and he goes down almost immediately. I watched him slide down the far side of the hill and come to a rest with part of my arrow left in him (some of it broke from the fall) and he lays there. Ok, just to be sure I wait an hour or so, then I go get him, and field dress him, and throw him over my shoulder.
Since he is a spike, I figure hey, I can carry him all the way on my shoulder without getting tired. Boy let me tell you, it is a whole different world between figuring and actually doing. After climbing the hills up and down, I had to get across stream with it (I threw it across) and climbed the last hill to the field. Tired as I was, I just left him there at the woodline, and got the truck to come back and get him. That is why he is my favorite trophy. So, what is yours and why?