Bard's SD Bow Buck 2012

Today marks the opener of Deer rifle season in SD.  Adam, Tim, Mark and I walked many sloughs, draws, groves to chase after "the big one". 

 

What made this year intersting for me is I purchased non resident bow tag to hunt the buck infested land of Lake County SD, and parts of North Minnehaha County.  After a week and a half and around 5 or 6  trips an hour north this is the end result.  Every morning prior to today I have had close encounters with deer, and at least saw a big buck in the early hours of every morning.  Yesterday morning I even got a shot off at a coyote and missed.(after missing I was pissed b/c lost my arrow and a good broad head)

 

Anyway back to today...Most of the day I felt very "small" with my bow compared to Adam and Tim who both had rifles, Mark was along pheasant hunting and acting as our deer hound. 

Mid afternoon we decided to push the grove across from Bev and Greg bc we saw deer laying in there.  We set up a push and the buck almost ran me over, then he ran across the road into Bev and Gregs grove.  So we move across the road to Bev and Gregs grove, we put Tim and Adam on the end while Mark and I walked through.  I was on the north edge and as we were walking along I heard Mark shout "buck".  The buck and another doe didn't know what way to run and then stopped and was busy looking at Mark (probably amazed that someone could be that short).  Either way, it allowed me just enough time to find a hole to shoot through.  I then arrowed the below buck with my bow at 15 steps.  The buck died just outside of Bev and Gregs cattle yard:)  Not a wall hanger by any means but will make for a good memory and taste very good. 

Thanks Greg, Adam,Virg and Dad for the land to hunt on. BG.