BBD - Tagged a big Old Toad Sunday eve!

[Smokey]

It was the 23rd day of our IL archery season and I had not sat in my favorite stand once! The hot weather has been a big factor but the rut time is approaching and I needed to hang a trail cam to see whats in the neighborhood! So, dressed in a T shirt and light pants I hung the cam and sat sweating and swatting skeeters! Passed up a couple small bucks as handling a deer in 75 degree temps on a Sunday night is not a fun thing at 60 yrs of age and needing to go to work Monday morning!
So, with about ten minutes of legal light left I was gathering my gear to get down from my tree stand when I heard two snort-wheezes over my right shoulder. First time in all my years of hearing that in the wild - next thing I knew this brute of a buck walks out at 30 yards and heads my way! I tried to stand and turn to shoot my crossbow but it was so quet he heard every move I made and locked up looking my way. After a few seconds he decided to keep coming and I am pretty good left handed so I grunted at him and at 22 yards sent a 100 grain schwacker through both shoulder blades! He piled up 50 yards away in a ditch below a levy!
It was a long night of getting trailers, four wheelers, etc but granny and I got him hung in our shop at our farm by 9:30 - it got down in the low 40's so we were good. I took Monday off to butcher and I scaled him at 260 lbs dressed weight that next morning - a real toad! It appears he never grew a giant rack and was a great cull buck for sure...
View from my stand in first pic... river on other side of far trees and I am in a levy slough, 55 yards wid and 7/8 mile long - best funnel I have ever seen...

 

[Brian M]

Nicely done, sir! A toad, indeed!

 

[akiceman25]

Cull buck? Even your dog is looking at it like "Jeezus Dad! You see the size of this thing!?"

Awesome buck! Thank you for posting.

 

[cod]

Nice job, Smokey. So u do shoot stuff that doesn't sport canines!

 

[Smokey]

Cod, I have loved to hunt just about everything, that's been one of my downfalls, I have spent a lifetime running to the next adventure leaving a trail of clutter! From water fowling equipment to bears to deer to rabbits to trapping I have a very bad addiction! I am slowing down considerably though, gave a good friend of mine a very large spread of full bodies Big Foot goose decoys and said I think I am done! Dragging big deer out of the woods is taking a toll also so may start picking out tender little ones..?
AK25, it was funny I took our lab and "cheagle" dog out while I butchered this puppy and this was the first deer our little chihuahua/beagle cross had ever seen. She was leery and th e lad would block her from getting near it curling her lips like " this is mine and dads " you stay clear!
Labs name Callie - Runt is Honey Bun!

 

[Smokey]

Living room is a bit crowded - and bed room and a 30 x 60 clubhouse I built on our farm

 

[Smokey]

Oh, did I mention I like to fish too!

 

[akiceman25]

Ok now you're just showing off (very well I might add) lol

If you need help 'culling' anymore of those bucks give me a shout.

 

[stid2677]

Nice one indeed Sir!!

 

[Smokey]

Ok now you're just showing off (very well I might add) lol

If you need help 'culling' anymore of those bucks give me a shout.

I would be glad to take you out if you ever get in this area - especially the first 2 weeks of Nov when the big bucks are moving well!

 

[Smokey]

Nice one indeed Sir!!

Thx Steve, you know you are always welcome if you can get down to join me on a hunt!

 

[Smokey]

Not sure where to put this but I know several of my forum friends shared best wishes for little Kaidy that we have supported through her battle with Neuroblastoma cancer...
The news is GOOD at this time, she has been clean on her scans for over a year now and is a typical fiery red headed girl! She was granted a Make A Wish Disney cruise last spring and her family spent a week enjoying life. Delta pilots allowed her and her brother into the cockpit - I am sure they were a bit nervous over the drinks! A blessing at this time...
My wife developed cancer about the time Kaidy finished her treatments and unfortunately still fighting it - will have her 5th surgery Nov 8th - then 18 mos of treatments... Life has many challenges for sure...

 

[stid2677]

Thx Steve, you know you are always welcome if you can get down to join me on a hunt!

We need to make this happen one day for sure, Thank you so very much.

For the record, cancer sucks. I know my family has not been spared it's evil touch. God Bless, and keep up the fight.

Steve

 

[mud dawg]

nice smokey ! just got back to ak from your neck of the woods (springfield/dawson area)with a nice box of the tender ones you spoke of . the only nice buck i got on was killed on the road out in front of the farm the morning after i located him wow was it ever hot this year! is it still green down there or did you guys finally get a fall? thought about trying to get in touch with you while i was down but we were plagued with equipment malfunctions this year and time got away from me,. maybe next year.best wishes to the wife and little kaidy.

 

[Smokey]

nice smokey ! just got back to ak from your neck of the woods (springfield/dawson area)with a nice box of the tender ones you spoke of . the only nice buck i got on was killed on the road out in front of the farm the morning after i located him wow was it ever hot this year! is it still green down there or did you guys finally get a fall? thought about trying to get in touch with you while i was down but we were plagued with equipment malfunctions this year and time got away from me,. maybe next year.best wishes to the wife and little kaidy.

mud dawg, glad you had a rewarding trip - yes it has been way hot - finally saw a heavy frost today for first time! I have been out sitting hoping a turkey or coyote walks by - of course I have had a slug of bucks pass since I cant shoot anymore! Watched a royal buck fight yesterday AM - that was fun - them boys need to toss a coin when the figure out them girls aint worth killing each other over!