Managed to bug off work early today and headed to the camp for some climber time. Got to the spot about 230 pm and was settled into the climber at 2:45 pm. Photo below is the tree and climber When in position the climber is tight to the first dead branch on the left side of the trunk putting the seat about 14 or 15 feet above the ground:
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The view down the lane today from the climber to a few apple trees still holding and dropping apples:
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Closer shot of one of the apple trees to provide an idea of how many apples still left in the tree:
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The wind today was steady and moderate from the SW. The apple trees and lane run almost due west from the climber and the "area of interest" around the tree is anywhere from 25 to 35 yards out. After i got settled i hardly had to wait at all as 15 minutes later at 3 pm two button bucks arrived from the north (right side of pic showing the lane) and started eating apples. I have passed on buttons and does 3 times already from this spot this season but decided to put some tender meat away today. I have an additional tag so not the end for me anyways. I had to wait 10 or 15 minutes though as they were both broadside but were stacked and shooting at the nearest would have injured the guy behind. They finally separated and i launched a bolt into the boiler room of the closest guy. He donkey kicked and took off running and i pretty quickly heard a tell tale crash.
Packed up my bag and because there is nothing too breakable in it (phone is in an Otter Box) pitched it to the ground. As soon as it hit the ground i knew i made a mistake. My gear rope for lowering and raising the xbow was inside. Often i lag hooks in a tree to hang things but had not done that this time so there was nowhere to hang the xbow. That meant i had to use the climber carrying the xbow, drop the xbow or figure out some way to lower it. Well very carefully removed safety harness. Then removed my boots. Then removed my jacket, then my pants, then my hoodie. Put the harness and boots back on and then tied all the clothing together to make a redneck rope and lowered my xbow - just reached. The gong show rope:
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Pretty quickly found the bolt mostly buried but showing good blood:
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Headed towards where i thought the crash came from and found him piled up 25 yards away:
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Might be the fastest hunt i have done for deer. Loaded the crossbow at 2:45 pm and was back at the cabin with the deer dressed and hung up and i was even washed up all before 4 pm.
