When it's November and the rut is in full swing, magical things can happen in the deer stand in a hurry. Even on highly pressured public lands. Such is the case for Josh Kobelka of Clearwater Outfitters. In this video he's hunting during the Manitoba rifle season. And unlike many other hunters during firearms, he's decided to make it more of a challenge by sticking with the compound bow. It doesn't take long for Josh to see a ton of action as the bucks are on their feet and chasing the does.
After letting a few smaller bucks walk, a heavier, more mature buck ends up wandering past Josh's stand on the trail of a doe. The buck is only eight yards away when Josh stops him and puts an arrow perfectly through both lungs of the big-bodied deer. It's this type of thrilling action that keeps us heading to the woods season after season.
We have a lot of respect for anyone who decides not to take the easy way out and tote the rifle afield when in season. There is always the possibility you're going to miss out on some opportunities that would be chip shots with a gun. Getting into bow range of a mature buck during the high pressures of gun season takes some real skill, especially on public land. Thus, one of the advantages of using a tree saddle. It was not likely any deer were going to pattern him using one of those.
Josh did get a bit of an assist from the hot doe. She seemed to have the attention of all the bucks on this cold morning. None of those bucks seemed to have any clue he was there, until it was too late. In fact, we doubt that buck ever knew what hit him. The shot may have been further back than he wanted, but it still took out both lungs. The buck was living on borrowed time from the moment that arrow struck. What a hunt!
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