Strangest/Funniest Experience in Hunting (all game and weapons)

[archer36]

Since we had some fun on a prior thread about "shortest recovery", I'll put this one out. 

Here is mine:

In over 40 years of deer hunting, I never had this happen until last year. It was bow season. We were walking back to our vehicles (another Club member with me). It was near dark but light enough to shoot. Being we were hunting in the woods, it was darker in there. We were walking diagonally across a big hayfield. It was cut to about 1-3" high. The hayfield was about 100 acres large with two hedgerows. When we got to the corner of the field/hedgerow (about 100 yds from our vehicles), I spotted a buck bedded about 30 yds away in the open field. We stopped and discussed the situation. Was it hurt? (a road was about 150 yds away). Was it sick? Well, it was decided that if it was injured, it should be taken out. I was carrying a cocked crossbow. My Buddy had a compound but it was not loaded. So, I took the shot and anchored the deer. It started to roll around from the spine shot. I suggested we go to our vehicles and give it time to expire. We came back with my vehicle to recover it. 

There were NO signs of any prior injury to the deer. We checked all it's legs and body. It was healthy looking so it's doubtful it had EHD or CWD. The butcher did not have any wasted meat. 

It was a "nice" buck. 9 points total, about 2.5 to 3.5 years old. I have spot and stalked several deer in an apple orchard, but NEVER walked up to a deer bedded in the wide open.

Let's hear your story. 

Edited January 29 by archer36

[Silkcitymedic]

Had a small 4 point fork buck walk right up to me and sniff be during PA rifle one time. 

[BHC]

November 17, 2001, I was bowhunting alone, my late friend Sammy was home taking care of his father who was sick with cancer. 

I was in a perfect set up, it was around 3 pm, and I heard running and saw two bucks each one chasing their own does, they were at 60 yards mounting each one, one buck had a unique rack he was an 8 pt his rack went straight up, he and his doe stayed out of range but the other buck was also an 8 pt I put him at 140" around 200 lbs., after 40 mins the doe walked right under me with the buck following/grunting, he was at 10 yards facing away from me, I fired and was hoping for a spine shot, or hit the heart, upon impact he and his doe ran 20 yards, he went up on his hind legs twice, then slowly fell over, I had a clear line of sight of him and there wasn't any movement from him, and his doe was stomping and snorting at him she stood next to him, this went on for 20 mins !!! Finally, I decided it was time to climb down, I quietly grabbed my rope to connect to my bow and saw him standing up wagging his tail (it's like he was flipping me the bird) he and his doe walked away they never knew I was present. So I waited another 30 minutes, walked over, and saw a pool of blood. I followed the blood for a short period and decided to come back the next day it was getting late. Once I got near the road, I saw two hunters it was another friend of mine with his son. My friend saw the buck with the doe and said it was hit, and injured with bloody side. I returned the next day with a few friends and found the blood trail near where my friend saw it last.....but I failed to find it....I still have that arrow 

[Gman]

NY state rifle season several years ago, I was moving from one stand location to another, probably a 5-600 yard walk.  It was mid morning, I was on public land.  I had a spike follow me at about 20-30 yards for about 300 yards until  some asshole shot him as the buck was walking behind me.  

Guy claimed he didn't see me, I had full orange hat and full orange outer vest on.  Scared the shit out of me.  

The buck following me was really weird, it was like he thought I was his mama, he never took his eyes off me, when I stopped he stopped, when I walked he walked.  I never saw the hunter that shot him until he shot because I was so focused on this crazy deer.

[JD48]

1970s, was building a permanent stand, when I heard this ruckus in the woods coming toward me, young spike came charging toward me, I had a few steps built and jumped up the tree, spike keep circling the tree and attacking it, after 10 mins. he finally left, probably thought the hammering was 2 bucks fighting

[jerseyboy32]

Went hunting all day. And as I walk to my car. There is a tom full strut at my car. I walked up to him and he chilled for the entire time I changed my clothes. 

[Tarhunt]

About 20 years ago, I had finished up turkey hunting and was walking back to my black Ford pickup after not seeing any turkeys when I got into the parking lot, there were four Toms pecking my front bumper and wheels of my truck. I was like WTF! Of course, it was after 12:00pm and I couldn't shoot them. LOL! 

[archer36]

2 minutes ago, Tarhunt said:

About 20 years ago, I had finished up turkey hunting and was walking back to my black Ford pickup after not seeing any turkeys when I got into the parking lot, there were four Toms pecking my front bumper and wheels of my truck. I was like WTF! Of course, it was after 12:00pm and I couldn't shoot them. LOL! 

Not while hunting but similar experience. 

 

[PattyThomboy]

One day during the rut in NW NJ in Jutland….. I was hunting with my compound bow.  The sun rose and a doe and a fawn were quickly passing through the grassy, fern filled woods. 
A crash sound and the doe and fawn were running back through the woods. Behind them was a small buck.  Then more crashing and sounds of branches, leaves being kicked up. Then several more bucks appeared and kept appearing.  Before I knew it there were atleast 8 to 10 different bucks of every conceivable size chasing this doe in the woods as the hill in the little “ bowl” I was sitting in was alive with bucks running back and forth.  I prepared to take anyone that gave me opportunity.  But standing in my old wood stand, the sound of a branch breaking and the sound of heavy foot steps arose beneath me.  All the deer just stopped and stared.  I thought are they looking at me? No, I looked back and behind and directly beneath me came this monster nontypical buck. He was old and gray he was very much like a mule and his feet rather pounded the earth.  I got full draw on him at 7 yards .  I saw his rack too many points to count, he had sticker points double drop times and more, half of his rack was broken but still had more points than I could count .  I took full draw broadside, my freakin face mask has material between my eyes, I couldn’t see at all. I let down my draw and literally ripped my face mask apart.  Now, all these bucks are still staring in my direction because this monster buck was under me, I took full draw. Let it fly. The arrow tinked off a small branch I couldn’t see, and my arrow stuck him in his front right leg. Blood squirted out I hit his artery.  He ran and all hell broke loose deer ran in every direction. It was an unbelievable scene bucks of every size darting back and forth.  I loaded another arrow quickly but watched that buck go behind me in thicket and watch me at about 50 yards.  Now, his rack had bases the size of beer cans and his rack was tortured with points that were no less than 13 but more because I didn’t count the drop tines. 
I eventually got down and tracked his blood to a creek where the blood trail ended. I searched and searched but this monster, this buck was so big he had to weigh better side of 275 pounds, he was gray his Roman nose had to be 8 - 9 inches eye to nose tip. His rack was about 23 in spread, and I had my opportunity, and I knew he would have been the NJ state record deer and no doubt he would still hold the title today….. IF ONLY I got him. 
This occurred maybe the better part of 25 years ago.  It’s a hint I’ll never forget.  To be in the presence of a true KING a massive wise old buck to have the opportunity …… was successful in my eyes.    Thanks for sharing your stories….. patty 🦌🏹

[gregtpal]

I shot a doe & when I tracked & found her dead, there was a yearling hanging nearby.  I was dragging the doe out & laid  down to catch my breath when the yearling walked right up to me & just stood there a couple of feet away.  I had to run him off a couple of times as i dragged her the rest of the way out.  I guess he thought I was safe to be near because I was with his mom.  Felt a ittle sorry for him.

[archer36]

5 minutes ago, gregtpal said:

I shot a doe & when I tracked & found her dead, there was a yearling hanging nearby.  I was dragging the doe out & laid  down to catch my breath when the yearling walked right up to me & just stood there a couple of feet away.  I had to run him off a couple of times as i dragged her the rest of the way out.  I guess he thought I was safe to be near because I was with his mom.  Felt a ittle sorry for him.

Don't feel bad. I don't think deer have feelings. 

[the truth]

Not deer related but I was hunting when this happened. Early 2000’s I had a stand in a big piece of thick woods behind a mall. I was young and didn’t know what I was doing, so without even scouting my logic was to go as far in as I can into the thickest stuff I could and that’s where the deer would be lol. So I drag a few bags of sweet potatoes out there and put my stand up and leave. The first time I hunted it was during 6 day. So I’m in the stand for the afternoon hunt and I hear all kinds of branches breaking heading my way. Heart was pounding and I get ready. Well to my surprise out walks a homeless guy. Wearing a tattered old jacket, cargo shorts and sandals. It’s damn cold out too. He looks right up at me and starts stuffing his pockets with sweet potatoes. I really didn’t know what to say to him, and he never said anything to me. Just watched him grabbed about a dozen potatoes and then he crashes off into the brush where he came from. Mind you I had to be a half mile back with nothing else around and these woods were thick! I went back after 6 day with a buddy we were gonna bring the guy some clothes and food. Looked all over that dang piece of woods never could find his camp or any sign of him. Makes me wonder if I didn’t just imagine it haha

Edited January 29 by the truth

[Jim_]

Kinda stalked by a bear. lol. Bowhunting Water Gap land, near Dingman's, all the long walk out in the darkness, something was following very close behind me. I thought a person. A few times I would stop suddenly, swing around to see ...  see and hear nothing. I was getting pissed. Got to my truck on Old Mine Rd.,, and a large bear just follows me out of the trail and rambles across the road. 

[electric10162]

54 minutes ago, archer36 said:

Not while hunting but similar experience. 

 

Happened to me in Sayreville 15 years back. Toms attacking vehicles.

[Rjtfd]

Can’t say it’s a strange experience but thought it was pretty funny. First year I took my son bow hunting I sat with him a few times and finally he had his shot at a decent buck in ground blind. Week later we go back out and he wants to sit by himself in a stand. So I set him up and I walk about 75 yards away opposite side of hill. He sends me a text “dad can I shoot a deer that’s bedded down?” I respond no don’t shoot her. He says ok. Not 5 minutes goes by I get a text “dad I got one”. Awesome bud did another come by? “No she stood up” 🤦‍♂️

Thought it was pretty funny at the time.