Campfire Stories

Please send us you short story to info@droptineproductions.net

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Robin - aka Ms Grit: New Jersey (DTOR Pro Staff)

Quick Stats . . . 8 point taken in zone 2 at 9:45 this morning, my son Matt caught it on film, 140 lbs dressed, 105 green score . . . I can't believe that in my excitement, I forgot to get pics of the green tag, so I'm running back to the butcher/check in station RIGHT NOW !!!

So, this season started off with me having a whole new attitude. I was determined that I was only going to take a specific caliber buck as my first bow buck. Many times my dad would tell me that I wasn't experienced enough with the bow to allow any buck to walk, but I would tell him that I WAS experienced enough to decide for myself which buck I would or wouldn't shoot. Fall Bow came and went and although I had opportunities at bucks that I would have gladly taken last year, I let them walk, keeping true to my goals. On the second day of Fall Bow, my target buck stepped out directly underneath my tree, only to give me no bow shot and no video shot. He stood there for about 10 seconds before looking directly up at me and retreating back into the cover from where he came. He never showed up again. There were FIVE different shooter bucks that I continually got pictures of, but none during shooting hours. On the last day of Fall Bow I had a small 6 point in front me and I struggled with myself . . . I want him . . . No, I don't . . . Yes, I Do . . . No, he's not old enough or big enough . . . But, he'd be your first Bow Buck, so take him . . . But he isn't what I really want to shoot . . . Well, I didn't shoot him and I am glad that I was able to hold on to the standard I had set for myself.

With Permit Bow starting up, I hunted multiple zones, but primarily focused my time and effort between Management Property in zone 9 and Private Property in zone 2. I hunted with bait, without bait and with a decoy on occasion. I hunted from lock ons, my climber and from a blind. Greg Hopg, Mike Kitchen, and several others all dedicated numerous hours of their time and effort trying to capture my first Bow Buck on film. I self filmed and I taught my 13 year old son Matthew how to operate the video camera, but nothing panned out, that is, until this morning . . .

This morning started off as any other hunting morning has, only it was a special day, as Matt was going to be able to go with me, one of the few times this season. It was my 63rd hunt, if you count a morning sit and an afternoon sit as 2 hunts. I’ve been fighting being sick the past 10 days and actually missed yesterday as I just needed a day to recouperate and not sit outside in the cold wet rain AGAIN. We were in the blind by 5:30 and sure enough, our regulars showed up, the broken rack spike, well, he actually looks like a bb with a 1 inch broken tine on the other side, and also a pretty nice spike. They hung around for awhile before disappearing into the distance to our forward right. At about 8:30, I got word that the property owner had seen one of the bigger bucks in the area. Matt and I looked and looked around, but saw nothing. I told him that we needed to sit as long as possible, but by 9:30, Matt was getting antsy. When he asked me what time it was, I fibbed and told him it was only around 9am. He wanted to leave. I told him we should stay at least another half an hour. We settled on 20 minutes. Well, within 10, we could hear dogs barking behind us and 5 minutes later Matt peeked out the back of the blind and the expression on his face when he whispered “Mommy, there’s a big f-ing buck behind us” was priceless. He had just gotten in trouble, BIG TROUBLE, for using that word a few weeks ago, so I figured that he was really serious about the size of the buck and peeked out the back window myself. I immediately whispered, “Get the camera on.” The buck came around from the left of the blind, which was behind me as I was sitting. I though that I better shoot him before he gets to the corn, (yes, I baited this spot as it is a legal and ethical means to hunt deer in New Jersey) I have only ever seen the bucks in the pictures on my corn for one or two minutes, while I see the does there for 20 sometimes, but he gave me no shot as he was coming in. He got to the corn, 13 yards away, and stood there broadside, but his front right leg was not in the best position for a clean shot. I kept thinking to myself, “Please, please move that leg forward, just one step.” Well, several very long minutes later a bird distracted him, and as he looked to his left, he also moved that foot forward and I drew on him, got him in sight, and let my arrow fly. This was only the second time I ever shot while sitting and shot through the screen of a blind. My arrow hit about 2 inches farther back than where I aimed, but it was still a deadly hit. He ran uphill about 60 yards and crashed. That’s when I lost it. That’s when I got the shakes, and that’s when I turned into a bowl of jello. After he crashed, he actually got back up, took three more steps and then went down for the final count. All of my patience, persistence and determination finally paid off.

And to those who tried so hard to capture this special moment on film for me, I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, but the fact that it was my son who actually filmed it for me, has made it all that more special of a trophy and a reward. I know that Matt was just as excited as I was today and that’s what it’s really all about.

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Jimmy Barnes: Florida

I was on a hunting trip in northeast Pa. in October 2006 when I took this 12 point Fallow with 28 inch inside spread that weighed 240lbs on the huff. The Fallow Buck was my first deer ever with a bow. I love to hunt and enjoy your site, and being able to see what other hunters are posting as well.Thanks for posting the other pitchers that I sent in to you. (The double Doe is getting some great attention).

I have had some calls from friends that saw the pictures and I encouraged them to follow your site as well.

Again thanks for the quality work that you and your staff provide the viewers.

Your friend and supporter !

Jimmy Barnes

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Brittany Diana: New Jersey

On April 12, 2008 at 7:15am I, Brittany Diana got my turkey. It was about 5:10 when my dad(Mark), my brothers(Matt & Brian) and I walked in and we could all ready hear the turkeys gobbling on the ridge above us. We soon got set up by a couple of big trees and settled down, it wasn’t long before we started to call and turkeys answered. About a half hour later 4 turkeys flew down, 2 hens and 2 gobblers. We waited and waited but the 2 gobblers wouldn’t come into range. Then a little while longer the second gobbler started to walk closer looking for our hen decoy as my dad called. When he came into range I took the shot. My Remington 11-87 with #4 hevi-shot did the job. It ended up being 21 lbs. with a 9 inch beard and 7/8 inch spurs. This was my second turkey, last year I shot a jake. I was happy that I got him and hope to go out again soon.

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Joshua Jeffreys: North Dakota

I didn't have much time to hunt this year because i am stationed in Korea for a 1 year remote
tour. I got to go home in November for vacation so the fist day i went out
bowhunting i got lucky i guess. I have pre-hung stands so all i had to do
is wait for the right wind and slip in. I was only in the stand for maybe
an hour and i started doing some blind calling with the new Buck Growl from
mad calls and it worked. He came right in and walked around just out of
range for a few minutes and then came on in. I waited for a broadside shot
and then took him. I watched him go down within sight. He isn't the
biggest buck in the woods but he done the job for me and with not much time
to be home it worked out great.

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Matt Nicholson: Pennsylvania

On a warm opening day of gun season this year in Pleasant Mount, PA my whole hunting experience changed incredibly. I went out in the morning and stayed to about midday and didn’t even see a squirrel. When I returned to the woods at about 2:00, I decided I would try a different tree stand. It was right near a swamp so I figured it would be a place deer would be walking through. At about 3:45 a few deer came into my range but no bucks so I thought maybe I will just take a doe for my first deer and that would be great, so I sited in on one about 40 yards away and took a shot. The doe jumped right up in the air and ran off and I figured maybe I hit it and I would fall in a few minutes. After about fifteen minutes I decided to get out of my stand and go look for some blood or some sign. When I was looking I didn’t see one trace off anything so I got back in my stand at about 4:00. For a little bit I was just looking around and listening and then I remembered that my father happened to get me a Primos Buck Roar so I took it out and gave it a try. At around 4:15 the sun just starting to go behind the trees so I made a few grunts and did some wheezing with the Buck Roar, all of a sudden about ten deer came running towards my trees stand from the back of the swamp. About 8 doe past me and then all of a sudden a small racked 5 Pointer comes out into the path and I was checking him through my scope and then he kept walking and then out of the corner of my eye a huge rack comes out behind some brush right into the path about 35 yards from my stand. As I placed my scope on him I was so nervous and my heart pounding that I couldn’t even keep the gun steady. All of a sudden I stopped and took a shot and the deer dropped right down and wasn’t moving at all, I thought I probably should stay here for a little while before I get down and check him out. So I got down after my dad got to my stand and we went over to see the deer and it turned out to be bigger than I expected a massive 7 pointer originally an 8 but lost his brow tine when in velvet. The spread of the rack was 22 inches outside and 19.75 inches inside. When we got back to the house a few people were there and they said “You aren’t supposed to get the big one for your first deer at 16, because now it’s going to be a task to get another deer of that size in North Eastern, PA”. It was an incredible hunt, I still shake thinking about it and my adrenaline is still pumping. I think the Primos calls really worked and also used the Mrs. Doe Pee buck lure. My Father is a main factor in my hunting experience. He was the one who helps me with my gun and archery shooting; he also pays for all of my hunting expenses. Thanks Dad, Uncle Paul. N (also got a 9), Uncle Paul. M (also got an 8), Uncle Mikey, if it wasn’t for you guys my hunting experience wouldn’t have been as much fun.

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Adirondack Deer Camp

* Adirondack Deer Camp 2004: Tom, Greg and Gerard all sit out by the fire, telling stories and carrying on like we normally do. When all of a sudden, a loud explosion comes out of no where…………the other guys come running from inside the camp to see the 3 of us just staring at each other …………..After we brushed away the hot coals and began to clear our eyes, we realized that everyone was o.k, and then bursted into uncontrollable laughter not quite sure what had just happened but believing it to be the funniest thing we had ever seen…………turns out the explosion came from a full bottle of Goya that someone had put in the burnable garbage…….you can only imagine the mess that it made as well……….Good Times that night at Deer Camp…..Tom Petry

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Keith Kitchen: New Jersey

* It was the night before my first turkey hunt. I couldn’t sleep. When I woke up dad and I went to the hot spot. We tried an owl call to locate the turkeys. That didn’t work so, we tried a crow call. Then we herbed 3 gobbles so, we got set up. The first turkey we saw was a hen. I thought the tom turkeys would come out right behind her. The males instead came up the fence row and snuck up behind us. The one’s breed was the size of a soda can. There were 3 turkeys, one ran off. Then the other 2 went up the fence row a little farther. They saw the decoys and came right by us one started to strut around the Jake. I pulled my gun up and then Tom said “shoot”, the bird dropped and the other bird attacked my dead bird. That was so cool I felt like my adrenalin rushed through me. I think Tom and Dan were more excited than me. At the end of my hunt we went across the street and the same bird that we chased away was with my bird we saw again. I hope I see that bird next year.

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* What your about to hear is a story about my first Turkey hunt but first let me take you into the story by first telling you about some info about my self. Growing up I have always deer hunted with my Father, Grandfather, and their friends since I was 2. I never really thought that any thing else would give me a rush like deer hunting would. Then one day Mick Kitchen a friend of my father and I gave us the idea of his son and I both going on our first Turkey hunt and I instantly thought it was a great idea. It would be his son Keith’s first hunt because he just got his youth license and my first Turkey hunt so I new it was going to be really exciting.

As time passed and the hunt came closer Dan a hunting buddy of ours introduced Mick to brothers’ film producers, Tom Petry and John Halbig who offered to film our hunts and put them on a video. I thought it was such a privilege because not only did I get to hunt game I never hunted before but I also get to be filmed and be put into a hunting movie. Keith and I first met Tom the night before the hunt. He was with Dan and we met them at Keith’s hunting spot to put the Turkeys to roost. There were Gobbles like crazy so we new it should be an exciting first hunt Keith. The plan was to get Keith’ hunt on film first and then if I had not gotten a Turkey by that time with Mick they would film me. Knowing the plan we all returned home got the last of our stuff ready and got a good night sleep.

When we all woke up we quickly got ready and to the truck we went. I asked Keith while we were on our way to meet Tom and Dan how he felt because I was pretty excited my self and it’s his first hunt so I knew how excited he was; he said “I’m ready to kill a big one, and when I’m told to pull the trigger the big ones going to fall.” When we finally pulled into the parking garage we finalized that Tom and Dan are going with Keith to film him. Mick was going to try to call one in with me, and if they were successful by that time and I wasn’t we would all set out to get me on film with my hunt. We all split up and drove off to get the hunt started. Mick and I had two spots in mind so we quickly drove to the first spot which was state land, to see if there were any gobbles. Mick hit the crow call and there was nothing. That left us with one last decision and that was to quickly drive to the barn our private land, and give it a try there. We just got there before light, which left us with a little bit more time to find a gobbler and sit down and call him in.
We finally headed out and gave the crow call a couple tries. Finally after a while a gobble and it was a soled one. Soon after the gobble we quickly got seated and started calling him in. Slowly but surely he worked his way closer from this field about 150 yards away. Suddenly when things were starting to look good Mick got my attention about 3 trees away, by a simple whistle. Then I saw instantly what he was trying to show me. Two coyotes, no further then 15 yards away. As much as it sucked that they were there that day to mess things up a bit, I wasn’t really mad because that’s part of a hunting experience. Seeing amazing things that people don’t but should see every once and a while.

After the Coyotes left Dan gave us a call and told us that Keith’s hunt was a success and that they were on there way over to film my hunt. While they were on there way we tried like crazy to get the gobbler going again. Finally when Tom, Dan, and Keith came we got him to gobble. Tom, Dan, and Mick thought it was best to relocate on the birds. We moved above them a little ways and put decoys out and tried calling them in. As they came closer and closer little by little it turned all my patients were being wasted because he decided to turn around and go the opposite way.

When the bird left and my disappointment came we moved on to go look at Keith’s bird a.k.a. beautiful, and make a plan. We got a call from Mick’s brother, Bob that the birds were on the other side of the property. We quickly got over there and hit the crow call to see where they were. We set up on a knob. A little Valley separated us from the birds; it was perfect for us to see them come across. Dan was behind the tree I was against with the call; Tom was next to me with the camera, and Mick and Keith behind a log lying down. Once Dan started calling the birds, the show began. It was fascinating how hard these birds gobbled and came toward us. “It blew my mind” like Mick said it would a week earlier when I was denying it, boy was I wrong.

As the birds came closer the knots tied tighter in my stomach. Until finally the hens turned away from the long beard and he came my way. He looked straight at me and gobbled when he was 20 yards I froze instantly. Tom kept repeating take him, take him. I just couldn’t do it, I went blank. Finally the long beard spotted us and left the bearded hen behind him with the rest of the crew. I felt disappointed in my self because I knew that was once in a life time bird. Not only because of that but also because I felt like a let down to every one that desperately helped me in getting such an amazing chance at a nice bird. After that we all called it quits and decided to try it again another day. We all returned home hoping next time I might pull the trigger.

As the weeks passed and my urge to redeem my self grew stronger Mick located a bird for me to shoot on a tree farm. We all planed out that John Halbig Tom’s brother would film me and that Mick would set us up on the bird. We stuck to the plan and the next morning we went to the woods striving for success. We set up behind a trail with a decoy on the other side of it. We put a little blind in front of us to give us more cover and then the hunt began. It took a little while for the bird to get out of roost but when he did, he instantly responded. As he started to come down the trail we noticed we should have set up different because I couldn’t get turned enough to get a shot off. The only thing we could do was hope he would come pass us and go for the decoys so I could get a good shot. What was only a little bit, seemed for ever waiting for this bird to give me a shot. When he just about gave me a shot he stopped six yards away. I couldn’t get tuned on him.

Waiting for about 8 minuets with the bird staring at us he finally decided he didn’t like the scene. He turned and ran back up the trail. I couldn’t get up to shoot the turkey, but thanks to John who threw me around the tree gave me the shot just before the Jake got ready to take off. When I pulled the trigger the gun kicked more then it should have I flew back in to the tree nearly taking out the camera. I thought I missed the bird so I didn’t even bother to see if I got it. Luckily Mick saw that I duffle him and the hunt was a success. As excited as I was, I was still wondering why the gun kicked badly. I found out what made it kick when I pumped the gun and saw the 3 inch shell that Mick snuck in it.

When I went to go look at my Turkey I thought it was amazing and definitely worth the entire wait. I’m thankful for every thing every one did for me and I’m definitely doing it again next year.

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05/26/10