The Challenging, Yet Rewarding Experience of Bow Hunting White-Tailed Deer in Aurora, Ohio

As an avid outdoorsman, I've always been passionate about exploring different hunting terrains and testing my skills. This season, I was fortunate enough to secure permission to hunt white-tailed deer on private land in Aurora, Ohio. Little did I know that this experience would be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with highs, lows, and unexpected encounters.

Aurora, Ohio, is home to a healthy population of white-tailed deer, and the private land I had access to was teeming with wildlife. However, hunting in this city presents unique challenges, primarily due to local regulations that mandate hunting from tree stands. While tree stand hunting can be an effective strategy, it requires a different approach and skillset than hunting on the ground.

Throughout the season, I spent countless hours in my tree stand, carefully observing the woods below and waiting for the perfect shot opportunity. The anticipation was palpable, as I knew I was in the presence of an elusive 10-point buck. Trail camera footage had revealed this majestic creature, and I was determined to have a successful encounter.

As the days turned into weeks, my patience was tested. The 10-point buck had become something of a ghost, never revealing itself when I was perched in my tree stand. The excitement of seeing the buck on camera was tempered by the frustration of not having a single shot opportunity all season.

Despite the challenges, my time in the tree stand provided me with valuable insights into the behavior of white-tailed deer and allowed me to hone my skills as a bowhunter. I learned to read the landscape, decipher the subtle signs of deer movement, and anticipate their patterns. Although the 10-point buck remained elusive, the experience was undoubtedly rewarding.

Though I never had a successful shot opportunity at the elusive 10-point buck, my time hunting white-tailed deer in Aurora, Ohio, taught me valuable lessons. Bow hunting from a tree stand challenges a hunter's patience, perseverance, and adaptability. It's a unique experience that tests one's skills and mental fortitude, while also offering opportunities for personal growth and an appreciation for the unpredictability of nature.

As the season drew to a close, I left the woods with a renewed sense of gratitude for the time spent in pursuit of white-tailed deer. I may not have taken home the trophy buck, but the memories and lessons learned will stay with me for a lifetime. And who knows, maybe next season, that elusive 10-point buck will finally present the perfect shot opportunity.

Mechanical Vs. Fixed Blade Broadheads

The argument of mechanical broadheads opposed to fixed blades will probably never end, but there are some factors worth noting about each. 

Mechanicals:

Pros) 

• Can be more accurate 

• Large cutting diameter

• Easy to store

• Can produce better blood trails

Cons) 

• Not as durable (Blade may break)

• Chance to malfunction or not open (More often with lower quality heads)

• Requires more kinetic energy for good penetration

Fixed blades:

Pros) 

• More durable

• Better penetration

• Cut on contact

• Most are easy to clean and resharpen for reuse

Cons) 

• Smaller cutting diameter

• Can be less accurate

• Harder to store without dulling blades

It is important to note that the success of every broadhead despite its type is relative to the shot made. A field point will kill a deer if the shot is placed perfectly.

This year I am using the Rage Mechanicals.

Nexxus Arrows

My arrows of choice this year are the Nexxus Infinities. Out of all of the arrows I have used, the Nexxus arrows have been by far the most accurate and have great penetration thanks to their micro diameter. I fletch these arrows with 4 Nock On vanes and let me tell you, once your bow is tuned perfectly these are the most accurate arrows you will find. I have never had a problem with durability with any these arrows either. 

With Nexxus arrows I have the benefit of hunting while not having to worry about malfunctioning gear or accuracy. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER)

Not all brands of lighted nocks including Nock On will fit this arrow. The lighted nocks I use are the Nockturnal G nocks.

The Hunt For Megatine

Megatine… Megatine is what me and my friends called this buck. He had been on my trail cameras for about 5 months. He would come around about every other day. There were multiple times I had seen him chasing off other deer on my trail cam, so it was evident that he was the dominant buck in the area. Maybe even more impressive than the rack on this buck, was the size of his body. This was close to a 300 lb deer and that is probably thanks to me for him eating all of the corn I put out. 

It was Wednesday October 20. I got home from school and football practice at about 5:00. Despite not having much time, I decided to go out for an evening hunt. The main reasons I went out were that the wind direction was perfect, and it was a full moon. I was in my stand by 5:45 and on the way in I noticed a very fresh scrape about 20 yards from where my stand was. With this in mind I decided to try and create an intruder buck scenario with my Whitetail Illusions Black Rack and Extinguisher deer calling systems. My hope was that this would get the dominant buck in the area up on his feet and get him to come see who was in his territory. 

It only took about 10 minutes, and what I instantly recognized as Megatine was heading straight for me. I remember the feeling of burning in my chest and I was struggling to stay still while I was shaking. I stayed patient, and Megatine continued to walk towards me. I waited until he walked behind a large tree to draw so he would not see me, and when he walked another couple of feet I stopped him and took my shot. I was pretty sure that it was a lung shot but when I went over to where I shot him there was no blood whatsoever so I decided to wait till the next morning to go track him. 

The next morning my two  buddies and my dad were there to help me try and find this buck. To be honest I did not know if I would even find him. We walked to where I shot him, and then across a gully where I thought I saw him drop. He was right there, 70 yards from my stand, no blood trail at all. As I looked at Megatine I realized that I indeed did have a lung shot because there was pink blood and bubbles in the wound and it was a perfect hit. I later found out while field dressing him that all of the bleeding was internal. My dad, buddies and I dragged that huge deer out of the woods and brought him to the processor. (Arts Deer Processing, Ravenna OH) My dad ended up letting me get him caped out and is paying for him to get mounted.

I want to say a big thank you to my dad, Rees Williams, and Connor Bower. I could not have done any of this without these guys.

GO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF THIS HUNT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!