I share my hunting area with a bunch of people. I am the only bowhunter, and since here in Spain there is no difference between the weapons you are using for hunting, we all hunt at the same time. This is an added challenge, specially when you localize a big buck and you need to spend time after it.

Close to the area where I got the previous buck there was a bigger one. People have been hunting this “ghost” for years without luck, and have spend countless hours after it. It turned to be more like a myth, but the reality was that the buck was somewhere inside a big mass of forest, and so I was.

Back in April I was stalking through the forest when I suddenly picked a deer at 20 yards. Unfortunatly it was too late, since the buck was already looking at me. I only had time to raise my binoculars to realize the ghost was still alive..

The buck dissapeared, and I didnt see him again until two weeks ago. I saw him in the same weekend three times, which meant that I was getting closer and starting to understand the buck´s way of living. I saw him first at 15 yards, but it was too dark for shooting, but with enough light to see his horns in the dark. The second time was at 90 yards, but it quickly dissapeared.

And then one afternoon I saw with the binoculars horns among some small oaks. There was no doubt it was him. I quickly sat down and prepared myself. Then buck began to move slowly to the right, I measured the distance… 50 yds. At that exact moment I felt a breeze on my neck. The buck instantly raised his head. I opened the bow gently, I put the pin and let the arrow go .. The buck heard the arrow coming and turned back. I clearly saw the arrow missing the buck by little. In these situations the same question always come to my mind, what would have happened if the buck would have not moved? I had just missed a lifetime opportunity, which really hurts..

I went to get the arrow and it was quite unreal to find that I had hit a can which was laying in the middle of the forest! Which are the chances of doing this? haha

It was a long week, and I could only think on the buck. So as soon as I finished at work on friday, I hit the road towards our hunting area.

Fridays stalk are usually not too productive, since you arrive stressed from work, always a bit late, etc.. Although it was a good sign to see a doe close to the car while I was preparing my bow. It looked like the deer were going to move.

I started walking slowly towards the buck territory..

Suddenly I felt some movement less than 40 yards away between the trees. I quickly realized that it was the buck I was looking for and without a doubt I drew the bow. The buck was moving quickly and as soon as the buck slowed down between two trees I released the arrow. The arrow flyed directly to the buck´s heart, I think I would never forget this moment.. The buck started running and dropped down in less than 10 seconds. It was quick, since everything happened in less than 5 seconds! What happened after that its hard too describe, but anyone can imagine the excitment of getting your best bow buck to date after lots of days in the woods.

As I was going to open the buck I realized that I almost got him last week. The buck had a nice cut on the back leg. Its curious that it was in the side I was not looking at in the moment of the shot, but it seems like by the time the arrow arrived, the buck was already facing me. They are quick!

Good luck all in the mountains!

Pedro Ampuero