23/11/2024
Russten Johnson KANSAS 2024:
Several days were spent battling rain, intense winds, and public hunting pressures. I started the hunt with seeing a mega 9 point, giving me a jolt of energy that prompted intense strategy, eyes glued to onX Hunt . I hung my Ingwe Feralite stand over and over and over, dialing my setup based upon what I was seeing (and not seeing🤣), sometimes several times a day. My Overwatch saddle kept me comfortable during my all-day escapades as I bundled up and braced harsh weather. I set up in this spot to have a shot at 2 trails pinched down by a creek bend between diverse features, one at 5 yards and one at 40. This buck came cruising by an hour before dark, hitting a Branch Boss scrape at the top of the creek and took the 40 yard trail eastward. I got the video camera rolling and saw great G4s and a split G3, immediately deciding to grab my bow and send a meat missile his way. I drew back and waited for him to enter a shooting lane. He did, and I launched my VPA omega tipped arrow 40 yards straight to the love chamber, destroying his shoulder and turning his lights out within his last 40 yard run. He crashed, stood up one last time, then tumbled into the creek! I immediately broke down in an emotional tornado and called my dad, Rusty Johnson. This Kansas trip was rough on the body and mind, but I was heading back to Arkansas with some meat and headgear!! Getting him out of the creek was a muddy mess that wore me out. I buried my boots in some quicksand mud and got exhausted. I called some buddies I met while hunting the same area a few years back and they helped me get him out. I am eternally grateful for the help, because it would have taken me an untold amount of hours without them! I'm grateful, blessed, and honored that this buck was brought to me by the grace of God for a shot I was prepared for. Lots of YouTube videos coming!!