The season up to this point had it's ups and downs. I had a lot of deer in range and more almost shooters than any year I can recall. I was on solid bucks all season, quite a few "almost" bucks... but I just could not get on one I couldn't say no to. Was it from the huge EHD hit we had two years ago in my areas leaving few older bucks? Was I just in the wrong areas? Poor tactics? Those questions I cannot answer. Although, I do know getting on a big buck was no easy task. Friday, November 15th was a great day in Ohio. The non stop high winds of November finally subsided a bit. It was a welcome change to have a comfortable day on stand. I was setup in a clear cut regrowth area. My stand was situated where I felt I had a good chance of intercepting any bucks cruising this property looking for does. We have hunted this property off and on for probably 18 years and a big buck had never been taken off of this land. I was hoping to put an end to that streak. A few minutes before 3PM I simultaneously caught noise and movement off to my right hand side and I caught a flash of antlers. The buck was around 75 yards North of me traveling from East to West. It was to thick to tell if this was a buck that I wanted to use my tag on and I did not have enough time to figure it out because he was moving past and away from me quickly. I pulled out my grunt call and sent a call his way... Although, he didn't hear it. Three more calls each louder than the last and finally he heard it and he made a 90 degree turn coming my way. He at first wasn't committed to finding the source of the grunt as he quickly started away from me again. So I grunted loudly again one time to get his attention. Again, he turned and took a few steps my direction just to turn and keep headed in his original direction toward an area does frequently bed. So, I sent off another grunt and he turned my way. Again, just to quickly lose interest and keep on to his original destination. We repeated this sequence probably 4 or 5 more times before he committed to the call. When he was around 40 yards I then knew he was definitely a buck I was interested in. He kept closing the distance and at 22 yards I let my arrow loose on a slightly quartering to deer. Perfect hit right up the back of his leg and few inches below the spine. He whirled and ran the direction he was trying to go the whole time. I found him around 70 yards later. The 125 grain two blade Bloodrunner did some serious damage. Took out both lungs and left major damage to the liver. With his slight quartering angle and the shot being tight enough to the shoulder neither the stomach or guts were compromised by the shot. In this first photo you can see his left eye was swollen shut. The eye looked fine underneath when my buddy Frank opened it to see. Not sure what caused the damage.
I was waiting for this post. You're behind schedule...usually you're a October, guy:D Another stud buck. Are you running out of room for mounts?
That is awesome man, big congrats!! You have been on a roll, how many bucks have you killed with your bow over the last 10 years?
Congrats on another great buck!! Was looking for your post around Halloween, just thought you didn't feel like typing up another story.
