In all honesty, today almost didn't happen. Twice. Didn't fall asleep last night until after 11:30, woke up a few times with what little time I had left and when the alarm went off at 3:15 I nearly said screw it as temps were supposed to get near 70 today. Couldn't do it so got ready and hit the road. Freaked out on the way as I was backcounting time from legal shooting time to what time it was and where on the highway I was. Realized I had not set my clock in the truck back and chuckled to myself. Once at the property I got dressed and headed down to the stand that I have never sat for the sunrise, longest walk of the property. By the time I got to the stand I normally sot I started thinking I should just climb up and see what happens. Posted last night that I just felt like something would happen at the other stand and my uncle has killed some big bucks from it. Sucked it up and pushed on. Finally got to stand and was a bit flushed, sweating and a doe started blowing from the direction I came in, not direction of the wind. Things quieted down and I was finally cooled off, buttoned back up, sprayed some deer dander and put on face mask. Short time later I could hear some pawing at the ground, still too dark to see. A moment later heard a jostle and seen a dark blob hop a fallen tree and continue on down the shelf and down my entry trail. Small buck I imagine, but too dark to see his gear. Legal light finally rolls around and I hear leaves rustle again, same place the blob had jumped the blowdown a fawn stood. Leaned out a bit and looked further down the trail and there was a buck. Got situated as he neared and walked right past the fawn. Short wide 8 in the low 120's maybe teens, decided to pass him as I hadn't hunted this early here and movement was solid. He continued on down my entry trail as the fawn moved in to browse under me. Button buck, explains why he was ignored by the other. He'd grab a bite to eat and then look up at me and chew, stayed there doing that for 30 minutes. I couldn't move and breathing was cumbersome Watching him I caught movement on my entry trail where the other two had moved through. Caught a glimpse of antler and figured the small 8 was coming back to tempt me. He headed towards the creek and I figured that was that, but then he turned and started walking towards me. Focused on him for a second then looked at the button buck, he was onto me something fierce. The racked buck steps out from behind a tree and I instantly knew it was not the small 8. He was a bigger 8 and decided to shoot if given the opportunity. He walked straight at me and then at 20yds turned and gave me a slight quarter to shot at 23yds. Stopped on his own and I let it loose. Seen the lit knock hit its mark and he dashed across the trail and stopped behind a tree. I thought he was going to death run at that point but he wobbled once, then spun and dropped between two trees staring my direction. Watched him have his final moments and it was over within 10yds and 1 minute of the shot. Posted in the LFS thread and reloaded another bolt for a possible double it was literally just sunrise. The button buck had run down into the creek but came back up and offered a 15yd shot. Not going to lie, he would have been in the truck as well but apparently you cannot cock a crossbow on safety or something. Only a click when I pulled the trigger, string already on the dry fire safety catch. Stood up and got it reset as the button finally ran off for the final time. First 8 Button As he crashed Up close and personal 150 7/8 And of course the bed of the truck Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Have to figure out a mount for him now, plenty of time Have a semi sniek left amd right already. Thinking a straigt on full sneak, but not sure if he is wide enough. Very open to suggestions if anyone has ideas.
Really nice buck! Congrats. He has some serious mass on him! Love his character too. Oh, that was a nice detailed rundown of the hunt as well.
Aunt and Uncle's neigbirs have been after this buck for a few years. Got us in contact over facebook. He has his sheds and trail cams of him for 3 years Here he is last year, date is wrong on cam obviously. Have to get on tapatalk for the pics Can't get it to embed grrr [video]https://youtu.be/glaoUYIvUQc[/video]
Taxidermist was in between hunts when I talked to him. Said to call and stop by an evening after a hunt and we can go over everything. I'll mention it, just don't want sticker shock just yet I was hoping for something mountable but not expecting it, as always
