So Saturday morning was one of those perfect deer hunting days. The calendar was right, the weather was right, the moon was right and the wind direction was perfect for me to hunt my target buck. I stepped foot into a bedding area for the first time since last March when I was shed hunting and I climbed into a stand on a ridge that overlooks several drainages. I immediately started seeing deer because I waited for first light to still-hunt my way to the stand. I rattled up a couple of decent bucks on my first sequence and watched bucks cruising and chasing does off and on. I rattled about once ever half hour and grunted some in between. On the third calling sequence at 8am, my target buck came in on a dead run in the middle of my sequence. So, I had to hang the antlers, grab my bow and draw as quickly as possible. The buck charged in to 30 yards and started grunting and tearing up the ground like a mad bull. It was as intense of a moment as I have ever had in the deer woods. I have done this for a long time and have had some crazy good luck when it comes to taking nice deer, but I was shaken up for sure. By the time I could get drawn, he was starting to turn and leave. I squeaked with my lips and he stopped and turned quartering away just long enough for me to pick a spot near his last rib on the left side and send an arrow up through him. He ran over the edge of the ridge and I heard him crash at the bottom. It happened so fast that it didn't even feel real. It was such a rush to get so shook up after so many years of doing this. I actually sat in the stand for another hour and a half and watched one of the best mornings of rut activity I have ever seen. Even though I knew I had a great buck, I just couldn't climb down and mess up a perfect morning of watching what we all dream about all year long. Best of luck to all and hunt safe.
All kidding aside. Nicely done. I wish we actually had a real rut here to be able to see action like what you described.
Wow! What a great buck and hunt! You sure know how to lay down big bucks. Congrats!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Oh my word I laughed so hard. Love the photo! Congrats Fletch, great buck and awesome description! Congrats!
Nice write up and a buck we all dream of. I am sitting in my stand trying to stop laughing at that last picture.
