On Thursday October 25th I got an opportunity on a buck named Splits for his distinctive split brow tines. I was able to close the deal on my number 1 hitlist buck for the second year in a row and I couldn't be more thankful. The story of Splits began during the 2011 bow season, after reading some threads from now teamate Troy (Shed), I established some mock scrapes using buck fever synthetic scents on a hardwood ridge on the property I hunt. As the Wisconsin opener rolled around the sign was incredible, multiple scrapes and rubs littered the ridge earlier than I've ever witnessed them. One of the bucks that showed up was a main frame eight with split brow tines, Splits. In late October on a hunt over the above scrape, I passed him at 15 yards, but gained valuable insight for this season. Where he came from during this encounter was from a bedding area across the road from our property, where he entered our property there were multiple rubs, rubs I felt had to be his. As the 2012 season rolled around, I established a mineral site in Splits core area, from June through Septemer I got multiple pictures. As the season began I knew I had to wait for the right time to make my move. The week of the 25th while talking to my dad, he informed me that multiple rubs along the road had started to pop up in the exact same area as last year. I felt it had to be him, now all I needed was a south or southwest wind and I was set. Thursday morning I got that wind, myself and my camera guy (Jason) got into the area 45 minutes before first light, an area I haven't hunted in years. I found what I thought was the perfect tree and hoped as it became light that I was right. About a half hour after first light Jason says, buck, shooter buck, splits. At this point I turn on stand to see splits at about 100 yards and closing on a trail that would bring him within 15 yards. I let him pass and put an arrow in him as he quartered away. On the shot I felt like it was a little forward but wasnt able to see impact and couldn't confirm anything with the camera. Where the buck went we could hear him almost coughing, something that I had never heard but I knew he had to be hurting bad. It turned out that I actually hit him quite forward, entering through the front of his shoulder and existing the center of his neck. I took out the front of his lung and the main artery in his neck and he piled up on the road at about 125-150 yards. I couldn't be happier with the buck, he actually scored a lot higher than I had him figured at 172-4/8", I though he'd be in the 150's. I found in the following days a neighbor and fellow bowhunting.com member had pictures of this buck and called him maximus. I never put this together because the point on his left side that points forward was on his right beam last year which threw me. You can check out some of his pics at this link: http://forums.bowhunting.com/showth...-I-call-quot-maximus-quot&p=501595#post501595
It was a pleasure chasing this stud of a buck the past two seasons! Thanks for the memories Splits! And congratulations Paul.... I'm glad I was able to share it with you!
