Just a week after returning from my rutcation, I am tagged out here in Illinois. It happened so fast, and I couldn't be happier. Just 8 days after killing my first buck of the year in jo Davies county, I was blessed with a beautiful ten point here locally. Up until this point I had only seen a fork and a button buck in over a month of hunting nearly every day. When November hit, everything changed. On the morning of November 14th, I was sitting in a pinch point that I killed both bucks out of last year. I had been getting pictures of a 3.5 year old 10 point in my foodplot not too far away. That morning, I saw 4 bucks and 6 does, some of which were estrous bleating. I rattled in a scrub at first light. At about 10:30, a 160+ inch buck that I have pictures of walked past me at 50 yards. He had no idea I was there, and was broadside. However, I personally am not comfortable shooting that far. I grunted, bleated and did everything I could to get him to come into range. However, he showed no interest. Despite wanting too let one fly, I held off. Disappointed, I watched him walk away from what was the only encounter I've ever had with him in 2 years. Less than a minute later, I heard something rustling in the brush. The 10 point I had encounters with for 2 days in a row had come out on the trail that the bigger one was on. In the previous days hunting this spot, I saw this buck but he was always out of range. He too was at 50 yards. I reached for the grunt tube that I had just put away, and gave a quick call. Unlike the other buck, he came running in off the trail right at me. I waited for what seemed like forever until he turned, and then I touched it off at 8 yards. I double lunged him on a quartering away shot, and he only ran 30 yards before tipping over. I was shaking like a leaf, and if it weren't for my HSS, I would have fallen out of the tree from excitement. This has been an unforgettable year, and I'm so grateful for the time I've spent in the woods doing what I love. For me, this goes to show how quickly things can turn around when you least expect it. It was a challenging early season, but it only takes one buck to change an entire season. It shows me that anything is possible in the rut, even during the late morning and mid-day hours. I've hunted more than ever this season, and I am still beyond proud. I will still be hunting Wisconsin, and maybe even Illinois for a trophy doe. Thanks for all the advice you guys have provided for me as well. Good luck everyone, and stay safe.
Impressive buck and even more impressive that you held off taking a shot that was too far... Congrats !!!
