This season has become the season of "almosts." I've had numerous encounters with bucks over the past two weeks with Murphy's Law coming into play pretty much every time. I had an encounter with one buck over the course of three consecutive days. A combination of poor shooting lanes, his path, and one bad angle (quartering to) resulted in me having to just watch helplessly without ever drawing my bow. A few nights ago I saw what I believe to be one of the biggest bucks I've seen on stand. A doe brought him in, but 20yds directly behind me. He stayed in one spot eyeing the doe giving me ample time to study his rack but, again, helplessly watching as light faded away. Fast forward to yesterday morning. I was in my doe bedding stand that I usually save for this time of year. It has been good to me in the past, and it almost was again. Around 8:30, a good 8 point came cruising through. He was approaching me at 20yds and I needed about 10 more yards for him to clear the group of hemlocks and he would be a 15yd chip shot. He locked up, nose went to the sky, and he bolted. My guess? He busted me on a thermal. This trend was becoming a little disheartening to say the least. Great experiences, don't get me wrong. Still disheartening. So last night, I decided to sit in the stand I shot my biggest buck from back in 2009. It wasn't my first choice, but given the SE wind, the falling temps, and the recent frosts hopefully making the brassicas a bit more tempting, I went with it. I got settled in around 3pm. I watched an up and coming 6 work through not long after. Then around 5:30, a lone doe came past. She showed no signs of being chased, but the fact that she was alone made me alert. Then, not more than 5 minutes later I spotted a buck working a scrape behind me. I grabbed my bow and waited. He worked his way out the same way the doe came. He then had two choices. Go right and follow her which would take him away from me and well out of range. Or he could go left which would take him into my lane at 20yds. Lucky for me, and still a bit confusing as to why, he chose the latter. I drew back and has he stepped into my lane, I stopped him and sent it flying. He mule kicked and went off crashing down over the ridge. The hit looked good, but after waiting about 20 minutes, I got down and snuck over to the impact site. I found some blood and a bit of whitish/brown coarse hair. No arrow. I thought that to be odd, so I followed the little bit of blood 10 more yards and found my arrow. It was covered in good blood, but also a few stray white hairs. Odd. I decided to back out. I consulted with Ben/PA and we decided it was either lethal and he was dead already, or muscle and tracking now wasn't going to hurt anything. So after about an hour after the shot, my dad and I started the tracking. The blood was consistent, but in very small amounts. I was getting a little worried. About 75yds in, I found a leaf with a bit heavier dose of blood with visible bubbles in it. Better. Not more than another 50yds down over the edge, he laid dead. Now I'm not saying what I'm about to say because I feel a need to justify shooting this buck. He would have been shot by me regardless, but I just think it's a bit humorous. I've NEVER experienced ground shrinkage. I've heard hunters use the term emphatically when talking about a kill they may or may not have regretted. Well, this buck definitely shrunk on me . I only looked at his rack enough to know he was a shooter and that's it. With that being said, I really had him pegged at probably 15"+ more of antler. So it was a real funny moment walking up to him and being like, "Huh. So THAT'S what shrinkage is." :D Again, not justifying, just thought it was funny how bad judgment can be impaired in the heat of the moment. I think I better start working on my field scoring estimation skills:D So here he is. My first Halloween buck. I have my first child due within weeks and our season ends in two. It's been a heck of a ride this year. Thanks for reading!
Congrats and great story. Thought I was the one in the tree. You're happy, that's all that matters! Congrats on the baby also!
Thank you everyone. Edited some of the terrible typos (should not write something that winded when I'm tired :D ). Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Congrats! You think this season has been a ride...just wait. From what I've heard those little humans can be exhausting bahaha!
