I couldn't hunt this morning because my daughter had a soccer game. No problem right? Well it stayed nice all morning when I wasn't hunting, then erupted into downpours this afternoon as I entered the woods. As I snuck off a big grass field into the woods I noticed 3 doe, 100 yards away. I snuck around throught the pine thicket and got downwind of them. I then proceeded to stalk up and get 30 yards away from them. I crawled behind some taller grass for about 40 yards then popped up as they were 30 yards away. As I was easing into my shooting position another hunter came out of the woods upwind of them. Dang! They went on full alert and trotted 5-6 yards further away. I thought it was a 30 yard shot, but it was a 36 yard shot and my arrow sailed an inch or two below the does chest. Then I headed off into the woods to a spot I have never hunted, just picked it off a topo map as a good place to hunt with a South wind. I saw a big buck out in that area last year about this time of year, about 200 yards away. As I got within 40 yards of the spot I picked I started noticing small scrapes all around the south end of the saddle, along with one giant rub. I set up to catch something moving across the saddle and to the north. It began pouring like heck and I was soaked to the bone by 4pm. I told myself that if it cleared up then I just knew something would show. At 4:30 I saw two doe at 35 yards. Then 10 minutes before sundown I see antlers. I start thinking, it is "him"(the monster buck I almost killed last year). But I see it is a different buck and grab my bow. He comes right down where I predicted a buck would walk almost to a "T", giving me a 5 yard broadside shot with him upwind. He was a 7-8 point, 2.5 year old. He was probably 85 inches or so. I passed. That is the first buck over 80 inches that I have ever passed. In years past that might be the biggest buck I would have seen all year. But I have confidence that I will see many more bigger in the upcoming weeks. I told myself that he would be a nice buck next year if I let him pass. I just hope he makes it.
Sounded like a GREAT day! I'm sure passing that buck will pay off for you! Sure feels good knowing you passed a decent buck, huh? Good luck!
It does feel good. I passed at least half a dozen bucks last year that in years past I would have killed. But the one today was so dang tempting...but I passed the test!
Im telling you VS, Its gonna happen for both of us this year I passed a 90" 8 point this evening. good read. loved the stalking story. hang in there!!
Thanks buddy, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I really wish you the best of luck this season. I forgot to tell you guys, I witnessed that buck rubbing a large tree with his antlers. He was rubbing the heck out of that tree for a good 30 seconds!
Very cool! You will get to drop a nice one this season yet. Sounds as if you may have found a nice spot. Are you planning to return here later?
This particular area is one of three areas I am concentrating on this year. I am going to be dotting around sitting in different spots based on the wind and time of the year. I have a plan, now I will see if it works. I spooked some does on the way down with my climber at dark. I believe I will hunt somewhere else on Monday, then possibly return to this spot next Thursday if the conditions are right. I saw those threes does right after that buck walked past me. If those does are there, then the bucks will be there at some point. I know they were bedded close to me the whole time, yet did not show themselves to almost dark.
The old Chinese saying - "Good things come to those who wait". Not sure if it's Chinese or not but sounds enlightening Passed three so far and ALSO waiting for Mr. BIG, soon...
Thanks Jeff. It was tough to let him walk. He had a nice dark rack and was pretty tall, not much tine length however. Good luck to you as well Jeff. I bet the next two weeks will play out nicely for you!
Good job Brett! Sounds like your plan of attack worked well, and should pay off for you. I agree, nothing like passing a buck that you would "normally" shoot. Heck, I've become almost nothing but a passer - can't seem to get a good opportunity at one I want to shoot no matter how hard I try. Its fun trying though! Good luck, hopefully it will come together for you.
Despite the rain, sounds like a great hunt! Awesome bro, good luck, hopefully that big boy is still around!
