Wow...what a great season I've had! :D Decided to do an evening hunt today since the incoming rain would prevent me from going out tomorrow. It was 65 degrees when I left the house afternoon around 2PM. Got down to my hunting area and checked the wind and it was perfect (for the time being). I stealthily made my way to one of my setups and ascended in my climber. It was quite boring for the first couple hours and then a flock of turkeys made their way through the field. This was just after I had done a rattle & grunt sequence. I remember thinking to myself that turkeys don't ever seem to mind rattling. I've actually had them come into an area right after I've rattled. At about 1630, I heard a noise to my left and spotted a deer...a buck! At first glance I wasn't sure he was a shooter until he made his way to about 25 yards from my stand. He stood around and browsed for about 30 minutes in that same spot. All the while, I'm standing now with my bow in hand shielding my face cursing the shift in wind direction. Thankfully, he did not wind me. And I know you're not supposed too but I was eying those antlers and noticed some unique features like a droptine! I had a few places picked out and ranged so when the time came, I could just draw and shoot when he made his move. Didn't work that way. After he filled his belly, he began as if he was walking away from me. I remember ranging him at 26 yards and then at 30 but there were too many branches in the way. Very risky shot that I was not going to take. Another deer came along the field edge and was ruffling in the leaves. This caught his attention and he began doing the head bob trying to figure out the source of the noise. He realized it was a doe and began walking/trotting towards her. At this point he's at 18-20 yards and stopped on his own, thank God. I hate stopping deer because it makes me rush the shot. I put the pin on him and let the arrow fly. He mule kicked and ran into the field stumbling all the way. He was down and dead in less than a minute and died on his back looking toward the sky. He didn't go 50-60 yards I'd say. I have one deer tag left that I may try to fill. My goal for tagging out for the year is nearly complete. Rifle season ends here Saturday but who needs one of those??? You can't see it in the pics but he has a 2" or so kicker behind his right side brow tine. 8 scoreable points.
Awesome buck and great story. I can see the 2" sticker behind the base in the first picture. Congratulations on yet another harvest.
Congrats again Donnie... From the "somethings coming my way, I'll holler at you later" To the "New Picture Message" I had that feeling... Awesome, Just awesome.
Great season so far for you !! He is a very cool looking buck. Just a great buck !! Congrats Donnie !! Tim
Way to go, Donnie!!!! Wow ... just..... Wow .....Congrats one a heck of a buck and one heck of a season!
