OK, so deer is at the processor, head/cape in the fridge and waiting on the taxidermist to call. Up until today I could have swore I was an extra in a 2011 version of Wolfen(movie from back in the 80's) filming. Coyotes have always been thick, but it seemed they were out for me this year. So today I arrive, and upon exiting the truck I'm astonished by the sound, or lack there of. It remained dead quiet until 7:30 when two coyotes let out a few locating calls and then silence fell again. The stand I am is about 15 feet up in the tree but the tree is in a wash out area 3 feet lower than level land, I have hills on both sides of me so when deer come out they are literally above me and eye level most of the time. I hung it last year and dubbed it the ambush stand, it's an aggressive approach and risky, but I've seen too many deer use the same route and skirt by just out of range in the other stand 50 yds in front of me. Last year I took a doe out of it, this will be the 2nd kill. I didn't see my first deer this morning until 9:30 am when a doe fawn fed on some acrons and browse, she was being stalked by a small forkhorn. They fed off and the winds started to pick up. At this point I had been standing for 3 hours and decided to sit down, things were slow and I'd seen it before. I'm texting away and reading different sites trying to keep myself from fidgeting and moving too much. 10:00 rolls around and the winds are knocking my scent wicks down, I debate rattling or calling or just plain changing stands. I start scanning the surrounding area and catch some movement, antlers. Looks like a young buck, so I start filming him without being able to tell if he's in the frame and grunt a few times. I don't know much about grunting how to or when to, but I like to practice with the young ones. Sometimes I think you could get them in with a duck call, but he wouldn't do much more than look my way. I could barely see him, so shut the camera off. 5 minutes later a deer snaps a branch in that direction and I stand up, I see antlers and turn the cam on. The cam is mounted on my bow, and I have a corded remote zip-tied to my riser so I can operate the power, record and zoom buttons even at full draw. It's a bit tricky but I'm getting the hang of it, caused me to have a bad shot last year so I've been practicing. I start recording thinking it's the younger buck, but then I see he has a lot more antler. He comes down the hill and bully's a tree then walks to another and swats at it. At this point there isn't a doubt in my mind I'm letting a rage fly should he offer it. He gets to a third tree and starts to rub it, he's deliberate and he's focused on something other than his surroundings so I'm happy. He then starts to walk south and I have the opportunity to draw, I come to full draw and fiddle with the zoom a bit. Something got his attention while at 9 yards, not sure if he heard the zoom, caught a bit of movement or just a sixth sense, but he stared at me. I had him, but there was a twig between us and I was needing 3 inches. He blows and bounds off, bad thoughts enter my mind knowing I just blew it. But, then he stops after a few leaps. He calms down for a few seconds and starts to walk again, this time into a better opening at 20 yards. I refocus in about half a milisecond and settle my pin, it's floating a bit but nothing between us. I release, see the flight and hear the thwack, dead deer walking. He bolts down the path past the ladder stand I sat in yesterday and shot the coyote a week prior. I'm a wreck and tried to start this post, but couldn't hit the keyboard on the iphone. I sit there knowing the hit was good, seeing the lit tracer knock. I gathered my stuff and lowered my bow then climbed down. Got my arrow and seen the blood pictured at the beginning of the thread and confirmed what I knew. Head back to the house to get my uncle and the polaris, on the way I followed the blood until I had to turn down the right-a-way thinking he went straight and crashed. About 20 feet down I noticed blood was everywhere still, I'd stopped looking. Got the polaris and headed back down. He went about 90 yards in all and crashed just off the path. Sadly the pictures aren't as scenic as most on here, but my uncle needed to get out to look for the 8 point he shot last night and it was warming up. So without further ado........... Here's the first video of the young buck I was grunting at just before he comes out. turns out the camera caught more than i did because I think it's the same deer. Luckily i didn't foul it up messing around, lesson learned. He's in the right of the frame. couldn't see the viewer due to glare and size. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w59CTmCk90A And the kill, a bit of language at the end that may not be suitable for young ones. Good until after the shot, then mute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dizPtKEVgzc He wasn't as tall as I had thought when I shot, but he made up for it in mass. I think his brows being so long made him look taller. Not real wide but I'm proud of him, I'll shoot 'em like that every season. good thing is I still have another tag being in IL. Buck beard and all, think I'll wait until after season to shave now. I'll have to check as well. This might be the buck I have on film from yesterday that was chasing a few does. Thought it was a big 6 or a decent 8. Just know that he had a bit of size and I drew back on him but no open shot.
Just wanted to make a note on something. The gun in the polaris is a .22 for squirrel hunting, just noticed it in one of the pics.
I freaking love that rack! Very tall, basket and thick! Gotta love the character on that one, CONGRATS!
