Saw 13 deer, 12 of which were doe's and fawns. Right before dark 2 doe's and a fawn came by at 10 yards and made their way east to the neighbors land that's 50 or so yards away from me. It was getting dark and I was hoping they'd get going when just like that I hear a grunt and a chase starting up. They dinked around for 10 minutes or so chasing and then they made their way farther east to the neighbors food plot. Again I was thinking about getting down and I hear antlers click together lightly. Off and on they sparred lightly for 10 minutes. I couldn't see what they were as It was dark. While these 2 were sparring I could hear leaves moving that were closer to me. No doubt In my mind I knew what It was, It was a buck pawing at a scrape. He did that for a few minutes and It was then silent for at least 10 minutes. I'm thinking sweet, I can finally get down as It's been dark for nearly 25 minutes. I was just going to step off of my stand when I heard a pretty good clash of antlers that were a little bit closer from where the 1st set of bucks that were sparring. I figured they were 40 or so yards away. This sparring match was much more Intense. I could hear the hooves stomping around In the tussle and the clinks of the racks were getting better with time. No doubt these weren't 1.5 year old bucks screwing around. Sucks as It was dark and I couldn't see a thing but It was neat none the less. I learned a little bit In listening to these bucks spar. The next time I rattle I want to try and Imitate their sparring session. When I rattle I think my sessions are a little to Intense after listening to these guys. Finally after 20 minutes of some pretty good sparring the woods was quiet so I tried making my way down but again I hear leaves but this time It's to my right. It was a buck but It wasn't very big. He came by at 10 yards but couldn't see his rack. He grunted off and on here and there and made his way east. I finally get down and he hears me and comes right back to with In 20 yards of me thinking I'm a doe. I sat at the base of the tree while he came by at 10 yards staring me down. He couldn't figure out what I was as the wind was In my favor. I decided to play with this buck and walked towards him. He bounced off 15 yards and watched me walk on out. Dumb little **** he was!!
Sounds like a pretty entertaining sit! I would love to watch two bucks spar like that, I think it would teach me a lot rattling wise as well. Hopefully you get to see those bucks sparing again during shooting light
Sounds like you had an awesome hunt. I've never witnessed two bucks sparring and would love to see it. I also don't do much rattling but I'm thinking about starting this year. So these bucks sparred for 20 minutes? How long are your rattling sequences?
Steve, it sounds like you had a great hunt! Just don't set the bar too high for me I'm only going to get a few days to bow hunt until late season.
I usually do 3 sequences. I'll rattle for 2 to 3 minutes and stop for a minute or so. I do this three times and If nothing shows I'll do It again a half hour or so later or sometimes not do It again at all. Depends how I feel.
