Saw 3 mature bucks yesterday evening which Is a 1st for me In one sit. The biggest and oldest of the 3 was moving an hour and a half before dark which surprised the heck out of me. That tells me I was very close to his bed yesterday. The other 2 weren't far behind at about an hour before dark. It's getting to be that time folks. By far the most Inches of rack total with the 3 bucks that I've ever saw In an evening hunt. The bigger and older buck of the 3 mature bucks I saw yesterday was on a beeline coming right to me at 30 to 35 yards when he locked up the brakes and looked off to the west and turned perfectly broadside and kept looking In that direction. He's a shooter with ease but was too far for my recurve. Just like that he was on the move to the west and a few minutes later I saw why. Out appears a 3.5 year old 7 point that's pictured below. I didn't see the altercation as they met on the trail where It was brushy but I'm sure there was one. After the bigger buck made his way pass the 7 point and was right around 50 to 60 yards away from me I took out my antlers and rattled some. He turned around and looked at me with great Interest but wouldn't budge. I wanted to rattle more but I had 2 other doe's with In 30 yards of me and didn't want these deer catching me In the tree. I believe he would've came back to me If It wasn't for these doe's that were close to me as I would've rattled much more aggressive but I was so worried that they'd catch me In the tree with the movement and noise. I know for a fact the bigger buck would've came to the tree to begin with If It weren't for that scrappy looking 7 point. Man I was pissed with that 7 point!!! About 40 minutes later or so I saw some good antlers coming from the direction the bigger buck went to. I thought sweet he's making his way back and It appears he's making his way right to me. He gets with In 60 to 70 yards and I know right away he Isn't the buck I'm after. A few weeks back I made this thread http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?t=16454 . The 8 point In that thread I figured was a 4.5 year old but now I know for sure he Isn't. His body tells me he's a 3.5 no doubt. He came by at about 18 yards or so standing perfectly broadside. He got the pass with ease. The bigger and older of these 3 bucks had no Interest with the doe's In the least. He walked right through a group of 3 doe's but when he saw that 7 point he was on a mission. He's a territorial buck which makes him very huntable to me. The 7 and 8 point were all about chasing doe's. They were grunting and chasing the whole time. Here's the pics of the 8 point I've got on cam.
Sometimes it's just as exciting getting close as it is to making the shot. Sounds like a very cool sit. Btw, you have my respect for passing that 8. He's a dead deer for me:D I'm sure your patience will be rewarded, though. Good luck, bud.
Alot of times when them bucks lock up after you rattle try giving him a doe bleet. I use the can and sometimes it will make the difference and get him comming. Good luck getting him your definantly in the right spot.
A bleat from the can or a snort-weeze. Either one gets them fired up and running in. I'd go with a weeze early, bleat in the middle of the rut, and either during post rut.
