I hunt public land here in IL and I’ve had a pretty good season so far. I took a doe at 22 yards on the evening of October 4th. I've had dozens of sightings and I've passed on a number of deer. On the evening of Oct. 25th, I took a small racked 9 pointer at 32 yards. He ate good and he was a great confidence builder. Now to the the real story. The morning of Nov 2nd proved to be one I will always remember. I was the first one to arrive to the area I decided to hunt that morning but I was a little later than I would have liked. It was a cold morning and the wind was out of the NE. I had a good walk to my stand. Once settled in my stand, I could make out dark figures moving across the bean field in front of me (to my N). The deer moved SE across the field toward a stand of trees and high grass field. My initial thoughts were…well they're not coming this way but at least I know there were deer in my area. Then two deer re-entered the bean field. Again, all I could really make out were two dark silhouettes. The two deer turned out to be bucks and they had a battle to see who would be hanging with the does they had been following. It was amazing to witness these two bucks fight. There was a clear winner and I could see the difference in body size even in the low light from 100+ yards away. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t get a better look at the buck that won the fight. He looked like a brute! The "lesser" of the two was not allowed to follow the does so he had to choose a new path. He made his way south toward my stand. It was still early so I didn’t know what this buck looked like. All I know was that he was making his way toward me. I prepared myself so that I would be ready if he provided me a shot. The buck made his way toward an opening in the treeline just to my right. The events I had just witnessed and the buck's walk some 100+ yards toward my stand had given me the time I had needed. It was now a few minutes into shooting time. I drew early because there was no way I would be able to draw my bow once the buck was in the opening... without giving away my position. I still had no idea as to what this buck looked like. Then he stopped just before the opening and lifted his head to sniff the air. It was at that time, I had the first glimpse of the beautiful deer in front of me. He was a good buck and he stood some 13 yards away. I focused my shot not once but twice before releasing my arrow. My arrow hit him hard and he kicked his back legs before taking off through the opening. This beautiful buck ran a mere 35 yards before crashing in some tall grass to the SE of my stand. Yes, he only ran 35 yards and I believe he was gone within a minute or two. It was good morning! I took down my stand and gathered my things before making my way back to my truck. I had some coffee and prepared to retrieve the buck I was blessed with that day. Upon my return to the area, I approached the high grass to recover my buck. He turned out to be a beautiful 10 pointer. I could not have asked for a better deer. It was a great morning! Craig
Good Lord! Imagine what the big fellow who whipped his butt must have looked like! Congratulations on a great buck!
Great buck man, congrats! Hunting public ground isn't easy no matter where you're at, so that's one heck of a job well done.
Great story, great buck! You don't look very happy though...I know I'd be jumping for joy with a buck like that! Congrats!
awesome story and a dandy buck... if he paid a visit to my neck of the woods he wouldn't be losing many battles...lol
BEAR, great buck man! What does he score? I need to enter him on the "public land bash" thread toward our 100 inch average goal.
Wow, what a great prize on public land no less. You done good, real good. Congratulations. I think I'm more inpressed with this kill than any other I have seen BH this year to date. This is right up there with NYBH's deer last year. With me at least.
