I will make this as short as possible. Some of you may remember me talking of the trailcam buck, I have posted a few pictures here and there. He should be 6.5 this year just based on his pictures. We have several pictures of him over that time, only 1 daylight photo and only 3 sightings. My first was 2 years ago when I tried to draw and my safety harness prevented a 13 yard chip shot. Fast forward to today. I went into his bedroom (outskirts actually) and had him at 10 yards. He got on me fast noticed something was up and bounded off. He never blew, he just circled and carried on about his business. He is still a legit 150+ deer. My heart never raced, I was focused on killing this deer as it has become borderline obsession. I had a deer bigger than most see around these parts at 10 yards and my heart never skipped a beat except for the brief second where I realized it was him. I have not enjoyed several sits this year even when seeing deer because he had yet to show. I killed a doe and had her out of the area in just a few minutes and was semi mad at myself because i could have bumped him (probably 0 chance). I decided right there in the tree this PM that I would enjoy my hunts again, shoot some does and hold out for a good rack like I use to. I never want to make killing a certain deer so important that I loose that fever that we all love when a big boy steps out. I get it worse than anyone and usually after the shot I have to sit for a minute. This has been several years in the making, but the chance sighting of him tonight has been a hidden blessing. I will enjoy it again moving forward and thanks for reading my rant/vent/whining
Decided not to go out this AM and just hang with the wife and little one. The game was well played on both parts, but from now on I will simply try and shoot does and good racked bucks. I let some VERY respectable Georgia deer go in pursuit of this guy and it really took the fun out of it. Wife told me I am full of it and a moron because she thinks I will be back after him this PM...but what does she know about me
As we each go through hunting season we mature, we change, and we decide on what type of hunting we want to pursue. It is ok to change on a dime, it is ok to be different, it is ok to hunt like everyone else, it is ok to wander and hunt from the ground, it is ok to be at home with your family while everyone else is begging you to hit the woods. It takes years for people to become comfortable with what they do in the woods. Be you and have fun. I am still learning about what makes me happy in the deer woods. My entire hunting style has evolved to the point where I am happy nearly every hunt. I am close to finding the "system" of hunting that makes me happy. Family comes first. In regards to hunting I scout hard, hunt easy, and live with the results because I know I put in the effort. I am making it simple these days.
Thanks Bro...you summed it up pretty good. I have been in or around the woods and a bow/gun for 80% of my life. This is the first time a deer has really consumed me, and that is one reason I do not run cameras. My uncle and our hunting buddy run them year round. I have passed quite a few 130 ish deer in the last couple years looking for this guy. In this state that is assinine and borderline taboo. I really did not want to pass them but I know he is around somewhere. I killed an old 105/110" deer for my team in the contest last year (2 years of letting them down) that I was very happy with. I think finnaly dropping the string on a nice buck was a huge relief, but as soon as he was gutted my focus turned back to this guy. I am heading back out in a few to the area I saw him in before, as his home range is pretty small based pictures so we will see.
Michael, I can relate to you when talking about hunting a certain buck for a couple years. It did wear on me too from time to time last year and some this year as well. Like you I've passed on some nice bucks the last 2 years (specially last year) holding out for one certain buck. I'm still having fun though as I look at It as a challenge. If your not happy then It's time to change It up. Sure would be a great accomplishment If you got this buck though. Best of luck In your decision.
Just hunting a certain buck in an area is flustrating and maddening most of the time. You pass nice bucks most wouldn't. Your buddies think your nuts for doing it. You even wonder why you do it. End of season comes and you eat the tag. You vow next year... you are putting fun back into bow hunting and shooting does and any good racked buck that wanders by. Fast forward to late summer... You see your beast while scouting or another big beast on trail cam. You know your vow of any good racked buck just became doomed. The beast is calling you out to come hunt him !!! Something in your soul just won't let you walk away from the challenge. Tim
It's like you are in my head. Each time I vow that the next nice rack that comes by will eat an arrow, something keeps me from putting tension on the string. As far as the buddies comments go, most of mine tell me I think I am in some other part of the country and not Georgia based on what I "try" and shoot. We have good deer here, I have killed good deer here my whole life and I will eventually kill a slob here, guaranteed. Thanks Bro.
Alot of truth in that Greg, this is the first year my little one is wide open so to speak. She is 2 and walking, talking doing her own thing. It weighs on my heart when she ask me to watch tinkerbell instead of going somewhere (hunting). I guess the mental fatigue of thinking about being at hime has me most stressed. i put the time in at their expense, finnaly get a chance (10 yard encounter) and it goes wrong for me. I almost thought if I could just close the deal I would hang it up for the year...my wife told me that could never happen, and she knows the other tag would be burning a hole in my pocket. I love her, when I failed to go out this Am she told me I cannot kill him from the living room and to man up... I think this is last year, my uncle and our other buddy never get the dates right when the batteries die...With more time I can show him from 3.5 to 6.5
Hunting one buck = not shooting any other deer....right? I actually don't know anyone who does this. Me? Not interested. I'm a cane pole/bream fisherman.....and a "shoot what I want - when I want" hunter. Come on in.....the water's fine.
