After several good hunts to start my season, I found myself scratching my head about what was going on. I had 2 early season encounters with a great buck but then the next 3 hunts in the same location were spoiled by the neighbors dogs. On November 4th I saw 10 doe and only 1 small buck and was really thinking what is going on with this years rut. I saw a few small bucks chasing but had yet to see a big one on his feet. My trail cameras went pretty much dead only picking up a few small bucks, does and yes, the neighbors dogs. Not really sure how my morning would turn out, I got up on Veterans day and found myself settled in one of my favorite woodlots to hunt. I started thinking about the various bucks I'd seen and harvested here and I was hopeful I could repeat a previous Veterans day hunt in this same woodlot. I snapped this photo at first light. I grabbed the rattling antlers off the hook and decided to give it a go. I've had good success in this woodlot so I thought this morning is a prime time to try it out. After a quick sequence, I hung them up and grabbed the bow. I thought I heard a buck grunt back behind me so I decided to give a couple of doe bleats. No sooner did I put the can back in my pocket and I saw him coming. I drew and he crossed in behind me and offered no shot. He slowly walked away and when he got to about 60 yards, I gave a couple of soft grunts. He turned, look my way then started walking off. I through a few more grunts at him and once again, he stood and looked. For a good 2 minutes he stood there searching, trying to find that other buck. Finally, it was too much. He turned and started walking in. Thinking he would have to come all the way around me to get in the clear I waited. Suddenly, he was standing 25 yards in an opening and stopped to look back. At this point, I drew and settled in the pin. As I released, I watch my nock bury into him and could him bound away. I followed him 40 yards up the hill and he stopped. Wobbled and then rolled over backwards. At 7:05am, I was looking at one of my biggest bucks ever piled up almost under the exact tree I shot my last Veterans Day buck from. I sat down and collected myself. I said a quick prayer and thanked the Good Lord for blessing me. Called my Dad. Texted a few friends and waited. I knew he was down, but I needed a minute to just take it all in. When I finally climbed down I headed to the point of impact and it took about 10 yards before I found some blood. The Rage had done it's job. It was like a red carpet leading the way. This is how I walked up to find him... Here are a few other pictures of him... Some of the history I have with this buck. I passed on him several times the previous year to let him grow. Early October right before I had to leave for work... (click the link to watch the video) Early October encounter in the stand when I ran out of light. This was the first of 3 times to see him on the stand. (click the link to watch the video) Few Trail Camera pictures (of the 100's I have of him)...
Yeah there is. So this is the second year in a row that I've done this. Passed a previous year on a buck and then took him the next. Next year, I'm after this guy (hoping he makes it through)
