Three days into our 5 day trip we've been inches away from putting an arrow through some really nice bucks but just haven't been able to close the deal. Saturday AM Mike hunting, me filming. Mike passed a goofy looking 3 year old we call "Schafer". :D His inside spread is only about 8 inches, tops. He's all mass, just not what he is looking for. We also saw a nice 130-ish 8 that was dogging a doe and wouldn't stop or even look at us. He ran all around us and couldn't get a shot. Saw a few 2 1/2's as well. Saturday PM Mike hunting, me filming. Had a couple 2 1/2's come by early, then nothing until right before dark. The infamous Dope Ear made an appearance at 25 yards, but it was too dark to shoot. He was with another buck that we never saw, but of course he sounded big! Sunday AM me hunting, Mike filming. Saw a couple 2 1/2's cruising, then had a nice 140-145 ten come in on us. He walked in the ONE spot I couldn't shoot. At one point he was within 15 yds of our stand (same stand I killed my 1st buck from this year). Eventually he caught our wind and left the area. After he left and I sat down I looked over and realized I had a clear shot at him from sitting down, but standing up I had nothing. Doh! Sunday PM me hunting, Mike filming. Slow night, only saw a few does. Monday AM me hunting, MIke hunting. No camera. I had the same 130 class 8 from Saturday morning at 45 yards with a doe. They ended up bedding down about 80 yards from me. After an hour of watching them I got down and tried a stalk. Got to within bow range of the buck but had no shooting lane. He got up and walked the other way before I could cover the last 5 yards. So close again! Mike saw a total of 5 bucks all day today, 1 a possible shooter. All were with or following does and wouldn't come to calling. Tonight I saw Dope Ear again at about 80 yards, but he wanted nothing to do with my calling. Also saw another nice 2 year old and a few does. So in three days of hunting we've seen at least 4 shooters for sure, just about every time in the stand. We just can't seal the deal. 2 days left, hopefully we can get it done! On a side note - we found TWO dead bucks on our property both gut shot. Probably from neighboring properties we're assuming. One 145" ten, one 110" 8 point with a HUGE body. Probably a 3-4 year old deer just not much for a rack. Poor bastids.
Any time someone can tell the size of a buck from nothing but sound........ you know they demand it! Respect!
4 shooters seen and 2 in bow range in 3 days...........also seen couple bucks multiple times. Makes this statement by Mike in my Illinois thread seem quite strange. So if you guys see just one more shooter buck in range in the next 2 days it will be the first time that's EVER happened to Mike out there??? Maybe he misspoke. Sounds like you guys are having a blast!!! Wish I was still there. Enough watching...........shoot something!!! Good Luck.
