Well, this morning it happened for the second year in a row, on November 7th. Last year I took a very nice buck at 8:00 a.m. on 11/7, and this morning, at 7:05, I took another nice buck. I am beginning to like November 7th! Here's the story, in as few words as I have the ability to explain it. It started off great, a beautiful brisk, clear morning, with a perfect WNW wind for the stand I was hunting. Just after daybreak, I had a yearling doe come in at about 15 yards. I watched her mosey on by, and just enjoyed seeing her, with no intention to shoot. About 6:15 I saw a pair of deer working down the small ridge in front of me. I knew the lead deer was a nice sized doe, and when they were within 40 yards or so, I could see the trailing deer was a good sized basket rack 6. The doe leading the parade had a hunch something was up. Perhaps she saw me move a bit? You know the drill after that......she hit me with the head fake a few times, and the foot stomp, but she never flagged or bolted. Both deer then worked along side the ridge, and I had them both at under 20 yards. I actually drew on the buck, but decided to let down and let him walk. Then the fun began! About 30 minutes later, somewhere around 6:50 or so, I see another deer moving from my left to right, across the top of the ridge. I see antlers, and also notice he was on a mission. Not the usual "Browse and mosey", but he looked like he was late for the bus. I knew he was a decent buck from about 45 yards out. I grabbed my Buck Roar call, and gave him a couple gentle grunts, but he didn't flinch. At this point, I figured "what do I have to lose"? So I waited until he was behind some brush and trees, and I hit him with a firm, loud, short, single grunt. I couldn't believe my eyes when he stopped dead, hung a hard right, and started coming down a trail that would take him right in front of my stand, at under 20 yards. I was already standing and in position, and here he came........on a string, neck stretched out, and looking for a fight. He came across in front of the stand, and when he passed behind a group of 3 decent sized trees, I came to full draw. I gave him a soft "maaaaap", and he slowed, but kept moving. I hit him again with a mouth "maaaaap", but no dice. I then practically yelled "Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaapppppp". He stopped just as my pin settled just behind his shoulder, and I let 'er fly. I knew I had a good hit on him, and he trotted away. He crossed a small drainage and went down just on the other side, right near the trail we use to access the stands. He never made it 35 yards. The Killzone did the job, efficiently and effectively. I watched him go down from my stand. Double lung, mushed the top of his heart, and the broadhead was poking thru his far shoulder. Almost a pass thru, but effective nonetheless. I have never had much success calling deer until today. That buck roar call just flat worked. It stopped him dead, he reversed direction, and came in offering me a shot. If the deer movement today was any indication, I'd say the rut is starting to ramp up. They are on the move........and the boys are following the girls! Thanks for tolerating the long-winded post. I just wanted to share my experience.......and I have way too much German in me to have the ability to explain today's hunt in a shorter version!
Thank you.......it was a great morning............and a long day! He's caped, quartered and in the fridge. Momma says he belongs on the wall...........so it's off to the taxidermist in the morning.
Great story and nice deer! I've had a lot of luck with grunt calls and typically less is more. I like the description of the loud short grunt that got his attention. Something I'll have to try if they aren't responding.
