Saturday morning I was able to make it out for only the third time on my own farm. I have been hunting my lease and between a full time job, school, and another full time job getting my gun shop up and running I just haven't had time to hunt much. However, Saturday proved that hunting is as much luck as anything. But first I have to back up a few years... 2008: I had this buck at 12 yards on the ground but he spooked as I drew my bow. My dad hit him in the shoulder a week later and then had him sneak in on him and not allow a shot later in the season. 2009: Christmas morning my dad saw this buck across his pond and went after him. He was able to get within 18 yards but wasn't able to get him. He had developed a bad limp on his front left leg. 2010: Numerous pictures of this buck between 0200 and 0400. Not one during the day and his leg was bent the wrong way at the knee. Friday: My son said to me "Why do you always go hunting? You never get anything. You never get an elk, never get a bear, never get a deer." Honestly, I felt like a total loser. Saturday: Beautiful morning with a hard frost coating everything. I love mornings like that. The best morning for a bowhunter awaiting the rut is a sunny morning melting the hard frost. However, I saw only one solitary doe at first light. About 0930 I decided to get down a little early and spend some time with the boy (my son Austin). As I stood up to get down I saw a deer in the field some 300 yards away. I got the binoculars up and quickly decided "I better hang out here a few more minutes". Not 10 minutes later he did what no mature buck does... he cooperated! Walked right in and gave me a perfect 16 yard broadside shot. 3 years, 3 shots, dozens and dozens of pictures, and finally one great old buck down!
Nice buck, and you did the young one proud it looks. Congrats. It's kind of interesting he took a hit to the shoulder in the past and his leg was out of whack but his rack seems to be normal, guess all injured bucks don't get the funky racks.
I just noticed it too and was wondering if anyone else caught it. I am chasing a doe with a double patch!
