So, two weekends ago, it was a balmy 8 degrees when I unloaded my gear and climbed a tree for a day of bowhunting. I'd found the tracks and saw the beds. I knew there was a shooter buck in the area. All day in the tree yielded nothing but a headcold. I bumped him out on my way in. I found the tracks on my way out. He was bedded just over the ridge. My hunt was blown from the start, and I had no idea. A week of snow and misery later, I went back to the same tree. I know he's been back in there... My arrival was greeted with a few large beds in the deep snow blanket. A fresh bed was still warm, with a fresh set of tracks walking around the ridge. I smelled the bed. It was him. He's a rank bastard. I'd driven 2 hours, and plan on sitting dark-to-dark. I'll wait him out. He'll come back at dusk. Hopefully. I hang the stand on the tree, and get ready to climb... And there it is... 1" of ivory poking up out of the snow. He'd left his calling card. 3 feet from the base of my tree. What a spiteful mother. I can't decide whether to be pissed off or amused at the way this all went down. In the dead of winter, at a time when you can feel so infinitesimally small, I managed to have a "small world" moment with an animal I've come to know. Hmph. So it wasn't the closure I was looking for, but I collect my thoughts nonetheless. The wheels start turning... I know he's shed one side. I can't help but presume he's also dropped the other side.. So what do you do? Do you climb, and hope he shows up with one antler? Shoot the bastard, and get the taxidermist to glue the other side back on? Or just pack it up and go back home? I'm game. So I anchor off at 21' and sit there... and sit there... and sit there... Wondering. That other antler's gotta be here, so I start shed hunting with my binoculars. "Fixed position shed hunting." Probably not the best method... Quite comical really. Did I really think I could find something, or was this just a product of the delirium of an all-day sit in the middle of January? 2:00. I find it. 35 yards out. 2 points sticking up out of the snow. I'd bet my life on it. I'll grab it at dark. This changes things. The whole scenario becomes even more amusing, and the spite of this animal is intriguing, at least. Slightly offensive. But at least intriguing. Now what do you do? Do you just pick up the other side and go home? I mean, you have what you came for. Or do you? Do you continue to wait, hoping the big bastard shows up, and then shoot him and have the taxidermist glue BOTH sides back on? This is ridiculous. I dig in. I will wait for my antlerless prize to come back to his bedding area, and attempt to shoot him. I laughed to myself: How many times in the course of human events has a hunter attempted to hunt a trophy buck AFTER collecting both antlers, and trying to shoot him BEFORE the end of the season. LOL! My rationale was that I already had both antlers, all I needed was the cape. Fortunately (for both of us), the sun set on my 2009 season, and I ate a buck tag for the first time in 15 years. He didn't show. 124" with a 15.5" spread credit. He'll be a great buck next year.
Nice read... ...but if the end of the post would have had you with a buck with two bald spots...now that would have been hardcore. Good luck next year!
Thanks Mike. I was going to text you around 4:00. I had a small 3x0 standing under my tree, and was texting everybody in the free world, just looking for somebody to tell me to go ahead and shoot it. My buck tag was absolutely burning a hole in my pocket. LOL! He lived to see another day... I'm getting soft at my old age.
Now thats the kind of story you dont here to often but now you know where his main hideout is, and have his sheds. Now kill him next year I jusy cant believe your still alive
The chase of a buck that you have a full set of sheds on is a very hard task! Oct 22nd 2008 I got these pictures on my trail camera! Here is a picture that I got on Dec 8th 2008! Here is the way the I found the sheds on Jan 3rd 2009 and then a good picture of the sheds! Ok now with seeing this and seeing your thoughts! The task has gotten that much bigger for you now. This year I did not see or capture him on sight or camera. No other hunter claimed him in the area so I have no clue where he resided this year. There is a nature park right accross the road from where I hunt and I am wondering if he became top boss and did not come out this year. Very disappointed but will be sure that I look for his sheds this year and for him this hunting season. I bet your thoughts are that you want him that much more now that you have his full set of sheds! Am I right? LOL
Welcome back Fran I thought you put one down earlier this year Either way, glad you found the internet once again. I would have told you to rock that 3 point
Good to hear from you Fran! Good luck sheddin' this season I too ate my tag, decent with a dash of mustard.
I shot a buck in PA. Nothing worth ringing the cowbell over... Decent deer tho. He was worthy of a silent fist pump.
Fran you are the man !!!! Germ you suck !!!! Doubting the king ????? ROFL Buckeye do you want my address now or later??
Great story Fran. Congrats on the PA buck too. Looks like he has a good spread. Welcome back buddy. Now post something entertaining with a poll so I can vote that it's gay.
