Strange year.

[bucksnbears]

After 2 mild winters in a row, I really figgered there would be some real dandies around.
I've seen crap loads of bucks this year that I watched last year hoping they would explode in antlers.
Non did.
I passed this guy up last year banking on him gaining but he actually looks a bit smaller this year.
First sit this year was the 28th Oct. Passed up a decent 4x4.
29th, I seen 15 bucks with 13 within 20 yards.
Last evening, I seen 9 bucks and passed up 7.

Got in a stand at 3: 00 this afternoon and had a decent 4x4 follow a doe at 8 yards within 5 minutes of climbing in. A few smaller bucks came cruising by in the next hour.

About 4:55, 2 decent 4x4s met head on right in front of me. They were really putting on a " show" posturing each other. I think they were ready to battle royal when I caught movement coming up the riverbank.
He was about 50 yards away in super thick cover but I just had a feeling it was him.
I grabbed my bow and watched him come in on a string. The other 2 bucks seen or heard him coming, got submissive and quit their posturing.
I was hesitant on shooting him but we may get a bunch of rain starting Monday and would really hamper getting to some spots I hunt.
Getting older and can't drag deer out like I used to.
One thing about hunting thick cover is I usually kill my bucks with plenty of daylight to track, drag out.

Bout a 15 yard shot, 40 yard death run.
Tag punched for the year.

 

[guywhofishes]

I very much appreciate the realistic camera angle, without the exaggerated zoom lens “look at this huge bastard” nonsense. Because that buck doesn’t need it.

 

[bucksnbears]

Thanks Guy!

 

[1lessdog]

You can't shoot a Buck like that wearing camo like that.

Great Buck Dave

 

[5575]

That's a dandy buck well done!
Sounds like a darn fun hunt to me!

 

[riverview]

nice deer,

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

Outstanding!!

 

[Ruttin]

After 2 mild winters in a row, I really figgered there would be some real dandies around.
I've seen crap loads of bucks this year that I watched last year hoping they would explode in antlers.
Non did.
I passed this guy up last year banking on him gaining but he actually looks a bit smaller this year.
First sit this year was the 28th Oct. Passed up a decent 4x4.
29th, I seen 15 bucks with 13 within 20 yards.
Last evening, I seen 9 bucks and passed up 7.

Got in a stand at 3: 00 this afternoon and had a decent 4x4 follow a doe at 8 yards within 5 minutes of climbing in. A few smaller bucks came cruising by in the next hour.

About 4:55, 2 decent 4x4s met head on right in front of me. They were really putting on a " show" posturing each other. I think they were ready to battle royal when I caught movement coming up the riverbank.
He was about 50 yards away in super thick cover but I just had a feeling it was him.
I grabbed my bow and watched him come in on a string. The other 2 bucks seen or heard him coming, got submissive and quit their posturing.
I was hesitant on shooting him but we may get a bunch of rain starting Monday and would really hamper getting to some spots I hunt.
Getting older and can't drag deer out like I used to.
One thing about hunting thick cover is I usually kill my bucks with plenty of daylight to track, drag out.

Bout a 15 yard shot, 40 yard deat

After 2 mild winters in a row, I really figgered there would be some real dandies around.
I've seen crap loads of bucks this year that I watched last year hoping they would explode in antlers.
Non did.
I passed this guy up last year banking on him gaining but he actually looks a bit smaller this year.
First sit this year was the 28th Oct. Passed up a decent 4x4.
29th, I seen 15 bucks with 13 within 20 yards.
Last evening, I seen 9 bucks and passed up 7.

Got in a stand at 3: 00 this afternoon and had a decent 4x4 follow a doe at 8 yards within 5 minutes of climbing in. A few smaller bucks came cruising by in the next hour.

About 4:55, 2 decent 4x4s met head on right in front of me. They were really putting on a " show" posturing each other. I think they were ready to battle royal when I caught movement coming up the riverbank.
He was about 50 yards away in super thick cover but I just had a feeling it was him.
I grabbed my bow and watched him come in on a string. The other 2 bucks seen or heard him coming, got submissive and quit their posturing.
I was hesitant on shooting him but we may get a bunch of rain starting Monday and would really hamper getting to some spots I hunt.
Getting older and can't drag deer out like I used to.
One thing about hunting thick cover is I usually kill my bucks with plenty of daylight to track, drag out.

Bout a 15 yard shot, 40 yard death run.
Tag punched for the year.

Beautiful buck. Congratulations!

 

[Colt45]

wowzers! congrats on a dandy buck!

 

[wslayer]

Nicely done. . .

 

[KDM]

Well done!! Good Deer! .................. and the $65000 question...........Now what are you going to do?

 

[SDMF]

Congratulations, that's a gorgeous deer!!

Growing up never archery hunting and 99% walking/pushing cover for deer I had very little opportunity to just watch deer being deer. Habitat and access has drastically changed the way I do things. To that end, I now spend a great deal of time watching deer just be deer and it's fantastically entertaining! Might even teach a guy a thing or two if you pay enough attention. 24 bucks within shooting range over the course of just a few sits means you obviously know what your doing and where to do it. It's got to be a thrill having that many deer that close just watching them do their thing as "fight night" looms.

Well done!! Good Deer! .................. and the $65000 question...........Now what are you going to do?

I'll hazard a guess he goes to full-on "helper" mode. Either helping a few other folks into an opportunity to fill their tag, and/or, helping the deer herd by going "scorched earth with prejudice" on predators.

 

[measure-it]

I noticed the short arrow in the quiver: Is that for really close shots? LOL.