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.
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.