Brock/Mason go huntin
- Thread starter brock ratcliff
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Yesterday, Thursday, I snuck off for a quick hunt before heading into the pizza joint. I slipped in sneaky-like, saw 6 does easing down a fencerow into the thicket in which I waited. That was it. Went to work, got back out about 130 and still hunted a ridge above a creekbottom on the farm where the big boys were. No luck, didn't even see a flag.
This morning, my buddy Dave came over to hunt. We went back over to Ross Co, running a little late which is fine during gun season since you can shoot 'em when you see 'em. We walked up the hill about 100 yards from the truck when a deer busted and ran across the lane in front of us. Keep walking... Dave went to a stand I have set up over there and I continued on toward the back of the thicket. I get into this patch by walking on one property (that I don't really have permission to deer hunt as it is leased by someone for deer season). The landowner has told me to shoot 'em if I see 'em on his property, but that just isn't right, so I don't. As I'm cutting across the pasture field and through a gate opening, I'm looking. I ease into the gate, look left then right like I'm crossing a highway. To my right lays a dandy buck with a doe. A really good one. All I have to do is aim and squeeze and this one is mine...but he is 150 yards on the wrong side of the fence! I weigh my options and immediately turn down the fence away from the deer. I hope over the fence into the thicket where I actually do have permission to shoot. My plan was simple, I was going to watch and wait for them to come to me, after all, yesterday I watched 6 walk right down the fence row these two were bedded on and into the thicket I was now perched in. I had 'em. Good wind, all legal, clean conscious.... He was as good as hanging.
Suddenly, the doe stood, looked down the hill the other direction, and bolted, taking the big buck with her. They ran to my right, towards Dave. I never saw what spooked them but I suspect it was the late-arriving lease hunter as he lives in the direction. I thought I still might get a crack at 'em, just depending on how they turned. A few short minutes later I heard Dave shoot and got a text saying "deer down". So, with that I headed back over to Dave. 15 yards from the treestand laid a stone-dead button buck! Ha! He had not seen the buck and doe, they must have taken a different drainage on their escape. Who cares. Dave wanted a deer, Dave got a deer. We got it out of there with little disturbance and were home by 830 or so. Fun morning again!
This afternoon, as soon as I get out of the shop for a couple of hours, I'm taking another walk in search of the biggens. Tomorrow, I'll probably slip back into the thicket I was in this morning. It's a good spot, and I know for a fact there is a dandy running around close by. Maybe I'll see him again.
This morning, my buddy Dave came over to hunt. We went back over to Ross Co, running a little late which is fine during gun season since you can shoot 'em when you see 'em. We walked up the hill about 100 yards from the truck when a deer busted and ran across the lane in front of us. Keep walking... Dave went to a stand I have set up over there and I continued on toward the back of the thicket. I get into this patch by walking on one property (that I don't really have permission to deer hunt as it is leased by someone for deer season). The landowner has told me to shoot 'em if I see 'em on his property, but that just isn't right, so I don't. As I'm cutting across the pasture field and through a gate opening, I'm looking. I ease into the gate, look left then right like I'm crossing a highway. To my right lays a dandy buck with a doe. A really good one. All I have to do is aim and squeeze and this one is mine...but he is 150 yards on the wrong side of the fence! I weigh my options and immediately turn down the fence away from the deer. I hope over the fence into the thicket where I actually do have permission to shoot. My plan was simple, I was going to watch and wait for them to come to me, after all, yesterday I watched 6 walk right down the fence row these two were bedded on and into the thicket I was now perched in. I had 'em. Good wind, all legal, clean conscious.... He was as good as hanging.
Suddenly, the doe stood, looked down the hill the other direction, and bolted, taking the big buck with her. They ran to my right, towards Dave. I never saw what spooked them but I suspect it was the late-arriving lease hunter as he lives in the direction. I thought I still might get a crack at 'em, just depending on how they turned. A few short minutes later I heard Dave shoot and got a text saying "deer down". So, with that I headed back over to Dave. 15 yards from the treestand laid a stone-dead button buck! Ha! He had not seen the buck and doe, they must have taken a different drainage on their escape. Who cares. Dave wanted a deer, Dave got a deer. We got it out of there with little disturbance and were home by 830 or so. Fun morning again!
This afternoon, as soon as I get out of the shop for a couple of hours, I'm taking another walk in search of the biggens. Tomorrow, I'll probably slip back into the thicket I was in this morning. It's a good spot, and I know for a fact there is a dandy running around close by. Maybe I'll see him again.
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Here's the stuffing coming out... I was standing guard in case a big buck came in looking for revenge.
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Not everyone has to live up to the "do it the right way" principles, I do. I bent a few rules back in the day... I didnt feel right about it then and i dont want to have to lie to my kid now. If he ever turns into a rule bender, it wont be because of my example. Besides, this stuff is just for fun.
Not everyone has to live up to the "do it the right way" principles, I do. I bent a few rules back in the day... I didnt feel right about it then and i dont want to have to lie to my kid now. If he ever turns into a rule bender, it wont be because of my example. Besides, this stuff is just for fun.
That's a fine example to set! You might of been happy as hell right after you shot that buck, but then the guilt would start to kick in and it ain't worth it.
Not everyone has to live up to the "do it the right way" principles, I do. I bent a few rules back in the day... I didnt feel right about it then and i dont want to have to lie to my kid now. If he ever turns into a rule bender, it wont be because of my example. Besides, this stuff is just for fun.
All can be said is Good Man and Great Example set! If only all hunters followed this etiquette, we may all have more to enjoy in the woods! Good on you Brock.
Not everyone has to live up to the "do it the right way" principles, I do. I bent a few rules back in the day... I didnt feel right about it then and i dont want to have to lie to my kid now. If he ever turns into a rule bender, it wont be because of my example. Besides, this stuff is just for fun.
I appreciate and admire your current standard brock. :smiley_clap:
Just grow your beard out a little more and dress like a yoder and shoot that fugger next time. lmao
Good for you for having morals and standards and knowing where the property lines are man. A lot of guys out there that don't and could care less if that deer is an inch or a mile past their property line.
Good for you for having morals and standards and knowing where the property lines are man. A lot of guys out there that don't and could care less if that deer is an inch or a mile past their property line.
Fullbore
Senior Member
Not everyone has to live up to the "do it the right way" principles, I do. I bent a few rules back in the day... I didnt feel right about it then and i dont want to have to lie to my kid now. If he ever turns into a rule bender, it wont be because of my example. Besides, this stuff is just for fun.
Kudos for having morals Brock. This is a small part of why I once mentioned "Mason couldn't have mail ordered a better Dad". Keep it up Buddy!
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We got wet this morning. Saw 3 squirrels. Had a basketball game. Im heading back out. Doubt Mason goes.
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Did some legwork tonight. If they are alive i think I know where they are. I saw 11 deer, two of their smaller running buddies. Cameras are going up tomorrow.
I'm rootin' for you both Brock. Can't wait to see a dandy buck or two on the ground! Good luck guys!
My fingers are crossed that they are still alive and unscathed guys! Hope you both are able to put one or both of them on the ground! Good luck!!!