Ok I’m home now so I will wrap the oos hunt up. Was on a ridge, the owner of the property had sold it but could finish the season on it. With that said, he told me to kill anything I wanted.
Breaking daylight and listening to turkeys right behind me on the roost. 15 minutes later I see a good sized deer on the ridge. I strain to get a better look but cannot see it. It feeds towards me and I catch a glimpse of antlers. Wasn’t a giant buck, 2.5 ur old. I stayed seated but grabbed my bow in case another was following him. He’s broadside to me at 20 yards straight out in front of me. I was telling myself to pass. He begins walking straight to me on the right side of my tree. Something came over me and I drew back. He caught something (maybe me drawing back) and boogered 22 yards to my right. Ass facing me and w his head looking back. I held my draw and he took a step headed back the way he came from and I released. Watched the nocturnal fly true until it got close to the deer and it look like it got deflected. The buck ran the saddle away from me I could see his flag. He didn’t run balls out but stopped out of sight. Few minutes passed and I thought he was coughing but I guess he was blowing. Told myself maybe he’s down and another deer blew at him. It wasn’t loud like anything I’ve heard before. Waited 20 minutes and climbed down the ladder stand to check my arrow. I get too it and my reflective wrap and arrow are as clean as I sent it except for the slick trick buried deep into the ground. I fucked up, should’ve been ready but wasn’t intending on killing it till too late. Got a big helping of humble pie for breakfast.
Meanwhile, my buddy text me and said he stuck a 9 pt. Got down and met him to go track. He said no tracking was needed as it fell 20 yards from the stand. We loaded it up, pulled two ladder stands and cams out the woods and headed for the camp. Cleaned the deer and loaded the truck for the 11 hr drive back to my camp. Arrived at the camp at midnight.
Woke up at 6 am intending on making a hunt on my property. Checked the temp and said it was 59 degrees....shit I was just hunting w frost on the ground. Walked outside to heavy overcast and mist in the air. Decided to just go to the property to finish rigging the ladder stand we put up while cutting (lifeline and pull-up rope, and a bow hanger which I forgot. Pulled cards from3 cams and moved one of them. Checked cards when I arrived at the house to find bears, bobcat, fox, does, couple dink’s and two possible shooters but not as big as last years bucks. It’s early here as our rut is Christmas so I’m hopeful. On the plus side, we got a shit to of rain. Duck pond is full, the ground has moisture and my seed is sprouting. I did bump4 does walking in and came out bumping the same ones.