Garrett and I settled into the buddy stand we hunted last night. Hoping one of the bucks we saw last night (or a different one even) gives us a shot tonight. When the wind kicks up we can smell deer pee. C'mon deer! Garrett has an itchy trigger finger tonight!
I don't know why I torture myself by going out in the afternoon. I get to listen to leaf blowers, barking dogs, surprisingly no kid on a dirt bike today. Nothing seen until I just stepped out of the woods & a deer jumps off.
Got to the spot I was planning on hunting and there was 4 cars in the parking space...so I went to a backup spot and there was a truck there...so I went to a random parking space and sat in a horrible looking spot because it was getting late and I had to sit somewhere. I got skunked lol but it was a beautiful afternoon to sit outside in God's creation!
Had two move thru below me out of range, both little ones and hey we're on a mission.... Moved quickly and were gone.... Wind was blowing way more there for some reason.... It's on top above a flat but damnit was coming thru pretty good.... Laid down right at dark....
Hunted this morning only, 2 does only on way in 20mins before shooting time. Spent the rest of the day finishing up the yard work for the year. Bring the snow!!
Saw a big boy. Nose down/bird dogging when the sun hit the horizon. He cruised right under my other stand that is in view. That was it for on stand. Im just happy i saw one moving. Its been a slowwwww couple weeks.
From when i pulled out on my way home, i saw 15 deer in the first 3/4 miles. Saw an absolute stud right off the road. Was one of the biggest deer i have ever seen on the hoof. Jaw dropper. Looked to be at least a main frame 10 with alot of junk. Split brows. Tall and wide. Genetic freak. Crazy.
Quite possibly the most exciting hunt EVER! 6 deer around us within 60-70yds. We had an old bruiser chasing a hot doe along with a young one he kept running off. Garrett had the young one in bow range. He was a year and half buck but Garrett didn't care. He wanted some antlers on the ground. Safety was off, Garrett was on him, I tried to stop him and he wouldn't stop. Finally got the little guy out of the area and the hot doe made her way towards us with the old bruiser. I took the crossbow to look through the scope. Out of light. I wouldn't let him take the shot. It was simply too dark. Don't even know what time it was. It was so exciting I wasn't looking at the clock. I was simply monitoring the light and our movements. When it was light enough to shoot, we didn't have a shot. When we had a shot within 20yds, we were out of light. Absolutely sickening. Garrett was so frustrated. Tried to tell him. . . that is hunting brother. Makes it that much sweeter when we do connect.
Just for reference, here is a picture of the buck in 2012. Same woods on a camera about 100yds away. I haven't run any cameras on this property this year though. Working on downloading the video I took tonight.
Great hunt for you guys Phil! I had a lone doe and buck come out with 10 minutes left. Got him to 50 yards and ran out of time. I snort wheezed him away and left.