On the walk in, I bumped a pair of does browsing on acorns, then an additional 3-4 unidentified deer, all within 150 yds of where I wanted to be. I crept another 50 yards to hunt over a scrape that was in the same spot last year. I chose my tree and started my routine. I had my second stick hung when I heard grunting straight upwind of me. I knelt next to the trunk of my tree and reached for my bow and saw him coming. I assume he heard the scraping bark and thought I was a buck making a run? He must’ve seen me nock an arrow, but continued straight at me anyway. I pulled my binos to count points, and he was a solid 115” 9 point with a super dark rack. He stopped at 19 yards and turned broadside. I found a basketball sized hole to shoot through. Drew back, deep breath, anchor and release. I apparently did not see a pinky finger diameter sapling between him and I and my arrow nicked it, deflected and flew God knows where. The buck took off, but stopped at 50 yards. I did a few grunts and he started my way again but decided he better not and wandered off. Never blew and never ran. I think he was just as confused as I was. I quickly got my other sticks hung and settled in. Not exactly the start I wanted, but surely a good sign. Wind is somewhat swirly but it may work, we’ll see. Levi was face to face with a spike on his walk in, and has a couple does browsing within 100 yards of him now. Hoping something can hit the dirt tonight.
