Close Encounter With a Majestic Beast

[Friend]

Have had the good fortune in the past of getting close and harvesting 3 1/2 bucks. Am still on mission to harvest that 4 ½+ year old. Last evening may have been close to having had that endeavored opportunity.  A doe and yearly spent a full hour within 8 to 15 yards from my homemade ground blind. They finally left at 6:52. Legal shooting hours last night were 7:06. I gave them a minute to leave before planning to get together my items to make an exit while all was quiet. Peered out the window and noticed a seemingly large rack, limited visual due to lower light conditions, and extremely large heavy long bodied buck crossing in front, up wind, approximately 60 yards out. He took his time and turned and casually made his way in to my setup. At 15 yards, right in the middle of my shooting window, he stood for nearly two minutes, totally at ease. By this time, all I could see clearly was his lower body outline...approximately 6:58 pm. He was extremely deep chested, short faced and short legged. While still visible, couldn’t discern where his neck intersected his chest, massive body yet, I couldn’t see any specific details from the neck up. His mannerisms vividly dictated that of a mature buck. I had to take a pass.

He was the largest bodied deer that I had ever been that close to in Kentucky. Hunting from a ground blind has its limitations and one is that I typically lose approximately 10”s of visible legal shooting light. Being night blind also, significantly reduced legal shooting hour capability as experienced when I was permitted to hunt from a stand. It is obvious that I need to continue to improve my setups and especially incur the good fortune of deer cooperation.

Last night presented a most wonderful and memorable encounter.

The best of experience and good fortune to all.

[Chad Orde]

Those memories from close encounters in the woods are the best.

[Steve Jr]

Very cool, it's early in the season there is a good chance you will get a better look at him before it's over.

Steve Jr

That is a cool thing when big boy walks out in front of you, shot or not!!!!! Just the fact that he was there is an accomplishment. They don't get big and old by being stupid!

Good luck Scott! I hope you get a crack at him with a little more light.

Bisch

[Homey88]

Great encounter!

[D. Key]

That, Sir is what it is all about.  Keep at it and he will make a fatal mistake.

[fnshtr]

Hope you were able to get out without spooking him. I've been stuck for up to an hour waiting on them to leave.

What a great encounter. My late Father would say "be patient", you will see him again.

[Friend]

Thank you gentlemen.

[jonsimoneau]

Good luck buddy. Go get him!

[Friend]

Will give that area a little rest.

Have passed up 7 separate buck opportunities, thus far, this season...have been fortunate in having 11 bucks within 16 yards. Hoping patience, persistence and prudence in cooperation with deer activity will offer that special opportunity.


If the opportunity doesn't materialize, I will have enjoyed another gifted traditional season. The season is quite young while rolling the dice will steadily increase as the rut approaches. Ironically, my largest buck encounters last year occurred later December and January.

Am not an accomplished hunter. Am just extremely privileged to be able to more than frequently take in the outdoor experience in an area with a splendid deer management program.