Big buck sighted!!!!!!!!!!!

[mmgrode]

Hey Gang,
    I went out hunting yesterday on public land and had a great experience. I started walking at about 1 P.M. carrying my treestand on my back for the two mile hike into the woods.  I got about a mile in and I spook up a deer to the west of the trail.  I couldn't see what it was, but I sat there for a minute figuring there would probably be more where that one came from.  I take a few more steps and another deer pops up about 60-70 yards away and starts hopping off.  I look closer as it's fleeing and see antlers on it's head.  It turns facing straight away and I see the antlers in their full width...they're huge!!!!  Big thick beams and an inch or so wider then the ears on each side.  I didn't have time to count points, he was running too fast.  Yeehaaa!        Now, the big question is how do I get a poke at him with 2 weeks left in the late season?   We can bait here in WI and I was thinking I'd try that approach about a half mile away or so where I could find a pine to put my stand in(cover is sparse).  I figure I pushed him off his bed so he wouldn't be back there for a while.   What do you guys think?   How would you approach this situation with only 2 weeks left in the season?  I'm freaking pumped!!!   Matt

[flatlander37]

That's pretty good for public land.  My buddy hunts some public stuff around here and has gotten several nice deer in the past few years.  Good luck!

[stick flipper]

If I were you I would hunt right on his bed. Believe it or not there are many guys who will purposely bump deer off there bed(not bump them hard, just enough to know they are there) and then they will hunt right on the bed and wait for the deer to come back. I know of guys that do that at new property they have permission on too. They do it to see if there is any big bucks in a bedding area. good luck

[bentpole]

Well Matt about 11 years ago I was hunting after work and kicked up a six pointer going in. I had read an article a few weeks before stating that if you do this set up 40 yards down windand  try grunting. So I did well he was grunting back at me and eventually came back .Perfect heart shot dead in 40 yards. This season I did the same thing the day after Thanksgiving early in the morning going in. Tried and tried he wouldn't come back.Bait? I don't think a buck that big would come in during shooting light too smart.Give the area a few days "rest" and try again you never know.You do know where he beds. Pine trees are good I like them hang a stand break some branches natural cover scent. Good Luck.

[cahaba]

I would set up where I jumped him before daylight and hope he comes home late. I agree with letting the area cool off a couple of days too.might want to try some light rattling as a last resort.

[ishiwannabe]

Sounds like he might have been hanging with a late estrous doe. I would let it rest a few days, then try a few different spots(downwind) a few hundreds yards apart and get aggressive with your bleat call. MIght even want to try a few bleats followed by some "young buck" grunts.
Either way, good luck and keep us posted.