The LDB and I have spent a few mornings together and came close to pulling off a first. I've yet to take a coyote with a bow but had a seriously close encounter the other day. Tried my darndest to save a hot area for the bow to work it's magic and it paid off, at least in my book.
First light came with temps pretty mild for Ohio this time of year, and I didn't mind a bit. I think it only took 30 minutes or so before noticing a group of 8 does and fawns moving out of a power line thicket and towards my stand. They moved along pretty steady in single file but as they crossed a small dried up creek they picked a little side trail that skirts my stand at about 50 yards. Tried a couple doe grunts which brought the train to a stop but it didn't interest them enough to come investigate. No biggy, it's early and I've got LDB mojo on my side. After a short time they split up and filtered into the honeysuckle thickets behind me.
Maybe twenty minutes or so ticks off and the does headed back my way, still on the wrong trail and still wanting nothing to do with my doe grunts, but this time they have a friend with them. He's a small racked buck with 8 points and seems to be interested in one or two of the younger girls. The group headed back into the power line and the buck holes up just behind me for a little break.
I guess it's 10 or 15 minutes later and I hear a racket behind me, the buck is bounding a safe distance out to watch a coyote trotting down the main trail which brought him to three steps off my left side. LDB and I are standing and ready for the quartering away as he passes, but 2 steps short of my shot he looks up. He paused a second or two, probably wondering what triggered his sixth sense, then walks a couple quick steps to his left and takes cover behind a rootball of a blow down. He hangs up for 3 or 4 seconds, then as he steps out my spruce arrow tipped with an ace standard slams in the dirt between his legs. Soooooooo close to bagging my first coyote and with the legendary LDB.
About 2 minutes pass after my shot and I hear snap behind me, it's the small 8. He's bird dogging the path of my coyote friend and ends up in the same spot three steps off my left side from behind. He looks up, pauses a couple seconds and turns to follow the yotes scent to the blow down.
I've read a few posts on here speaking of how a deer will "offer itself" to you and this buck surely did. I'm positive the LDB could have taken him but with another 5 weeks in the season I decided that I'd hold off.
That days hunt ended and as I lowered the LDB from my perch I hear the crashing of three small bucks heading to the power line.
Two feet on the ground and packing up my stand I look over my shoulder and another buck is headed to the power line . A dandy 6 with a huge body and horn's thicker than thick. He was proud, with a deep wide chest and muscles that made him look like a race horse. I suppose he is the reason I let the younger, smaller buck go and also the reason I'll try another day with the LDB.
Thanks 4nolz.................
Here is a picture I snapped of the eight point on Dec. 20th. Just below my hand you can see part of the rootball and if you look to the 10 o'clock position from my broadhead you can see the deer. Would have had a much better picture but I snagged a piece of tree bark while fumbling for the camera and he bounced out a bit.
Topic: Late December (Read 1786 times)
