Pretty Exciting

[Grayishhues]

My buddy Kris, that I will be hunting with, secured us 170 acres of private land to hunt in South Central Ohio. We went out for a bit of scouting the day before yesterday.The land consists of about a 40 acre chunk of woods (complete with creek, and mosquitos) surrounded by bean fields, with mixed woods, and pasture spread throughout. Supposedly, this land has not been hunted in approx. 8 yrs.

About haf an hour into our expedition (mostly trying to wade through the goldenrods) we came across a small deer trail going through some ew growth woods. After following that for 35 yards or so it merged with a larger trail. That trail led us past 2 bedding areas, several scrapes, and finally to what must have been the whitetail super highway! At least 8 trails converged at this one intersection. After deciding which way to go we exited the woods and found ourselves in another bean field. All the way around the field, in the muddy areas, were what appeared to be really fresh tracks. We followed the tracks for a little while and then spotted a large Doe about 70 yds ahead of us. Moving at a snails pace, we got within 30 yds or so before she spooked, but boy was she a beaut! Anyhow, after wading through yet more goldenrods, being bit on the neck by a horsefly, tripping in a creek , and crossing ont the edge of a cornfield, we spotted some tracks that were LITTERALLY the width of my palm. We had followe the tracks a quarter of the way around the corn when Kris spotted him. The buck stood head and shoulders above the corn. We were frozen in amazement. All Kris could do was point and all I could do was stare. I(having been a city boy most of my life) had never seen a deer that big in my entire life. We stood and watched him for a few minutes before the wind changed and he caught or scent. He looked up and over to us and bolted off into the woods with what looked to be his girlfriends(3 way?) in tow.

Hopefully when we go back out we can get another look, to make sure we weren't hallucinating. But from what I saw I think this spot may be just right for my first hunt.

[BMOELLER]

Sounds very promising indeed!!!  I wouldn't go back in there except maybe to hang a stand or two.  You don't want to spook him out of the area, which you may have already done.(Hopefully not!)  Good Luck.

[Robert Warnock]

Sounds like ya'll have a good place.  Keep us posted.

[strick9]

Woooaaah,, be careful, be quiet, be scent free as he has the one up on you now...A buddy of mine has been chasing a 160 class for three years now.. he sees him onceor twice on his trail cam pic every year, usually in the beginning of the season, then gone till next year ,, My buddy is going nutzo over this. and can not stop cheking his cam,,, then hunts ,,, I believe he has pushed him off and that this buck has him completely figured down to the missfiring cylinder on his truck...