Big Ol' Narly Horned Buck!!!

[b.glass]

:eek:  Out in my hunting spot last night, I was in a rush so I didn't shower but put on my X-scent camo. My husband is harvesting the corn nearby which drives the deer to me. Was running behind because of a Dr. appt at 4:00 and didn't get out until about 6:00. No time to get in a tree. Good, steady NE wind. climbed into a cluster of five 8-10" dia. trees that I have thought about using before. Pulled my bow back, plenty of room.

[b.glass]

I could hear the combine starting into the field. I was a little irritated that I wasn't out sooner and didn't have time to shower. But I was comfortable and hopeful that I would have a shot at a doe. I have seen some buck activity (a tree that had been rubbed on one side leaving a couple of shreds, and a scrape)and I had seen what looked like a large body buck with med. sized antlers siloetted in the sunset one night.

[bentpole]

Oh boy oh boy sounds like a good story comin'

[Apex Predator]

Did you confuser break?  We need more!!

[Hot Hap]

Tap tap tap

[b.glass]

So. I'm waiting there in the center of this cluster for something to happen. It was pretty windy so when I heard something from behind my left shoulder, it was close. Like 10-15 yds. close! I had to lean back just a smidgen to see whether it was a buck or a doe. It was a buck and not a little one either! It had some weird anlters. With out spending alot of time staring at it, the right one went up more than most and had short tines coming from it. The left seemed to go directly out to the side. I had a view of the rubbed tree from my position, but I had to turn my head slightly to the left to see it.

[wtpops]

And!....

[b.glass]

My heart instantly went into a samba beat. I have never seen a mature buck while hunting on my little spot. He had a bummed up right front leg and limped baddly. I watched him from the corner of my eye rub the liv'n daylights out of that tree. It is now shredded all the way around! When he finally moved away from the tree he needed to head east to get a chance at him. And he did! I drew my bow when I thought I could shoot, then he walked behind some small trees. I held my draw, which I don't usually do and he started to turn to the left making it a hard quartering away shot. It was now or never. I pulled my shot to the left pretty baddly pinwheeling a 3" tree,  and the buck ran off.

[b.glass]

      :(      

[b.glass]

My husband just called and he is going to the same field tonight.
 
What do you think? Try the same set-up?

I wish I had whistled or doe bleated to stop him last night! Then take a shot!

I thought I would try some scent to catch is attention this time.

[adeeden]

Sounds like a great hunt to me!

[b.glass]

The cluster of trees I stood in that night.

[b.glass]

The tree he rubbed the heck out of while I was in the cluster of trees.

[Tim Fishell]

Wow I would say if the wind is right then give it another go.  You never know what could happen.

[kennym]

If ya didn't spook im,stay right with im!!  Good luck!!

[b.glass]

I was out there again last night and didn't see anything at all! My husband saw lots of deer this morning as he went to work. I probably should be going out in the mornings some also.

There is more corn to pick and I'll go out again tonight then my only other chance for a couple of days will be Sat. morning.

[Curtiss Cardinal]

I always look for clusters of trees like that to hunt from, just about the perfect natural blind. If you don't get another chance in the next day I'd start a mock scrape near the shreded tree. But that's just me.

[b.glass]

Thanks C2, while hunting last night I was figur'n in my head how long I have been hunting. I started in 1997 but didn't hunt last year. So, this is my ninth year! It's always great to see deer when out on stand but it would be even nicer to bring home more than one every ten years! I'm self taught and could use all the advice I can get!
BTW, I will be 50 y.o. in less than 2 weeks. What a nice birthday present it would be to take a deer on my home turf!

[GingivitisKahn]

Man - what a blast.  Good luck with the weird-antlered tree shredder. :-D

[Curtiss Cardinal]

This is the most important week and a half of the year in bowhunting. This is when the bucks throw caution to the wind for "love" so you have your best chance.