On Wednesday October 12 I got an unexpected chance to go hunting at a newly acquired private property, by the time I got my stand loaded and all my gear packed and arrived at the property it was 4pm. I got my stuff together and headed for an island of woods in field that is used as a bedding area/travel corridor almost as soon as I stepped in the woods I jumped 4 or 5 deer, I immediately figured that the hunt was a lost cause but headed to the tree I wanted to climb which was located near a main trail that I had seen a big buck using but had not been close enough for a shot. I climbed up the tree and got settled in, everything was quite except for squirrels all evening until about 6:40 pm I caught movement in front and to my right, I immediately saw it was a buck but other than that I couldn't tell much else about him. The buck crossed in front of me and started working a scrape 60-70 yards in front of me. I decided
to try grunting to see if I could pull him within range. I grunted several times and he immediately snapped his head in my direction then went back to working the scrape, I grunted at him more aggressively this time,this time he walked to my left and I lost him in the brush. After about five minutes of not seeing or hearing anything I grunted again, this time I heard footsteps coming in my direction. I did my best to calm my nerves as he closed to the distance , I could see he was a smallish buck but decided to take him, at 20 yards he stopped broadside and I figured that was as good as it was going to get I drew hit my anchor and released the arrow flew perfectly until about 5 feet from the buck it hit a small branch I couldn't see in the fading light and sailed off harmlessly. I immediately knocked another arrow as the buck ran off, to my amazement he turned around all bristled up and this time circled to within 15 yards looking for a fight (he had no clue I was there) I had one hole about two feet wide to shoot through and that was it, I got ready for a shot as he walked through the opening I drew hit my anchor and released direct hit! The buck ran 60 yards behind me and circled back to about 40 yards and stood there for about five minutes then slowly walked off to his right. I sat there for 30 minutes to calm my nerves and replay the shot, from what I could see it looked like a great shot but with his reaction I decided to give him 3 hours and return at 10pm to pick up the trail. Upon my return I went straight to the spot I saw him standing and found half my arrow on the ground and a few drops of blood, I slowly started following the trail which was easy enough to follow but not the best. After following blood for 15-20 yards the trail stopped so I started playing the light around and there he was piled up against a tree wedged under some green briar was my buck, not huge but bigger than I thought an 8 point. My first assumption of the shot being good was correct, it was a perfect double lung shot. The three hour wait was unnecessary, he was already stiff as a board. He's not huge but I couldn't be more happy with him as he is my first traditional/archey buck. This kill is probably the most satisfying of my hunting career and definitely one of the most memorable.
Topic: First traditional buck (Read 766 times)
