An evening hunt in West Virginia.

[fnshtr]

Thought I'd share this evenings hunt with y'all.

I have 3 archery tags. One must be a doe. The way it works here is if you take a buck first, your second tag must be used on a doe before a second buck may be taken. Some call this "earning your second buck tag". However, they are actually purchased before season opens.

Two years ago I had to pass on the largest buck I've ever seen due to this rule. I had taken a small 8 point early in the season and was looking for a doe so I could hunt for
"Freaky", an older 8 point that was heavy antlered and non-typical. Wouldn't you know the only time any of my family seen him (except on trail cams) was one morning as I sat looking for a doe. I had to pass him!

Anyway, I don't want to get in that situation again.

Tonight I filled my doe tag.  Pics to follow.

[South MS Bowhunter]

Early Congrats, waiting to see proof  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats!

[fnshtr]

I seen several does early, but none were in range. As the sun set (sat?), I heard deer coming in behind me. The problem was the thermals had shifted and they were making their way directly downwind of me. Then I heard a grunt, and, sure enough, here comes a beauty of an 8 point. 18" wide, and plenty tall. Big blocky body.

The does detected my scent, got nervous, but continued behind me. When the buck caught my scent he froze. Walked back and forth about 15 yards behind my stand, and eventually got a strong whiff, spun and herded the two does off like a bull elk.

[fnshtr]

Just as it was getting dark, 3 does moved in behind me again. They fed right up to my tree and one bolted off to my left. I figure she got a whiff as she got so close to my ladder stand.

After she bolted off,  the other two stood still a few minutes. Eventually they went back to feeding on the white oak acorns that littered the forest floor all around me. I finally took about an 18 yard shot as it was getting tough to see.

The shot was good and the doe ran 20 yards straight away from me, turned and came crashing down under the tree I was in.

Glad to have my doe tag filled. Now I'll be after that buck.

[fnshtr]

https://imgur.com/a/Okt9m

[Rough Run]

Nice!  Now, time for "Freaky"!

[Tom]

Congrats on the start to a full freezer-good luck with the big buck.

[Joeabowhunter]

Way to get the season started Wayne!  Nice deer.

[WVFarrier]

i was watching my "nemesis" buck last evening, waiting for a shot opportunity.  he has evaded me for 2 seasons.   anyway, i got scented by a doe (i did my due dillegence on scent blocker) and he bolted......dang does

[Nantahala Nut]

The wind is tricky in Appalachia. I had a buck come up the hill to my grunts and the wind stopped so the thermals took my scent right down to him. We had a stand off for 10 minutes at last light. He would snort, I would grunt, he would take a couple steps closer and then snort again until he moseyed off.
Theres some big bucks in these hills! I think a mature Appalachian buck is one of the toughest things to hunt. Good luck!

[ron w]

Well done......glad you had some action.  

[John Malone]

Good luck on your white whale, haven't got that close to mine yet. Whether ya get him or not passing up a shot at a trophy to stay within the law makes you a true hunter.

[bucknut]

Good deal Wayne. Now you're ready.

[Hopewell Tom]

The sun set.

Great story and way to pass on one that you couldn't have. Good ethics.

[hitman]

Good job fnshtr. Good luck with your buck. I had a close encounter yesterday. At about 09:45 am I spotted a doe working up the hill and a couple minutes later another deer followed her up the hill. I guessed it to be a buck from the way it acted. Got my grunt tube and give him about 4 grunts. Figuring they had went on to top of ridge I did not expect what happened. Here he came running right at me full bore. As I grabbed my bow and raised up he spotted me on a dead run. Game up. Another lesson learned, be ready at any time.