This afternoon it almost came together, but then Murphy stepped in......I have been hunting pretty hard since the beginning of October, and haven't seen a lot of deer....9 sightings to be exact. I have seen this particular deer 4 of those times, one being when he walked under me in the dark........
The other two times he was within 30 yards both times but in thick brush.
Today, I was hunting the same area where I have seen him. Just after three pm I hear leaves rustling, and see movement about 65 yards away. (And within feet of a ground blind I have there) I look, and it's him again. I grunt at him, and he looks over, but goes back to feeding. I grunt again, same thing, so I hit him with the can and he comes straight for me. He walks to within 12 yards, with no idea I am anywhere around, then turns left, which will bring him right into my lane. Now Murphy steps in.....I have my bow up, putting tension on the string, and he steps out at 15 yards, broadside, right BEHIND a small limb, covering his vitals. He pauses, then walks quartering away behind hemlock branches, ARRRRGH. I did have one window about a foot wide as he was walking away, but that's not a shot I am comfortable with. I can't remember the last deer I had that close that I wanted to shoot but couldn't. The good thing is he never knew I was there, the bad thing is rifle season opens Weds, and I've seen this buck way too much in the open.
Oh well, that's why we call it hunting......
David