Finishing strong (lucky?) on Whitetail. Story /pics.

[Randy Morin]

My first evening in a tree this year climaxed with me missing over the back on a yearling doe at 18 yards.  While my compound friend video'd no less.  Pick a spot dummy.  A few more tree sits and I was getting my groove back.

November 1 I had my next chance. I'm pretty sure I picked a spot.  And made good on a gigantic dry doe.  

November 8 I had a chance to use my second doe tag and things went well mentally. I was proud of this shot on this doe as things seemed to go almost routinely.  Confidence was soaring.

   

   


That would be important in a few days!  

[DIAMONDBACK]

Good job Randy!she is a beauty,thats how you come back.

[Randy Morin]

After years of applying I finaly drew an either sex whitetail tag in western Montana that would allow me to try for 2 bucks this year.  I packed up and headed to a friends Uncles ranch.  

Scouting and setting tree stands I set up down wind of obvious bedding areas in two spots.  By the second day I had seen some decent bucks and  alot of small "little skippers".  The rut was about to explode.  And it did.

The next day was simply amazing and ended my season unexpectantly.  I'm not complainin!  It's nice to wrap things up a little early for a change.  Partyyyyy  :D

[Randy Morin]

I thought I was settled into my tree at first light when I remembered how much my face and head was sweating.  I decided to get out my spray and gun myself down.  Who do you think shows up on a trot in mid spray down but a beautiful 115-120 inch 10 point.  He stops at 15 yards and waits for me put things down and attempt to get my bow off the hook.  He gets impatient and decides he needs to keep trotting.  Off he goes.  I'm in pain.  Idiot I'm thinking of myself.  Dont worry, I'm also smiling and laughing at myself.  This is supposed to be fun.

[Glenn29]

That first doe is huge!  

How much did she weigh?

[Aram]

Nice does! Congratulations!          

But go on, I'm all ears...

[Randy Morin]

Nothing happened for about 20 minutes and then all heck started to break loose as the "herd" made it's way into the timber from the fields.

With the second batch of does came trailing them a nice 8 point.  He almost gave me a shot at my 9 o'clock but not quite.  I thought he was gonna leave when he turned and came across my front.  He quickly ate up a 10 yard shooting "lane" at 20 yards and was about to go behind a pile of willow when I grunted him to a stop.  It worked.  I drew slow and smooth, aiming at a small spot the whole time and the arrow appeared on his side.  I watched him run off and could see him tumble at 70 yards.  

Pumped I was, but I swear, "I did not cuss".    :D   Fist pumping I did, but very quietly.

I had another tag and it was early.

[Randy Morin]

So there I was still hunting.  Weird!  I had deer around so I wasnt about to get down unless things slowed way down.  Which I was expecting.  

Not!

The wind started to really howl as was the weather forecast.  After almost giving my safety belt a workout I took a seat.  Seeing action way down through the timber I raised my glasses and spyed a brute running off a smaller buck.  It was a brief glimpse but I could see he was worthy.    

Was I?

[Hood]

[Randy Morin]

About an hour later I had both small yearling bucks and does bedded in various willow patches around me.  I noticed movement again and here comes some does trotting toward me.  Who do you think is providing the propulsion but Mr. Big Boy himself.  Now they are under 100 yards and walking toward me and I raise my  field glasses to drink in an awesome sight.

They enter a 30 yard wide circle of willow and briar and bed rather quickly.  The wind is gusting to 20-30 mph.  The near edge of this brush patch is 25 yards away and I can catch glipmses of his horn now and again.  The does sunk down and dissapeared.  

An hour later he stood and turned around.  Then he layed down again.  A half hour later one of the does, a yearling stood to browse.  I was dying from the suspense by now.  I just wanted something to happen.  I needed to stretch!!!

Then all the does were up and the wind had slackened some.  He stood too.  After sniffing the big doe he walked strait-away and at 90 yards I lost sight.  He was gone for maybe 5 mins when movement caught my eye where he had dissapeared.  It was a buck trotting back.  It had to be him but it wasnt.  It was a 13" 7 point I had seen twice before.  The two bucks had to have crossed paths and I could have sworn Mr. Big was tending to that doe.  Not 3 minutes later more movement turned out to be him following the 7 point right back toward me.  

No freakin-way. Yes-way!

The 7 point knows Mr. Big is comin and respectfully does not hassle the does too hard.  Instead he enters the far side ot the brush and walks right through checkin the "beds" as he goes.  Soon he pops out on my side and comes around to stand and watch Mr. Big and the does.  The Big fella trots right in and slows.  He ignores the doe's and enters the brush and repeats exactly what the 7 did.  Soon he pops out and gets buisy on a willow patch.  Rubbin, lickin, and scraping.  He's 30 yards and facing me.  The 7 point is 17 yards and broadside, and is noticeably on high alert.  Uh-oh.  This little drama had gone on along time and I thought was about to end.  Mr. Big noticed the other bucks body language but it didnt seem to register with him.  Soon the seven point relaxed.  God bless that steady and stiff west wind that was now a manageable 10 mph.

[3dmuzzy]

Good job on the does now the story...ED

[Randy Morin]

After what seemed an eternity Mr. Big keeps comin closer.  He walks from behind the last willow bush and steps into the same shooting lane as the first buck although they were traveling in opposite directions.  He's huge in the body compared to the other bucks running around and I'm trying to not think about all that.  He starts to quarter away and head back toward his doe and I'm about to grunt.  But he stops to gaze after his love interest and the arrow is gone.  Off he runs and then I watch him go down.  It's over in 10-15 seconds and maybe 90 yards.  

This Vermont boy is blown away.  Who'd have thought this would happen to me.  Dang I'm grateful, and humbled. Not likely I'll ever have a day quite like this one any time soon.  

Thanks for reading and enjoy the pics.

Randy.

[Randy Morin]

 


 

[Charlie Lamb]

Great story tellin Randy!!    Congrats on the hunt and the harvests.

[Chortdraw]

Wow, It don't get any better than that. Congrats.

Chort

[knife river]

That's a handsome buck!  Great brow tines.  Thanks for the great story!    

[the Ferret]

Well....that's a convincing argument for carrying more than one arrow ha ha

Congrats Randy..that is awesome      

[Huntrdfk]

Congrats Randy, great job!
       


David

[fireman_3311]

Good shootin, and great story!!! Sounds like a magical day in the woods!!!

[4runr]

You kept me on the edge of my seat. Wow! Awesome story and pics.
Thanks for sharing.