Very cool encounter tonight!!!
We received about 5-6” of fresh powder last night. I had obligations, so couldn’t hunt til the last couple hours of the day. Temps were in the teens with 15mph winds, so I wasn’t in a big hurry to get in a tree stand. Decided to still hunt my way to a spot where I could overlook a big hollow for a bit before going to stand. As I crept to the edge, I spotted one of the bucks I’ve been after. A very large framed nine point with a couple kickers.
He was at about 80yds and with a doe. The woods were pretty open, so I knew there was no chance for a stalk. She led him deeper to about 100yds, so I just sat and watched. A small forky came in and the ten ran him off. As I sat and watched I couldn’t believe when the buck mounted the doe. I have never witnessed breeding activity this late in the year.
I’d been watching these deer for nearly an hour with a very borderline wind. After doing the deed, the doe closed in to about 60yds and caught my scent. She took off and took the buck and three other deer that had been hiding in the hollow with her.
So many emotions wrapped up in one hunt.