No intended deception on my part as I was focused on hunting this ghost. I made 94 hunts this deer season as the big deer pursuit hi horsepower engine continues throughout the season. Perhaps I have blown a gascket.
1. My buddy claimed to have had him under his stand at 18 yards in the lower bottoms. This was the area that I had a close encounter with my first and only booner. He definitely knows what a big deer looks like. He has harvested five 150's, two 160's and an upper 180's class deer. Note: He currently has an upper 150's deer at the taxidermist harvested earlier this passed season. After the claimed sighting, I received a constant stream of texts for 30"s. I received many texts regarding his excitement for a week. Normally, he does not get excited. He also, puts up 30 stands, runs over 20 trail cams and puts out $10,000 in food plots annually.
2. Had obtained two daytime pics of a very large buck the next week where one pic was blurred and the other with his rack was so obscured by the brush that only a very large rack could be ascertained. My buddy claimed it was him but, to me, I could in know make a positive identification, yet I was still excited.
3. The line of 4", 6", 8" and even 10" diameter trees rub line next to my set merely stoked the fire.
Having fallen easy prey to conspiracy and collusion, I have learned much. The hoax directed at me has provided me a valuable learning experience. The unkowing false report that I submitted though, was costly to the Trag Gang members. The integrity and the comaraderie and trust we share has been compromised and is most regrettable. Please dig deep to try to find in your hearts the strenth to acknowledge my ignorance and accept my most sincere humbled aplology?
Pics and hunt information submitted in the future will be much more heavily scrutinized and viewed with a hopefully more discerning eye.