January 19th was my 3rd sit of the CT January season. I knew it was going to be a good afternoon with a giant front pushing through. It was dropping snow and rain as well as a 40 degree temperature drop behind it. I moved to an area that I had seen deer pass through on both previous sits. I knew I’d be just barely cheating the wind but I was going for broke. I decided my best bet was to bring in my LW hang on and sticks. I packed it 5 sticks but only ended up needing 4 to get to a good height with good cover in the area I wanted. I was in early and hadn’t seen a thing, when just after 3:00 I hear running from the area I expected deer to come from. I was standing and my bow was at my fingertips on the hook. As I grabbed the bow a bunch of does come blowing past with a young 6 pointer hot on their tail pushing them. They all pass me but I pick out a big doe at 22 yards and am waiting for her to turn broadside. In the seconds I’m watching her, I hear footsteps over my left shoulder from where the deer came. I glance over and see a nice 8 pointer coming in. He briefly paused and looked my way but continued on towards the does. He passed behind a tree, I drew and when he stepped out I sent the arrow. The shot was absolutely perfect and I watched him drop within 60 yards. What an amazing hunt!
His tooth wear is saying he’s 4.5 year old but I’m thinking he’s older so I sent out his incisors to the lab. He dressed out at 174#s which should put his love weoght a little over 210#s. This is late season and he had zero fat left on him. I’d love to see what he weighed going into the rut!