Okay, back to the story. I was getting pretty frustrated because of four straight days of 30 MPH winds. On the positive side, I was able to approach the stand in the dry leaves better than if it was dead quiet. But on Novemeber 8th one of the farmhands saw Hurly standing guard over a doe in a small strip of trees a LONG way from my set-up. More frustration. The next three days were predicting east winds. I had no stands in the area good for the rare easterly winds. I thought I'd lay off him for a few days in hopes he'd leave his girlfriend for his old haunts. The morning of Nov. 9th dawned cool and clear. I decided to sit a great stand a good two miles away. At 7:15 I blindly wheezed, waited a couple minutes and rattled. Then gave it a couple more minutes and wheezed again. A couple minutes later I rattled for the second sequence. Within seconds I heard something boldly marching in from my right and behind me. He stepped out and it truly was the kind of beautiful sight we all dream about. He did a half-circle right in front of me at about 30 yds. stopping to work the overhead branches of a cedar just across the fence of the property lines. Normally I don't like to wheeze when they're that close but because he was on the wrong side of the fence; because he'd already heard me wheeze and because I had a good wind, I cupped my mouth and wheezed like it was coming from behind me. He instantly bristled up, laid his ears back, cocked his head and here he comes. Did you ever sit in your stand and mentally pick your "sweet spot". The spot where, if you had your choice, you'd like your buck to be standing? Well, he walked right into my sweet spot and I lost control. The arrow double lunged him for a complete pass-through and I watched him go down in fifty yards. 7:26. Right about then I remembered the camera. Ha. Sorry guys... sometimes in the heat of the battle.. they say. I hunt for the memories and it really was a beautiful scenario but the fact is I totlly misjudged him. I thought he was over 160" but he's not. He's a nice 6x6 with great character. A basic 5x5 plus a split right brow plus he's got a third antler? four inch goober coming off his forehead separate from the left mainbeam. He measures 153 5/8" for those who are into that stuff. So now, here I sit in a state of depression that I don't have another valid buck tag until just before Christmas. My wife comes home this evening from visiting the grandkids. So I'll spend a couple days home and then try to film and help Gene. By the way, I'll bet money he'll be getting a bigger one. I have to hand it to the guy as he passed up a potential up and comer Booner 6x6 a couple weeks ago. It was a frontal shot at 15 yds. and he had more self-control than most guys I know. Got it all on film too. Anyway, I'll see if I can get Steve-O to post some photos to document this tale. Meanwhile, best of luck to all. BW
Topic: Uncle Barry missed... update (Read 5393 times)
