Five day weekend hunt

[knobby]

I began my five day weekend on the 26th, accompanied by a dramatic temperature drop on Thursday night. That alone would increase deer movement, but being the tail-end of October, the rut activity would get a jump start.
   Friday morning I was able to fill one of my antlerless tags on a nice doe. The Magnus broadhead did its job and she was down just out of sight. A great start to a weekend that would get even better.


 
   
Monday afternoon found me in my favorite area.  Deer sightings there had been good so far this year, but I had no idea what I would experience before nightfall.

 

[gregg dudley]

Congrats on the doe!   Sounds like more to come!  

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Im in keep it going......
,,Sam,,

[knobby]

I'd been on stand for a couple hours when I saw a doe and fawn heading to the west. A short distance behind them came a third deer walking with that rutting buck demeanor. This section of woods is fairly open in places, so even though these deer were about a hundred yards away, I could see that the buck sported a nice set of headgear.
   As they angled away from me, the buck stopped to work over some branches with his antlers. When he stood still, I had nothing to lose, so I sent a "wheeze" his way. His head snapped in my direction immediately, but he held his ground. Two more "wheezes" later, he turned and started in my direction.

[Brianlocal3]

Can I get a job with you?  Five day weekends sound good. I only get two days!!!!LOL.   congrats on the doe!!!

[knobby]

About forty yards out he encountered an old windfallen tree, which he proceeded to snap branches off in an obvious display of aggression and dominance. It was quite a show and I really felt he'd close the gap to me when he finished.
   He suddenly looked back toward where he'd come from, just as another doe came into view. With that, he turned and walked away to cut off the new arrival. As he neared her, he broke into a trot, which caused her to lope away from his advances.
   As he stood there watching her, I let out a couple more "wheezes", which he seemed to ignore. Seconds later, he turned and once again headed my way, only stopping once to rub a small tree. He then continued marching toward my location.
   He passed me broadside at maybe twenty yards, offering a wide open shot that I sent right over his back. He bounded forward about thirty yards, stopped to look at his backtrail, then walked off as if nothing had happened.
   Once I was sure he was gone, I pulled the stand, found the errant arrow and snuck out of the woods in total disgust!

[doubleo]

Guys believe me. Knobby doesn't give up easily!
     

[rastaman]

Congratulations on the doe! I think there is more to come though!

[LONGSTYKES]

Congrats on your Doe, Keep up the good hunt.

[akaboomer]

Congrats on a fine doe!

Chris

[Greg Szalewski]

Nice doe. Get back out there and get that guy!!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Activity sure has spiked in WI.  congrats on the doe and looking forward to the rest  

[Longbowlogan]

I'm in    

[knobby]

I was back in there the next morning, though I relocated about forty yards from the previous evenings stand.
   Around 9:00 a doe went trotting past me with her mouth hanging open, only stopping to look at her back-trail, then continued on. I focused my attention in the direction she'd come from, but nothing showed.
   Fifteen minutes later, I saw the buck from the night before, but he was headed away from me. He had his nose to the ground, "bird-dogging" for any does that may have passed through. I watched him do this for about ten minutes, then he disappeared.
   Some time later I heard a twig snap behind me. It was him once again, only now he was much closer but on the back side of my stand location. He turned and headed straight toward me, nose to the ground the whole time.
   I came to full draw as he walked past me, waiting for him to turn, which he did about twelve yards out.

 

[Cookus]

     You're killing us man!

[knobby]

On the arrow's impact, he tore out of there in that low-to-the-ground sprint. I knew right away that he wouldn't go too far, which he didn't. About seventy-five yards later, all was quiet except for the thumping of my heart.
   We were able to get a deer cart to him, but he barely fit. Many friends have remarked that they've never seen a whitetail built quite like this one. He had an enormous chest and body, and was a real beast to get out of the woods. I think you'll agree it was worth every bit of effort to retrieve my buck of a lifetime.

 

 

Thanks for tagging along. I'm off to Wisconsin's Northwoods next week for my annual hunt with Schlaggerman. Hopefully there'll be some more stories to tell when I get back. Good luck to all and hunt safely.

[Cookus]

What a hawg! Congratulations!

[mjh]

WoW!  Good Hunting there, what a long weekend, congrats!

[Mark Baker]

Wow!  Congrats Gary!  Glad you pointed this thread out to me.....I would probably not have seen it this quick.  Nice story and a real hawg there!

[False Cast]

Absolutely amazing. Great story and WONDERFUL animal! Congratulations!