I work until 5:00 which doesn't leave a whole lot of time to hunt evenings. A month or so ago, I was offered some private ground to hunt close to home and work. ( I work about 5 minutes from home ).
So last night I decided to hunt this new property. I had scouted it awhile back and I marked a few trees. As I was pulling in to the drive leading into the place, a spike buck ran across the road. A good sign, I thought.
I get dressed in a hurry, throw my stand on my back and I'm hoofing. I go to one of the places I marked earlier climbed a tree and settled in. Within 10 minutes 2 doe come by. It's thick, they're in range, but they look little. Next a little fork horn comes by. He's young and illegal but I enjoyed watching him. Then above me, I see more movement, 3 more doe. Within range, really thick, no shots. So by now, I'm all wound up. Again, above me, I see movement. It stops, I have my bow in hand. All I can see is legs. It finally moves my way, turns, raises its head and all I see are antlers. Solid high and wide 8. He gets down behind me and stops. No shot. He turns and starts back up the hill and turns my way. Now I'm putting tension on the string. He then turns back up the hill, gets into the really thick stuff and disappears like a fart in the wind. A lone little doe came through right after that and it was dark.
To say that I'm excited is an understatement. I'm hopeful to post pictures later this season.