I had a couple of hours to hunt this morning before work. I needed to be at work by 0900 so I had to be climbing down out of my stand by 0750. The moon had set so it was as dark as the inside of a cow going into the woods. I fumbled around until I finally found my tree – a tree I’ve sat in at least a hundred times. I sat down to wait for first light at 0540. By 0600 is was light enough for a 10-15 yard shot, which is about the max I can shoot from this stand.
This stand is on a property I’ve hunted for a long time. I’ve killed 4 deer from this stand in the past. It sits between a thicket used for bedding and a ridge full of white oaks that always yield a good crop of acorns. I hunt in a tree that is very close to (almost growing up in) a big 30’ cedar. My entire back is concealed by the cedar and there are 7 dogwoods to my front and sides. My stand is just over the top of the dogwoods. I only have 3 spots to shoot and the max shot at this time of year is 20 yards. I like it because you get nice close shots and the deer can’t see you but you have to be ready when they get there.
The squirrels were active all morning but no deer. At 0730 I was beginning to think it was a dry hunt, but then I saw movement directly to my front at about 17 yards – just on the other side of the dogwood. I could see brown. Within about 3-4 minutes I saw the head move and clearly saw horns. I assumed it was the 8-pointer I’d seen on my cam. The deer was not alert but it would stand for long periods of time then take a step, look around, scratch then take one more step. It was about 15 yards when I saw the rack and realized that this was a much bigger deer than my 8-pointer. It moved to my right and I got set for the shot. It was going to give me a good shot where the doe was that I killed last week. Then I saw movement where I originally saw this buck – another deer – with horns. At this point I began to humbly pray, “Lord, please give me an opportunity on this buck. I’ve practiced so that I can make a lethal shot. I’ve hunted hard and scouted well. Please just give me the opportunity.” I was trying to see the second buck when the first one began walking across the small opening I had at 20 yards. I swung the bow for a shot and drew as I swung. Just as I got the bow in position for the shot he stopped but there was a dogwood limb with tiny branches across his vitals. I could clearly see the 12-POINTER!! Now. He was a monster; so big that he walked stiff. Take the shot! Take the shot I thought. Then I realized that there was a good chance I’d hit a limb, but there was another buck that was likely to follow him across the opening and I could get that shot.
I turned my focus to the second buck. It took about 5-minutes before he took a step which enabled me to clearly see his rack. When I saw his rack I began to shamelessly beg my Father in Heaven, “PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GIVE ME THE SHOT. HE’S HUGE! ARE YOU LOOKING AT THIS BUCK? DO YOU REALIZE I’VE BEEN A GOOD BOY? PLEASE GIVE ME THE SHOT!!!!”
He slowly, methodically, began to work his way to my left, opposite the first buck. I had a hole for shooting there as well. He moved to my hole but only his feet were visible. No shot. It took that deer 30-minutes to move 50 yards. He was never alert or nervous, just methodical. Both bucks eased off. One went down the ridge and the other went into the thicket. The second buck stood exactly where I shot a 6-pointer last year, but that was December and the leaves were off the trees. Oh well, that’s why they call it hunting. I hope to see those big boys again. They were massive deer – gynormous bucks. The second was a 10-pointer and it appeared that I could have put my arrow inside his rack. His G2s were like swords coming off the main beam.
Below is a trail cam pic of another 8-pointer. I was thrilled to see this buck in my area but he looks like a yearling compared to the two big bucks I saw this morning. That is sincerely no exaggeration. Happy hunting.
