I recently constructed a new ladder stand to place in some pine trees where I'd found some nice rubs, and watched deer hang out during the early part of the season (while sitting in another stand!). After my trail camera confirmed deer were frequenting this location, I knew it would only be a matter of time.
Today was my third sit there, and the plan came together. I began at dawn with a few grunt calls, to see if I could get some action going. After about an hour, I hear a big 'splash' in the river about 125 yards away. I thought 'what the heck could make such a racquet in that river??". I thought it may have been a few ducks taking off or something. As I looked across the swayle into the area from where I heard the noise, I saw a deer shaking itself off - and it was carrying antlers! I don't know why it made so much noise crossing an 8 foot wide creek, but he wasn't concerned about it.
Once I knew it was a buck, I broke out the grunt tube, giving three calls. Curiosity got to him, and he began to work his way across the swayle grass towards my new stand. He took a little time meandering his way, and I thought he was going to go another direction several times. But he stayed the course to find out what buck was invading his territory!
As he got within 50 yards, I grabbed my rangefinder to determine his distance, and began thinking on how I can get a shot. He was heading behind me, on a trail that took him into the pines but didn't pass my shooting lane. He got to within 25 yards, but my view was blocked by some trees, and I could not tell if he went into the pines behind me, or if he was going to skirt the swayle and come into my shooting lane. As I panicked a bit trying to relocate him, my rangefinder fell from it's perch beside me, and I believe hit every possible branch as it 'plinko'd' to the ground! I thought 'oh crap, I'm done'.
Then as I was looking over my left shoulder thinking he may sneak behind me, I turned back around to my right and saw him standing broadside in my shooting lane at 18 yards, looking my direction! I waited him out, and he began to walk again, looking ahead. I took that chance to raise my bow, stop him with a quick 'bah', and whistled one of Big John's GTII's with 100 gr Slick Trick and Lumenok through both lungs.
He took two big hops....then realized he didn't feel too good, and took three or four more hops, collapsing on the tractor trail - all within plain view. I like it when they run TOWARDS the car as opposed to away, AND when they expire within sight! No tracking and less dragging!
I went home and grabbed my muscle. It made for an easy drag for me...all I carried was the camera! Gotta love having teenagers in the house.
All in all a great morning hunt.
Oh...and don't judge me on my Movember stache!
