We get to the property at about 2:30 and are in the stands about 5 minutes later. Riley goes to one corner of the property. I go to the other. We're both in stands that I just put up yesterday. I thought his was going to be the one to produce.
I no sooner get my bow pulled up and sit down when I hear the sound of an atv putt-putting along a neighbouring property. The old fella on the atv gets off right beside where I am and walks into the bush with shotgun in hand. He appears to be looking for rabbits or woodcock. He doesn't see me right away but eventually does and says hi and asks me if I've seen anything. I tell him I just got there and he heads off. Not sure if this little encounter is going to blow my hunt I proceed to give a few grunts on the old grunt tube and then sit and watch. About 10 minutes later I decide to pull out the antlers and give them a little tickle. I am by no means an expert when it comes to grunting or rattling. I do about a 30 second rattling session that consists of some fairly aggressive clacking and some light ticking. I hang up the antlers and wait.
No more than 5 minutes later I look to my left and see a deer coming from the bush behind our property. He is coming right by a feeder that we've set up and right by our trail camera and another stand I hung.
I'm in the tree line ahead of him and to the right.
I figure he is going to get to the edge of the bush and stop and become caution but no. He charges right out into the open and is heading right towards me. At this point I'm looking at him through the scope so it's hard to tell exactly where he is. To make matters worse I'm having trouble finding the right eye relief so I'm not getting a good picture of him. He continues towards me and actually turns to be almost head-on. I tried to give him a little Baa to stop him but no. He turns back to his left and finally slows down. He's completely broadside at about 15 yards so I let him have it. The Boo string equipped Exomax lets the custom 2216 XX75 made by John tipped with a 100 grain Slick Trick fly. SMACK! For the first time I actually saw the hole in the side of him as he ran off. I guess that's what happens why you get them that close and in the complete open.
As he runs off I can see he's starting to wobble as he goes out of site. He's heading down into a little depressed area with a small creek running through it. I'm 99% sure he's down there but I wait. I call Riley to tell him the news. We sit tight for 30 minutes and then Riley comes over to meet me. I can't find my arrow and I can't find any blood but I know he's hit. We walk to where I'm sure he's gone without really trying to find blood. Sure enough Riley finds him piled up in the creek about 50 yards away.
Here he is...
The time of the camera is off by about 30 mins. The time on the traill cam pic is correct.
Nine pointer with a crabclaw brow tine and a hole in the right main beam where he possibly had a drop tine that broke off.
It's been a great season for me so far. Third time out and 2 bucks down.
Dave
