Went out after work this afternoon and was right in the middle of tons of action. I've been having a horrible streak of bad luck thus far this season and today started out much the same way. Just as I getting settled in a nice 6 pointer walked right by the stand. Unfortunately for me my bow was still on the ground! He spotted me and ran off a ways so I quickly pulled the bow up and let out a few grunts. He came back in somewhat but decided to take out his aggressions on a defenseless little sapling instead. Never did come back within range. From that point on it was 2 hours of nonstop action. I've never experienced anything like it before. There were at least 3 other bucks grunting and chasing does all around me. Unfortunately they wouldn't come out of the laurels. I did spot one bruiser for a split second but he wasn't interested in my feeble attempts to coax him out of the thick stuff. I have to admit that I've taken a few decent bucks the past few years but this thing was so big it was almost surreal. He was a good 75 yards away when I caught a glimpse of him but I'd swear he looked as big as a horse. I totally zoned out for a little while after that encounter I have to admit. I've never seen a deer that big before by far! I don't know how many points he had but all I can say is "Rack!". He played around inthe laurels for a while and finally took off with his does and shortly thereafter a spike came walking by the stand. Not 2 minutes later I hear some more noise coming but it was momma bear and her 2 cubs. Thinking that was it for the night I started lowering my bow down and behind me I heard some more grunting. Out blasts a doe and hot on her tail another buck. Head down grunting like crazy. To dark to tell what it was but looked to be another little guy. What a night! And all this took place about 400 yards out my back door on state land.
I've been putting so much pressure on myself this year to put one in the freezer that I totally lost sight of how great this sport actually is. From this point on if I am fortunate enough to harvest an animal then so be it but this experience tonite I wouldn't trade for the fullest freezer or the biggest mount on the wall!
I've been putting so much pressure on myself this year to put one in the freezer that I totally lost sight of how great this sport actually is. From this point on if I am fortunate enough to harvest an animal then so be it but this experience tonite I wouldn't trade for the fullest freezer or the biggest mount on the wall!