Best of luck to those who are archery hunting the Opener this weekend. Don't let the Full moon get you down... This buck wouldn't bed until 10am this morning, as was the case with most of the bucks I glassed up.
He was the 4th biggest I saw on the day, but he laid down in a location that was perfect for a stalk. I've never felt so sure that a stalk was going to come together. After watching a number of bucks from a vantage point for about 4 hours, this guy laid down in a small flat with the wind in his face and a big rock at his back. I knew there was a hog trail leading up to the back side of the rock- a hog trail that's used so frequently that it never has leaves, grass, etc. Nice and quiet.
I scampered about 800 yards into the canyon behind him and crept up the trail with the wind in my face. As I was climbing up to the rock he was bedded behind, I suddenly noticed his antler tips sticking out the right side of the rock. He had just stood up and was feeding again. I quickly ranged the rock- 30 yards, putting him at ~32.
I drew just in time before he fed out enough to see me move. Held for a bit until took a few more steps, then Smack. Shot was a touch forward on the uphill quartering away angle. Broke the shoulder and got penetration up into the neck. He made it no more than 50 yards.
He was the 4th biggest I saw on the day, but he laid down in a location that was perfect for a stalk. I've never felt so sure that a stalk was going to come together. After watching a number of bucks from a vantage point for about 4 hours, this guy laid down in a small flat with the wind in his face and a big rock at his back. I knew there was a hog trail leading up to the back side of the rock- a hog trail that's used so frequently that it never has leaves, grass, etc. Nice and quiet.
I scampered about 800 yards into the canyon behind him and crept up the trail with the wind in my face. As I was climbing up to the rock he was bedded behind, I suddenly noticed his antler tips sticking out the right side of the rock. He had just stood up and was feeding again. I quickly ranged the rock- 30 yards, putting him at ~32.
I drew just in time before he fed out enough to see me move. Held for a bit until took a few more steps, then Smack. Shot was a touch forward on the uphill quartering away angle. Broke the shoulder and got penetration up into the neck. He made it no more than 50 yards.
