Well, I was set to hunt for the first nine days of the season, but it didn't pan out that way.
I'd made my way into an area I had scouted a very nice buck back in July. The only thing that had changed was the amount of water on the ground. Lots of puddles here and there which made the forest a little quieter than normal.
I'd made my way up to a good glassing ridge, and after sunrise, found myself looking at a couple does, a fawn, and a small fork. I passed.
About 9am I found myself sneaking slowly thru the ridge lines keeping my face to the wind. I'd come to a steep hillside looking over some incredible country, and not a soul to be found. As I was scanning the bottom I noticed the buck I'd scouted months ago quickly vacating his bed.
Shot #1- clean miss, only to make him pick up his pace. Hurry!!
Shot #2 was fired just as he lept over a lip into a draw, did I miss??
As I'm walking down I've got butterflies in my stomach thinking I may have missed, but the sight in my scope was true. I'd taken aim right behind the shoulder, and the shot felt good.
Upon reaching the lip of the draw there it was, blood, lots of it.
Here's exactly what I walked up on, no ground shrinkage!
As the sun rose, I knew I had a job cut out for me, it was getting hot. I raced to be careful, but yet beat the relentless heat. I cut quarters, straps, loins and as much neck meat as I could carry, and divied it up in four pillowcases.
I made the 3 trips to finally return for my horns/head.
The radiator cap was a blowing, as I'd made my last trip out at 2:30, finally arriving at my truck for the trip back to camp.
He's my biggest buck to date, 27.5"4x5,20"tall,6.5"bases.
Here's a comparison with my sons 26.5" Goodale buck.
Performed my first euro mount after butchering him up, came out great. Pic to follow.
Hope you enjoyed as much as me.
I'd made my way into an area I had scouted a very nice buck back in July. The only thing that had changed was the amount of water on the ground. Lots of puddles here and there which made the forest a little quieter than normal.
I'd made my way up to a good glassing ridge, and after sunrise, found myself looking at a couple does, a fawn, and a small fork. I passed.
About 9am I found myself sneaking slowly thru the ridge lines keeping my face to the wind. I'd come to a steep hillside looking over some incredible country, and not a soul to be found. As I was scanning the bottom I noticed the buck I'd scouted months ago quickly vacating his bed.
Shot #1- clean miss, only to make him pick up his pace. Hurry!!
Shot #2 was fired just as he lept over a lip into a draw, did I miss??
As I'm walking down I've got butterflies in my stomach thinking I may have missed, but the sight in my scope was true. I'd taken aim right behind the shoulder, and the shot felt good.
Upon reaching the lip of the draw there it was, blood, lots of it.
Here's exactly what I walked up on, no ground shrinkage!
As the sun rose, I knew I had a job cut out for me, it was getting hot. I raced to be careful, but yet beat the relentless heat. I cut quarters, straps, loins and as much neck meat as I could carry, and divied it up in four pillowcases.
I made the 3 trips to finally return for my horns/head.
The radiator cap was a blowing, as I'd made my last trip out at 2:30, finally arriving at my truck for the trip back to camp.
He's my biggest buck to date, 27.5"4x5,20"tall,6.5"bases.
Here's a comparison with my sons 26.5" Goodale buck.
Performed my first euro mount after butchering him up, came out great. Pic to follow.
Hope you enjoyed as much as me.
