Post by Jbird on Nov 15, 2013 14:57:33 GMT -5
Took off this whole week to hunt the rut.....hoping my timing was right. Hunted pretty much full days but I was coming out for lunch and getting back in by 1 everyday. Tuesday was my best day having an encounter twicw with a shooter and seeing over 20 deer. Rutting activity was weak, spotty and really not what I was hoping for. Jumped around between 2 properties but was favoring my go to spot because I had a shooter that I have had on cam earlier this year actually on my setup Monday and Tuesday from 3-5am. Was almost like he had me patterned. Winds were good for this spot first part of the week but with the Southwest winds coming I knew I would have to try a different approach on Thursday. I chose to hunt the other property for the morning seeing 2does a button and a spike. Came out at 9 because wind was killing me. Did some Google earth research and found my spot for the afternoon hunt. 200 yards downwind of my setup.
I got in at 1, made a doe estrous drag line circle around my position. Settled in at 1:15 and by 1:30 I had a 4pt downwind sniffing the air...not sure if he winded me or the doe estrous. I decided to play a little and hit the doe bleat. To my surprise I hear another deer run in which charges up to the 4 pt and tries to pick a fight. I was a 6 point who was close by and heard the call. These 2 played around for 30 mins keeping me entertained. At 2:30 I hear limbs breaking in the pines then I hear antlers smacking pine limbs and footsteps coming pretty fast. I stand up get into position and I see a wide rack barreling into my drag line. He never stopped, hit the first opening he gave me, slowed down to a walk and I drilled him right where I aimed. He trotted about ten yards and stopped. He licked his nose, twitched his tail and started to lose his balance and made it another 30 yards and down he went! It happened so fast and so early I was in shock!
I made a few calls and let everybody know what happened. My buddy was in the area so he was there within 15 mins. We found my arrow stuck in dirt covered in blood and I could see my deer from the shot site. Doesn't work out like that most of the time. Put my hands on him and he didn't dissapoint me one bit. Big thanks to my buddy Elliott for dragging my deer out the entire 200 yards on his own. Pays to have good friends
I have a little trail cam history with this deer. Got pics late 2011 but never saw him in 2012. Started to get a random pic here and there of him late October and then most recently earlier this week. I believe he is at least 5.5 or older. Plan on getting him aged out of curiosity. He has 10 points and has a 23" outside spread. Haven't weighed him yet but he appears to be in the 160-175lb dressed range. My best bow buck to date and really happy with myself and the way this week turned out. St. Marys County!
Trail Cam Pics from 2011
Trail Cam Pic from 11-13-13
The Last Stand
I got in at 1, made a doe estrous drag line circle around my position. Settled in at 1:15 and by 1:30 I had a 4pt downwind sniffing the air...not sure if he winded me or the doe estrous. I decided to play a little and hit the doe bleat. To my surprise I hear another deer run in which charges up to the 4 pt and tries to pick a fight. I was a 6 point who was close by and heard the call. These 2 played around for 30 mins keeping me entertained. At 2:30 I hear limbs breaking in the pines then I hear antlers smacking pine limbs and footsteps coming pretty fast. I stand up get into position and I see a wide rack barreling into my drag line. He never stopped, hit the first opening he gave me, slowed down to a walk and I drilled him right where I aimed. He trotted about ten yards and stopped. He licked his nose, twitched his tail and started to lose his balance and made it another 30 yards and down he went! It happened so fast and so early I was in shock!
I made a few calls and let everybody know what happened. My buddy was in the area so he was there within 15 mins. We found my arrow stuck in dirt covered in blood and I could see my deer from the shot site. Doesn't work out like that most of the time. Put my hands on him and he didn't dissapoint me one bit. Big thanks to my buddy Elliott for dragging my deer out the entire 200 yards on his own. Pays to have good friends
I have a little trail cam history with this deer. Got pics late 2011 but never saw him in 2012. Started to get a random pic here and there of him late October and then most recently earlier this week. I believe he is at least 5.5 or older. Plan on getting him aged out of curiosity. He has 10 points and has a 23" outside spread. Haven't weighed him yet but he appears to be in the 160-175lb dressed range. My best bow buck to date and really happy with myself and the way this week turned out. St. Marys County!
Trail Cam Pics from 2011
Trail Cam Pic from 11-13-13
The Last Stand
