dumb buck, little girl, okay promotion, and whatever else

Went to get in a big red oak last night and forgot my harness rope.  Second time this season.  By the time i got back, the wind was blowing straight up (bedding area), it was 4:45 and I was sweating like a pig.   Great.  Got up about 14 feet and the platform was pointing down to the point I could hardly stand on it.  Secured the stand and cupped the platform with my feet and lifted.  Moved the stand in a notch to level it.  Yeah, really dangerous.  I practice it.     I felt like a big camo blob so I got up another 6 feet.  My bow rope is 21 feet and it was dangling a little.  Once the sun went down over the trees, I tipped the can 3 times, tending grunt 3 times.  Waited a minute, got out another grunt that is deeper, gave a few long aggrevated grunts and tipped the can again.  Heard some laurel being busted then a buck appeared coming sideways.  He made 2 scrapes and busted more laurel on his way in.  Picked up the bow and watched for a while.   He's just about big enough.  It's decision time.  Got the first two weeks of November, the first week of rifle, and the week after Christmas off for hunting.  And there are more mature bucks on this mountain this year maybe more than after before (probably due to cruddy rifle weather last year).  Got a little girl on the way in January that I should be using vacation for instead of hunting (or so the wife says).  Got a promotion that may ( but not likely) pull me from hunting soon.  Hmm.. okay, I'm passing him if he's a 6 or 7, and shooting if he's an 8.  He came right underneath me at 3 yards and showed two browtines.  He made another scrape and looked around.  Pulled back, put the pin where it belonged.  My arrow actually drifted off the rest..that's how steep the angle was.  Backed away from the middle of treestand to get the arrow back on the rest and he looked up.  Tough shot and I best be spot on and I'll still only get one lung.  Heck with it.  Released, heard that lovely "pop" -- he bolted and started stumbling as he jumped a blow down at 20 yards heading downhill and out.  Lost sight of him, got down.  A solid red arrow practically sticking straight down with a red ring around it on the ground.  Followed blood for 5 yards which looked good so I went back to truck until the others got there.  Called dad and said come down (45 minutes) as I wanted to wait him out anyway.  Back with the guys and once they saw the arrow said "he's done."   Followed decent blood for 30 yards then it opened up for another 50.   THEN, only drops and he started heading uphill.  You've got to be kidding me.   Time to go home .. this ain't good.  Put up a ribbon and snuck out.  Went back this a.m. and on the way saw a 18" 8 pt with high tines standing along the road.  He was a biggen.  Got to the spot and there he lay 40 yards above where we stopped looking.  The exit hole was stuffed with fat. 
 

 

 

 
 
 

Way to go Jon!  On all three, of course.

Now get back to work -- World Campus students are depending on you -- to help move their tree stand.

Kype,

I tried to adjust my climber once and the bottom part fell and I was hanging from the top part. had to shimmy down the tree, that wasn't fun.

Super nice buck.  Congrats.

Way to go, 'Kype!

Ironhed

thanks fellers. Shawn - how does Sunday, November 7 sound ?. I'll be out with the guys on Saturdays and I'll still probably hunt with the camera the second week of November. I could do a weekday the first week of November maybe.. hunting on Monday however.

Here the arrow.

That's one for a plaque, congrats

that pic of the arrow is sick! the degree of that arrow in the ground truly shows how close he was. great story and harvest. congrats.

congrats on the deer and good luck with the kid