:eek: Out in my hunting spot last night, I was in a rush so I didn't shower but put on my X-scent camo. My husband is harvesting the corn nearby which drives the deer to me. Was running behind because of a Dr. appt at 4:00 and didn't get out until about 6:00. No time to get in a tree. Good, steady NE wind. climbed into a cluster of five 8-10" dia. trees that I have thought about using before. Pulled my bow back, plenty of room.
I could hear the combine starting into the field. I was a little irritated that I wasn't out sooner and didn't have time to shower. But I was comfortable and hopeful that I would have a shot at a doe. I have seen some buck activity (a tree that had been rubbed on one side leaving a couple of shreds, and a scrape)and I had seen what looked like a large body buck with med. sized antlers siloetted in the sunset one night.
Oh boy oh boy sounds like a good story comin'
Did you confuser break? We need more!!
Tap tap tap
So. I'm waiting there in the center of this cluster for something to happen. It was pretty windy so when I heard something from behind my left shoulder, it was close. Like 10-15 yds. close! I had to lean back just a smidgen to see whether it was a buck or a doe. It was a buck and not a little one either! It had some weird anlters. With out spending alot of time staring at it, the right one went up more than most and had short tines coming from it. The left seemed to go directly out to the side. I had a view of the rubbed tree from my position, but I had to turn my head slightly to the left to see it.
And!....
My heart instantly went into a samba beat. I have never seen a mature buck while hunting on my little spot. He had a bummed up right front leg and limped baddly. I watched him from the corner of my eye rub the liv'n daylights out of that tree. It is now shredded all the way around! When he finally moved away from the tree he needed to head east to get a chance at him. And he did! I drew my bow when I thought I could shoot, then he walked behind some small trees. I held my draw, which I don't usually do and he started to turn to the left making it a hard quartering away shot. It was now or never. I pulled my shot to the left pretty baddly pinwheeling a 3" tree, and the buck ran off.
:knothead: :( :banghead:
My husband just called and he is going to the same field tonight.
What do you think? Try the same set-up?
I wish I had whistled or doe bleated to stop him last night! Then take a shot!
I thought I would try some scent to catch is attention this time.
Sounds like a great hunt to me!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/100_1516.jpg)
The cluster of trees I stood in that night.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/100_1519.jpg)
The tree he rubbed the heck out of while I was in the cluster of trees.
Wow I would say if the wind is right then give it another go. You never know what could happen.
If ya didn't spook im,stay right with im!! Good luck!!
I was out there again last night and didn't see anything at all! My husband saw lots of deer this morning as he went to work. I probably should be going out in the mornings some also.
There is more corn to pick and I'll go out again tonight then my only other chance for a couple of days will be Sat. morning.
I always look for clusters of trees like that to hunt from, just about the perfect natural blind. If you don't get another chance in the next day I'd start a mock scrape near the shreded tree. But that's just me.
Thanks C2, while hunting last night I was figur'n in my head how long I have been hunting. I started in 1997 but didn't hunt last year. So, this is my ninth year! It's always great to see deer when out on stand but it would be even nicer to bring home more than one every ten years! I'm self taught and could use all the advice I can get!
BTW, I will be 50 y.o. in less than 2 weeks. What a nice birthday present it would be to take a deer on my home turf!
Man - what a blast. Good luck with the weird-antlered tree shredder. :-D
This is the most important week and a half of the year in bowhunting. This is when the bucks throw caution to the wind for "love" so you have your best chance.
Was out again last night and again saw nothing. The tree he shredded that night looked as thought it had been rubbed only once prior to that night and rather lightly. So, they must be getting fired up. I freshen the scrape that he made every night with regular doe pee as I go in also. Should I switch to doe in estrus soon? The only thing that spooked him that night was the arrow hitting the tree. So unless something else I have done has spooked him, I don't think he knows that it was a hunter that night. But I know how smart they are!
Have been out 3 more times since seeing this buck and have not seen him again. Out with my nephew in another tree last night and had two does around. One of them evidently winded me and she blew but didn't run off. I didn't see her very well but Rick said she would go back and forth between me and him and blow each time. Maybe she caught just enough sent to alert her but not enough to alarm her? :confused:
Whatever you do,Bona,get a snort/wheeze call,look at the DVD and practice a little bit. If you see him again and he`s going by you,use itbecause it works. I`ve owned one a week,used it twice on bucks going by and called both in. Not shooters but now I know it works. Also read Mr. hammonds post about it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/rubsbowsgirls023.jpg)
Thought I would update how things have been going with this buck. As you can see he is still hitting this rub. I have hunted the same clump of trees a few times and have not seen him. I noticed a single set of tracks three days in a row heading for a bedding area. (The previous days tracks would be washed away by rain). Tried to get into a fence row for a ten yard shot one morning but I wasn't early enough. I think he heard me and circled down wind nailing me. It was a long shot anyway with little cover available. Firearms season started Sat. I'm kinda discouraged. I feel like early season is my best chance. Wish I could have updated with more exciting news.