Nov 15th came to be a special day in my KS deer vigil this year.
I had found a new spot during my spring turkey hunting that really intrigued me for the rut. I studied the access, planned on a tree, and placed it in my arsenal if the conditions would align in 6 months. . . .
. . . Nov 15th came in the midst of the KS rut as mature bucks were locking down for the most part. It was in the low 20s, snow, and the wind was good for a few different key locations that had not been touched for the year. . . and it was perfect for the new site I had recognized in the spring. This is the beauty of always hunting portable. My decision was made and I would need to access it before daylight, and remain all-day.
Pull up a chair.... :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:
Bernie
I'd been wondering how your season went Dan.
Guess we'll be finding out now...
:campfire:
:campfire:
Paul (and others reading). . . before the rest of the story. . .
I have to say this was one of the most amazing/blessed years I ever had. I hunt non-exclusive ground. No cameras, food, pre-set stands, etc. In the end- it is all a gift! I usually am pleased with 1-2 true mature buck (4+ yr old) encounters per year. 2012 and '13 were a drought on buck harvests. This year, between Nov 1 and this story on Nov 15th- I had 5 different mature buck encounters, all first time season sits in different areas. 4 of those where the run/gun set-ups. Some really close. . . It was just crazy. . . Should have bought a lottery ticket!
Anyway- back to the Nov 15th craziness. . .
The access took some work- the creek was swollen with water- and things were just a bit different than spring. I finally arrived well into pink light- later than I would have liked.
I accessed the site via a very steep slope, pulling myself up on small tree trunks. Hunting like this-never being set-up here before- I really appreciate my stand/stick/steps and turk vest versatility. At the slope crest I had to climb a fully limbed cedar about 4-5" in dia. I then placed my stand on an adjacent tree. I was set by actual sunrise about 12' up. The cedar gave me some cover and it was like a front row at the theater!
:campfire:
:campfire: you have my attention.
:campfire:
I surveyed possible key shooting lanes on undisturbed ground as it sloped up gently in front of me. At 20 yds my shooting opps would actually place deer almost on level with my line of sight on stand. The steep access from behind prevented deer from coming in downwind of me. I suspected they would likely follow a gentler slope to my south keeping off my access route and upwind of me.
Within 30 minutes of cooling down I was just putting on my final clothing when I looked up- and at virtually eye level at 20 yds stood a 5 x 5! Crap!! My bow was not even in my hand. . . my boots were not even on! Within seconds I recognized he was not mature yet (I look for beams out to the white of the nose, mass equal to white eye patches, that distinct large nose/head, and pony looking body). Gosh- he did not even look at me in my theater seat. I just breathed a sigh and watched him walk off. . . next year though! :)
This sounds like a pretty good story brewing!
Bisch
Just poured a cup of coffee :campfire:
Within the next hour it was clear the movie was playing and my suspicions/expectations from back in the spring were accurate. In that first hour I had one doe family and 4 different buck encounters - some within 15 yds and just a few feet below my stand. None of them even glanced at me.
It snowed all morning. The day was so similar to my early hunting days 40 years ago in Northern Michigan. I have photos from 5 generations of deer hunters. . .some big bucks. . . buck pole at the court house. . no school. . . Fred Bear at the local coffee shop. It was cold, damp, overcast. . . and that "magic" in the air. I reminisced how here Nov 15 was actually the opening day of deer rifle season back in my roots. "Special" is a good word.
:campfire:
Tuned in. Like where this is going.
Chris
Already a good one!
David
BTW- I will come back to this story, but seriously . . it JUST occurred to me. . . I posted this linked story in 2010.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=097741;p=1
The deer in that 2010 story began to give me clues that led to finding the spot in this current 2014 story. Amazing- as the 2010 deer died within 25 yards of all I am sharing now. Oh my! This is so cooool. . .
The morning progressed with no disappointment as a few bucks hung around and some even sparred in front of me. One kept walking around like a teenager who can't seem to relax. . . if you know what I mean (it was hilarious!). I wish I had taken pics. The side posturing etc. was just a cool show from my front row seat!
Your torturing me!! :banghead: lol
Here is a pic of the 2010 buck. Within 25-30 yds of this pic is the place I am now describing in this story.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/bestfrontandbody.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/bestfrontandbody.jpg.html)
Type faster man!!! Lol
I have to admit. . . I am having a ball telling this story. Gosh this is fun.
At 130 I had just finished a hot drink when a doe crashed across the creek straight down the slope from behind me. She worked her way up to my south on the gentle slope I suspected they might use. She got to 20 yds and almost eye level of me. I could not move. . . . AND 30 yds behind her came a BEAST!
This is like someone tickling me. I love it but want it to end......
He made his way up the same slope cutting the distance between her and I. He came up from my right (I am right handed). . . 6 o'clock,. . .5, 4,. . 3 . . I was still seated as he got to 2 o'clock at 12-15yds, not much more than 6-8' below me. I shifted on my seat- almost crunched up a bit- drew the 55# Black Widow SA and watched as a 32" Heritage 350 tipped with a 4 blade Magnus (all total 270gr up front) penetrated at least 20" into his quartering away chest. He ran off parallel to me with immediate blood apparent.
:campfire:
It took me an hour to calm down. I eventually climbed down, got my wits, stripped off my warm clothes, and packed up my gear. I proceeded to where the big beast had paralleled in front of me. Though it started out slow, within 25 yds of the hit I was following an unbelievable blood trail. It looked like trees were painted.
At another 40-50 yds lay the deer. I could hardly breathe as I stood there with awe and deep gratitude on so many levels; the ONE who has given me life, this life, family, heritage, friends who taught me so much, places to hunt, this crazy trad thing where "magic" can happen. . .. And truly a deer that will forever be unmatched.
This gotta be a DANDY!
:campfire: :campfire: :campfire:
This deer was really a stunning and unique beast. He has only a 14" spread. However, he has 25" main beams with 21" of circumference per side. With 9 obvious long tines, you would actually score him as a 6 x 6 into the 160s. THEN he has 18" of additional trash on top of that. His ears were both cut up in numerous places. Most of the tine tips were chipped and he had 4 additional tines that were broke clean off. He weighed 210# field dressed.
I am not sure any photo I took does him justice!
I still cannot believe this happened as it did. I already have the beast mounted in my office in an extreme fighting posture on a wall pedestal. I am a blessed man indeed. As titled, this was "A Special Day" and "A Special Beast."
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/Best3_zpsb1711a52.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/Best3_zpsb1711a52.jpg.html)
Great story and a great buck bud.....congrats all around!!! :clapper:
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/Best1_zps89436efb.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/Best1_zps89436efb.jpg.html)
Awesome story and a stud of buck! Congrats brother!!
Great buck Dan, great hunt! Thanks for sharing both this and your 2010 hunt!
David
What a great story and buck. The mass on those beams...WOW. Congratulations.
Though the mount is not completely dry or finished painted yet. .. here is the 90% view at least.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/IMG_0733_zps6ac17e95.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/IMG_0733_zps6ac17e95.jpg.html)
Another unfinished office pic. . .
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/IMG_0734_zps95f4d1cf.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/IMG_0734_zps95f4d1cf.jpg.html)
Congratulations Dan! Great story and a fine looking buck. Thanks for sharing the tale.
CONGRATS what a specimen thxs for sharing :clapper:
A knarly ol'boy isnt he!
Congrats on a dandy :thumbsup:
Very nice buck!
Congrats to you !
Bisch
Very nice and unique buck. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Chris
Great story and a dandy of a buck, a buck of a life time!! Congrats
Heavy horned, gnarly dude there! Congrats. Enjoyed the story
What a great buck and Great Story! Congrats sir!
Wow, what a beast! Congrats.
Congrats on a pig of a buck! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Wow!! What a buck!! Congrats!!!
Great story and a dandy buck! Thanks for sharing. Rick.
Thanks all. It is all a gift. Was hesitant to share the story but a fellow TG friend encouraged me to. Glad you enjoyed it. . .
Dan in KS
BTW- If you read the story from 2010. .. YES! As I stood over this story's deer, like 2010, the first thing I did was call my 80 yr. old dad to tell him I was looking at perhaps the highest scoring, most gnarly deer I had ever taken. :)
well done sir!! :thumbsup:
Awesome deer! And by all means please share those stories as some of us will never have the opportunities to see Kansas.
QuoteOriginally posted by South MS Bowhunter:
Awesome deer! And by all means please share those stories as some of us will never have the opportunities to see Kansas.
Yes, by all means!!!!!
I'd say there are few things that TGers like more then a good story :thumbsup: and this is a good one :clapper:
Well told and congrats on a Dandy Beast!
WOW! Congrats! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Tales like this are meant to be told. Thanks for taking the time to do so.
Great buck and story, well done!
Thanks for posting the story, Dan. Just a great mature buck. Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
dandy!
:archer:
Wonderfully told.. Thank you for taking the time to share it here with all of us. What a true monarch of the timber with incredible character! Such a gift from God. Congratulations!
Well done... Great story & Buck!
QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
At 130 I had just finished a hot drink when a doe crashed across the creek straight down the slope from behind me. She worked her way up to my south on the gentle slope I suspected they might use. She got to 20 yds and almost eye level of me. I could not move. . . . AND 30 yds behind her came a BEAST!
If that's not incentive to sit all day during the rut I don't know what is.
I was in Kansas on Nov 15, actually driving home that day I believe, and I rember it was extremly cold. Toughing it out and sitting all day resulted in killing a magnificent animal at a time when most guys were snoozing. Congratulations Dan, you earned him! And what a beauty he is...25" beams with only a 14" spread is incredible!
Awesome story and awesome buck, Congrats!
LD
DarkTimber- Absolutely on the rut! I see and harvested some of my best bucks mid-day. The AM bucks in my story were right up to 12 noon. A couple of the mature buck encounters I mentioned early in the thread (response to Paul) were 2 days earlier; western KS, first time set-up, zero degrees (-20 chill factor)- a 160" at 1030A, and a 150+" at 1145A !!
Congrats on a knarly old warrior! First time in is always the best. :thumbsup:
Congratulations Dan, you spin a great yarn and that is a mighty fine buck. I really like your choice of mounts. Best to ya in the New Year
Great story and buck!!! It was miserable cold up there on the 15th. Way to hang in there, it sure payed off! :thumbsup:
Wow, what a great story and awesome Buck!! Congrats and thanks for sharing all the details.
what an amazing deer to say the least. Wow life time achievement I would say. Congratulations to you!
Awesome....every bit of the story and the end result...Congrats!
Great story, congrats and thanks for sharing.
Congrats on a great Buck!
Dan, I've learned a bunch from your post on here and just enjoyed the heck out the story, Im sure I'll read that one more than once! Congrats on a great, GREAT buck :thumbsup:
WOW what a great animal! Congrats and I too really enjoyed the story! :campfire:
What a great buck! A day to remember, like it came out of a dream. Congratulations Dan, and absolutely Thank you for sharing the story. It will help fuel some dreams of my own!
Thanks again guys for the kind words. Remember: its a gift!
A guy could be a great hunter and have limited health, time, quality/quantity of animals- and ANY harvest would be a trophy.
I just live in an area where I can get some access and there happens to be mature deer. It is all a gift!
Be grateful. Happy New Year!!
Dan in KS
Wow. Congrats on a true beast!
Congrats!!! Nice job finding a spot and putting it together!!!
Awesome animal sir! Thanks for sharing that with us!