Got to go out and do some whitetail hunting this morning on my in-laws place. I drove out last night and slept in the bed of my truck parked next to the barn. The night was nice and cool and I was wrapped up in my sleeping bag and at 3:30 a.m. all he'll broke loose. I was parked under a tree where the guineas roost and a big owl had grabbed one and the other 25 were bouncing off my camper top and the barn and my hood , talk about a wake-up call. Well there was no sleep after that so I got up and ate and gathered my gear and headed for a stand I put up next to the tank , I figured as hot as the days have been water is high on the list for deer and hogs. I made it to the stand around 6am and settled in to watch the sunrise in an hour or so , it was a very dark walk in and I bumped a few deer. I was really hoping some hogs would show up but none ever did , I did hear some off in the distance but never laid eyes on em. My first visitor for a drink was a big spike buck and I almost shot him I drew on him several times and once the string almost slipped. As the sun kept climbing the chill of morning is going away very quickly but it was still a nice morning. I see a nice set of horns headed my way about 9am he comes in and offers me many shots from 5-25 yds and again I thought real hard and drew on him a few times. I just didn't want my season over on this place so early ( 1-buck county ) this is only my second sit on this property this season. Not that he wasn't big enough cause I like to shoot trust me I like to shoot.... I just like to shoot older deer now don't matter about the size of its rack but a nice set of antlers is a pretty thing. I got a few pics of him before he wandered off , as he went out of sight I was thinking I should have shot. This place is just 150 acres in central Tx. and we don't have monster bucks just nice hill country deer....

Here is the 9pt , I was kinda kicking myself as he walked away..

Sounds like a great morning Sam!

I hunt over by Centerville,acorns are really starting to drop. I would have slung a arrow at that one!
                                               Ernie

As he leaves a tall rack 8pt walked up and nosed around a while he was a nice young deer. Then he looks back from where he came and stares for a long time a few minutes later I see what he was looking at. And no doubt I'm sending an arrow if this buck makes it under me , nice big dark body with dark antlers not a giant but this is the deer I'm after. The thoughts of a short season on this place never crossed my mind again he is the one if I get a chance. Then he and another buck that was behind him turn and go the other way and out of sight in some thick cover. About 10 minutes later I hear a buck fight from where I last saw them , wasn't a to the death fight but wasn't just playing either and lasted about 5 minutes. I guess it made him want a drink cause he came back out and started my way....

This is the tall 8pt

He is making a B-line right for this 8pt and this young 8pt kinda bows-up at him and I think that did not sit well with him and he picked up his pace. Next thing I know he is about 15yds broadside having a stare down with small buck. He is in the clear and I'm at full draw , he starts turning and stops in a pretty quartering away angle. I pick my spot and let her loose and my bright orange feathers appear right on that spot. He does a giant mule kick and starts out with great speed rocks and and dirt flying...

Here is what I find about 5yds from where he was hit...

I like your bow, Sam...

Go find him !

I thought I saw him go down but was not sure even though the sign was good I gave him 30mins. The trail took me all of 50yds to my downed buck and it was right were I thought but due to a small depression and some bushes he could not be seen from the stand. Just a good ol Hill Country buck it never gets old I love being in the woods after critters with my bow and arrows. I was shooting my Bear GreenStripe and the same old Delta I just killed an Aoudad with last week. About to go out and try for a pig now....

Very proud to have him....

,,,Sam,,,

Wow...congrats Sam! Beautiful buck!

Very nice buck! Looks like a good shot,hope you have some luck on the hogs.

That's a good one, Sam. A real Texas deer, not some genetically enhanced critter. Nice shooting!

Beautiful buck.

That's a gooden Sam,Congrats!

Awesome!

Very nice congrats on such a well placed arra.

Nice going Sam, what a beautiful deer!

Denny