Most fun ever hunting tonight.  We had a full moon, cold front moving in and light rain.  I figured I would see some action.  I decided to hunt a gully area that is a huge funnel.  I normally hunt it during rut.  I took a deer lure inscent with me.  Never tried one before.  I thought that the damp air might trap my scent down in the gully I was in and the insent might mask it.  I was in stand watching some turkeys and a few does move up in the field when I saw a flash of antlers.  I pulled out my can call an bleated.  I know it is early, but you never know!  He stopped dead and looked around.  I bleated again and he started to move further into he field.  At this point I could not see him.  So I grunted very loud and rattled my bag like a nasty fight was on.  That buck came barreling into that gully.  He ran in to 15 yards dead in front of me.  One problem, he was facing me.  He was a beauty.  Very tall and wide 10 pointer.  He had a good thick neck!  Man I was stoked!  Neither one of us moved.  I felt like he was staring right at me.  He was looking for the fight:)  He turned his head to sniff my inscent stick and I got into position.  I think it was maybe 15-20 minutes of him sniffing and eating leaves with no shot.  I do not shoot the chest.  Finally her started to turn.  I raised my bow but he just spun a 360 and trotted up the ridge.  I grabbed the can call and bleated but he did not care for the lady anymore.  So I hit the rattle bag again.  He bolted back down into the gully, this time East of me.  I was grinning like it was Christmas.  I have played with little bucks before calling them back but never a mature buck!  He stood 35 yards broadside with a thicket between us.  Biggest decision of my hunting career at this point.  I knew he would soon step out and give me a clear shot.  I knew I could hit him, no problem.  I have never taken a whitetail at 35 yards.  I only pull 40#@23".  I knew rain was heading my way.  I was unsure if I could get a double lung at 35 yards.  He was so beautiful I wanted him bad but would be devastated to hit him and not recover him.  I decided that "an arrow is like a spoken word, once released it can never be taken back".  So I waited for him to work his was in closer to me.  He took his time.  He came in 15 yards broadside and it was dark!  I thought I would be heartbroken to lose this deer that I had such an amazing experience calling in.  Yet, I had the biggest high that I have ever gotten from hunting.  I have had to learn this game by myself.  No one to teach me first hand.  I have learned a ton from this site as well as Traditional Bowhunter Magazine.  It was a huge accomplishment for me to call a beautiful deer into me twice and have him never see me in my stand.  What an amazing sight to have an animal like that in front of you.  A whitetail buck is truly a beautiful sight.  I could only thank God for nature and this awesome hunt and go home with a smile.

PS- I will be back after him tomorrow:)

Katie

Sounds like a great encouter Katie! Be patient he will be back and offer you the shot you want.

Still sounds like an awesome hunt and a great experience.and he didnt get spooked,so now you can go back out their and try for him again.
smart call

Go with confidence tomorrow and get him... you didn't spook him he'll be back    Keep us posted.

Some of my best hunts were the ones when I declined to shoot!  I hope you get another chance at him!!!

Wow! That was cool! Thanks.

Good luck Katie, the rut is on.

Awesome story. Good luck I hope you get another night like this with him. Maybe even get that shot.

Great story!

You done good! Good calling, good decisions, well told. Thanks.

Well done! It's just a awsome feeling to know you out smarted them.

Well done on all fronts. Thanks for sharing.

Great story and remarkable self control! Well done!

Loved the story, and yes, you will be glad you waited on taking the shot.

Great story Katie,Nothing can compare with times like that.So many people and even other hunters can't relate to that kind of an experience.Thats why we do what we do and choose to hunt with our longbows and recurves.All the best,irregardless if you bag him,you achieved success.

Stay on him. Good luck. Hap

That is a memory that will bring a smile to your face many years from now.

wow way to go Lady hawk!!! now go put an arrow through him!!!!!!!!!

That should have gotten the heart pumping-for sure. Good read and good luck with your buck,
right call for the iffy shot.

Good luck to you maam!