bdb
NES Member
I had high hopes for this AM. Weather was cold, the rut is kicking in and I had a good stand on a property that is trying to reduce the deer population.
Got up at 4, was on stand at 5:20. First deer appeared at 7 and 3 archery bucks were down by 7:30.
Around 7 I saw what looked like a year and a half old doe coming in. Found out after the fact it was a chubby button buck. Slight quarrying away 15 yards, entered high behind left shoulder and an exit is low right shoulder, it sprinted 50 yards and fell. 15 mins later the 8pt came in behind me but out of range and was headed away. I gave him a few soft grunts to catch his attention and then I heard another one coming in from a different direction. I looked up and the forky (almost a 5pt but only 1/2" extra point) came trotting in and stopped. Shot him at 12 yards. 10 mins later the 8 point circled back and walked right up my left side at 15 yards and I punched him too. Never even stood up, all 3 were left shots (I'm a righty) into a good lane. They all fell within 50 yards of the shot and I gathered them up for the photo and started to work.
Great morning but then started a whole lot of gutting, dragging skinning and getting them on ice. I donated the forky to the organization that owns the property and does an annual cookout. My 11 year old daughter and I will butcher the other two this week.
Anyway, I had a hell of a day but am wiped out and ready for bed. Here's a couple of pics.
Got up at 4, was on stand at 5:20. First deer appeared at 7 and 3 archery bucks were down by 7:30.
Around 7 I saw what looked like a year and a half old doe coming in. Found out after the fact it was a chubby button buck. Slight quarrying away 15 yards, entered high behind left shoulder and an exit is low right shoulder, it sprinted 50 yards and fell. 15 mins later the 8pt came in behind me but out of range and was headed away. I gave him a few soft grunts to catch his attention and then I heard another one coming in from a different direction. I looked up and the forky (almost a 5pt but only 1/2" extra point) came trotting in and stopped. Shot him at 12 yards. 10 mins later the 8 point circled back and walked right up my left side at 15 yards and I punched him too. Never even stood up, all 3 were left shots (I'm a righty) into a good lane. They all fell within 50 yards of the shot and I gathered them up for the photo and started to work.
Great morning but then started a whole lot of gutting, dragging skinning and getting them on ice. I donated the forky to the organization that owns the property and does an annual cookout. My 11 year old daughter and I will butcher the other two this week.
Anyway, I had a hell of a day but am wiped out and ready for bed. Here's a couple of pics.