Got in my stand on Monday morning and Just pulled up my bow and pack. Getting settled and I hear leaves rustling. I freeze and look up to watch a nice buck headed straight for my dripper. I’m not close to ready so I hide behind the tree and knock an arrow and slide on my release. Buck stops, grunts and then takes a right turn into the woods. I watch him mount a doe, get kicked off, mount again, get kicked off and then chase her back and forth for the next two hours. By this time I’m freezing since I hike in light. Decide to put my jacket on and while doing so spooked another nice buck coming in from opposite direction at just over 30 yards. The other couple never came back out of the thicket at 64 yards. No shots but damn it was exciting.
First time hearing a buck grunt.
First time seeing a buck chasing a doe.
First time seeing a buck mounting (unsuccessfully) a doe.
Great morning.