grampy

Bump. Posted story in crossbow harvest thread. Thanks to all, for the well wishes!

Had a great hunt yesterday! Saturday morning, I decided to hunt a rut travel spot with my compound at the lake property. Saw zero deer. In the afternoon went to the farm property, in another rut pinch point and saw zero deer. Figured in this area, the majority of doe were not ready, but the bucks are ready to go! Figured I'd go where the doe were feeding, to perhaps catch a buck lurking nearby? So decided to hunt an oak ridge Sunday morning with crossbow and if need be with the compound in the afternoon. (I like to alternate between the two) Got in nice and quiet, to a natural ground blind, built on a bench about three quarters of the way up the ridge. Not long after first light I see a buck below me making his way up! Just cruising, he came to within a few yards, but was just a six point year old buck, so let him go. A short time after he went by, I saw another year old buck coming down from above. He also got a pass at 10 yards or so. So now I'm thinking I made the right setup choice! Cool! At 6:30 I hear the shuffling of leaves behind me (my buck making a scrape) but glancing over my left shoulder, didn't see anything (he was on the lip of the bench, had I looked over my right shoulder I'd have seen him) But just thought it was one of the many squirrels running around. A couple minutes later, I again heard leaves crunching and CLOSE! Glancing to the left at probably five FEET, was a buck! He immediately stopped as he caught my scent, stomped a couple of times, blew and took a couple short leaps behind me. I slowly turned, and saw him staring at me and doing the head bob at twenty yards. I decided I wanted him! Not the best buck on the property, but he looked awesome to me at the moment! So I got the crossbow up to my shoulder, slowly turned 180 degrees around the tree, and he just stood there! I found him immediately in the scope, lined up the shot, and squeezed the trigger, seeing the lighted nock disappear right where I aimed!!! He ran up the ridge and as he got to the pines, I thought I saw him stagger. That's where I found him later 50 yards or so away. Giving him a while before going to look, two doe show up and start gorging on acorns!! They kept me entertained for over an hour as I waited. Coming within 10 yards many times! All in all it was just a perfect morning hunt! I'm very happy to have this buck! A solid two year old for this area. Got a hunting memory I'll always remember. And some tasty meat in the freezer. Now I will concentrate on possibly shooting a doe for some elderly folks I know. And then looking for at least a three year old buck during gun season. Also I was texting with moog during all this. Sharing my hunt with him, as he has shared so much with me. With hunting memories of WNY. Also heard an owl sounding off as I was going in. And thought immediately of turkeyfeathers and his brother Lee. I gave me a good warm feeling, and I just knew it was going to be a great morning! Sorry for the long post.

Love it when a plan comes together! Buck Down! A solid two year old for here. Passed on two smaller ones before this one came in to 10 feet from the ground. Shot taken at 20 yards. Will post story later in the harvest thread.

In this area right now, the majority of the doe are not ready yet. But the bucks are chomping at the bit to go! My thinking this morning, is to try a known doe feeding area. And hope to have a buck or two checking out the ladies. My two pinch point rut stands, from different properties, were a bust yesterday. Will try them again next weekend.

Good luck to those heading out! Since my two rut stands produced zero deer sightings yesterday. I'm going to the oak ridge stand this morning.

We will have to meet up then! And maybe by then, I'll see a deer to talk about!

Congratulations to all who got it done today!!!! Except for a short break, spent all day in the woods hunting on two properties. And saw no deer! Back at it again tomorrow. Can only get better!

Everything about this is awesome! Great buck and story Andrew! Congratulations to ya sir!

Beautiful Buck Biz! Congratulations!

Good luck Matt! Good luck Jay!

I'll have mine in the truck when I leave this morning. As well as my compound. Will decide which one to carry in at the last minute. Cool to have a choice.

Thanks my friend, you too! Perhaps a coffee meet up this weekend?

Good luck Mike!

Great Birthday Buck Andrew!!!! Congratulations!

Just stepped outside. Perfect deer hunting morning!! A bunch of deer will not be waking up tomorrow morning! Good luck to all heading out!

Hang it and hunt it! 1st time in is always the best surprise set up.

Wonder if it's the one I saw in there? That was a GIANT of a buck. You in the same area?

Mendon??? Good chance he will be back, when they are running like that Brian! Good luck buddy!

Thanks Matt! I may take you up on that if things pan out over there? Good luck to you too my friend! I'll be in touch either way. Maybe we can meet for a quick coffee at some point?

Been using a Timex Indiglo for years and years for hunting! Love em!

Should be a great hunting weekend!!! Cooler temps, and the bucks should be seeking and chasing. I'll be hunting the next three days. Just trying to figure the best setup for a south wind??? Don't have many for that wind, AND early November rut funnels. Thinking the lake property. I'll just turn around in the blind and hunt the other way. They will run that ridge in from all directions. but mainly N & S.

Happy Birthday! and Happy Birthday! Have a great day guys.

Nice! Good luck out there Grizz!

That is terrible. Hoping you make out ok

I always have wipes with me. Came in handy last weekend when my buddy sliced his finger on the broadhead while field dressing his buck. My way of dealing with the "deer expert" is to keep saying "you don't say" to everything he says.......