Went to an area on the club today that has not seen much pressure this year. This place is eat up with rubs and scrapes. Hardwood swamp bottom, bordered to the west with ~ 15 year old cutover, north border 2 year old select cut hardwood, and to the east and south is hardwoods with a big slough. Went last week and passed on a nice 2.5 year old 8pt with the rifle.

Working midnights, so I got up and headed out about 1:15. Signed in at gate at 1:55. Finally got up in the tree to hunting height and had just screwed in my bow hanger when I heard running coming out of the cutover to the west. It was a doe with a buck behind her. She comes on out and starts feeding and he is doing the same. Not chasing anymore, I guess just tending her. She doesn't move far without him moving behind her. My bow is still on the ground, I don't have may jacket on, no face mask, etc. They are about 100 yds away. I manage to get my bow pulled up, nock an arrow, remove quiver, get release on, face mask on without spooking them. Doe starts walking back to cutover she came out of and the buck turns to do the same. I dig in my fanny pack and find my "Can" and turn it upside down and stop the buck. One more turn and he is on a string coming to my tree!

At 21 yds, he stops right before he is about to hop over a downed tree. He is at 2 o'clock, and will be passing to my right, behind my tree. I slowly move my feet about 2" to turn and get ready to draw when he passes behind a tree, but he saw the movement. Looked up at me for about 30 seconds, knew something wasn't right, and turned and trotted back to the cutover where his doe had gone. He was up wind and not too terribly alarmed. It was the same 8pt I passed with the rifle. Now it is about 3:30.

At 4:30 here comes the doe back out of the cutover, passing to my right about 60 yds. And you guessed it, he was right behind her. He would not play the game this time and they fed on through the hardwoods. At 4:40 a lone doe comes down to the same spot the buck had earlier. This time I was already turned. She hopped across the log and I drew back when she went behind a tree. Stopped her with a little "bah" and the Grim Reaper ate, at 10 yds. About 10 seconds and 75 yards later it was over. I will let that area calm down for about a week and I will be back after him again with the bow. If I don't get him, he will hopefully be a beautiful 3.5 year old next year! Sorry for the long post, but it was a great hunt and wanted to share.

Congrats! Don't apologize for a long post.....that was good one! Thanks for sharing.

Great post.

Sounds like a great hunt.

Excellent hunting story, BOHNTR. I enjoyed it a lot. Keep us updated on your hunts more often !

Hope you get the 8-point or another one...either one.

Good Hunting !

mission

Nice story

Cograts on the doe and a good story.

Great Hunt

x2

"Sorry for the long post." ???? Man, I was at the edge of my seat!!! I have been there and was visualizing your entire story!!

That's why I LOVE bow hunting!!!!!!!

Great story and congrats!

Thanks for all the kind remarks guys! Hopefully I can add part two of this story before the year is out! Good luck these last two weeks!

Dude I'm glad you had a two seat stand!! Cause it was like I was there!!

Cool story. Thanks for sharing! Makes me want to pick my bow back up!

Congrats on the backstraps!