It all started back during the Summer when I found a big set of sheds on some of my FNL's land.



Then, the cameras started getting pics of him.





It is extremely thick all around the area. Virtually unhuntable! And, he lived in a really small area near a large food plot out of the back of a large ag field. The best chance at him was to stay at a distance, hunt only when the wind was right, hunt smart and patience. I put in a LOT of hours watching the field and the edges. I actually saw him a couple of times in an old road out back of the field.



Heck, I even got 2 picture texts one morning while I was in the stand. One of them right after I saw a large bodied deer walking the field edge. It was foggy that morning and I could not ID the deer....until I got the text!



Well, he finally got real active as the Rut is finally getting kicked off here. I actually got a pic of him on the other side of the large ag field in an area I had never gotten him. This bad weather and cold really kick-started the Rut the past couple of days. I sat there Friday afternoon from 3:00 until dark and saw 9 does/fawns and 3 bucks. It was very obvious that there was a buck off the edge of the field chasing the does as they entered the field. But, he never showed. On Saturday, I went on in at 2:30 and got settled in. A little after 4:30, my wife texted telling me that her Dad had just missed a BIG 8pt. They were sitting on a long Lane about 3 miles from me. So, I sat up and started scanning harder. It was right on cue......a 5pt came busting out into the field and froze, looking back the way he came. He took a couple of steps and slightly crouched and stared into the pines. I was getting my binos up with one hand and slowly sliding the plexiglass window open with the other and spied some movement. I got the binos up and spotted a doe in the broomsage. But, after looking at the young buck again, I could tell that he was looking about 30'-40' past her. I finally saw him move!! He was slowly approacking the doe. He turned and lowered his head and bristled up at the young buck.....and then turned and came out all stiff-legged and bowed up at him!
By this time, I was looking at him through the scope! As soon as he turned broadside, I let the ol' 700 eat. He bowed up and ran a short distance and piled up in the field!
Hard to believe that it was over really......

Congrats

Man that is how it should be done. Set that example. Big congrats!

Beautiful...just beautiful

Wow!

Saw this joker on The Fever.... Stud man congrats

Dang nice deer! Way to put a plan into motion! Congrats!

Awesome work sir

Buck of a lifetime there.

Dream buck. Congrats!

Hard to be that patient with a big deer... but it pays off when you hunt smart. Great job!

Congrats Danny!

Dandy buck. Congrats!

Wall hanger

wow! congrats.

Good Job

That's a heck of a buck. Nice. He doesn't look like an old deer at all. Hard to pass that one up

Great deer and congrats

Congrats! Heck of a buck!