It was a clear,cold start to the day as I settled in 20 feet up in the big oak stand. While it was certainly chilly, I never had time to feel it. Shortly after 7, I hear a branch break and here comes a doe with a huge buck on her tail. They angled away from me at 30 yards as I nervously fumbled in my vest for my range finder. When I managed to range him the doe was out of sight, and he was at 38 yards. Before I could shoot, he walked off to the doe. Opportunity Blown! I grabbed my grunt call and gave 2 grunts. Not expectedly, here he comes! Unfortunately, he came straight to my tree and as he got 15 feet below me I drew and shot him. He moved off at a fast walk and stood there. He then slowly walked down the hill and stood there for 10 minutes. He then started getting jello legs and bedded down 50 yards from me. I was forced to watch him, and wish and will him to expire, but he fought it hard. He was almost out when all of a sudden 2 coyotes came along and started trying to eat him! The buck was mortally wounded and couldn't get up to run and the yotes knew it. Thankfully I yelled and whistled and they ran off. Knowing he couldn't get up I climbed down and stalked in for a 20 yard finishing shot to the heart. This was a huge bodied animal, well over 200 lbs on the hoof and his rack sported heavy mass, palmation and 9 scorable points. Huge thanks to my brothers Greg S and Attsakeeper Eric for helping to drag and hang this beast. What an amazing hunt and to share it with great friends makes it all the sweeter!
Wow Jon, that must of been absolutely amazing seeing real wild life selective harvest. They knew that big brute Was hurt and you made sure those totes would get nothing! Sweet Buck, congrats and great write up!
Edited by CWood Man (11/02/1910:46 PM)
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Awesome! They are tough to outsmart when they get over 4.5 years old! I have the Commercial account from Deerage.com and have all the envelopes and offer the service to anyone! especially the guy that bring heads for euro mounts. I now like age all bucks I take that look like they may be Mature.
http://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/pi...499_zpsa585f2b4[/img] allin]Awesome! They are tough to outsmart when they get over 4.5 years old! I have the Commercial account from Deerage.com and have all the envelopes and offer the service to anyone! especially the guy that bring heads for euro mounts. I now like age all bucks I take that look like they may be Mature.
7 1/2 years old is ancient. I have shot a few old bucks but nothing that had palmation in the rack. That is so unusual. What a trophy. Checking out the QDMA website there was an article about old deer, their racks, and other facts. There were also a bunch of other interesting articles on other topics. https://www.qdma.com/10-former-whitetail-hotties-not-age-well/
That's right - Just have your wife sit on the floor - supposed to be "good for your back" tell her.
We're still in the negotiation stages of where he will live. Ok so the basement is out because he deserves better, our bedroom is apparently been vetoed, the dining room is out because "it's looking at us eat"...so...most likely in our family room which is our main hang out room. I have the go ahead on a wall and just need to decide.