2nd Chance...same Buck...REDEMPTION!


Rhino

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It's rare to ever get a 2nd chance, especially bowhunting a specific big mature buck here in Mississippi...but I sure did! Thank you again Lord!

I was down to my last chance to bowhunt him with wind conditions, etc. so I hit the woods Friday afternoon and was in the same tree at 3:30 where I missed him on Oct. 29th. I don't know about y'all but 1st time back in stand after missing a big one there and looking at the spot where he last stood hurts. I tried to put it out of my mind. At ~5:10 I catch the first sign of movement. I ease up the binocs and see his head and rack coming out of a thicket heading up the ridge toward me. I can't believe it...it's HIM! Usually does begin to move 1st outside the rut...not mature bucks! Our rut is still a month and a half away! He slowly eases toward me...once again directly at me. I begin telling myself...OK don't look at the horns, just your spot. He starts to quarter toward me...Dang Al...quit looking at the horns dummy! He moves inside the 20 yard line...stops looks around...up at me...I'm pushing into the tree...don't move...OK, he begins to turn...shot opportunity coming...now I AM focused on the spot I want to hit and nothing else. He quarters away slightly looking toward his left toward an armadillo that's scratching around in the leaves for a meal. I draw put my 20 yard pin on my spot with him ~18 yards away. Arrow loose...CRACK...hit's home...he spins and turns on the afterburners.

I can't believe what just happened! A 2nd chance 6 days later...same tree...same mature buck...plenty of daylight. Emotions kick in BIG TIME! Shaking...rubber legged...gotta sit down...breath. Oh my...can't climb down now if I wanted to. Try to text a buddy to tell him what happened...many text errors...imagine that! His 1st response...ARE YOU SERIOUS? Ok...simple answer...YES!!! A few more text and my shaking begins to calm down...got legs again too! I look at my watch...only 15 minutes have passed...seems like forever. I ease down and out to my EV and return ~30 minutes later to track. After a 15 minute 150 yard tracking job I'm standing over the biggest buck I've ever killed in Mississippi...with any weapon I look skyward and thank the Lord for the gift of a 2nd chance at a great trophy like this in this state. The following morning the tell of the tape is 19" inside spread, 12 scorable points that total a gross score of 154 1/2". Now a few pics for ya...including a trail cam pic the day after I missed him.

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Here's a trail cam pic the day after I missed him. The cam is about 200 yards from where I missed him. I pulled the card yesterday.

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Thanks everyone...I'm still on a high!

What a stud. I'm sitting in a tree now looking on my phone and he is big. I can't wait to see him on the computer screen!

BTW Pat...if I recall...you initially said you thought he was a mid 150's class buck from my September trail cam pics. I was low with my initial estimation. Good eye! :D

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Thanks everyone...I'm still on a high!BTW Pat...if I recall...you initially said you thought he was a mid 150's class buck from my September trail cam pics. I was low with my initial estimation. Good eye! :D
Thanks! Score is just a number but it's sure fun when you under estimate them! I'm sure that smile will stick around for awhile.
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