fly Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Two years in a row I have managed to take a mature buck in October. Columbus day (the 12th) was the 5th day of my 7 day hunt. It had been an awesome week with mature bucks seen on each day. Frustration was setting in as I was having bad wind conditions, high temps, or just plain old bad luck and couldn't get it done! Then finally at 7am I looked behind me and just happened to catch him headed to bed for the day. I shot him from a tripod stand I had concealed in the tree below. I estimated the beast to be 50 yards away and I had to bleet at him 4 times before he stopped. He finally stopped at the last opening I had before he was gone for good. I was very lucky that he stopped where he did. All I could see was his midsection as his head and rear were obscured by brush. The arrow hit high (spine) dropping him in his tracks. I had to send a second arrow to finish him off. What a fantastic hunt! Finally all the scouting, and hard work paid off. This buck may not be the giant my 12 from last was but he's a 200+ pound deer that should make P&Y. I shot him not more than 100 yards from where I shot my 12 from last year. I am thankful to the good Lord for blessing me and for making me a hunter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Nice buck Frank. Congratulations. May be the pic but he looks heavier bodied than 200 lbs live weight to me, or is that a dressed weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks William - the scale I used isn't real reliable so I'm not certain but I know his dressed weight was right at 200 lbs (give or take 10 pounds). I ranged the spot I hit him at today - he was 45 yards from my tripod which is likely why I hit high. That and he might have ducked the shot. Saw an 11 point this AM at 40 yards but couldn't get an ethical shot before he turned and left. I think he would have went about 140. Tomorrow is my last day - we'll see what happens as I have one IL buck tag left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Congratulations Frank! Sounds like that 100 yard area is a hot spot for deer movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 great deer frank, whats the guess on age on that guy? 5 1/2? He looks like an old one, maybe even more than my guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Well done Frank!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Nice buck & story Frank!...think you are onto a hot spot there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 So he was pushing 250 on the hoof, looks about right to me. Good luck on filling that other tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Man way to put em down ! Beautiful deer for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 was it you that made the tri pod on wheels last year to get it all the way back in there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Congrats Frank! Way to jump on them early. That's a solid Illinois buck. Good luck on buck #2! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Thanks everyone! I think he's 4.5 years old. I'll get the jaw soon and let you all know. I take the legs off the tripod and wheel it out nearly a mile on my game cart. There is an old closed road that makes it easy to wheel out. Still, it is a pain and this is the last year I'm doing it. It's going to KY later this month to rest in peace. The same tree pictured above should accommodate a 12 foot ladder stand (on the other side). It's not high but great concealment - you can't even see the stand from the side the deer travel through. Here is the tripod from the other side of that tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 15, 2015 Report Share Posted October 15, 2015 You don't see many of those tripod stands around here. It's definitely served you well. Was that on a draw hunt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 15, 2015 Report Share Posted October 15, 2015 Awesome buck! Congratulations!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2015 I don't prefer tripod stands because I like to be 30 feet up or higher to get out of the scent zone. They are better than ground blinds which I pretty much stopped hunting from since my kids are older now. The area I hunt has small trees. I'm not sure - but I might get a small light 12 foot ladder stand to work as long as it isn't too windy. The tree is only about 6 inches in diameter at the 12 foot mark. This was a draw hunt - same one I got last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbarcheryhunter Posted October 16, 2015 Report Share Posted October 16, 2015 Congrats fly !!! Another awesome buck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks bb... I examined the jaw bone and according to the tooth wear method this deer was 4.5 years old. The dentine on the 4th and 5th molars was wider than the enamel, but not on the 6th molar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 Great pics and excellent telling of the story. Congratulations!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Thanks Stinger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Nice one Frank! Congrats man, great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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