MUDRUNNER Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 I’ll try to make this short and sweet. I could go on and on about my struggles deer hunting the last few years. The lack of deer, missed shots, always in the wrong stand, neighbors ruining hunts, the list goes on. I can’t remember ever being more discouraged deer hunting than I was this year. I can’t even get a doe in range for some reason. I had been pressing a little bit trying to get a deer with the bow before gun season, but it just didn’t happen. As I sat in my trusty oak tree Saturday morning with my old Winchester I was contemplating moving that stand after the season was over. I’ve had a stand in this tree for over 10 years, and it’s produced for me on a regular basis…even a few nice bucks. It’s kind of been my go to stand for years, but just hasn’t been that good since the neighbors blocked off the draw that the deer used to use to put in a lake. About 7:15 I heard a buck roar from behind me. I’ve heard this only 4 or 5 times in my 20+ years of hunting, and it’s an amazing vocalization. However, it is gun season and the woods are full of hunters, so I figured it was just somebody using a call so I didn’t really think much about it. About 10 minutes later I hear a deer walking behind me, and turn to look over my left shoulder and there he stands. I didn’t really look him over very good. I knew he was big, and his rack was almost glowing in the rising sunshine. I turned on my red dot, flicked the safety off, and put it on him. As he walked in front of my trail camera about 60 yards away I gave him the bahh and got him to stop. I squeezed one off and knew he was hit, but he didn’t go down right away. I shot two more times out of desperation, but neither of those hit their mark. Fortunately the first shot did hit home and he crashed after a 50 yard run. I was a complete wreck for about 15 minutes. I sat in my stand for another hour and a half and decided to get down and collect my prize. I had no idea he was that big until I walked up behind him. He is my biggest buck to date, and will make a sweet shoulder mount. I’m no pro at scoring, but came up with 156”. He field dressed 210 lbs. To make the story a little cooler, one of the neighbors had a shed and some trail cam pics that he gave me. By looking at his shed from last year and the pictures he actually lost a few inches and some tine length this year, but gained a little more mass. We are guessing he may be 5 or 6 and was past his prime and on his way downhill. This ends a little bit of a drought for me….first firearm deer in four years and first buck in two. To top everything off my 88 year old grandpa went up with me and I got to celebrate, play cards and have a few beers with him and some close friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Great story and awesome deer. Congratulations mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 nice buck Mud!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Heck yea! Way to hang in there and get it done! Leave the stand! LOL Congratulations on a fine buck. I like how you have a blue shirt, camo pants, and sitting in the same position and field as your profile buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 disregard the question about the age in the team thread, I got my answer here, congrats on a well deserved unique buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Thanks everybody! I think the stand will stay were it is for one more year lol. If I make it out this weekend I'm going to check my trail camera and see if I got his picture where I shot him at. I think I've worn the same Under Armour shirt and merino wool shirt over it for like 10 years. Those pants have to be about 15 years old. I think if I held them up to a light I could see right through them. I tend to wear things a little too long sometimes lol. It is about time for a few replacements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Stud deer! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Wow, that is a great deer Mud, congrats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 awesome story, It sounds like a well deserved trophy. congratulations on the wall hanger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 that buck would make anyone proud. way to go, mud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 Nice Mud...Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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