05 Shotgun Buck(story and pics)

RDNKHNTR77 · December 9, 2005

We have an awesome camp set up in central Ohio with 100 acre of prime deer hunting territory. we headed down Sunday to get settled in and BS with everyone, there are a total of 6 guys down there for opening day. Unfortunately, with football and school, I have almost no time to scout which can lead to some tricky hunting. I had a stand picked out that i have taken a few other deer from in the past couple years and it has always been a producer. The forecast called for 60 degree+ temperatures and this stand was located on the border of our proerty in some thick stuff that they like to bed in, plus, it is near a watering hole. I got to my stand at about 6:15 and waited for first light. It was just barely getting to where i could see well enough to identify bucks from does and i heard a racket on my left. it was still too dark to see into the thick stuff but i could see movement and knew they were deer. A big, mature doe popped out about 30 yds out. I had my 12 gauge remington 870 raised and aimed, but she kept looking back and i knew a buck was followin her. I caught glimpse of antler and then a body. he was moving slowly and only stepping when she stepped. Although there wasnt much light, i could tell he was a solid 2 1/2 yr old and made the decision that i was goin to shoot. I thought i had missed as his body language did not show that he had been hit. I got down to investigate and saw a huge wad of hair but no blood. Then, before the cursing began, i caught a glimpse of him bedded down about 30 yds down the hill. It took one final shot to put him down. although he was not quite the buck i was looking for, it had been a frustrating season, coupled with the fact that i cant get out much during school, i was pretty happy. Hes my second buck in 2 yrs.

BIG_BUCK_1 · December 9, 2005