Thank you Michael Waddell !


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I hunted a property on Saturday afternoon where the owner had been seeing a huge doe, some yearlings and a heavy bodied buck regularly visiting a field. I set up along side a Y shaped tractor path leading to the field, thinking that the deer would use the easy path instead of the thick brush to enter the field.

At 6:30 a small buck came walking down the path as planned except he didn't turn down the path to come into the field. I grunted but he wasn't buying it. I kept watch hoping that he would come back but no luck. I turned and looked into the field and there were the deer--guess they took the path through the thick brush instead. I had no shot as they were 70 yards away and through brush.

I had set up intentionally with my scent blowing into the field (thinking I would shoot before they reached my scent). The does winded me a little bit--I crush pine needles and use it as a cover scent so they weren't completely alarmed, just trotted off. The buck didn't wind me yet but was alarmed at what alarmed the does--plus he was grunting a lot and bumping the does around a little bit (pre-rut). He turned to follow them and I was crushed.

So here's where I owe Michael Waddell my hunt. I did the one thing I could think of and Michael was the one TV hunter I see do this most--I snort wheezed. The buck threw his head up, stopped and started coming to me on a string. He crossed my scent path and started lipping the air. He started to turn and leave again so I snort wheezed again. This time he took a hard right into the woods (from my right to left) and gave me a perfect 28 yard shot, completely broadside.

The weird thing is that the arrow went in a little high but I didn't get full penetration. When we finally found him (the next morning) the arrow came out high just forward of the right hip. He wasn't gut shot. I think the arrow worked its way out between the skin and ribcage on the exit side. It was the oddest thing I have ever seen. Because of the angle, that arrow should have exited just below mid-line of the deer on the opposite side. Instead, it somehow took a mystery right turn.

Anyway, had it not been for Road Trips and Michael Waddell, I would have had to just watch this guy walk. I always loved it when Michael could get a big buck to come back by snort wheezing but I didn't think it would work for my area. I suppose this guy was getting a little worked up during pre-rut and may have been the dominant on this property--ergo his immediate reaction to some other dude servicing a doe.

His body was very big for my area. He weighed 158 pounds on the hoof.

img4922.jpg

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Nice buck! Congratulations and way to call em in....

Ive never used it in my area either. Typically we have to many does so they dont respond to calls like that. However, last year I had three bucks come to a grunt. I shot one and the other two walked. I may try it this year. Last year was the first year ive ever seen any aggressive call work.....

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Thanks all.

I have tried the snort wheeze previously but like others here it sent the buck into the next county. Usually I tried it on small bucks and it sent them running thinking a big buck was around. I think this guy was worked up and was the biggest dude on the property at the time. Worked up a little jealousy.

I shot him at 6:45 on Saturday and then left to go get my son to help me track (he's 11 and has the fever really BAD). He actually was very good at finding deer blood. He and I searched for an hour or so before the dark got the better of him (he was cold too). So I walked out and took him to meet his mom, who picked him up. I finally had to call in some friends from church and three showed up. We searched until about 10:30 (there was little blood and it eventually petered out). Fearing the shot may have only got one lung, I called it and we backed out. The temps were mid 40's so I figured he would be okay overnight if the yotes didn't get to him.

I went back before church the next day and found him about 250 yards from where I shot him...he went forever. I searched every single privet thicket and briar patch and was walking out when I found him.

I lost a doe two weeks before and was sick at the thought of losing this deer....especially since I snort wheezed him in. We searched a total of five + hours for this guy.

I hope the meat turns out okay.

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And, I am in love with your truck!!!

Ah, thanks. That wasn't supposed to be in the picture but some people aren't all about the art of the image! :D I couldn't complain too loudly because he helped me search for 4 hours over two days for the deer.

She's a pretty good truck and I just had the oil changed which comes with a free wash--that's the only reason she's clean.

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p.s. for those wondering, there are two stickers on the window of the truck.

The first is a glossy American Flag Browning Buckmark.

The oval one says "In loving memory of Capitalism...1776 - 2009....Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam (Latin for "I will either find a way or make one"). My little statement on the election.

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