As the last few weeks of December rolled in and the 2016 season was coming to a close, I was content. There would be no off season depression setting in this year. I was in the midst of my best season ever, having already killed 3 very nice bucks, including my best ever, my first velvet buck on a state draw hunt and a lease record after 20 years of hunting. I did however, have one last buck tag in my pocket.
I was given permission to hunt a real nice piece of property in Wilson County, just south of Seguin. I had done a lot of work out there during the summer months and lent several of my stands and feeders to the owner. In return he let me hunt this season on the 900 acre farm. Going into the season I wasn't real sure what to expect in the way of deer, but I was optimistic I would see some decent mature bucks. The place hadn't been hunted very much in the past several years.
My first hunt in early October, I passed on a nice mature 8pt. He would have been a great buck to take, but was just not quite what I wanted at that point in the season. Later in October, at a different stand location, I saw the most incredible 6pt I have ever seen. He approached my throw corn on a trail at 20 yards that I knew would present a shot. When I went to draw, another smaller buck that I didn't know was below me, saw me and blew out all the deer. On another hunt, in early November, I saw 12 -14 deer, but no shooters.
My 4th hunt on the property was in mid December. I went to the same stand I had seen the huge 6pt. Instead of the 6pt, I had a really nice mid 130s 9pt work his way into my throw corn. After what seemed like forever he presented a good broadside shot. Just as I started to raise my bow a bunch of hogs came in and ran him off.
On the afternoon of December 30th, I headed to the farm for my last 2 hunts of the season. I planned to hunt that evening and if I was unsuccessful, I would sleep in my truck and hunt the following morning. That evening, I approached the same stand very early, before 2:30. As I got about 50 yards away I saw a nice mature buck already eating at my corn. I checked him out for a while before decided he wasn't good enough and ran him off. I climbed into the stand and as I pulled my bow up on the rope, I proceeded to knock $2000 worth the camera equipment out of the 20ft stand. Despite all the noise and the broken camera, I decided to hunt out the evening. About 30 minutes before dark the big 9pt came in. All the deer were on edge and very spooky. The big 9 would not come in any closer than 25 yards and wouldn't sit still for very long. Finally I decided to try for a shot at 27 yards. I am hunting from a post oak tree, which at this point in the season has no leaves or cover. When I finally got drawn, I was so shocked that the 9 was still broadside, I rushed my shot and sent my arrow right over his back. Just an all around terrible hunt!
The next morning I decided to hunt a new stand. I thought my chances at the usual stand would be slim after everything that had happened the evening before. New Year's eve morning I awoke to a slightly misty rain and low 40s temps. A perfect morning! I climbed into the huge oak platform an hour before daylight. I had 7 bucks under me eating before shooting light. One was the huge 6pt I had seen earlier in the season. I have never seen a more impressive rack walking around on the hoof. He was so wide and tall, he just made all the other bucks look small. Once again, the bucks were very skittish and jumpy. Three separate times a deer heard a squirrel in the tree near me and ran all the deer completely out of view. I knew this was my last hunt of the season and I knew if I was going to get my "icing", I was going to have to make something happen. The deer returned again and I drew my bow as soon as the huge 6pt got close. Once again, a deer spooked at something. The 6 turned to leave and hesitated just a moment before jumping out of the feed pen. That was my chance! I placed a perfect shot on him and watched him run about 100 yards and fall over. Icing on the cake! 4 great bucks in one season!
The huge 6 point has a 18.5" inside spread, 22.5" mainbeams, an 11" G2 and a 9" G2. He scores just over 110"! Man what a way to finish my best season ever! I guess this year the off season won't be quite so long.
I was given permission to hunt a real nice piece of property in Wilson County, just south of Seguin. I had done a lot of work out there during the summer months and lent several of my stands and feeders to the owner. In return he let me hunt this season on the 900 acre farm. Going into the season I wasn't real sure what to expect in the way of deer, but I was optimistic I would see some decent mature bucks. The place hadn't been hunted very much in the past several years.
My first hunt in early October, I passed on a nice mature 8pt. He would have been a great buck to take, but was just not quite what I wanted at that point in the season. Later in October, at a different stand location, I saw the most incredible 6pt I have ever seen. He approached my throw corn on a trail at 20 yards that I knew would present a shot. When I went to draw, another smaller buck that I didn't know was below me, saw me and blew out all the deer. On another hunt, in early November, I saw 12 -14 deer, but no shooters.
My 4th hunt on the property was in mid December. I went to the same stand I had seen the huge 6pt. Instead of the 6pt, I had a really nice mid 130s 9pt work his way into my throw corn. After what seemed like forever he presented a good broadside shot. Just as I started to raise my bow a bunch of hogs came in and ran him off.
On the afternoon of December 30th, I headed to the farm for my last 2 hunts of the season. I planned to hunt that evening and if I was unsuccessful, I would sleep in my truck and hunt the following morning. That evening, I approached the same stand very early, before 2:30. As I got about 50 yards away I saw a nice mature buck already eating at my corn. I checked him out for a while before decided he wasn't good enough and ran him off. I climbed into the stand and as I pulled my bow up on the rope, I proceeded to knock $2000 worth the camera equipment out of the 20ft stand. Despite all the noise and the broken camera, I decided to hunt out the evening. About 30 minutes before dark the big 9pt came in. All the deer were on edge and very spooky. The big 9 would not come in any closer than 25 yards and wouldn't sit still for very long. Finally I decided to try for a shot at 27 yards. I am hunting from a post oak tree, which at this point in the season has no leaves or cover. When I finally got drawn, I was so shocked that the 9 was still broadside, I rushed my shot and sent my arrow right over his back. Just an all around terrible hunt!
The next morning I decided to hunt a new stand. I thought my chances at the usual stand would be slim after everything that had happened the evening before. New Year's eve morning I awoke to a slightly misty rain and low 40s temps. A perfect morning! I climbed into the huge oak platform an hour before daylight. I had 7 bucks under me eating before shooting light. One was the huge 6pt I had seen earlier in the season. I have never seen a more impressive rack walking around on the hoof. He was so wide and tall, he just made all the other bucks look small. Once again, the bucks were very skittish and jumpy. Three separate times a deer heard a squirrel in the tree near me and ran all the deer completely out of view. I knew this was my last hunt of the season and I knew if I was going to get my "icing", I was going to have to make something happen. The deer returned again and I drew my bow as soon as the huge 6pt got close. Once again, a deer spooked at something. The 6 turned to leave and hesitated just a moment before jumping out of the feed pen. That was my chance! I placed a perfect shot on him and watched him run about 100 yards and fall over. Icing on the cake! 4 great bucks in one season!
The huge 6 point has a 18.5" inside spread, 22.5" mainbeams, an 11" G2 and a 9" G2. He scores just over 110"! Man what a way to finish my best season ever! I guess this year the off season won't be quite so long.
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