So, I am having my first kid here in just over a month. I was told that my hunting season would end early December as I needed to be close to home base for this one...so I wouldn't miss it. I guess you'd never live something like that down. All of that being said, I penciled in my weekends and decided I would do my best to get a good buck before the rut really started. I feel like where I hunt in Zapata county, that is a tall order. The mature deer just don't move during daylight or come to any feed too early in the year.
My October hunting trips were relatively productive and I felt confident as, no matter where I set up, I had solid younger deer come in. I passed numerous 140 class deer that were just a bit too young.
Thanksgiving, I hade some good bucks come in to my set ups. I passed on more 140 4.5's and one mature nice 8 that would have gone upper 130's. I just felt like I didn't want to lower my standards simply because of my limited time frame.
So, this past weekend was it. We headed down Thursday and I set up in one location where we had seen a big ten with a nice sticker. In 3 sits, I saw several different bucks and a nine that really tempted me. I stuck to trying for a big boy. One of the guys who works wells on the property told us of a nice buck who stuck to a solid routine. I set up in the area and fed for a day before sitting. I was pleasantly surprised as a good number of deer showed and one decent buck. There were two rubs and a scrape nearby, so I was hopeful....didn't get any better and only saw my residents the next sit. Yesterday (Sunday) was my last hunt and not one deer showed....it was 8AM. Frustrated, I left the blind and got in the truck. I had a gun there and was out to get something D**m it.
Driving, I saw what I thought to be two mature bucks with several does. I got out with the rifle and started a stalk. I was breaking my promise to myself to get my first bow buck this year. I closed the gap from 400-250 yards and glassed them. Too small for a rifle, that was for sure. I went to the truck and drove on through them running them in several directions.
A few minutes later, I thought to myself "I would take that deer if I could do a spot-and-stalk with my bow". I figured the chances were so slim that it wouldn't happen anyhow. I parked and got out with the bow.
After waiting about 10 minutes, does came out. Ten minutes more and the younger buck came out....followed by the older deer. He wasn't what I wanted, nor what I thought he was. "What the heck", I thought.
Deer were about 150 yards from me. There was about 20 yards of buffalo (or buffel, depending on who you talk to) grass on the side of the road that was like walking on newspaper. under the brush, the grass was choked down and provided for good, quiet moving. I closed the gap to 50 yards and then it got more difficult. The two bucks were pressuring each other and not paying much attention, so I kept my eyes on the does. There was a well station that seemed to be a good ambush point, so I made my way there. The last ten yards to close the gap to a shooting area was tough. I belly crawled through the grass so slow I had no idea if they would be there or not...it was 3' high. I made my way to a small chunk of guajillo and started to get to a kneeling position. They were there. A doe was looking right at me, but went back to eat almost immediately. Deer at 40 yards and I am not confident until about 25.
The younger buck became my best friend. They pushed each other, ears back and making noise, up the road and to two trails. One trail fell below the well and was out of my comfort zone. The other, right above it and at 25 yards. The younger buck pushed him above it and, while they were all eyes on each other, I drew. He was walking slowly and I put it right behind his shoulder. Complete pass through and he took off....turned around at about 40 yards and came to within 10' of where he was originally. He collapsed and that was it.
He's an 8/9. He's got a little 3.5" kicker/drop off the main beam. He'll make a nice european...
Sorry about his condition in the photo. I lost my phone on the stalk, went to get it and they had skinned him before I got back. Oh well.
I passed on so many deer that would put this one to shame, BUT my first bow buck was killed stalking. I'd love a wallhanger, but I am proud of that and it sure won't be tough to beat this one next year....as long as I hold off on making any more babies!
My October hunting trips were relatively productive and I felt confident as, no matter where I set up, I had solid younger deer come in. I passed numerous 140 class deer that were just a bit too young.
Thanksgiving, I hade some good bucks come in to my set ups. I passed on more 140 4.5's and one mature nice 8 that would have gone upper 130's. I just felt like I didn't want to lower my standards simply because of my limited time frame.
So, this past weekend was it. We headed down Thursday and I set up in one location where we had seen a big ten with a nice sticker. In 3 sits, I saw several different bucks and a nine that really tempted me. I stuck to trying for a big boy. One of the guys who works wells on the property told us of a nice buck who stuck to a solid routine. I set up in the area and fed for a day before sitting. I was pleasantly surprised as a good number of deer showed and one decent buck. There were two rubs and a scrape nearby, so I was hopeful....didn't get any better and only saw my residents the next sit. Yesterday (Sunday) was my last hunt and not one deer showed....it was 8AM. Frustrated, I left the blind and got in the truck. I had a gun there and was out to get something D**m it.
Driving, I saw what I thought to be two mature bucks with several does. I got out with the rifle and started a stalk. I was breaking my promise to myself to get my first bow buck this year. I closed the gap from 400-250 yards and glassed them. Too small for a rifle, that was for sure. I went to the truck and drove on through them running them in several directions.
A few minutes later, I thought to myself "I would take that deer if I could do a spot-and-stalk with my bow". I figured the chances were so slim that it wouldn't happen anyhow. I parked and got out with the bow.
After waiting about 10 minutes, does came out. Ten minutes more and the younger buck came out....followed by the older deer. He wasn't what I wanted, nor what I thought he was. "What the heck", I thought.
Deer were about 150 yards from me. There was about 20 yards of buffalo (or buffel, depending on who you talk to) grass on the side of the road that was like walking on newspaper. under the brush, the grass was choked down and provided for good, quiet moving. I closed the gap to 50 yards and then it got more difficult. The two bucks were pressuring each other and not paying much attention, so I kept my eyes on the does. There was a well station that seemed to be a good ambush point, so I made my way there. The last ten yards to close the gap to a shooting area was tough. I belly crawled through the grass so slow I had no idea if they would be there or not...it was 3' high. I made my way to a small chunk of guajillo and started to get to a kneeling position. They were there. A doe was looking right at me, but went back to eat almost immediately. Deer at 40 yards and I am not confident until about 25.
The younger buck became my best friend. They pushed each other, ears back and making noise, up the road and to two trails. One trail fell below the well and was out of my comfort zone. The other, right above it and at 25 yards. The younger buck pushed him above it and, while they were all eyes on each other, I drew. He was walking slowly and I put it right behind his shoulder. Complete pass through and he took off....turned around at about 40 yards and came to within 10' of where he was originally. He collapsed and that was it.
He's an 8/9. He's got a little 3.5" kicker/drop off the main beam. He'll make a nice european...
Sorry about his condition in the photo. I lost my phone on the stalk, went to get it and they had skinned him before I got back. Oh well.
I passed on so many deer that would put this one to shame, BUT my first bow buck was killed stalking. I'd love a wallhanger, but I am proud of that and it sure won't be tough to beat this one next year....as long as I hold off on making any more babies!
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