Posted on PMA last week. Fun, challenging, learning lesson but overall this buck was so fun & rewarding. Now, there's a buck in PMA that hit dirt over the weekend that dwarfs the King 
STORY in a nutshell......
Known the buck since 2 or 3 ???? (He was 6 or 7) I’ll post some previous years pics later. He dialed down a core area to about 30 acres. Maybe 40 at very most. I never stepped foot in his draw of timber except tsi & shed season & always stayed on tractor. He just found a TINY isolated draw he knew he was safe in. He “ruled it”. Why I called him “king buck”. Plus he had kinda crown rack
I passed him last year .... was a smoker but I wanted to shoot Twizzlers & Chad. Plus I knew he’d be safe and grow most likely. All worked out- which is a miracle.
All my cams been crap this year. Missing tons of bucks I know made it. Really discouraging!!!!! I had him on cam & knew he was there but didn’t check cams recently to find out. Just kinda “knew it”. I almost got him.oct 4. He was already making scrapes - setting up dominance. 30 mins before dark. He was the king of castle & made it known. So.... I kinda thought he’d respond to mild grunt in his turf. He did!! Then coyotes blew up field - game over. 2 more hunts..... nada.
I slipped in last week to hang one more stand on outskirts I could see long way and hunt S wind. Went in Sunday night- quiet but warm. But.... undetected. 90 mins before dark - the dude comes out with 4 other bucks. Each of other 4 acting very subordinate. Walked right past my other stand. It was a windy night!!!!. I thought “same game- I’ll grunt just to tell him an aggressive buck in his turf”. TOO WINDY!!!. I grabbed horns..... light little rattle. Like 2-3 year olds sparring. Figured he’d WALK over to just show em who was boss. NOPE - came in to kick butt!!!! Ran under me and past my stand. Dag nab!!!! Sat behind hedge for a while. He was not gonna get my wind so grunted one more time to pull him out. He did. I shot & felt a slight thud on cam. Cam barely hit a limb. I was dead on him and crapped when it hit neck. Heart sank. He ran 10 more yards.... I had hole through brush & saw body & I was gonna let him eat arrows til I was out. Jammed one through & wasn’t sure where. He bolted across field & blood spraying. No clue where hit still.
I was so mad at myself. 100% my fault & was beating myself up. Walked to field top just to glance over ..... Nope- he Made the timber & I got out. So depressed all night or mad at myself. Even though I know it happens. Been 10-15 years since I legit screwed up and was chalking this up as muscle flesh wounds.
Next am..... bro & buddies. We waited til 8:30 for a few reasons..... got to timbered edge.... got out where I thought he would have run in. Started strategizing...... CROWS!!!!!! Bam!!!! “No coincidence “ & why i waited til 830- so just in case- they could possibly find him. They did. I found massive blood trail and lead right to crows. He had died right after hitting timber but glad I played safe. Both wounds looked wicked & crazy. Neck & center low on body. Am I proud of those shots? NOPE. But- he was roasted and 2 insane holes in him thank goodness. My stress relieved knowing I didn’t wound a great buck & finally caught up with the king. Rewarding & fun & i'm dang lucky.
I honestly want no more than to shoot another “Chad” & see fam & friends get good bucks & get to relax in timber. I got my 2nd bow tag but I don’t care if I ever use it or not. I will sit in the TIMBER come November & relax & take in the peace & beauty of the forest & wildlife & not working!!! That’s my reward in a November and I can’t wait.
To the rest of u. Good luck- I know someone will shoot a bigger buck than this and I hope u guys smoke some giants and enjoy the time out there. Special time of year so ENJOY IT!!!!!! Be safe & best wishes. Hope to see some pics and stories soon!
STORY in a nutshell......
Known the buck since 2 or 3 ???? (He was 6 or 7) I’ll post some previous years pics later. He dialed down a core area to about 30 acres. Maybe 40 at very most. I never stepped foot in his draw of timber except tsi & shed season & always stayed on tractor. He just found a TINY isolated draw he knew he was safe in. He “ruled it”. Why I called him “king buck”. Plus he had kinda crown rack
I passed him last year .... was a smoker but I wanted to shoot Twizzlers & Chad. Plus I knew he’d be safe and grow most likely. All worked out- which is a miracle.
All my cams been crap this year. Missing tons of bucks I know made it. Really discouraging!!!!! I had him on cam & knew he was there but didn’t check cams recently to find out. Just kinda “knew it”. I almost got him.oct 4. He was already making scrapes - setting up dominance. 30 mins before dark. He was the king of castle & made it known. So.... I kinda thought he’d respond to mild grunt in his turf. He did!! Then coyotes blew up field - game over. 2 more hunts..... nada.
I slipped in last week to hang one more stand on outskirts I could see long way and hunt S wind. Went in Sunday night- quiet but warm. But.... undetected. 90 mins before dark - the dude comes out with 4 other bucks. Each of other 4 acting very subordinate. Walked right past my other stand. It was a windy night!!!!. I thought “same game- I’ll grunt just to tell him an aggressive buck in his turf”. TOO WINDY!!!. I grabbed horns..... light little rattle. Like 2-3 year olds sparring. Figured he’d WALK over to just show em who was boss. NOPE - came in to kick butt!!!! Ran under me and past my stand. Dag nab!!!! Sat behind hedge for a while. He was not gonna get my wind so grunted one more time to pull him out. He did. I shot & felt a slight thud on cam. Cam barely hit a limb. I was dead on him and crapped when it hit neck. Heart sank. He ran 10 more yards.... I had hole through brush & saw body & I was gonna let him eat arrows til I was out. Jammed one through & wasn’t sure where. He bolted across field & blood spraying. No clue where hit still.
I was so mad at myself. 100% my fault & was beating myself up. Walked to field top just to glance over ..... Nope- he Made the timber & I got out. So depressed all night or mad at myself. Even though I know it happens. Been 10-15 years since I legit screwed up and was chalking this up as muscle flesh wounds.
Next am..... bro & buddies. We waited til 8:30 for a few reasons..... got to timbered edge.... got out where I thought he would have run in. Started strategizing...... CROWS!!!!!! Bam!!!! “No coincidence “ & why i waited til 830- so just in case- they could possibly find him. They did. I found massive blood trail and lead right to crows. He had died right after hitting timber but glad I played safe. Both wounds looked wicked & crazy. Neck & center low on body. Am I proud of those shots? NOPE. But- he was roasted and 2 insane holes in him thank goodness. My stress relieved knowing I didn’t wound a great buck & finally caught up with the king. Rewarding & fun & i'm dang lucky.
I honestly want no more than to shoot another “Chad” & see fam & friends get good bucks & get to relax in timber. I got my 2nd bow tag but I don’t care if I ever use it or not. I will sit in the TIMBER come November & relax & take in the peace & beauty of the forest & wildlife & not working!!! That’s my reward in a November and I can’t wait.
To the rest of u. Good luck- I know someone will shoot a bigger buck than this and I hope u guys smoke some giants and enjoy the time out there. Special time of year so ENJOY IT!!!!!! Be safe & best wishes. Hope to see some pics and stories soon!
