Sorry it's been awhile since I updated this thread. I have been hunting this buck almost everyday since he showed up on one of my rub trees, that all the bucks are useing as a sign post. No history, just one of those surprises that turn your season around and focus you to keep at it. The way his tines tip in, its hard to get a picture that does him justice. I have some great video that really shows what a fully mature brute he is. If it was not for the rub trees I would not even know he was around to hunt.
I had him at 50 yards Dec. 1st while bowhunting, but he took the wrong trail and that was that, got some great video though. Dec. 6th, 1st shotgun we had 5 inches of snow and was cold. Got to my blind clean at 3:15, peeked out the window and saw the old one-eyed buck 60 yards away and the really wide 8, pictured before. I was thinking about shooting the one-eyed buck with the mloader, when this buck popped out on a scrape 120 yards away. By the time I got the camera on him and ready, he was around 135 yards. As I was squeezing the trigger he took a step and I think I tried to react to it, but flubbed the shot. He looked hit, but I only had some small spots of blood to follow, but lost it after 300 yards. I looked for several days and was hopeing it was only a graze. Well last week he showed back up on a pair of mock rub trees and really tore them up. Apparently I grazed his briskett and opposite armpit/elbow area. He has a limp, but sure seems in good shape as he tore into the trees for 15 minutes. With 9 days left and only a bowtag its gonna be a challenge to close the deal.
I think if I am lucky enough to get my hands on those antlers, attached to the deer or not, he is gonna score more than the pics show. What do you guys think he is gonna gross? It does'nt really matter, he is just a cool looking buck, and driveing me crazy.
My trees are still getting alot of attention as the bucks come and go from the feeding areas. Usually the first thing the bucks are doing when hitting the field is go check the tree, to see who has been there.
Colton is trying to shoot this forked g-2 8 point with his bow, now that
Hook has fallen off the map. He has been hitting a cornfield that we just put up a new blind on, almost every evening before dark. My buck is almost nocturnal in this weather and with the injury, but hopefully the next 2 cold nights will make him feed harder.Wish us luck, the next 9 days are gonna be fun.