Wow, I have had back to back awesome hunts. This morning, I got into a new stand I have NEVER sat in until this morning it sets on the edge of my sanctuary just across a small creek. Got settled in and rattled at 8AM. five minutes later, a 140 inch (or better) 9 pt, with super long brow tines steps out of a thicket and starts to make a scrape. He had a split g3 on his right side and unlike most SW Iowa bucks, had a much darker brown rack. He didn't have much width, but had pretty good mass and tine length. I would age him at 3.5 years. He starts to circle down wind and while he was looking away I reach for my bow and not sure what caught his eye, but he gives me the "stare down". He was at 10 yards and you could tell he was on edge. He was heading towards a mock scrape I made when this all occurred. I truthfully didn't intend to shoot this buck and have never seen him on the farm. After the stare down (3-4 minutes) he slowly turns and heads back toward the creek. 30 minutes pass, and I rattle in a small fork buck. Same thing occurs, he works down off the ridge and across the creek. Takes the same trail behind my stand at 10 yards and freezes at the exact spot as the nice 9pt. Another 30 minutes passes and along the fence line of the timber here comes my first true "shooter" of the season. I was not able to see his exact number of points, but he had the tine length and mass. I gave him some contact grunts and got his attention. He worked along the other side of the creek. I got more aggressive and snort weezed, he froze and looked, but after that he trotted off east up the ridge and out of my life! After that, no more close encounters accept for 2 does and another small buck.
Total, I saw 8 deer. 5 bucks and three does, it is obvious that they are moving and getting aggressive! I expected to see a lot of does coming back from the fields and back to bed hoping to find a buck chasing. Instead, I find several bucks out cruising! Temps got warm around 11 and I got out stand. Suppose to be in low 60's I think still too hot for all day. If the wife lets me, I am going to go out to another stand for a PM field next to a fresh cut bean field.
I hope that 9pt doesn't come back to haunt me. I seriously thought long and hard about him. Last year, I had a similar experience where I had a 140 inch buck and gave him the pass. I did see bigger bucks later, but never got a great opportunity.
. Little pumpkin carving with the little ones then headed out for an evening sit
