jkratz5
Well-Known Member
Well I am very thankful for the year I have had and Friday night I capped it off putting down my target buck in IL.
As with the previous week the action was still great, lots of deer up and moving and several tremendous up and comers were running around.
I decided to focus my hunt on a small section of our farm where the timber was absolutely tore up with giant rubs and just outside one of the thickest bedding areas you can imagine. The thicket is a refuge, 100% off limits area and the deer absolutely love it.
I had pretty steady action all day with bucks coming to scent check the thicket and bump does around.
About 4:30 that evening I was watching 6 does work there way across a corn field that was directly north of me about 100yds when I heard a deer just west of me. I looked over and instantly went into autopilot as I recognized the big 10pt frame. As the buck continued into an Opening at 25yds I squeezed and the buck actually didn’t do anything except trot 4yds and look around for the doe. I jacked another slug into the 220 and settled on his heart again and squeezed. This time huge kick and he ran like a bat out of hell. I thought I heard him crash about 40yds in a very thick area but didn’t see him go down. Based on his reaction to the first shot and a little uncertainty creeping in I decided to let him lay over night.
The next morning I went back to the 1st shot location and to my surprise nothing. I swore up and down I was solid on him and was looking from my location back to the stand when I noticed this:
My heart sank just a little when I realized what happened but was certain about the second shot. I walked where I thought he was on the second shot and instantly found blood. Feeling better….. and about 5 steps later I knew I was in good shape!!
40yds later and just as I thought he had piled up. Second shot was a perfect heart shot and I am very thankful I was given the opportunity!
As with the previous week the action was still great, lots of deer up and moving and several tremendous up and comers were running around.
I decided to focus my hunt on a small section of our farm where the timber was absolutely tore up with giant rubs and just outside one of the thickest bedding areas you can imagine. The thicket is a refuge, 100% off limits area and the deer absolutely love it.
I had pretty steady action all day with bucks coming to scent check the thicket and bump does around.
About 4:30 that evening I was watching 6 does work there way across a corn field that was directly north of me about 100yds when I heard a deer just west of me. I looked over and instantly went into autopilot as I recognized the big 10pt frame. As the buck continued into an Opening at 25yds I squeezed and the buck actually didn’t do anything except trot 4yds and look around for the doe. I jacked another slug into the 220 and settled on his heart again and squeezed. This time huge kick and he ran like a bat out of hell. I thought I heard him crash about 40yds in a very thick area but didn’t see him go down. Based on his reaction to the first shot and a little uncertainty creeping in I decided to let him lay over night.
The next morning I went back to the 1st shot location and to my surprise nothing. I swore up and down I was solid on him and was looking from my location back to the stand when I noticed this:
My heart sank just a little when I realized what happened but was certain about the second shot. I walked where I thought he was on the second shot and instantly found blood. Feeling better….. and about 5 steps later I knew I was in good shape!!
40yds later and just as I thought he had piled up. Second shot was a perfect heart shot and I am very thankful I was given the opportunity!
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