I've been deer hunting since 1996. Like many, I shot a little 5 point yearling on the first day out and I was hooked. Since then I have shot either does, or deer that I thought were does. Last year I had had enough and decided it was a nice buck or nothing. Last year, it was nothing.
This year, I found a location on the property that I hunting in Martin county, that had more buck sign on it than the rest of the property. I put a new stand up 20 feet and hunted it several times.
The last weekend of bow season, I had the privilege of seeing a buck and doe breed. I will never forget the look of pursuit on the buck as he ran full speed behind the doe with his nose two inches above ground.
I decided to add a couple of vacation days to the end of opening weekend. On Monday at 12:25, I looked up and there was an eight pointer standing 30 yards broadside. I wanted to shoot a deer that was 2 1/2 or older. This guy was nice, but I'm just not experienced enough to judge quickly and he was walking and looked like he would bolt away at any moment. Finally he looked at the base of my stand and he looked outside of his ears. I put one shot in the boiler room and got both lungs. He ran about 60 yards and from my stand, I saw him fall.
He is now at the taxidermist and we have been enjoying the meat since. Seventeen years in the making, finally paid off.
2013 Buck Photo 2013 Buck Photo Album
