Three year story on this one is over.
I noticed this buck in 2019 as a wider than normal buck, guessed at 3 or 4 years old. Last year I hunted him hard. Tons of trail cam pics, but only saw him close once and he never gave me a shot. About December 1 last year, he broke off half of his rack. Done.
Here he is 2020
He was a regular this year as soon as I started running cameras. It was fun to see him keep putting on inches!
And then he rubbed off and mass went back to normal hill country (LOL).
He didn’t show opening morning. That evening, I had about 12 does/bucks at the feeder, but not him. I was busy texting another green screen knucklehead. When I looked up, WOW, there he was. 16 yards, broadside and not a care in the world. For those around here back in the day, you’d agree I was almost always ICE on my shots. When I decided to draw, my confidence would say “it’s over”.
This one was different. I was rattled in a way I remember as a kid. Not just a little heard beat – I was a wreck. I got drawn without detection and really don’t remember anything. No shot routine, no reminders. I just saw a tiny green pin floating around inside a close, giant kill zone. Next thing I know, he was running off with my arrow high in the shoulder. Urrrg! Between him being that close and him ducking, I never had a chance.
After reviewing the video, I knew I was in trouble. I shared with a local dog tracking legend and he assured me the buck will live. The next day, I had trail cameras on different properties around here – wherever I could get permission.
Well, today ended the story. A neighbor let me know the buck was dead. He saw him last week with a bit of a limp, but otherwise ok. Then this past Friday saw him going back and forth at a fence and his rear leg was mangled. He was there dead along that fence this morning. I can only assume the hurt front end caused a missed fence jump and he got caught up.
Not at all the way I’d want to “Paul Harvey” the story. I would have preferred another fair shot at him, by me or Nathan. The solace is no longer wondering – and a pretty nice euro. I’ll put the tape to him once he’s cleaned up. Teeth show either 5 or 6 on the age.
I noticed this buck in 2019 as a wider than normal buck, guessed at 3 or 4 years old. Last year I hunted him hard. Tons of trail cam pics, but only saw him close once and he never gave me a shot. About December 1 last year, he broke off half of his rack. Done.
Here he is 2020
He was a regular this year as soon as I started running cameras. It was fun to see him keep putting on inches!
And then he rubbed off and mass went back to normal hill country (LOL).
He didn’t show opening morning. That evening, I had about 12 does/bucks at the feeder, but not him. I was busy texting another green screen knucklehead. When I looked up, WOW, there he was. 16 yards, broadside and not a care in the world. For those around here back in the day, you’d agree I was almost always ICE on my shots. When I decided to draw, my confidence would say “it’s over”.
This one was different. I was rattled in a way I remember as a kid. Not just a little heard beat – I was a wreck. I got drawn without detection and really don’t remember anything. No shot routine, no reminders. I just saw a tiny green pin floating around inside a close, giant kill zone. Next thing I know, he was running off with my arrow high in the shoulder. Urrrg! Between him being that close and him ducking, I never had a chance.
After reviewing the video, I knew I was in trouble. I shared with a local dog tracking legend and he assured me the buck will live. The next day, I had trail cameras on different properties around here – wherever I could get permission.
Well, today ended the story. A neighbor let me know the buck was dead. He saw him last week with a bit of a limp, but otherwise ok. Then this past Friday saw him going back and forth at a fence and his rear leg was mangled. He was there dead along that fence this morning. I can only assume the hurt front end caused a missed fence jump and he got caught up.
Not at all the way I’d want to “Paul Harvey” the story. I would have preferred another fair shot at him, by me or Nathan. The solace is no longer wondering – and a pretty nice euro. I’ll put the tape to him once he’s cleaned up. Teeth show either 5 or 6 on the age.
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