Just then I noticed 3 big bodied deer coming out of the shadows directly towards the feeder without hesitation. The first 2 were a 2 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 year 8ptrs. The third, a mature monster whitetail sporting at least 140" of antlers! They all three came in to the feeder and began feeding on the corn I had laid out when I arrived. As luck would have it the 2 smaller 8ptrs fed in front of me broadside at just 16 yards. No such luck with the big buck. He fed on the other side of the feeder facing me. At one point he was broadside at 21 yards but the ladder on the feeder was covering his vitals. I could see at least 10 long tines with a kicker off his left G-2. His width was well outside his ears and he carried his mass nearly to the top of his long tines. As I waited for my opportunity the cows I mentioned earlier fed closer and eventually spooked all 3 of the deer away. This hunt wouldn't be my time to harvest a monster whitetail.
"The Magic Hour"
As the day progressed the winds only continued to blow hard and the temperature soared to 80 degrees. Since I am hunting a double bull blind and the temperature was hot I decided to hunt in shorts and a T-shirt. I settled in my stand at 5pm dripping with sweat from the long walk. I waited for the sun to drop and the temperature to cool off. At 6:30 a lone gobbler came in to feed. Although he was a big, mature gobbler with a long beard, it was now what I call the "magic hour". The first or last hour of daylight in which, to me, all the "magic" happens. This gobbler would get to walk away today for fear of me spooking any deer in the area with a shot.
This would prove to be a wise decision as a small 8pt buck ran him off and came in to feed. Again the wind was driving this buck crazy as the trees and bushes seemed to come alive like something out of a horror movie. After about 10 minutes he bolted as it looked like the trees were trying to get him from all the swaying they were doing. Another 10 minutes passed and I see movement to my right, a heavy, mature 8ptr comes trotting in to the feeder without hesitation followed by another smaller 8ptr. I knew instantly that this buck was a shooter. He had tall tines with great mass and his body was huge! Now if he would only present me a shot. As earlier that morning, the smaller 8ptr was broadside at 15 yards but the big boy was at the opposite side of the feeder facing me. Then the 1st 8ptr came back in to feed and blocked my view of the bigger buck.
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Muzzy Strikes Again!
With the wind blowing so hard the 3 bucks spooked and ran about 20 yards away. Then began to ease their way back to the feeder. Still, no shot as the 2 smaller bucks were between me and the bigger 8. Again with a huge gust of wind the bucks bolted for a second time. This time the bigger buck came in from the left side and offered me a slightly quartering to me shot and I decided it was now or never. At 21 yards I came to full draw and steadied the pin. At the release I heard a loud whack and the 100 grain Muzzy didn't stop until it was buried in the ground on the opposite side of him. With the tale tell kick of the rear legs I watched as the buck sped off to my right. I felt the shot was a good one so I got up and went to collect my arrow. Bright pink bubbles confirmed that I had hit one lung for sure so I began to follow the direction he ran as it was getting too dark to see the blood. I only traveled 30 yards and I spotted the white belly of my buck.
As I walked up to him I could see 8 very symmetrical points with a 1 1/2 inch sticker on the base of his antler making him a 9ptr. I looked up and said thank you as I kneeled next to this beautiful animal I was blessed with. He was easily the biggest bodied deer I have ever taken and the effort to get him into my truck proved it. My season ended with the end of bow season, till next season I'll shoot some tournaments, look at the pictures and video of my past deer seasons and share and listen to stories with friends and family.
Priceless
Even though I had a great season my biggest blessing was taking my 4 year old daughter to the stand with me for the first time on the last weekend. I sat there and watched her as she watched in awe of 3 bucks that fed just 15 yards away. She would point at the deer with her eyes lit up and the biggest smile on her face. Back at camp I watched as she told people of the deer she had seen with "cuernos" on their head. The Spanish word for horns. This is bigger than any monster whitetail that could come out in front of me.
October Bow Season - lot's of dollars.
Gas, food and equipment - lot's of dollars.
Spending time with your child in the great outdoors - PRICELESS!!!
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