First mature buck ever at 20 yards tonight and......got winded

virginiashadow · 10-30-2008, 05:26 PM

I have been waiting to hunt a certain area this whole month. The area has been closed on the military base and finally opened today, and the wind was almost perfect at NNW. So I decided to head in 3/4th's of a mile and hunt this spot...and I wanted to be aggressive. I had worked with gri22ly on a specific stand site based on the contours combined with my scouting. It was almost like magic. I saw no sign all the way in until I got to this long thin ridge with many steep ravines flowing off the center. I started to find big rubs/scrape and many falling acorns (which are not falling at all around here). I set up immediately with the prime travel corridors to my north.

I waited 1 hour then I rattled like hell for 30 seconds. I am not much of a caller but I decided to give it a try based on several factors. Within 60 seconds, a massive buck comes trotting up one of the ravines (it was actually one of the precise areas gri22ly thought he may be bedding). He was directly north of me and was coming right at me. I felt really good. I was nervous for 15 seconds but then quickly calmed down and got myself set. He stepped behind a tree and I stood with my bow, he saw nothing. He began circling around to my left and for the next 3 minutes he stopped and ate, then circled more, and then looked around for the source of the rattling. He kept coming and was 5 yards from my 10 yard shooting lane. As he closed the distance the wind swirled and shifted the wind to a NE. That is all it took for him to look up, get tense and trot off! Now I know what you guys are talking about when you talk about a big bucks nose.

I quickly counted 9-10 points and saw small stickers. I would put his spread at 18-20 inches. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, 17 years and still looking for my first mature buck and I get winded when everything semmed perfect. I didn't even put my clothes on until I got out of my truck. Sprayed everything down and walked in from south to north with the north wind in my face the whole way. I don't wear my hunting boots anywhere but the woods. I am bummed.

Any thoughts from you guys on how I should approach hunting this area again? The spot is again closed tomorrow so I have to hunt somewhere else. I am thinking of giving the area 4-5 days before I get back in there. Thanks for any tips guys.

Pro-Line · 10-30-2008, 05:30 PM

If he's chasing does, then he'll be back. Mature bucks don't make many mistakes, but when they're looking for some action, that is one time to take advantage of them.

Sorry for your luck...but you'll get 'em.

Carpmaster · 10-30-2008, 05:52 PM

Man that sucks, they sure do have an uncanny way of bustin you....I would keep on him now that the rut is coming on...

bawanajim · 10-30-2008, 05:53 PM

You can not ever beat that nose, I quit ratting two years ago when it became obvious that all I was doing was educating the very bucks I am targeting.

If you have a partner rattling just might work, but if there is any way a buck can get down wind thats how he's coming.

virginiashadow · 10-30-2008, 05:56 PM

He seemed to circle in just the right amount of cover so I couldn't get a shot. 3-4 yards closer as he circled here and there and I would have had an opening. It was like he had radar. I was over 20 feet high in the tree with the wind in my face. I was shocked when he caught my scent. I was so focused and ready I could have made that shot in my sleep.

Bbearfax · 10-30-2008, 06:01 PM

If it makes you fell any better I had a big ol doe catch me picking my nose this evening.

WV Hunter · 10-30-2008, 06:32 PM

VA...you done good! Thats why they get big. You might get another crack at him....or another. There's plenty of big ones in there, that is for sure. I had a similar experience about 10yrs ago. WHOPPER of a buck, biggest I've ever seen on stand....at 35yds and closing. He KNEW something was up, even with the wind steady in my face. I couldn't believe it. He didn't spook, but his hair bristled up all the way down his back, and he stiff legged his way outa there without ever getting close enough. At least I got to look at him a while...still have nightmares over that one. LOL

Thats what makes it fun, good luck!

virginiashadow · 10-30-2008, 06:47 PM

Thanks WV. It just seemed so right until my cover was blown. I had the plan, the tactics worked great, and the location was fantastic. One slight shift of the wind caused it to all burn down in a split second. Crazy. I am back at it tomorrow morning early in a new area. Gonna set up on the edge of a bedding area 1 hour before dark. Lets see if anything spooky happens on Halloween

early in · 10-30-2008, 06:47 PM

Lately, I've noticed the wind will switch up on you quickly at times, at least where I'm hunting. It didn't matter for this yearling. Muzzy is bad to the bone!

GregH · 10-30-2008, 06:51 PM

Good for you! A great hunt and learning experience all in one. I bet you'll remember that encounter for some time!