We are still likely at least a week away from the chase phase of the rut, but the little bucks are starting to harass the doe and it is possible that it could start anyday.
I rattled for the second time this season last night and rattled in two deer that I estimated to be 3 1/2 yo and score in the low 120's. They circled me about 50-60 yards out looking for either a doe or the fighters but after about 5 minutes, they decided the gig was up and left.
This morning I rattled in a 2 1/2 yo within about 5 minutes of rattling. He worked the area like a hunter doing a grid search for a downed deer. About 15 minutes later a mature deer and a shooter for me( est 4 1/2 and a 130-140" big 8 point way out past his ears) comes in from behind me.
He is only 15-17 yards out but never would leave the security of the brush and moveinto a shooting lane.He is looking hard and circling around somewhat, but is pretty nervous at the same time. After a couple of minutes he gets antsy and hurriedly leaves.
On hindsight, I wished I would have tried to take a picture of him, but as I've mentioned before I am a hunter first and a photographer second and I had bow in hand and release on the string. I needed him to move west about another 10 yards andI would have had the perfect 17 yd broadside shot opportunity. But it did not materialize.
So goes bowhunting and what makes it the rush it is, at least for me.
They're coming to horns in the panhandle
