Semi-Successful Stalk

[BuckRogers]

Well a couple weeks ago I went on what would turn out to be my last bowhunt of the year. The whole season had been kind of a bust due to crops being in the fields for too long. After a summer of awesome trail cam pics I was very picky and passed on several small bucks. Well that morning I went to go pick up my ground blind after a morning of hunting. I pull up into the driveway of the acerage where the blind was and my dad asked what the chances were that there would be a big buck in the grove. I told him that there is ZERO chance that there is NOT a big buck in there. Well we pulled around the garage and park and sure enough deer start running around. I pull up the binocs and wait for them to run back. Sure enough, antlers, and quite a good spread of them! After some good cursing and thinking I crawled into the back of the truck and snuck out the drivers side. I snuck around to the end of the grove and did some calling with no response.I eased up to assess whether I had gotten into postion without spooking them. Just then a doe walks from the grove across the beans to a line of trees and beds down. Great! Now they will all bed down and not move the rest of the day. I decide that maybe I can sneak up and get set up on the other side of this tree line. The trees were just some 8 foot tall willows so there was almost zero cover for me. Well I somehow snuck to the tree line in open sight of the bedded does without spooking them. I took off all unnecessary items and started my trek. I had to go about 150 yards to get anywhere close to where they were. About 75 yards into my trek i figured out a plan. I knew that when the deer get busted out of the grove that they take a certain path and they often times will stop and look as people live there so they are somewhat used to it. I tell my dad to go through the grove when I get into positon. I continue until I get to where I think I will have a shot when they get up and run. I text my dad to start and I get ready. After about 10 seconds I get impatient and think that I am not close enough. I take TWO steps forward and get that great feeling that I am being watched. Sure enough, 35 yards away stands the big buck looking at me but at an angle that I cant take a shot. %$&#&@! I say to myself. We stare at each other for a bit and he takes off with his harem. Lesson for the day. If you think you are in the right spot dont freaking move! If you have a plan that you think will work, give it time to take effect! Cost me a very nice deer. Hopefully he will make it to next year. Have a good new years and sorry for the long post.

[ksbowhunter121]

Congrats man! It definately takes it to a new level when on the ground and I have had many experiences where if I would of just followed my instinct It "could" have been successful. Learn from it, it will make you a better hunter in the end. Now go get the job done, next time in the field.