Need some direction from the experts. Out this am - woods pretty quiet. First deer in sneaks in throughthe grass at about 7:20am- first notice of him is behind a thicket - just see horns moving. He comes in to about 20 yards and feeds on some overhead leaves. His body is buried in thicket so was not even a thought of a shot. After getting a good look at the headgear - he is a 140 class 10 pointer - defeinately a shooter in this area.

Anyway - he basically disappears - no alarm and no movement from me. The wind is good as he is upwind of me - so that is not a concern either. My guess was that he bedded down.

So I sit - supposed to be home around 9:00 to take kids. About 8:15, a doe, fawn and fork come through. I am hoping they will spark some activity. But nothing - not a sound or movement. About 9:15, another small 8 pointer comes right under my stand. Hangs around for at least 10 minutes. Still nothing from the thicket for activity.

OK - it's now 10:00 and yes - I am late. I unclip and begin my descent. On the thrid step down, I hear something move in the thicket. It is him. He appears on the trail directly behind meat 20 yards and stops. Does not lookat the tree or up in the branchesor look around much at all, simply slowly starts making his way down the trail away from me. No stomps, snorts or deadlock stares like those mature does are famous for. While hanging from my climbing sticks, I watched him with binocs out to about 75 yards where he disappears into the woods.

Question is - do you think he will return?? Should I leave that area alone or hunt it? Or should I write that stand off (at least for this buck)?

The land owner has not allowed hunting in the past. Last year I took an 8 w/ 2 kickers that scored 134 so there are some good deer here. This thicket is a great bedding area for the big boys as it is off the beaten path, predominent winds blow across the woods to the thicket, then into a big grassy meadow below the thicket.It's a great setup - just hope I see him again.

Thanks for your suggestions.