Well Team,

It has been quiet on our thread. With exception to a few guys I haven't heard any talk at all. I guess I will start us out by saying I connected with one. After many passes on smaller bucks and 2 sightings of bucks I thought would be "shooters" but stopped short of me or in one case I was busted by a doe and game was over on that particular buck. I was out in my stand planning to do a all day because of the bucks I have been seeing. I settled in my stand I have only hunted twice this year. Once a small buck at 20 yards at first light. Second time out nothing due to cars tearing up the road not far away.

So I thought I would give it one more try. A funnel that is a small ridge that curves around the back of a pond to my left. Then 100 yardsto my rightis a country road that gets fair traffic. The deer have to funnel through so I had high hopes. In my stand by 6a.m. it's still 35 minutes to legal shooting time. After about20 minutes I hear a deer walking slowly towards me from my front.
I pick up a sillouette and it appears to be a doe. Wind isin my face so I felt safe about that. But like them old does do she stops and stares at me and I was just amazed at how she knew something wasn't right. We have a stare down for 10 minutes. She was trying to bust me but I just held still. She turned and walked back the way she came slowly. I reached over for my bow when she went behind the brush. I looked at my sights and I knew I was still 5 minutes from shooting time.

I do have a doe tag so I was going to beready. My sights are now bright enough to see. She re-appears and stares again. She did notknow what I was but she desperately wanted to get by to get to the bedding areas. Then I pick up a leg move behind her. At 20 yards I can see a deer browsing with the head down and I see a huge neck. I am thinking has to be a buck. He continues to walk towards the pond and I see a main beam. It looks like a good buck but it's dark enough I can't tell how good.

After watching him I see him turn and I can tell the main beam is real heavy and long. And his body was large. "So I figured shooter" He continues to parrallel my stand to the leftand this doe I see is still staring at me.
Wondering how I will pull this off, I literallyam saying the lords prayer in my head.I watch the buck and its light enough now to see him at 30 yards behind her. I never really examined the rack but I knew he was mature.Icame to full draw as hewalks right into my shooting lane. I knew he was a tad over 30 yards from numerous hits from my rangefinder on the previous hunt when I am bored.When I drew sheblew butthe buck just froze. My heart was thumping but because I never actually knewhow big the deer was I was pretty relaxed. My 30 yard pin a tad high and squeezed the release. The luminock left little doubt I missed. It appeared to be a good shot. The doe spins and is gone, I am trying to watch the buck through my binocs but only can see pieces of him through the trees. Then I see him on rubber leg street and tip over.

Three pumps of the fist in theair, and I sat down and gathered myself. Watching through the binos I saw no movement. After 10 minutes I got down quietly knocked another arrow and crept towards my buck. He was expired. As I looked down it sank in what a magnificent Monarch I justhad the opportunityto harvest. I started to get emotional but kept it under control. I looked up the sky and said thanks.
He is what I believe my biggest buck to date. I have been very fortunate, and I am VERY thankful.
I don't know what he scores yet I will post a pic when I get time to green score him.

So Team 9 we are on the board. Good luck andlet's makea strong finish.

Regards,
Tribal
Proud member of Team 9 "The dream Team"