Spent sat evening hunting with Bob Temple of Tall Tine Outfitters. He runs a camp for Tall Tine in Brown County near Siloam Springs State Park.

Bob and I go back about 5 years when we were first on the same team here at this contest. He invites me over regularly to hunt his big lease. Nice guy who runs a good camp.

I sat in a new place they call the basin and had a great hunt. I had 4 different bucks inside of 35-40 yards and it was great to see their scraping/sparing behavior.

First deer was a doe about 4:30. She had two bucks on her tail. First buck was a 2 year old, 8 point 120 class. Second was a 3 year old, 9 point, 130 class. They had a bit of a disagreement and the two year old hung back at 75 yards while the 3 courted the doe.

The doe meandered down to the flat in front of me at 15 yards. The 3 fed down to a flat at 25 yards but offered no shot as he was quartering to me. The wind was swirling and the doe eventually got some wind and stomped. She walked away stiff legged and the buck turned and moved to about 40. They were alert but not spooked so he worked a scrape and moved on around the hill. He was now severely quartering away so no shot.

The 2 walked around for 20 minutes and was quite entertaining. He worked the scrape hard and hung around as if he expected the doe to come back for his services. Instead an 8 point yearling came along and engaged in some head banging and sparring. They got after it for a while. Eventually the two bucks followed the doe and 3 year old around the hill and out of sight.

Now it is almost 5. A 4 year old 9 point came down the same path and headed to the scrape. He had a big body but lousy rack. Short, massive beams and stubby points. Still, probably a 130 class buck. He was inside 35 yards and broadside for a while but had brush in the way. He followed the others around the hill and out of sight.

The yearling came back a bit later and it seemed he was looking for a fight. He worked the scrape and licking branch as if to say he was the biggest baddest buck around. Quite comical.

Bob has 4 guys starting a week-long hunt. Two saw 150 class bucks today. Hopefully they each score a big one.

This was the best hunt I've had in a long time.

May hunt Pike this evening at my brother's place.

Good luck all!
Good luck to all.