Couldn't get to the big woods this weekend. Decided to just grab the crossbow and get into a tree near home. Just after getting into the stand I heard a deer come walking thru but it was too dark to see anything. About a half hour later the woods were becoming light and I heard a deer coming my way. I watched this deer come in but was struggling in the early morning light to evaluate it. I could see antlers and could see what looked like a plump body. From the height, angle, and low light I was trying to figure out how big it was. I think I was doubting what I saw because I have never been over a really big deer before. (really big to me). He walked over to a holly tree and rubbed his antlers in the branches, kind of tickling them in the leaves. He was in range but I didn't have a clear shot. If he continued in that direction he was gonna disappear into the morning darkness. Then he turned and came back my way. He was sniffing along and gave me a broadside shot but I still wasn't sure about him. I could see there was a nice split and shape on his right side antler so I felt he was more likely a mature buck. He was still shuffling forward and paused again....I had the crossbow up but the angle of the shot wasn't great. Then he turned his body slightly and I shot. I knew the hit was good. Saw him run. I heard him stop running...couldn't see him at this point....then heard him fall and thrash around. It ended quickly. Within minutes the woods were light enough that I could see him from the my stand. I gave him well over an hour before going to check. He was an 8 pointer. The biggest deer I have ever killed. Dressed out to 160. I paced off the blood trail...he ran 45 yds before stopping and only staggered 3 more before going down.
I wanted to be in the mountains. I was gonna go out to the woods in public land nearby. I was gonna say to hell with it and stay in bed. For some reason I decided to give it an hour or so then come back home and I got lucky. This Deer has never been on my game cams before that morning. Here is a picture of him from just before coming into my stand.
This is what he looks like now.
