The alarm clock did not go off like I had hoped. Opened my eyes almost an hour late. I jumped up and did the best I could to descent with deorderants and clothing spray, and headed out the door. I had not scouted out all of the terrain or the path that I was going to take that morning(I know, not very well planned) but it was mainly a scouting expedition anyway.
So first thing, I cross a fence and heading down an incline suddenly noticeing an incrossable creek. Duh!!! crossed my mind and with already being late I was feeling frustration.
I backtracked and headed up the section for a previous route.
Daylight was quickly creeping up to my left and the route I was taking was temporarily putting the wind at my back. 4 days previous I saw 4 deer and 2 fawns in the corner of a field near what I believed to be a bedding area, so with light coming I knew I had to get there fast and undetected. The weather was calling for heavy wind, but there was only a constant breeze of maybe 5pmh.
Nothing seems to be going right.
When I neared my spot, the Doe with the 2 fawns jumped up from a bedding area that I was not looking for. I froze as they did not go far. The doe quickly looked at me against the hedge row trying to determine if I were a threat for sure or not. I held my ground and did not move for a bit to see what she would do.
She walked toward me and away again, back and forth for about 2-3 minutes. At one point she was standing within 15 yards of me. My back is to the wind, so I know she should be getting something, because of all the running I had to do just to get there.
She finally trotted off with the fawns not far behind. They played a bit in the opposite corner and then made there way back into some woods and disappeared.
I readied my bow and slowly crept down the way to see if the others were there. I had the feeling they weren't but ready none the less.
I was never sure if a buck was among them or not, so why not be ready.
There was nothing close by. Though densely cloudy above, daylight was now upon the field. Sure that I had missed the oportunity and only chancely startling the doe and 2 fawns. I hung up my binoculars on a branch and began to cover all the tracks looking for any sign of a buck. Nothing I can see confirms the like.
As I walk, I see some larger tracks up ahead that are worth looking at, but after that I will head back.
Just then, I hear a crackle up ahead. 1 large Doe and a young buck slip out of the brush. I immediatley drop to one knee with my bow in hand. They are only 30 yrds or less away. I stay kneeled down knowing that this is only 3 of the 4 deer that I saw previously.
The young buck is very leary and yet curious. He begins stamping his hoof at me, coming forward and stamping again, trying to cause me stir. Just then, the 4th deer comes out. Another large Doe.
I hold just to see what the young buck does, and to see how long we can stand off. Some more jitters and stamping occured, until I decided to move a bit. They immediately dashed off, but not so that it was full sprint.
I watched them cross the open field with tails waving goodbye.
Well that was it. I stood up with a full account of the deer, but not with all that I had hoped to see.
I then turned and began my journey back when there he was. Slowly he walked out, about 75-80yrds out. A solid Buck!! Very nicely racked with a minimum of 6 points typical. Not a real large buck, but from that distance size and rack were hard to tell.
My binoculars were hanging on a limb 50 yrds away!!! I held for a bit standing. He looked my way once and then continued his stroll into the field. I had definitely found their bedding area.
I watched his Majesty walk until he had nearly caught up to the Does on the other side.
They went to one direction in head for the near by creek I earlier could not cross. The buck headed towards some thicket that was another 100yrds away or more.
I hurridly retreived my binoculars and got a good look at his rack. I counted 7 to 8 points. It was a little hard to tell.
I am pretty sure now where I need to place my blind or stand, and will be ready for him next time.
Now that I know he is there.
I had alot of fun this morning.
I found my buck.