Well I've been trying pretty darn hard for a few years now. Trying to make it all come together and put a seconddeer down with my bow. Things just haven't worked out and lately it seems that I've been losing steam FAST. I don't like that about my self. So far this season, I've tried all sorts of things, some of the same and some completely different that I've never attempted. All turned up nada. I still have not seen a deer while I have my bow. It's like I'm always in the wrong place/wrong time circle.
Recently, in an area that I have my wife setup in, I found a nice large scrape. I decided to setup one of my trailcams on it just to see what was coming around. In 8 days worth of time I've learned a lot that I didn't previously know about scrapes. It seems that scrapes may be "public" rest stops for whatever may be cruising by.
In 8 days I got pics of:
1 coon
1 mature doe
1 doe fawn
2 buck fawns
3 young bucks
1LARGE buck
All of these are "using" the scrape and most are licking the overhead branches also, even the big doe. (I never knew does would use a scrape).

Anyway after seeing the bigger buck, it was like a BIG gust of wind in my sails. I believe I'll be bringing the ole Summit down to my wife's area when she's not huntin.

Here's pics of the big doe (2)& Buck (only 1) He's not huge but he's got some mass to him. He's a really big deer for my area.







Also, I did sit in the stand with my buddy Saturday eve mainly to hang out together and catch up a little. I managed to add a doe to the freezer with my son's .243.

Good Luck!
TXMM

what you talking about hes not huge[&:]people would admire him for a long time in my home town looks to score 130-140 with that mass
Ps i think your wife will get him first

Thats a great buck.

Hey MM that is a FINE East TX buck! I'd love to see him at my place. I'm glad you found some new motivation. Hang in there and good luck with that big boy! EDIT: Maybe an all day sit is in order with those does hanging out at mid-day. Who knows maybe big boy will be tailing the girls.

Ps i think your wife will get him first

LOL - You read my mind!!

I'm at work and she is in her stand right now!!![:@] This is completely unfair!![>:]

Actually, I'm pretty proud of her. This is the first time she's hunted without me being a couple minutes away from her.

I hope she gets him too, but if she does, that's gonna mean she has TWO nicebucks on the wall and I don't have any yet. I'll NEVER hear the end.

I still hope she gets him though! I keep expecting my cell phone to ring any second!

TXMM

EDIT--BTW, I know he's an awesome buck and he is definitely HUGE for me and most people I know. Just not HUGE in comparison to some bucks that pop up on here.