1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? Advice needed or reassurance
 

Good evening folks. Well I finally made it into the woods first time this season. It was still kinda warm, low 70's but the bugs werent an issue. I got on the stand around 215 and sat till dark. Here is the scoop. I sat along a ravine that funnels down to a Y shaped creek bed that is fed by a natural spring. Its not very big but it provides very nice fresh running water. I have only rifle hunted out here so this was the first run at bowhunting out here and this spot jumped out at me because it is quite a natural travel corridor that pinches down at the creek bed. Anyway, no action till 530. I small 8pt buck browsed up the ravine right too me. I wasnt going to shoot this guy so I sat and watched as he came all the way directly under my stand. I thoughtI was busted for sure when he looked straight up at me but I sat still and he did not wind me. What do ya know, there is a method to the scent free madness. 2 thumbs up for hunters specialities scent away! Anyway, that deer then browsed below me into the ravine and I watched him for 20 minutes and he faded into the brush. Well shortly after that, the occupants of a cottage maybe 600 yds away came home and you could hear their faint voices in the distance. Nothing major because they were well off in the distance and it was quiet. Well I heard a deer trot up in my direction from below and thinking it was the little 8pt I just sat but to my surprise it was a HUGE12+ point buck! I couldnt believe it. Those voices way down below sent him right up the ravine to me. Well needless to say I was basically caught with my pants down at this point. I did manage to stand up and have my bow ready to draw but the buck ended up right below me just like the 8pt was. I stood still and stared through my stand at this guy and he is looking down at the voices in the distance so I thought I mightget lucky. He worked around the tree I was in slowly and then looked up as I was going to draw. I froze and had a stare down but he was already amped from hearing voices so he decide it was time toleave this side of the ravine. He ran maybe 60 yds and stopped and looked back in my direction and then just walked away. How much damage did this event cause with this buck? Obviously I am turning this area off for the next 15 days at least. Was that enough to ruin this buck for good? I hope not. The rut wont be starting up for at least 3 more weeks so I am leaving that area alone. What do you guys think based on similiar experiences?

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

I would think you'd be fine. If they live up there then he is used to hearing all that. He just knows to stay away. Thats how he got that big. If that were me though, I'd get back out there and try to get him before the rut. Who knows where he'll go. And if he didn't scent ya, then thats all more the reason to go back out.

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

Yeah I am hoping he just did the quick bolt because he was already charged up from hearing the people down there thats all. At least thats what I hope. I mean this is by far the biggest buck Iwill have an opportunity to get now no question about it. I would imagine that had he winded me he would have busted loose tail high in the air right out of the gate and crashed right out of the valley instead of hanging around for that long ya know? Especially that 30 second stare down right underneath me. Now that was an experience just by itself...

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

no more opinions I take it?

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

I had a buck under me one time but my stand squeeked and he trotted of to about 50 yards turned around looked in my direction and I never saw him again

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

Thats what I am afraid of... Hopefully not. Thats why I am hoping 15+ days of staying out of there will help cool things off. That will take it right up to the beginning pre-rut activities up here in WI hopefully

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

Get back out there! You just found out you have a monster on your hands. Why wait 15 days? Did you read this somewhere? In 15 days he may be a mile away. As yourself where he came from. This may be his bedding area and you might want to change your set-up. I really don't think you hurt your chances much.

I will repeat this story as I have many times on here. 2 seasons ago I followed a major rubline all the way back to a huge blowdown. I followed it all the way back in the blowdown until I jumped thebuck. I got a good enough look at him when he got out of there to know he was a shooter. I located a faint trail from that bed. The trail headed east through the bottoms and ended up to a cut cornfield. I hung the set right then and waited 3 days for the Northwest wind I needed and smoked him 10 min before legal shooting light on the first sit in that stand. He ended up being a solid massive 8pt. that netted 139 3/8. We estimated him to be at least 5 1/2 yrs. old by looking at his teeth and body. Complete grey face, short fat nose with the sway back and pot belly. I've killed bigger deer than this but this may be the one I'm most proud of because I thought of this tactic and it produced.

My point is this. I really don't think he made you out by the way you described it. I know I wouldn't wait 15 days to hunt it again!

RE: 1st night out finally WI. Is it ruined? What is your take?
 

Now this is what I was looking for. Never been in this situation so thats why I inquired. I think I will just wait till after this weekend is done. Its supposed to cool off anyway. I will move a little further down the ravine right at the bottom of the ravine at the Y and see what happens. I suppose I have nothing to lose at this point. right? Thanks for sharing your story too!