Change of wind....change of plan. I decided to go in...and it almost happened.

Wind was N all morning (I was set up on the purple dot.....facing the field).....supposed to be switching to NE (and on around to the ESE for the afternoon) around 9:00. I got settled in about 30 min before first light.....and about 6:40 I see my first deer. It's a spike buck. He's coming from the doe bedding area to the SW (white circle next to red circle). He goes up into the field and kinda run/jogs away. He wasn't spooked....jus tin a hurry.

30 minutes later I hear grunting to my left. I look up to see a NICE 8 pointer...probably 3.5yr old. There's one doe....and she's headed my way. She gets about 30yds away.....and turns up into the field (I was set up in the corner (white dot). The buck comes to about 40 yds.....and the doe comes back out. SHe goes to my left and away....and the nearest shot I would have had would have been 40yds. He goes with her and they're behind a laurel thicket (really small....and the only one in the woodlot, interestingly enough). Then I saw something I didn't think I'd see. I saw the 6 pointer from yesterday evening there, too. Why did the larger buck allow him to get so close? I guess it could be the older buck isn't dominant. But then I'd ask why the youngster (2.5yr old) allowed HIM to be there.....lol. I'vecome to realize that "dominant buck" is relative to whoever is THERE (which bucks are present at any given time).

So they meander off. I stop the older buck with my grunt call and bleat....but he's not coming over. He wasn't alarmed.....just walked away.

I get down a little after 9:00 when the wind shifts and blows my scent towards the lower SW bedding area.

Forecast wind this evening is SE2. Sucks (kinda), but I only have a limited time in this woodlot.I'm going to go to the pink dot for the afternoon....and use the dry pond behind me as a place for my scent to travel. It'll be out of the path of the does (see black lines) or at least the ones theywere on yesterday.....when all the chasing was taking place in the red circle. Tomorrow morning's wind forecast is NE4....so I should be OK for them....where I'm going to set up (white dot)....and hope they come back that route. If not.....we'll regroup and go back to the evening stand (or somewhere else if the wind is that bad).

I HAVE to be out of this woodlot by Friday afternoon. I promised the guy that gun hunts it he could have it to himself. ML season opens Saturday AM. So.....I'm gonna be a lot more aggressive than I normally would be.

Whatcha think?

p.s. I also entered right through the field on the amended tan line. It was MUCH quieter that way.....and seemed to work just fine. I'll use that route today and from now on. The beans are still in the field.....but they're not at all thick. Really quiet approach.

I've got a feeling one of those bucks will fall by Friday! Good luck to you!

Where did you hunt now ?? I'm cornfused....[8D] white dot or purple dot ?? You mentioned both..

DC...I've only been bowhunting for a little over 3yrs. I gotta be honest.....if that 6 pointer comes in range....I'm gonna shoot him. I know he's only 2.5, but I have hunted my ass off this year. I'd like to take a buck....and he's something I'd be proud of (although he won't score that well. He'd make a great deer in another year......but I'm getting ready to relinquish my best woods (these included) to 4 gun hunters on 180acres.

Say what you want.....I'll take him if he offers me a good shot. I'd rather (of course) take the 8 pointer.....but I will take the 6.

I "thought" the 6 was the one I'd been watching all summer. I think the 8 is the one, now (recanting). I couldn't tell from a distance he had G3's....and this 8 has small-ish G3's. Otherwise...he's heavy and he's got a great body on him.

I'm excited to be seeing some chasing. I saw 3 bucks and only one doe this morning. I glassed them from a distance last night....and saw two bucks (the 6 and a smaller one) and about 8 or so does. If they all show back up tonight.....it should be an interesting sit. I'm going back in early (2-ish) and gonna ride it out!

Mikey (sorry)...I hunted th epurple dot this morning. I actually thought some deer might use the back side of the pond to return to bed....and that's where I wanted to be. I'll be on the pink dot, tonight, and the white dot in the AM.

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We're still just seeing lighthearted chasing here at early and late times. Our rut is a "little" behind yours.

Jeff,

When I said "one of those bucks would fall", I meant EITHER one! lol

I'm right there with you man, i'm killing the first nice buck that gives me a chance. You have to keep it relative to whats in your woods.

Its been almost 2 years to the day since I killed a buck, I'm due!