Hoytail Hunter

Today I was out hoping to catch a big buck slippin cus there's a storm front moving in. 8-11 inches of snow expected by tomorrow. Anyway... conditions were near perfect, 20 degrees, very light breeze, slight overcast. I set up on a trail I'd seen a buck last year around this time. Well, the wind switched on me right before the sweet spot in the day. Not to worry tho, I had a back-up natural ground blind I built just in case this happened.

So... I get down and move 35yds away. No more than 5min after moving a nice 8 comes in. He's about 18" wide with both antlers in good shape. To be honest, I don't know if I woulda shot him because he's only about as big as my guy at the taxi. I told myself I wouldn't shoot another buck from this prime spot unless he was bigger than the last one.

The "ugghhh" part is as soon as he was getting into range, the wind switched on me again and blew my scent directly to him. He was still in the middle of licking an overhead branch when all a sudden he just jumped about 5ft over to his left... then pranced away looking back in my direction not knowing what just happened.

I never really had a chance to decide if I wanted to shoot him or not. Given that it is very late in the season I might've. Then again, my heart was not thumping as hard as it normally otherwise would so I'm thinking I would've let him walk. I just wish the say was mine and not the wind's.

Huntinman23

thats hunting for you man, you cant control the wind, at least you saw some deer though
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iamyourhuckleberry

Come on cowboy, you know that's why they call it hunting! Great story though. I love those close calls!

sandilands

You have on the same size from this yr. Pass from me. Good experience though.