I changed my plans for Saturday evening when a friend called to tell me that they were shelling corn on a farm I hunt. Knowing how deer normally respond when the pickers leave, I modified my plans and hunted there. I just acquired permission for this place this year and had only hunted there once so far, but looking at aerial photos gave me some ideas where to hang a stand.

After walking more than I intended (nothing but hedgerows), I finally found a decent tree and set up. The first deer - a doe with 2 fawns - showed up while the picker was still in an adjacent field. They walked right past where I nearly hung my stand! A little past 6pm, a fork horn walked out in the field to my right. He left and a 6 point walked out and fed there for over 1/2 hour. My friend (who doesn't hunt) texted me to say that he could see a buck from where he was working. I assumed it was the 6 point (it wasn't). A couple mins later, I saw another deer with the 6 pt and nearly dropped my binoculars when I peered thru them! A very LARGE racked 8 point was standing in the field. He was well past his ears in width with nice long tines. He eventually chased off the 6 pt AND the fork horn which he went after in the brush. After he did this and was standing in the field by himself . . . I grunted at him several times. He took his time, but made his way across the field to where I was perched. I was at full draw when he walked broadside thru a tiny V-shaped opening in the branches (20 yards), but he was just 2 steps from a wide open spot where I could stop him . . . then he turned directly towards me and came with-in 15 yards of me. BAD ANGLE!!! He stayed that way too long and jogged off (angling) about 10 yards when I let down. Now he was broadside and open at 20 yards . . . until I got to full draw and he was behind branches again.

He didn't seem to be spooked, but he wouldn't respond anymore to the grunting I tried. He eventually was feeding on some berries at 40-50 yards (wide open), but I wasn't about to chance it at that range. When I got back to my truck, I found out that my friend had seen a different buck (on another field) that apparently ALSO has a huge rack! There IS another guy who bowhunts there though, and he also is aware that at least one big wall-hanger is on the premises. It's gonna be pretty hot tonight - mid 80's and humid. I'm pondering what to do . . .

hell if he is out posturing about might as well go sit. try rattling him in next time

I think you're right. And I'll take my rattle bag along next time. However, it's 85 and humid here and too hot to hike in, set up and hunt pretty much in the sun right now. Heck, I was sweating just walking through the garden a few minutes ago! It's supposed to cool off after today, so I'll wait. I've already got one of my antlerless tags filled, so I'm not starving!

I rattled in 3 bucks last night. I figured why not. I was thinkinh it could be a little early I was wrong. Nothing big though. 2 6pts and a spiker came running into about 30 yds. Get out there!