Fellas...I saw THE HAWG!!! Saturday night right after 7pm I grunted in a hawg of a buck. He is probably top 3 of all time sightings for me. He was about 3 inches outside each ear and had about a 7 inch drop tine coming off his right main beam. He had some other junk around his base but I couldn't quite tell how much. I was in deep woods and it was darkening quickly. His beams came off his head at a 90 degree angle. His ears were forced almost downward. I'm estimating his score in the 190 range...perhaps more given all of the junk I could hardly make out. His spread was 23-25 inches. I hadn't seen anything all evening and as I had mentioned, it was getting dark fast in the woods so I started letting out some deep bellowing short grunts periodically and after one such series, this hawg and another deer half his size who I never gave a second glance, came charging down the hill and stopped on a dime right where there is a scrape every year. The buck stood there, 20 yards away, and pissed down his legs and rubbed his tarsals together. I was in a buddies tree stand that in retrospect is worthless. The platform is only about 1 sq. ft. and only lends itself to use as a seat. There were some trees blocking a clean shot so I waited for the buck to move. After freshening the scrape, the buck began to scan the woods for signs of the buck he thought he heard and he seemed to nail me dead in the stand. Talk about a gut wrenching experience. This ole boy stared me down for what seemed like an eternity before finally easing up and putting his head down and taking a few more steps at which point I drew my bow back and of course, he caught a glimpse I guess and went back on full alert at about 17 yards broadside with his vitals obscured by trees. I quickly discovered another flaw of the stand I was in and that was since the platform was so small, I couldn't get far enough away from the tree to get my bow fully drawn without hitting the tree. I was right on the edge and about to spill over and couldn't get my right elbow back without colliding with the tree. [:@]As I tried to peer through my peep, I couldn't even make out my pin at this point because it had gotten so dark. So...as fate would have it, when I let up the bow with no hope of a shot, this monster bolted outta sight.[] Needless to say, I will be making some stand adjustments. [:@]I've NEVER had such early season response to a grunt call from any mature deer like this and I really only planned on sitting in that stand to do some scouting and wasn't really expecting what had happened. Got caught with my shorts down. [:-] That buck has kept me up at night since and really has got me by the balls!!! [&:]

Sounds like quite the buck. I have never used a call this early in the season. Guess I may have to try it this weekend. Maybe put up a stand about 75 yards down wind of that scrape. Then next time when he scent checks it first (which I bet he will do) you will be right there for him. Good luck with this guy.

Sounds like one unbelievable deer. Now get out there and get him!!

Good encounter Wolfen!!! That must be awesome too even see one like that. Maybe next time!!

Sounds like a incredible hunt. And if anything can be learned from the experience, it's that a mature buck can appear at anytime, anywhere. I would go in with a climber or loc on stand and set up in a tree close to the built stand if he picked you out of it the last time. Or make the proper adjustments to the old stand, and maybe take some limbs with leaves on them and set up around the old stand to add some cover. Don't pressure the big guy too much, but hunt him hard. Don't give up, he could make an appearence at anytime.

Right on wolfen, good luck, I hope you get him!

I can't wait to see the pics of this brute when you get him. Sounds like a lot of us are seeing very early rut signs.

I hope your next post will include a picture with you kneeling next to that bad boy. Make sure to lay your bow beside him to add that nice touch.

Good luck on him!!!

Jay

Next time I hear anything about this buck....you better be kneeling beside it with your bow draped across it's body!! Best of luck!!

Man ........you must have been PUMPED! Good luck sticking him!