HuntingNet.com Forums - Official Team "The Elite 8" (8) Thread

Well team, totally against what I had anticipated. I usually expect to see a few nice bucks come late Oct. early Nov. But I was blesses with a early encounter with 2 nice animals within bow range. I had does around me feeding for a couple of hours but all just outside of my shooting lanes. Then a 30 minutes before sundown a shooter 8 point steps out from this swamp 35 yards from my stand. He was bedded the whole time not far from me. He no longer turns and starts heading straight at me and a larger buck walks out 5 yards behind him. I couldn't believe it. The 8 pointer had a tall rack I suspect a 3 year old deer maybe 120 class. He stopped 10 yards in front of me but looking behind me so I never would have had a shot plus the larger buck was 25 yards behind him staring same direction. He kept lip curling trying to scent something. I could not even blink for 17 minutes. Talk about crampage.

The wind was at my face so I knew I was safe for the moment when all of a sudden snorting from behind me. Repeatedly snorting the bucks just stood and stared in that direction behind me. Then after a few more long minutes the 8 pointer turned around and started walking the opposite direction but still broadside to me at 10 yards. He walked through my shooting lane but the larger buck remained motionless tasting the air.

After a few more minutes the larger buck put his head down and slowly started making his way closer to my stand. He was already in range but pointed directly at me. Then when he reached the same trail the 8 was on he turned the same way. I could not draw cause he would have surely picked me, but when he took a few more steps I came to full draw. When I reached my anchor point I took aim through the peep and his head was already beyond my lane. I quickly gave a mouth grunt and he stopped dead. Now I could only see a the back third of his body but the front third was behind a few small leafy tree twigs.

I sent the carbon arrow via Bowtech Patriot 72 pounds and I heard a thummm. Not the sound of a arrow hitting bone but the sound of a arrow working its way with a pass thru of the lungs. The buck bounded and I gave another mouth grunt to try and stop him. It worked, and a short time later I heard what sounded like him hitting the ground. Anyway, after saying a prayer to myself I waited for that 8 pointer to move on and I slipped out the back door slowly, and quietly. When I went back he was where I thought he was 30 yards from where I encountered him. I dont know what he will score for sure I will contact a official scorer this week. Hes not a Boone and Crocket but I couldnt pass him up. He is a magnificent trophy and I was truely thankful for the moment. Now I am in Aw cause it all is does only here on out with bonus tags. I saw a few large deer this summer but I would not have guessed on seeing one opening weekend. WOW . So I will start of the ELITE 8 with a 13 point deer. WHOOO HOOO!!!!!!!