Wow, is all I can say. Never before haveI had a day in the woods like this. Let me start this story by backing up just a bit. Just before last archery season, I lost my Grandfather to a heart-attack very unexpectedly. He was the guy I always called first when I'd see bucks running in my back yard or after my hunting trips. We he hunted, we always talked about the day but he always came back to, 'Did you see that sunrise this morning.' For him, it wasn't about the hunt, but more about the peacefulness and his surroundings. We'll after last year, I spent a lot of days, just watching the sunrise. I passed on a few smaller bucks and went home without a deer but feel like it was the most fulfilling season I had ever had.

This summer, as I started seeing bucks again, the sadness came back as I realized once again, the phone calls wouldn't be there. My season started really slow and on 9 outings, only saw activity one night and that was a few does and a coyote. I kept plugging away and watching the sunrise and set but was getting discouraged.
Things all changed on Monday as I headed out for the morning. I saw 3 does and coyote and as I was getting ready to climb down, I turned around there standing was a very nice 8 point with about a 16" spread and tall tines. I grabbed my bow and tried to turn around and my stand made some noise and that was it. He knew something was wrong and walked off, offering no shot.

Tuesday proved fruitless as I went to another spot that was once was my honey hole. It has turned into a commuity park for my housing plan. But that's a story for another day.


Halloween morning arrived and I drug myself out of bed. I got to my tree and proceeded to climb. As I pulled on my rope to raise my bow, I felt this sick feeling of emptyness. Doh, I didn't tie it on. 10 minutes later, I'm back up and settled in.

About 7:45, I saw a small buck cruise past in front of me at about 65 yards.

Around 8am, an 8 point comes up the hill. I drew back and instead of turning up the hill, he comes straight. I couldn't shoot straight down as the bow was hitting the bar on my API climber. He looks straight up from about 2 yards and stares at me. He jumped back and stood facing straight away. He walked off and offered no shot.

Around 8:30, I see a doe walking past in front of me. A few minutes later, I see 2 doe running circles around my stand. No Buck in sight but the Does are just doing figure 8's around my stand, running like crazy before they headed off across the road to another woodlot.

Around 9am I rattled and shortly after, I saw a 6 point walk by at about 75 yards. I looked up and saw another buck, my 7 pt (a big wide 6 point with a split brow) checking the wind. Next thing I know, he almost gets rolled over by another buck. A non-typical 8 point hit him in the ass with his antlers. So they squared off and fought. I grabbed the grunt tube and let out a long grunt and immediately, the both headed toward me. I had my mind set on the 8 point as the character he had was something my Grandfather and I always talked about. The 7 point made a rub 10 yards from my stand. The 8 point came up, neck all swollen, hair on end and again, they went at it 10 yards to my right. At this point, I decided to take the 8 point, the left side was a 4 point, the right was a thick fork with 2 kickers. As he walks by, he looks straight up at me but then put his head down and stands at 20 yards. All morning long, I had been telling myself, if a buck is on your right, aim low because the hillside was so steep and I was already 20 feet up. Well guess what, I rushed the shot and it sailed right over his back. He runs off and I stood their cursing myself.

I looked up and the 7 point is still there, no idea why the other buck left. So I reached back, got another arrow and nocked it. He started walking up the hill toward my scent canister and I drew. At 20 yards, I released and it looked like a good shot. He walked off and stood there about 40 yards away and then walked over the hill. I climbed down and went to inspect the arrow. It had good blood but also I saw stomach contents and knew it wasn't good. At this point I heard him running and looked up to see him struggling to get up over the hill. I backed out and called my Dad to let him know what was going on. As I'm talking to him, another buck walks up to me.

6 bucks, 3 doe and some turkeys. Not a bad morning. But I knew, the work had only begun.

I left and came back after lunch with my Dad. Backing out and waiting for the 3 hours was tough but was the right thing to do. As I walked in the woods, I rubbed my Cardeer Necklace and said, "How about a little more luck now." I took my Dad back to the spot of the shot and showed him what I had. About 15 yards further we found some good blood and then nothing. So we slowly walked up the hill to the last spot I saw him standing. At the top of the hill, again, I found some good fresh blood and lots of it. I then noticed the leaves turned up and that's when I saw him, not 10 yards away.

I felt a rush of emotion for a lot of reasons. While he may not be the biggest buck in the woods or that I've ever taken, he is one that means more to me than most. I said some thank you prayers and talked to my grandfather, again, asking "How about that sunrise this morning? Not a bad PA buck with some character of his own." I couldn't help but think, he was right there with me the whole time.

I also wanted to thank the great members on this board, who I've shared advice with and asked for advice from others. What a great place to be a part of.


Here is my buck shortly after finding him.



Here is the non-typical 8 that I missed.



Hereis my buck in June, he is the one on the left.

I've posted hundreds of pictures here, why in the world do these not load

I look forward to the pics once they load but, regardless....

Congratulations on a nice buck. One that is even more bittersweet because I am sure your grandfather is up there somewhere...smiling.

Thanks.

If anyone can get the pictures to load, I'd appreciate it.

i tried but i cant get them to load either.

pops if u send em via email i can post em for you.. pm me for my email

Fingerz, pm sent. thanks.

glad ya got it to work.. nice buck..

nice!! congrats!!! neat rack...i like that!! good job

Congrats on the buck....good story too!