Big Buck Encounter
12-19-2010, 06:32 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 362
Big Buck Encounter
I had my first big buck encounter Saturday morning and lost. I went with a friend to a new area for a rifle hunt. We walked a well overgrown path. I walked directly off the path which required me to bust through a 20 yard thicket. Right beyond it it cleared into hard woods that looked down a steep ridge. I was in my stand 30 minutes before first light. My stand was 10 yards from the thicket. At about 7am I heard crashing in the thicket. I almost thought it was another hunter which was my first mistake. I didn't "get ready". Well, a huge buck busted through ten yards from me. He was facing me so all I could see was his head. If a spread ear to ear is 15" he was well past 20". The second he busted through he was running and went directly under my stand and kept going. I never stood a chance. I bleeted but no luck. What are my odds of seeing him again? The area is hard to hunt. No major food source. The deer just pass through the ridges on a 20,000 acre WMA. It's buck only during muzzleloader and rifle. Do I set up in the same spot with high hopes? O
12-20-2010, 04:58 AM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
I think that another hunter or something else spooked the deer and he just happened to run under your stand. He probably didn't know you were anywhere around. Might be a good escape trail that deer use.
12-21-2010, 03:16 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
There's more than one buck in the woods. You could see him or another buck any time. Just get out there. You say you "lost" this time, but I say you probably learned something. Next time you hear something crashing through the woods you'll know to get ready.
12-21-2010, 05:42 AM
#6
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 362
Yes not getting ready was definitely a lessoned learned. Something I have done a few times. Taking that "second" to size up a buck and it costs me. But one thing I have been kicking around in my head. The only shot I felt I had on him was straight on with his head down. Is that an ethical shot? I mean, sure, in theory it seems if you put the round just at the base of the neck forward of the shoulders. You should hit vitals right?
12-21-2010, 01:37 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
Cal I don't think the word ethical is right in that case. Is it a good shot, sure, if you can hit the mark. Shooting a buck thru the top of the neck, thru the spine is a very deadly shot if you can make it.
12-31-2010, 06:47 PM
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West TN
Posts: 286
Yes not getting ready was definitely a lessoned learned. Something I have done a few times. Taking that "second" to size up a buck and it costs me. But one thing I have been kicking around in my head. The only shot I felt I had on him was straight on with his head down. Is that an ethical shot? I mean, sure, in theory it seems if you put the round just at the base of the neck forward of the shoulders. You should hit vitals right?