An earlier post explained my situation with two shooter bucks, G2 and The 9. After seeing G2 in the field, I wanted nothing else but to shoot him or my season would be a loss. The last few sits I have had some very good encounters with The 9, and he has changed my outlook on the season. I still think G2 is an older buck with more mass and a larger body. For me he is a no doubt about it shooter. The 9 is a very respectable deer, with sweeping main beams that come within 5 or so inches of each other. The difference to me now is G2 is there on the property, but The 9 is in my head.
My first encounter with The 9 came last Saturday evening. With an hour of shooting light remaining I decided to stand up and stretch one last time before things got serious. When I looked between the fork in the tree, I saw The 9, 25 yards behind me moseying along. My first instinct was, "That's a nice Buck, get ready" so I forgot about G2 and grabbed my bow. I waited for him to take the 3 more steps needed to give me a shot, but he back tracked. I watched him for another 20 minutes, trying to predict his route. I had ranged a spot in between 2 shrubs at 32 yards that would have given me a shot. As the 9 approached the 1st shrub, he paused, and took two steps backwards instead of the required two steps forward. This dance continued till well after sunset. I waited and waited until I was sure he was clear of my stand so I could climb down without spooking him. Once I got out of the woodlot I set down my pack to find my keys and noticed a black cat 6 feet away. Being very superstitions I wanted nothing to do with a black cat and any associated bad luck he may bring me, I quickly adjusted my gear and began to leave so he would not cross my path. That is when I realized the black cat had a thick black stripe down his back, prompting me to sprint 60 yards to my truck.
Encounter #2 was last night. After being in the stand for less than a half hour, I saw a rack emerge 100 yards to my right. It was The 9, working the edge of the thicket without a care in the world. With a strong north east wind in my favor, I was excited that this could be the night I tag out. I had over two and a half hours till dark and my target buck was on the move. The blessing and the curse of the property I hunt is how thick it is. The deer feel very safe in the thickets and can roam freely without detection. Combine that with a stiff 15 MPH wind, and you can not hear them until they are on top of you. As The 9 disappeared into the tangle of pin oaks, I patiently waited. After two hours and advice from a fellow hunter, I reached into my bag and pulled out my bleat can. The idea being The 9 my be curious enough of the bleat to come in and investigate. After the third bleat, I saw him at 25 yards looking dead at me. His view was obstructed, so after a brief stare down that lasted seemingly hours long, he continued unfazed. I grabbed by bow and readied for a shot. He bypassed my 25 yard lane and continued into a clearing. I ranged him at 46 yards, quartering away. The wind continued to whip through the brush and I decided the shot had a better chance of injuring the deer, than being lethal and ethical. The last thing I want to do is drive the deer off of the property with so much time left in the season. As I watched The 9 walk off into the distance, I hung by bow up and sat down. As I put my face in my hands a black walnut came loose 10 feet above me, striking me square on the head, adding unwanted salt to the fresh wounds.
So now it has become personal with The 9. He has out smarted me on two separate occasions. G2 is not forgotten, but no longer a must. The important thing for me is to remember to always pay attention to the lessons I learn in the woods. Doing so will enable me to harvest a mature animal at some point this season. Like I said, I never packed up my flip flops, so I can go back and forth on which buck I eventually wrap my tag around.
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