- Joined
- Sep 6, 2014
- Messages
- 968
I've been having a tough time getting on a mature buck on my property. They are there but I just can't get one close to me. I decided to make a change and head to a property that I've had permission on for 20 years but don't really hunt it. Nearly all of that time I was a tree stand hunter. I occasionally would shed hunt it. The property is small and has very few trees where the deer are or like to move through. It's mostly brush so they definitely bed in there. Especially when it's windy because there's a large dune that keeps them out of the wind. The few trees that are there are either huge cottonwoods, very crooked or just plain too small and too low for my preference. Now fast forward to early spring 2022. I took a trip in there in there and this time I looked at it with a different perspective of hunting out of a saddle. I found several trees that were huntable w/ saddles that I never even would attempt to put a stand in. 2 trees in particular really stood out that were in ideal locations that IMO held potential. My hunting partner and I discussed getting them set up and trimmed out. However we never took the time to do it. Now fast forward to the other day. I decide to give one of the trees a try because it offer really good access. I slid in there and set up. I had limited shooting but could shoot to 3 out of 4 of the trails. the 5th trail was out of range. The 4th trail was the main trail. I knew it would be difficult sometimes you got to work with what you have. A doe and little ones came out on the 5 trail at 315Pm. at 445pm a doe came down the 4th trail. I kept thinking if a buck follows her, I'm gonna have tough time killing him there. Doe # 5 & 6 show up. They headed to right down the main trail slowly. Behind them out pops a 140" 10 pt! Now this guy definitely has my attention. I can see where they are heading and I'm looking for any hole to shoot thru. I decide that if I loosen my tether and squat down that I might me able to sneak an arrow under a branch. No sooner than I decided this here he comes. I loosen the tether but not far enough. I didn't have time to do it again. The does were right there and was going bust me if I made any rushed movement. It was now or never. I stopped him. 30 yds away. Broadside. I had a clear lane directly to him but that branch was at the top of my shooting hole. I'm squatted down on the platform and shooting to my off side. Very uncomfortable. Tough shot but I felt I could make it. Anyway, I let er' rip and hit that branch dead center! The arrow flew over his back and I think hit the log behind him. he jumped, looked back, and then walked by me at 25 yards on my strong side following those does. After they left, an 8pt went by on trail 5 and 5 does cam by on trails 1,2,and 3. 9 out of 14 were in bow range. One a shooter buck. Definitely a good spot! They never spooked so I think he'll be back. If I had to do it all over again, I would have prepped those trees 9 months ago. Both those lanes would've been clear. I would've shooting w/ a solid foundation and not rushed. Should've, would've, could've. Lesson learned. Pre-prep those trees if you can!
