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- Jan 5, 2021
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- 2,643
Last week I made a sit in a funnel hoping to run into “lawn boy.” While I didn’t see any deer from the tree I did hear one take a few steps as I was departing from my tree in the dark. Knowing the location of that deer gave me some insights. So today with the wind steady at 13mph I decided to use the cover of wind to scout the funnel a little more carefully. As soon as I entered the area I saw a bunch of sign that told me everything I needed to know - it was pretty clear how and where the bucks were passing through this ravine. So I set up accordingly, as the conditions were ideal today. I sat till last light without seeing or hearing a thing…. The second my feet hit the ground I could hear a big deer walking up the hill to me. By this time it was pitch black. But if you’ve ever heard a mature buck then you know as well as I - it’s not like the sound of other deer. Everything was happening just and I’d envisioned it from the sign, only it was dark. After years of wanting him to walk right up to me, he finally was and I was wishing with all my will that he’d turn along the path and walk away. I could hear him rounding the corner which meant that by now he was only 15 yards away and I could see his silhouette.
Standing on the steep embankment for a few minutes was wearing on me and one of my feet slipped just a little - making a slight shuffle sound. He paused dead in his tracks. We both just stood there silently. Anxious by the unknown creature in front oh him, he quickly hopped 3 steps down the hill. I could hear how heavy and solid he was, not dainty like a doe or skipper. We resumed our silent standoff for another 10 minutes… I kept thinking: just pass on into the dark. But he stood patiently and I tried to match his resolve.
Then the will of the dark took hold and the thermals began sinking. I could feel the cool air on the back of my neck, wafting down toward the old boy. He must have only got a quick word because he snorted and stomped in circles. The snorting became blowing and the blowing quickly turned to a full down mountain run.
All the while I stood idly by, my heart now in my hand. I sat there alone in the dark wondering: will I ever see him again?
The tree I sat was perhaps one of the best new locations I’ve developed this fall. I’ll probably kill many a buck in that spot. But I dare say it’s not likely I’ll see him there again.
Standing on the steep embankment for a few minutes was wearing on me and one of my feet slipped just a little - making a slight shuffle sound. He paused dead in his tracks. We both just stood there silently. Anxious by the unknown creature in front oh him, he quickly hopped 3 steps down the hill. I could hear how heavy and solid he was, not dainty like a doe or skipper. We resumed our silent standoff for another 10 minutes… I kept thinking: just pass on into the dark. But he stood patiently and I tried to match his resolve.
Then the will of the dark took hold and the thermals began sinking. I could feel the cool air on the back of my neck, wafting down toward the old boy. He must have only got a quick word because he snorted and stomped in circles. The snorting became blowing and the blowing quickly turned to a full down mountain run.
All the while I stood idly by, my heart now in my hand. I sat there alone in the dark wondering: will I ever see him again?
The tree I sat was perhaps one of the best new locations I’ve developed this fall. I’ll probably kill many a buck in that spot. But I dare say it’s not likely I’ll see him there again.
