- Joined
- Jan 3, 2022
- Messages
- 4,240
This is my first season hunting out of a saddle. I have two saddles currently, a Cuzr XC and a Treehopper Recon. I have gravitated to the Recon and was in it when I got the buck.
This has been a tough season. After passing several does early season since I did not feel like I needed the venison due to having a good bit still in the freezer from last season I have been struggling to see deer after the start of gun season. I have been regretting that decision not to take an early season doe or two. It put me in a position where I felt pressure to just get something on the ground.
I had several good bucks on what little camera runs I have done and have been targeting those deer.
Yesterday I went into an area that borders a marsh and found a couple of fresh scrapes near a thicket. I suspect the second rut may be starting here. I set up along that scrape line. I saw nothing but squirrels until about 20 minutes before dark when I caught sight of three does emerging from the marsh and walking the edge of that thicket. Soon I saw a buck following behind them. I eased around the trunk of the tree and got ready. I let the does pass and as the buck stepped behind a tree I drew back and anchored. He continued on and I was about to bleat to stop him when he paused on his own. I settled the pin and released. I got a good double lung passthrough at about 14 yards and the buck ran 50 yards and piled up.
It all played out perfectly and since I saw him go down there was no lengthy search in the dark. He is not my biggest buck but I am sure glad to have him.
This has been a tough season. After passing several does early season since I did not feel like I needed the venison due to having a good bit still in the freezer from last season I have been struggling to see deer after the start of gun season. I have been regretting that decision not to take an early season doe or two. It put me in a position where I felt pressure to just get something on the ground.
I had several good bucks on what little camera runs I have done and have been targeting those deer.
Yesterday I went into an area that borders a marsh and found a couple of fresh scrapes near a thicket. I suspect the second rut may be starting here. I set up along that scrape line. I saw nothing but squirrels until about 20 minutes before dark when I caught sight of three does emerging from the marsh and walking the edge of that thicket. Soon I saw a buck following behind them. I eased around the trunk of the tree and got ready. I let the does pass and as the buck stepped behind a tree I drew back and anchored. He continued on and I was about to bleat to stop him when he paused on his own. I settled the pin and released. I got a good double lung passthrough at about 14 yards and the buck ran 50 yards and piled up.
It all played out perfectly and since I saw him go down there was no lengthy search in the dark. He is not my biggest buck but I am sure glad to have him.