Legacy

November 21 pm- BBD 58 degrees SW wind 10 mph with gusts to 20 Clear skies This morning’s hunt went quiet after 730 and I figured this afternoon's hunt wouldn't be much different. Probably not the most ideal location for a morning but I hunted stand overlooking a cut bean field. Over the years I have seen deer pass that stand multiple times during the morning hours headed to bed. Today would prove to be one of those days as I saw 2 shooters from that stand this morning. One was an 8pt that went into the directly across the field from me 200 yards. I have seen him come in and out of that spot at least 10 times this year. The other buck passed by me in the dark in the morning about 650 am. By his silhouette I knew he was a mature buck but I couldn't see antlers on him in the dark. He walked through the field and went into the woods just up from me about 60 yards. With zero action for over two hours I left the stand, I moved a camera (that is seeing very little action), and headed home. Some really great weather for November unless of course you're a hunter. It is borderline "hot" with temps almost 60 degrees and breezy, less than ideal conditions for the pm hunt. But its deer season and it’s tough not to be in a tree. After this morning’s sit, I convinced myself that I witnessed two shooters head for their beds and I needed to go right back to that same set. I climbed back into the tree at 2-230 and impatiently waited. Yes I said impatiently. I figured with the conditions, all of the action would be in the last hour. Well at 415 the first deer made its way onto the cut bean field. Doe fawn. Slowly deer started to show up for their evening appearance. A fawn popped out woods next to me, winds me, and takes off. Then I notice a deer directly across from me, on the edge of the thicket, slowly making its way out to the field. It's the 8pt again. I put the binoculars on him to confirm and yup. I can’t help to tell myself again that this deer has been too visible and is going to make a mistake at some point. All of my attention is on him and he is just feeding towards me in the field. I notice something grabbed his attention. I can only hope that as crazy as the wind is, that he hasn't winded me. I start to look around trying to see what he’s seeing and a buck walks out just up from me about 70 yards. Giant body. Its’ too thick on the field edge to see antlers but it’s easy to assume he is a mature buck. Once I get a glance at antler, that is all it takes, and my heart starts to pound. Pounding out of my chest. Gotta love that feeling! Luckily the buck stays put long enough to get my heart back to a controlled rhythm. I stand up, adjust my scope to full power, put the crosshairs on him, and wait for a clear shot. I reposition myself and rest my gun on the neighboring tree, and anticipate him heading directly out into the field. By this time the 8pt from the other side of the field has now made his way halfway across and is heading right for him. The buck walks onto the field into my crosshairs, and I mouth grunt to get him to stop. He doesn't stop. I grunt again, louder and nothing. The third time I practically yell and he still doesn't stop. I'm thinking WTF. I squeeze the trigger, he mule kicks, tries to take a step, and plows into the ground ten yards away. He's a busted up, tree rubbing, giant bodied, mature 8pt and I am happy to have had the encounter end in my favor. He was not the one I was after and I say that with no disrespect. The one I have been after has been a ghost, as they tend to be. I have put eyes on that ghost buck once possibly twice within close proximity of that stand (as I glassed from another stand on the property). That "ghost" buck was the reason my butt was in that spot. So thank you “ghost buck”!

Pelt

Lots of very obvious stuff but some good reading. 5 Proven Ways to Become a Whitetail Buck Magnet http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/articles/deer-news/5-proven-ways-to-become-a-whitetail-buck-magnet

Just got him out. He's a horse. He's a bit busted up. 8pt. Better pics tomorrow and story too. Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Gonna be a bit... He's way off the beaten path Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

BBD Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Wow there is a ton of ducks flying this afternoon Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Awesome Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

November 21 am 38 degrees SW wind 15 mph with gusts to 30 Clear skies Some good action this morning however it only last until 730 or so. Two unknown deer pass by me this morning. Both had racks but it was too dark to get a great look. A 1.5 year old bucks, two button bucks, and another encounter with a shooter 8. Seems like the boys were on their feet this morning. Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Congrats!

Pretty cool to see!

After a couple days off to recharge and get some work done, I am back in the woods. Very active morning before legal sunrise but quiet since then. Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Congratulations Matt! Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Awesome Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Ouch Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

November 18 am southern zone gun opener 45 degrees SW wind 10-20 Cloudy skies rain beginning at 430 Well that sucked. Ugly end to a very slow day. Zero for me tonight. The kid saw a few but never had a shot. Tomorrows forecast looks terrible... Uggggg!

Thats funny!

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Drove around and glassed a couple properties on the way home from the southern tier. Saw a stud of a buck walking the field edge around 1130 this morning. Needless to say I'm in that block of woods for the pm portion of today's adventure. My kid is with me and he is on the far side of the block. I'm begging for something to walk by him. He has an itchy trigger finger. Sent from my XT1585 using Lake Ontario United mobile app