Called in a buck then blew it.

[WAPITIHUNTER]

So I went out this morning and called in a nice little blacktail (2x3) and promptly screwed up royal. Coming home last night I see the does in the road where they are always hanging out. So I got out and put out some scent and then went home and got pumped up for this morning. Walked from the trailer down to where I saw the does and Hit the Primos bleat can three times then grunted a half dozen times. I waited all of a couple minutes and figured the deer where not there. I walked over 30 yards to go down a side road and there he was standing in the road at 15 yards. BUSTED ROYAL. I am such an IDIOT.

I guess if I actually believed it would work then I may have been more patient and waited for 20 minutes before I went looking for more deer. I am pretty sure it was the same buck I saw on the last day of late buck (rifle).

He was obviously still ruttin. It literally took less than 3 minutes for him to come straight in. Guess its time to go back out for the evening hunt. Saw a couple does this morning in a different spot. No bucks with them. 60 yards but would not hold still for the shot.

[bow4elk]

What region are you?  Just curious as I've seen a huge drop off in rut activity (as usual after the 15th) in my areas around Olympia.

[WAPITIHUNTER]

I am hunting the Mashel unit. South Pierce County. I believe it has dropped off also but the bucks seem to be still looking for hot does.

Now for an update on my evening hunt. I really am an even BIGGER FRIGGIN IDIOT now. Walked out to a clearcut near the house got out there about 2:00 pm today. So here we go again, several bleats with the Primos big can and then some soft grunts. Stood there for about 5 minutes max then I started walking down the logging road. I made it all of 70 yards and I look over to my left and here is Mr big looking at me from all of 25 yards. HOLY FREAKING CRAP!!!! I pretend I don't see him and keep walking about five steps, just enough to draw my bow. I swing over and put the 20 yard pin at the bottom of his neck, he keeps looking at me with the look of "your not a doe", and let fly......................................................Thud!!!!!!! He was quartering steeply toward me. At the shot he jumped staight up and then stumbled and tripped when he hit the ground. Well I was thinking that I had just harvested a really nice Blacktail buck. Blood was dark and sparse and he never bedded down and as I trailed him he was going up hill. Trailed till dark and now its raining. All I can say is it really sucks to wound an animal and have to always be wondering if he survived or had to suffer a painful drawn out death.

After visualising the shot and analyzing the blood I believe the arrow was slightly left of center and just blew through his off shoulder.