this year has been a lot of ups and downs, but much better than last year
my plot is in my back yard, almost,(160 yards from the house). I check that cam every day! I get to know these deer very well and they me. most of them have names. I get about 300-500 pics a night with 15 sec delay. its pointed at the water hole.
last year I had no legal bucks using my food plot. it was year 3 of my plot and the 2nd season for the imperial white tail clover. I had 14 does coming in and few young bucks from time to time. their was one that really stood out. he was a spike on one side and a trident on the other. he spent more time in the plot than any other deer. I named him tripod.
this year was very different, not sure why but only 12 does used the plot. they shared it with 6 legal bucks and few dinks. ive been watching these bucks since they first started nubs and really liked a buck named patches that turned out to be a 5x5. well this year my brother decides he is going to pick up this old 1998 pse I gave him and take his first deer. archery season started and he starts practicing. I tell him, just go sit in my stand and shoot the first legal buck that walks in except patches or tripod.
well the first deer in the plot was tripod of course and right on his heels was patches, he about looses his mind. hes thinking holy smokes theres actually bucks in here. after forcing him self to calm down a smig(says he could not look at the bucks and breathe) he forces his eyes open and can tell its a legal buck. he forgets everything instantly. buck fever sets in and he was quite sure the deer could hear his heart. after an eternity hes able to draw his bow and settle the pin. he nails patches with a perfect double lung. he goes 50 yards and piles up. he just sits in my stand till I get home from work. after we get it home and take pics he went straight to work skinning and gutting and got him hung up to cool over night
I was totally disappointed and thrilled at the same time. I really wanted that buck but im still glad he got him as his first deer. and im glad I got to share it with him lol.
so I decided id target twiggs(long legged buck from birth) he was a a tall and wide 4x5 and tho he didn't visit the plot daily he was pretty consistant weekly.
well 6 days after patches died a friend hunting the neighbors field got him.
I was pretty bummed but I went to plan C
the eye guard buck, an other 4x5 with long eye guards and a new comer this year. tho he was mostly a night time visiter about once a week hed fallow tripod in at last light.
so opening day im set up in my stand at 5:00 pm and just about 6:00 2 does walk in with their fawns. few minutes later in walks goofy. possibly my nieces first buck this year,3x5 his left g2 is about half inch long lol.
my eyes are focused on the trail tripod come
s in on hoping the eye guard buck is right be hind him when I hear a shot right from the trail wher they leave the other neighbors woods.
my heart sinks. im thinking they shot the eyeguard buck or tripod.
min latter tripod shows up. he fights with goofy a little and never looks back down the trail he came from. I start thinking how much I liked this little buck and figure out I been hunting him all along...... I knew this buck so well I remembered other deers movments by his movment. few mintes more go by and I squeeze the trigger on my 300 wm.
as he lies
put him down with a 185gr vld threw both lungs and split the top of the heart. no shoulder damage at all. he went 40 yards
it felt very rewarding putting my hands on this buck I knew from time he wore spots. hes a 5x6
of course my daught had to have a pic too
over the years this plot has cost me tons of $ and lots of time, it has also brought some of the best memories ill never forget.
glad to know the eyeguard buck is still coming in every single night. hope he makes it to next year.
