Halloween is the best time to hunt blacktails in my opinion. The bucks are chasing does and the weather is taking a turn towards winter. The leaves are orange and looking for a shade of red! I spent all summer watching bucks and evaluating trail cam pictures. Utilizing the multi deer tag i hunted September archery and had a nice forky come into 20 yards. I hesitantly decided to pass knowing Halloween and the rut would hopefully bring a good buck! Friday evening i hunted my spot for the 9th evening in a row. I love waiting for the magic hour (last 30min of daylight) The Blacktail woods get real still and eerie. At the snap of a twig I saw a doe come busting out of the creek. A Blacktail buck chased along right behind! They ended up frolicking next to a dark Evergreen. I could here the doe bleat. I decided to put the sneak on them acrossed the field and get a close ethical shot. I was packing my new Traditions ultralight wood stock muzzy with fiber optic open sights and wanted to lay the hammer back. I tried hard to sneak across the large leaves in my Romeo's. Easier said than done with a case of Blacktail fever and grizzly wintergreen aroma sifting with the wind like smoke in a bottle. Made it to 40 yards and the buck had me pinned. I cocked the hammer and the buck knew it wasn't good. I took a knee and slowly eased my trigger back. Boom! I let a 300grain traditions smackdown bullet fly! The buck darted across the field like a lightening bolt! found him piled up 40 yards away. Hammered him square in the chest. Thankful to find him fast and thanked the lord for meat in the freezer! Best part was my boys got to hold the antlers and be with me for the experience! Great to pass down the tradition and make memories!
