2nd day archery buck

[buglebuster]

I posted to the 2023 deer thread but figured I’d give the story now.

Day 1 found us hiking out to our favorite draws a bit before shooting light. As we’re on our way we get busted by a couple does and a goofy 3pt that came over the ridge on top of us and busted out across the draw and over the other side, taking a bunch of deer and other legal bucks with them. We work our way over and spot a few bucks working down a ridge top into a draw. Wind is decent so we sneak over and begin dropping down. I immediately spot a big 3pt sneaking out the bottom at 140 yds and managed to get a pic of him. Wind was a little swirly and all of a sudden all the deer bust out, legal bucks, small bucks, does, and everything in between. We swing around the ridge to try and drop down in front of them and intercept them. We were a little late but a legal buck walked down the trail in range of my buddy, he went full draw but couldn’t count the third point until it was too late, following him was a small 2pt. I eased up a little and spotted the 3pt in bottom of draw on a big trail. Figuring he would continue up the trail I ran up the ridge to drop down the other side and sit the trail waiting for him to walk by. This plan was great until I found another legal buck on the next draw that would probably allow me an even better stalk. I hiked back up the ridge to go over the top and try to put a stalk on this buck. As i was dropping down into position a doe busted me and ran out to about 60 yards and snorting at me. I was focused on her and waiting her out until she ran down the ridge and I proceeded forward. 2 steps later I noticed the buck 40 yards from me broadside, no time for a shot as he ran off. He was there the whole time I was just focused on that doe

Later in the morning we decided to drop down into a brushy canyon and see if we could find some bucks bedded. I was going to loop down low while my buddy waited a little higher. On my way down my buddy spotted a buck bedded and called me back. I got back up to him and immediately heard a buck blow out of the brush below us that was 40-50 yards from us the whole time this in turn took the other bucks with him. We backed out and decided to head back to the truck and not pressure them any more until the following morning. That was about the extent of day 1.

Day 2 found us trying to get into the draw where the big 3 was early and try to ambush them coming down the trail to bed. The wind was right but we bumped 3 bucks on the way in while it was dark. They ran up to the head of the draw to meet up with some other deer so we dropped down even lower and side hilled around into the draw they bed in. We got set up and waited. Not too long after shooting light a super 2 came by and over the ridge. Shortly after a group of 5 bucks with 1 legal came slowly feeding down the trail toward us. We waited for nearly an hour while they fed, sparred, and took their sweet time walking down the trail. In the mean time a nice 3x4 fed down the ridge out of range and over the other side, while the goofy 3pt from the day before came over and fed his way to the head of the canyon and out of sight. Finally the legal buck from the group was in range and my buddy was about to draw, we heard a distressed rabbit coming from the brush below us and the entire herd of bucks busted and ran out! I can’t make this up! We were pretty upset about the outcome so my buddy eased around the corner to see if he could spot the goofy 3. He was there feeding so he decided to wait him out. I decided to drop down the ridge and over the next to try and spot the 3X4. I got to the bottom and my buddy told me the goofy 3 was bedded at the head of the draw, 20 yards away from a big bush. He said he can’t leave without busting him so I needed to come stalk in from above. I headed back up the ridge and dropped my pack when I got to the top. I slowly eased my way in but the wind was wrong to approach from above. I had to come across right at him, the direction he was facing and it was wide open with just some low bunch grass. My buddy texted me and said he was sound asleep head straight out on the ground. I was 60 yards from the bush but still couldn’t see him. Finally glassed his antlers at 34 yards. I didn’t have a shot. He was literally sound asleep so I kept creeping forward. I got to 20 yards and said to myself this is plenty close enough so I drew my bow, took a couple steps to my left to expose his neck and front of shoulder. I was slightly above the buck so figured my shot would go down into the lungs and be a great shot. I picked my spot and released the arrow. WHACK! Followed by a nasty lung gurgle. The buck put his head straight into the air and then laid over on his side dead. He never got out of his bed! It was the goody 3pt that screwed us up the day before! Dying on top made for quick work because of the flat terrain and an easy pack out to the truck 3 miles.




 

[High Climber]

Sounds like a good spot you have there 👍 nice job bow hunting deer in open country isn’t easy

[Martinhunter]

Great buck, nice shot placement!

[Dan-o]

Nice buck. 

Thanks for the write up.

[Shoofly09]

well done!  That last pic makes me hungry

[buglebuster]

Sirloin tips

[Mfowl]

Nice work! Congrats! 

[pashok23]

Every year you get the buck, nice job!!!

[JakeLand]

Nice job as usual! I’ll take a “ goofy “ buck any day

[blackveltbowhunter]

Great buck!!

[huntingaddiction]

Hey, where did you get a picture of my buck😜.

[huntingaddiction]

Hey, where did you get a picture of my buck😜.

Just kidding, I know where lol

[OutHouse]

Sounds like a very exciting hunt!  And it brings new meaning the phrase "dirt nap". Thanks for sharing!

[RB]

Nice Congrats! 

[cjjcb]

Thanks for sharing your story!
Great read and nice buck to boot!
Sounds like you’re in the right place with many options!