Exciting, Fulfilling, Awesome Hunt - but no Meat

[Phil Lilley]

Last Sunday 11/15, I headed to Arcadia, MO to hunt with long time friend, Paul Crews.  He has a nice, small spread and a "hunting cabin" in the woods.

I only wanted to kill a doe.  I'd take 2 if given the chance.  But I didn't want to kill a buck.  It was Paul's land and he was hunting a big buck.  I don't care about horns.

Sunday evening, Paul had me sit on the ground inside a wooded area.  Saw nothing.  Monday morning, we hunted the opposite corner of the woods because the wind had shifted.  I sat on the ground again looking slightly down a dip -- very brushy conditions which I'm personally uncomfortable with.  I like open fields but Paul said they were holding tight to the woods.

I had 2 does run by me at about 30 yards... way too quick for a shot.  Then another - in and out of sight.  Then 2 more does came in on my left, about 50 yards, but laid down in a thick cedar grove.  They'd get up and mill around but lay back down -- no shots.  Too much brush.

It was getting to be about the time to meet Paul -- 9:30 am.  He had already shot a doe and had it back at the truck.  So I pulled out my grunt call and gave it a couple of quiet blows.  Nothing.  A few more, louder.  Nope.  Then one last blow as hard as I could.  Didn't sound much like a grunt.  But nothing was moving them.  

I was sitting there thinking about what to do next when I caught some motion to my front left.  A buck came out of a thicket and was headed right at me.  70 yards - I got my gun up and had a front-on shot but I could only see 3 points -- big points -- on each side.  I could not see brow tines because of the brush.  He came on, looking around for the buck he had heard, stomping his front hooves.  I'd look down my scope, then over the top, trying to identify him as a legal buck.

He came within 30 yards, turned slightly right and showed me his side.  You couldn't ask for a better shot.  But was it legal?  Did I want to take it?  It was a big bodied deer for sure.

I decided to pass.  He turned away a little -- that's when I saw his tines.  It was a nice 9 point.  He saw me move and he bolted on, blowing at least 8 times as he went.

FAST FORWARD to this past Sunday, 11/22.  Back up to deer camp for another try.  I went back to the same corner -- where all the action was, but this time I sat in a ladder stand.  I was up about 15 feet. There was a bar extended from my right to left to keep me on the stand and it was a nice gun rest.

About 7:30 am, someone just to the west of us shot 4 times.  It was obvious he was shooting at something running and chances are he didn't hit it.  Ten minutes later, I heard a crash and saw a big buck enter the brush from the west.  I could see plenty of points on this one so no question I could shoot it.

He paused long enough at 70 yards for me to get the gun around and on him, but it was a straight on shot which I didn't want to take.  He trotted from there right at me, not stopping till he was directly below me.  I could spit on him!!  He stopped, looked to the ladder, then his head and eyes followed the ladder up right to me!!!  What's the deal!  His tongue was hanging out so he'd been running -- probably the same deer that had been shot at.

He started at me for I bet 4-5 seconds.  My gun of course was still pointing from where he came, above the bar!  I couldn't move.  And I thought for sure he was going to blow and go... but he didn't.  His tail flickered, he dropped his head and turned and trotted off to my front right.

This was my only chance.  yes I'd kill it because it was by far the biggest deer I'd ever seen in the woods... body and rack.  He was majestic and I know Paul would be proud to see it down.  I had to lean back as far as I could to get the gun barrel below the bar... and as the point of the gun passed the metal bar, it ticked it ever so slightly.  And yes, he heard it and yes he bolted - like he'd been shot at.

I really don't feel cheated at all.  I loved the experiences equally and wouldn't trade them for any successful hunt anywhere.

We left the next morning for some crappie fishing.  We are very blessed!

[Phil Lilley]

This is the only picture I took. It’s off a pond I say by Monday morning. 

[Seth]

Harvesting a deer is great, but everything leading up to the shot is where the real enjoyment comes. I'd take a sit in the woods like that anytime!

 

I had a similar sit with the bow in hand this year. Decided last minute to go sit at dads farm when it was 75 and windy just to say I did. Didn't expect to see much. Wouldn't you know it the largest buck he has on camera followed a doe to just within my effective bow range, but I was caught with my pants down and the doe pegged me trying to get my bow ready for a shot.

[jdmidwest]

Its catch and release at its best.

[Ketchup]

Man have i been in that situation many times. Last sunday the better 1/2 and i were on some secluded public land. We got that and sat at our spot at 8:20. At 8:40 a doe ran by within 15’ of our tree, and 2 seconds later, as we were admiring her full run away from us, a beautiful buck ran right past, within 10’ of us. The gun was leaning against the tree still, and before i could get it shouldered, they were both out of sight in the brush. 

[JestersHK]

Sounds like a great hunt!  Always fun seeing them up close like that. 

[ness]

12 hours ago, Seth said:

Harvesting a deer is great, but everything leading up to the shot is where the real enjoyment comes. 

My thoughts exactly when it comes to bird hunting too. It's always more about the time out, scouting, dogs working, etc. And a good retrieve is nice too. 

[Johnsfolly]

Sounds like some great and memorable hunts Phil! Thanks for sharing with us. As you can see just the story brought out similar experiences that other members had while out in the woods. 

[BilletHead]

           Every year I get to go it becomes more of the process that I enjoy. The harvest is the bonus or the icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing Phil!