iDoHunting.com: My 2005 MN Buck Debacle

After having a encounter with a absolute Monster and living legend up in Pine River, MN. I was an emotional wreck the whole day Sunday and the questioning and second guessing constantly running through my head. Should I have shot, even though it was 18 minutes before legal shooting time? I had a definite identity on the deer with the fresh new snow on the ground and would have been shooting into the side of the hill. While I pondered this question of to shoot or not, for what seemed like an eternity (but was actually 2-3 minutes). I must of looked at my phone a half dozen times during that 3 minute span. The buck had made his way in to about 80-90 yards and had stopped. Sensing that the Tinks 69 gel he was smelling smelled fishy

or had he noticed my ground blind on the field edge. Either way he did not like something. So as quiet, quick and elusive as he appeared it only took a few seconds for him to disappear off into the lightening sky of the cornfield where I had set my ground blind up on the field edge, that windy snowy November morning. As I sat there in my ground blind just mystified and feeling that familiar sick feeling deep in my stomach after an encounter with possibly the biggest deer I have ever encountered in my fairly inexperienced rifle career. How big was that deer???? I'm not a 100% sure. Being that early, seeing the silhouette and the height of that rack was all I needed to know that I wanted to harvest that deer. A farm hand found his sheds 2 years ago, had them put on a cape and mounted them. That was 2 years prior and they say he is way bigger now.

My best guess with out getting the best look at him, I would put this buck in the 180-200" range. His G2's were split and appeared to be in the 14" neighborhood. His spread was impressive but not super wide as he appeared to be around 19-22". I guess I will have to wait and hope someone to find his sheds to tell you how big he was. This deer has been a local legend up there for the last 3-4 years. Looking back, part of me thinks I made the right decsion, but part of me is still kicking myself

. I know this was a huge debate on this sight a few weeks back.

So, the above debacle was eating me up inside for over a day. I knew, I had to get back in the saddle again. So I left early yesterday to hunt a fairly new property for me. After leaving my truck and walking towards my ladder stand, probably a little later then I wanted to. I heard the familiar and music to my ears sound of rustling leaves and grunting. I pulled up my Nikons and looked into the woods to find a shooter buck dogging a doe only about 100 yards into the woods and about 150 yards from me. I dropped to my knees, to gather my thoughts and make a plan on what to do. Knowing I had to the wind in my favor I scooted up the field edge and stalked my way into the woods about 20 yards deep. There I found the woods to open up a tad and had me about 75 yards away from the chase going on. Kneeling for what seemed like an eternity, I patiently waited and tried to scheme a plan on what to do next as I watched this buck bird dogging this doe around the woods. The next thing I know that buck had spun that doe and she was coming in my direction

. Reinforcing a lesson, that been has beat into my head time and time again. The lesson being this: during this time of year(the rut), when bow hunting, be a 100% ready to shoot or do what ever it takes to get a shot when ever I step foot in the woods. This means gloves on with release on and ready to shoot. So I had just removed my quiver and knocked an arrow as this doe was still coming my direction, with a shooter buck in tow. The doe passes by an opening with the buck grunting away hot on her tail, with his nose pasted to the ground. Drawing back, coming to full draw with my Matthews Legacy and still in mis-belief of what is happening before my eyes on this November afternoon. The buck came in the same opening as I let out 3 grunts to stop him. The buck stops lifts and turns his head back to me as he is standing slightly quartering away and looking to see what had just disrupted his chase. The woods went absolutely quiet as I put my 20 yard pin on him knowing he was close to 20 yards out. I picked my spot and touched my trigger off. I watched the buck kick high and tear off as I watched two other does or fawns that I had no idea that were there also take off. I watched my buck run to the ridge and vanish down the other side as I lost sight and sound of him. I had notseen where my shot hit but I still felt confident on my hit. The post shot shakes and buck fever started to settle in big time. Man, I love that feeling!

I just sat back against a tree and replayed what had just took place in my head, over and over again. Trying to think rational and ponder if I put a good hurt on him or not. Not knowing 100%, I just remained where I was until could gather myself. With about an hour left until complete darkness, I just sat there not wanting to jump him, if he was just bedded down over the ridge that was only about 50 yards from me. Once the light faded away. I rose to my now secure feet and legs as I quietly retreated my way out of the woods and back to my truck. Once back at the truck and thinking half way clear, I decided to give the buck at least 4 more hours. I’m a huge believer if you do not see your deer drop and not 100% sure on your shot placement, give him more than ample time to bed and expire. I try to give a minimum of 4 hours if at all possible. Some circumstances do not allow this, but most of the time this will greatly increase your % of recovering your deer if you do.

I called and met my brother for reinforcements. We went back around 9 pm and found blood on the spot I thought he was when I let'er fly. We tracked the blood up to the ridge where I last saw the buck. I looked down the ridge to the right with help from the clear sky and nearly full moon. There I saw a big ol' white belly on the ground at the bottom of the ridge!

. The buck only made it about 50 yards from the spot that my Carbon Express arrow found its mark. The shot was a tad low from the spot I had picked, but still found his heart as it penetrated through behind the shoulder, with the arrow still sticking out through the front of the opposite shoulder. I blame this lack of accuracy on gun hunting, not letting me practice as much.

My brother and I dragged the buck back towards the truck after tagging it. We snapped off a few pictures to put on the mantle back home and then the dirty work began of dressing this deer out.

Just a tip to anyone else that shoots a buck they feel is picture worthy. It makes for a way better picture to view, if you can snap pictures before dressing your deer. I had done this on my last buck I shot with my bow. I got some great full body pictures of him with out seeing his bloody rib cage

. It also helps with the image of our sport when these pictures are viewed by others outside our circle of this great sport of hunting.

He is caped out and ready to go to the Taxidermist. He green gross's close to 140" range and nets in the 135's, with a spread of 19&1/8". I'm not a 100% of his age but I guess him to be 3.5 right now. I'm bummed that my MN quest is over, but can easily get jacked up for chasing Bruisers in ND this weekend!

I also look forward to getting my best bud out on some birds over the next couple of months. He is a itchin’ to get back out and I think he may be possessed.

Or perhaps he is just a little edgy since he has been ignored these last 3 weeks

Like I said in above and my other post, I 'm off to ND Friday chasing the 20 pointer and I have never shot 2 bucks in a week period

I guess I better start praying to the Deer Gods

! Good Luck to everyone else that is still out there chasing Mr. Big

Lip Ripper….. OUT! until next time!

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Lip Ripper (aka Rob Stenger)

GameHide Pro Staff / Northland Concrete & Masonry
BfishN Tackle / Stone Construction Inc

Edited by Lip Ripper (11/16/05 04:08 PM)