I was beginning to wonder if I would be able to post in here this year.
Been a crazy season. I've only been able to get in the woods 4 or 5 times. Hadn't seen a deer in the woods yet. Had knee surgery 2 weeks ago. Meniscus repair. Still have 2 more weeks of therapy for that. Looked at the weather and all for today last night. Decided I wanted to get one more sit in before the end of the year.
I went to the block I killed the buck in my profile pic. Same block we put a lock on in and the guy put a ladder stand right beside it. The wind was right for me to sit on the other side of the oak flat. Got in right at break of day. Beautiful morning!!
Didn't see anything. About 8:30 decided to walk down in a bottom I hadn't been in and look around. Was quite walking since all the rain. Didn't see any sign, at all.
I figured, well, for old times sake I'll go sit on the side we had the lock on hung. BTW, since my knee isn't 100% I am sitting on the ground.
As I am approaching the area I'm headed I see this.
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Man! That's fresh!! I walk over to the ladder stand that's still there. Of course no sign since all the rain. I go about 30 yards east and build my ground blind.
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This is my view.
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The ladder stand is just to the right of frame about 30/35 yards away.
I give a couple of dow bleats, then a grunt sequence and get settled in.
Not 5 minutes later I look left, the view above, and spot a deer coming slowly my way. It walks over toward the ladder stand and I think it caught my trail because it turned around. I got my muzzle loader ready, and as soon as I see shoulder, BOOM! When the smoke clears, literally
, I have such a feeling of relief/joy/thankfulness, etc, etc, etc.
If you look to the left of the tall tree in the middle you can see it laying there.
I didn't think I was going to get one this year, but the good Lord had different plans. Thank you Jesus for meat for the freezer.
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In the same place I killed my biggest buck ever, and I enjoyed it just as much!!
The hat worked.
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Thank y'all for being here. It does this 'ol boy good to share, even if it is a TN 11 point.
Merry Christmas, and a blessed, prosperous, Happy New Year!!