Tennessee Deer Talk: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land

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#2145407 - 11/03/10 02:13 PM

Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land

Poser
14 Point

Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8391
Loc: Tennessee

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This buck came off highly pressured and very popular piece of Tennessee Public Land. I've hunted there 5 times so far this season without a single deer sighting.

With the front moving in and the rain coming down, I knew I could slip right up on a buck bedding area that has otherwise been unapproachable from any direction this season without alerting the deer and, I'll speculate at least, keeping these pressured deer locked down until completely dark.

I arrived at noon in the pouring rain to a completely empty WMA and slipped into a setup 25 feet up a oak tree that I had scouted back in the Spring, but had decidedly not returned to. At 5:30, two bucks came out of bedding area 30 yards away.

They were heading straight for me with the biggest 4 point I've ever seen leading the way. I let the 4 point pass at 5 yards but knew he was going to be downwind quick. The 8 pointer was broadside 10 yards away, but at my 11:00, causing a angle I don't like, but have made efficient kills with in the past. He was walking calm, slow and comfortable in the rain, so I took the shot without bleating him.

He bolted and I waited 30 minutes. By the time I got down at 6:00, it was pitch black in the woods with the low clouds, rain and cover. I looked around for 20 minutes, found initial blood but no trail. High shots are necessary at steep angles, but you get a delayed blood traiI as a result. So I backed out with the knowledge that it was going to rain all night, which didn't lend itself well to sleep.

I came back first thing this morning and it was still raining and there was no blood anywhere due to the rain. I headed in the direction where I saw him run which was a faint buck trail and I spotted him not 40 yards from my tree stand. Good thing I didn't force the recovery last night. The angle of the shot got 1 lung and severely damaged the liver. His entrails were still warm this morning, so he must have bedded down and expired during the night.

Entry wound.

Exit wound

1 mile+ journey out for this guy. Given the immediate and surrounding pressure and being a public land dweller, he earned my respect. He's not a P and Y, or B and C and would probably be a management buck on a QDMA, but I guarantee you, he's been shot at, spooked, bumped and pressured as much as any buck can be.

After a hard earned kill, I tend to settle into a deep state of reflection: Cycle of life and death, tremendous effort and work bowhunting requires, months of scouting, 3:00 am alarm clocks, changing clothes outside when its cold and rainy. Whenever I pick off a buck like this one, I like to think that the woods will miss him a little bit.

_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun.

Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive.

Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy.

http://www.GoCarnivore.com

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#2145437 - 11/03/10 02:31 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Poser]

Carlos Viagra
16 Point

Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 12934
Loc: Cumberland Plateau

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Great buck for sure! Especially on public land with archery tackle. I think you've finally figured something out. Hehe.

_________________________
Do not be slothful- for yesterday and tomorrow are thieves of today.

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#2145441 - 11/03/10 02:34 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Carlos Viagra]

Carnage
4 Point

Registered: 12/03/08
Posts: 473
Loc: TN, Dickson

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Well done Poser! Good story and pictures

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#2145442 - 11/03/10 02:35 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Carlos Viagra]

preachermantom
10 Point

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 4757
Loc: waverly,tn,USA

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Great job and good story...congrats on a great deer!

_________________________
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one may come to the Father except through Me."

Jesus Christ

http://walkthewalkwithjesus.blogspot.com

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#2145444 - 11/03/10 02:37 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: preachermantom]

JohnnyBond
Cat Man
Non-Typical

Registered: 01/16/08
Posts: 35567
Loc:

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Congrats

I love rainey days too

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#2145445 - 11/03/10 02:38 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Poser]

Dbllunger
10 Point

Registered: 12/08/04
Posts: 3172
Loc: Middle Tennessee

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congrats, awesome deer

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Three favorite words in fishing: Get the net!

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#2145449 - 11/03/10 02:39 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Carnage]

Still-n-Quiet
10 Point

Registered: 07/18/06
Posts: 4618
Loc: San Antonio, TX

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Great story! Great buck, thanks!

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Mike

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)

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#2145480 - 11/03/10 02:48 PM

Re: Off the list: Rainy Day Buck, public land [Re: Still-n-Quiet]

knightrider
10 Point

Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 4796
Loc: claiborne

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congrats to the man behind the mask[lol]

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behold the lamb of GOD,when he nocks please answer it may be your last chance!!!!
happy hunters against armchair biology
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