Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
I hunted the end of a long, narrow bean field this morning. (There is no need to put a combine in there because the deer have already picked the beans). The entire length of the field behind me and the end of the field I was sitting on was thick native grasses, briars, and generally a thick mess. Trails mazed through this stuff into and out of the bean field from one end to the other. I could cover 3 of the major trails from my stand. One was 36 yards south of me, one was 3 feet south of my tree, and the other was 18 yards north of me. About 7 this morning the first thing to show was a set of antlers moving through the edge on the opposite side of the field. He stepped into the corner of the field and headed straight towards me. With me at full draw he stopped 25 yards away and turned broadside. You are so dead. A 125", 3.5 year old 8 pointer. Good mass and long tines but short brows. I really thought about touching off the trigger but the season was just getting started and I was really looking for something heavier. He'll be a good one next year. I let off and just watched. Naturally he took the trail that was north of my stand. This doesn't bode well for a south wind. When he got 18 yards away and dead down wind he stopped and threw that nose into the air. Game over. He whirled and made a few bounds back the way he came and then stopped looking back. I think maybe he was giving thanks. Then he just walked away. I only saw 4 other deer with no shot possibilities. I climbed down and went to pull a card on a camera. I had a pretty 9 pointer in velvet with a drop tine. He may have scored 100". I looked around a little and picked a spot for a Wednesday morning hunt. Still trying to knock a doe out early on. Let the fun begin.
