Somebody else got the deer I've been hunting......

[pass-thru]

I put some traps out on an orchard where they also cut up deer. I stopped in to say hello and as I was leaving, somebody said "did you see the big 11 point shot on the place behind yours?"

Instantly I got a knot in my stomach. I went back in the cooler and sure enough, it was him. Easy to confirm with a buck like that, split browtine. Looks like he'll measure in the 170's.

He had been a precence on our place since 09. I almost got him in 2010. He spent the summer of 20ll munching salad out of mom's garden. I have one of his sheds from last year.

Once in a life time to have a deer like that on our farm in this part of the country. I'm sure I heard the shot that took him down. I'm glad I found out though so I won't be chasing a ghost.

 

[mrw]

Wow! It would have been a privilege to chase something like that on your own place. I'm sure he left his genes in the area, maybe you will catch up with his offspring!

 

[pass-thru]

It was definately a privilege!!

The intersting thing is the guy who shot him had just bought a 45 acre piece of land with no timber...shot him in the open.

I don't know if he was rutting or pushed. There's an army of orange out this time of year.

 

[ImThere]

Wow! But your right at least your not chasing a deer thats no longer there! Bummer that you didn't get him your self!

 

[Bone Collector]

is that a VA buck? he was a good one for sure.

 

[Andy S.]

Amazing buck for sure.

 

[Shed Hunter]

Atleast you have a part of him and his pictures.

 

[pass-thru]

is that a VA buck? he was a good one for sure.

Yes, foothills of the Blue Ridge.

 

[AllOutdoors]

Dang that stinks. Great story and pics....at least you know the whole story.

 

[EastTNHunter]

The trail cam pic next to the pond shows that you have a beautiful place. You are blessed with more than just deer on a place like that. But that is one magnificent buck

 

[DMAG]

Hey man, on a positive note, there is a reason that buck stayed there and from what I have seen in the past, he will be replaced with another mature deer, possible one of his offspring, either way there is a reason he stayed there.

 

[tickweed]

Wow! I know it hurts, they dont come along very often. I guess thats an understatement. Never come along is more like it.