Hunter: Brandon Watkins
Points: 11 (6L, 5R)
County: Crawford
Season: 2024-2025
Hunt Story
It was the first time I had checked my camera in several weeks and as I scrolled through the several hundred pictures, I eventually came across two pictures of this buck. He walked past my camera 11 days prior and two grainy pictures of him was all I had. However, I could tell he was a nice mature buck and if given the opportunity I wouldn’t hesitate on taking the shot. It wasn’t long after before I was pulling on my camo, grabbing my bow and climber and setting off. After an hour and a half or so in the stand he caught my attention at about 70 yards out amongst some thin cover. At first, I couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but I could tell that it was at least a decent buck. I watched him as he worked on a scrape and rubbed his head on the overhanging limbs and made subtle grunts. As he stepped out from behind the cover and started making his way in my direction, I realized he was the same buck that I had observed just a few short hours earlier on my laptop. He slowly continued in my direction but suddenly shifted directions and started down a trail that would have prevented me from making a shot. As soon as I could, I grabbed my grunt call and delivered a few grunts of my own. He immediately responded by scraping at the ground and thrashing his antlers against some small trees and limbs. He then turned back and made his way back up the trail and rounded the corner. Just like that he was heading right towards me again. Not long after, another deer came walking into the scene. I was able to catch a quick glimpse, just enough to see that it was a smaller young buck, then shifted my focus back to the bigger buck. The smaller buck came in and stopped right under me. I’m not sure if he spotted me, caught a whiff of me, or if it was the bigger buck’s presence, but he commenced to stomping and carrying on. At this point, the bigger buck was only about 15 yards from me and nearly at eye level. He was staring at me, and I was doing everything I could to contain myself and keep from moving. The smaller buck was still under me stomping and making a ruckus. I wasn’t sure how it all was about to play out, but I knew my opportunity would shortly be coming to an end. Suddenly, the smaller buck jumped and darted through the woods causing the bigger buck to react and trot several yards out in front of me. I took advantage of the sudden commotion, lifted my bow, drew, and settled my pin. Then I let it fly. Personal best. An experience I hope to never forget.
