Hunter: Scott Murdoch
Points: 8 (4L, 4R)
County: Walker
Season: 2016-2017
Hunt Story
I had just moved to a new location from my early morning position, and I had been set up in my stand — a folding camp chair — for only a few minutes when I heard some low growling in the creek directly behind me. Otters! I stood up and moved a few feet and spotted an otter trying to hide from me. After a few minutes, the otter swam quickly upstream and I continued to watch for more. Directly across from me was some beautiful cover, including one of the largest white oak trees in that section of woods. I pulled out my grunt call and gave a long guttural sound and then three short "brrrrps." No sooner had I put the call back in my vest when I heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps in the leaves. I swung my rifle slowly forward and chambered a cartridge as the sound of something hitting a log reached my ears and helped me focus on a spot directly across from my location. A second later, this beautiful buck steps out from under the privet and switchcane. He approached the creek and gave three light grunts, looking for the deer he had heard. I had the higher ground, several feet higher than the other bank. He had no idea that I was there, 35 feet away. As he had his nose to the ground, I centered on a spot right between his shoulders. He dropped right there with barely a twitch. I had to take my boots and socks off and wade across the knee-deep creek to get him.
