Bowhunting - Saturday 10/30/10

Dates: Saturday 10/30/2010
Location:  The Land, ECO
Morning, afternoon, evening or all day: Morning

Time: 5:15 - 9:00

Wind:  Moderate from N/NE
Temp: 45-50 degrees
Weather: Pleasant, clear, breezy 
Who: ME

Game: Whitetail
Stand Location:  Ladder stand, Sand Box 
 
Sightings: One buck.  Unusual rack with a large growth between his front legs. 

Comments:
Since Halloween time historically kicks off "prime time" bow hunting, I thought it would be a good idea to get out for a few hours and see what the Sand Box had to offer.  This is one of my favorites stands at the Land.  It's comfortable and the deer have no idea you are there.  The one challenge is being ready because the deer are literally right on top of you.  The first hour was uneventful other than the flock of ducks splashing around in the pond.  Around 8:30, I caught movement through the brush and saw a deer making its way through the Sand Box.  I noticed a decent set of antlers which peaked my interest even more.  The deer moved quickly through the stand, up the embankment, and towards the fire pit that sits a mere 14 yards from my location.  I was able to get a pretty good look at him and noticed his left side antler was shorter and missing some tines.  I also noticed a pretty good sized growth between his front legs.  It was big enough that it "hung" down and swayed when he walked.  For a brief moment, he stopped by and smelled my doe scent on a small sampling near the fire pit.  He then turned to his left and walked straight towards me closing the distance between him and I to about 6 yards.  Eventually he realized he wasn't alone.  He turned around and scurried towards directly away from me, towards the field road.  Not only did I have a cool encounter with an unusual buck, I got a picture of him sneaking through the sand pit moments before I laid eyes on him.