First thanks to Lundy for bringing me to this site. As I read through other posts it became apparent why he was a member. A ton of knowledge with respect to the sport.
As for how I came in contact with this deer, it is unlike any other hunt I have had.
There had been reports of a big 10- 12 point in the area for a couple years but no one could connect with the deer close enough to get a shot. The deer was 2-3 miles as the crow flies from the property I hunt so the chances of ever connecting were slim.
I had been hunting this land for a number of years with a friend who taught me how to hunt, until he suddenly passed away last fall. I went out a few times last year but hunting by myself just didn't work out.
This fall I made a promise to his widow that I would go more often. So I did, on countless days until this hunt i went out and didn't see a deer. Only once did I see a mature buck, but only long enough to get the blood flowing.
Saturday morning was miserable, the sleet had started in our area around 5:00 am and the youth hunt would be in full force that day. ( The reason I am in orange).
As i got into the stand there was movement to my east, but as the doe walked behind me, She caught wind and blew. Next a nice buck made its way down the path again to my east. I was excited, but cold and wet due to the wind and sleet.
As I watched east I caught something running across the beans toward me. I glanced and saw antlers moving back and forth. I turned and took the safety off,as i knew this would be a shooter. It continued to me, briefly stopping at 30 yards broad side, I went to shoot but notice it turn to walk down the very path I was on, only 20 feet up. The deer walked below and at 12 yards I let the arrow go. The deer barely moved and continued to walk down the trail. 20 yards further it dropped. I called a friend and let him know and I sat in the tree staring at the deer until he arrived 30 minutes later. My knees were still weak and I did not really speak.
Later that night I received a text with the tail camera of the deer over 3 miles away.
As I sit here typing I still find myself wondering why that deer decided to travel 3 miles across an open field right down the very walking path I sat in.
Thanks for reading. I hope I did the deer justice.
Mike