Hunted my buddy's new property tonight. Didn't have high hopes as we have not hunted this spot yet. Just wasn't sure what to expect. Should produce during the rut, but otherwise, trail cam photos show it to be a doe/fawn area. Well, the rut is kicking in, so I would only know what was there by hunting it. Passed by a nice scrape freshly worked on my way in. Good start! Tried to use my climber on a tree we have the camera hung, but had to move to another tree. The bark was just too thick and wouldn't allow the cable to be pulled up. Just kept hanging up. Dang. Moved to another tree, less desireable, but it would work. Between the squirrels and steady flow of trains and interstate noise, it was tough to hear anything. I caught a tree shaking though and focused hard on it. Finally (lots of brush obstructing my view) I saw a buck working the tree hard. Probably 2-4 minutes. He moved on 30-40 yards and I heard him working another tree, but couldn't see him. He popped out and I could see 6-8" G1's and G2's. Very nice symmetry. Turned to look at me and he was only 12-14" wide. Dang. Catch and release hunting. Looked like he was a main frame 8pt with a couple more points less than an inch. Next year a 10pt for sure. I watched him as much as I could. My mission was to learn how they are using this area. He crossed the creek and I saw a doe cross the creek a little further down. She circled around and peed. He followed her. She made a loop back and he sniffed her pee. Next thing I know he is trailing her and she was gone. I tried some fawn bleats, but couldn't bring them back. I was hoping to keep her in the area in case another buck came in, but just couldn't reel them back in. Saw one more doe in the area which was probably her fawn from this spring or last year's yearling. As I was trying to get out of the stand another buck came in behind me. Baby buck though. Directly down wind. Stopped several times to check the wind. Decided it was okay and moved on through. Thanks Scent Smoker. He passed through close enough I could have spit on him. Stared me down but I didn't move. Always nice to have them downwind, staring at you, and NOT get busted! Good night for sure. Can't wait to get the kids on the bus and head out tomorrow! Packing a lunch and dinner for tomorrow. Sitting til dark!
