One day to hunt, the plan worked!

[Jeff G]

Went to MN for the First day of firearms season. I had only one day to hunt, I had my game plan, and I had my 7 year old son telling me how we had to get a buck the entire drive up. He loves hunting, so I was enjoying every moment of it!!! Due to time restrains I only had opening day to hunt. This past weekend was not "perfect" hunting conditions in south east MN. The rut was not at its peak, it was just starting to kick in. Wind, wind, and more wind. I set up on the leeward side of a ridge, typical third way down, and waited. I had my trusty old muzzle loader beside me. At day break had a few does cruising thru. About 6:30 I did a few doe bleats, and followed by some grunts. About 10 minutes later I head footsteps. Low and behold it was a buck. He was below me on the hillside, he had not winded me. Came a bit closer, and started to go down another trail leading him away from me. I grabbed my call, snort wheezed at him. He immediately stopped, turned on a dime, and started trotting up the hill directly at me. He was approaching head on, I did not want to take a head on brisket shot. I waited, he slowed to a walk, then began to become more broadside. I had been aiming the muzzleloader and following him. I mouth grunted, he stopped. I pulled the trigger. Immediate white out conditions. I briefly saw the buck bolt down the ridge, stop at the bottom, and hook back. The buck was out of sight. Sitting in the stand, wondering what just happened. Did I hit him, did I wound him. I never heard a crash, or saw a visual conformation of the hit. I was so excited, I had an the opportunity that my son so wanted for a buck on this trip. I sent him a message, and let him know what happend. I decided to wait an hour.....I did not know if he was just bedded out of sight, and I did not want to take a chance jumping the animal. After the longest hour....I began to sneak over to the area he stood. Immediately found hair, and blood all over. He was bleeding heavily on both sides. I krept along the trail, waiting to peek over the ledge on the bottom of the hill. There laid my buck. I had shot him thru the heart, and he had only traveled 40 yards. All that waiting and I had made a great shot. Oh well better safe thatn sorry. I was super happy, and could not wait for my son to come help get him out of the woods. As I stood by the buck, I could here a doe bleating non stop. I stood motionless, she came down a ridge, crossed the ravine, and smelled the buck. She was a yearling. She came closer, closer, and closer. I took some video on the phone and some still photos. She cot to 10 yards and was focused on the buck. I eventually had to scare her off. She did not want to leave. My little hunting buddy was happy when he arrived on the scene. The buck was a 7pt, I believe 2.5 years old. Nice deer, not the biggest that walk the woods, but it made my little future hunting buddy unbelieveably happy!!! I was happy, implemented strategies from the beast website, some tips on stand location from Dan, learning about the thermal tunnel and calling. It all came together. Thanks eveyone who shares info and feedback on this forum. Keep up the good work! Jeff

[BigHunt]

AWESOME

[ Post made via Android ]

[Dewey]

Very cool. Congrats on a succesful hunt!!

[Bucky]

[U.P. bownut]

Good job man! Any special plans for taxidermy?

[Jeff G]

Thanks, going to save the cape and do a european mount of this buck.

[Edcyclopedia]

Spectacular!

[dan]

Congrats Jeff!

[Jackson Marsh]

Congrats! Darn good job for a one day hunt! It is great you made your son happy

[kenn1320]

Awesome, congrats!

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Swampthing]

Nice buck !

[JAB]

Great write up and congratulations on your buck.

[ Post made via Android ]

[hunter_mike]

That is awesome! Nice buck!

[exojam]

Can you go out with me for a one day hunt

Congrats!

[muddy]

congrats.