October 21
I got this buck on trail cam in early October. Around mid October I got some daylight activity and when I got the right wind I moved in as close as I dared to what I thought was his bedding area. I set up on him beast styple on the ground as to keep the disturbance minimal. After a slow evening I did a very light rattleing/sparing sequence and called him out of his bedroom. He came into investigate and ended up 25 yards quartering away. This deer had great mass with 5.5" bases and 23" beams scoring much higher than I thought when I released the arrow.
Iowa
November 6
We had a bitter sweet trip to Iowa this year. 2 weeks before we left we were informed that we could no longer hunt our farms. These were knock on door private lands that others hunted as well. One was leased out for big money and the other landowner was payed big money to keep us off because there was two boone and crocket caliber bucks being seen regularly. This took the wind out of my sails because not only did I have over 15 spots prepped and trimmed ready to go from an earlier spring scouting trip, I also had did favors and sent gifts/thank you's to the land owners investing a lot of time and money into this and showing our appreciation. But, it was his choice so I respected it. This left us with one small farm that was mediocre at best. Further frustration set in when we arrived to see the farm we could hunt was being logged out. Trucks, chain saws..the the whole deal. Not very relaxing sitting 13 hour days listening to chain saws roar 200 yards away. The best big buck bedding area was completely whiped out. We saw some deer but no Iowa giants. I saw this buck a few times an on November 6 I saw him head to a bedding around 9 am. I got out of my tree and snuck to within 70 yards of the bedding area and set up at noon. I shot this buck coming out at 1:30pm to cruise for does I'm guessing. He was the most mature buck I saw in 5 days there..big body! I passed a 9pt that would of scored higher but looked younger on the first day. I have shot a mature buck on November 6 three years in a row now..all between 10:30-2:30. Again, not much of a spread but this buck had great mass and carried it out throught the beams. This buck appeared to be old.
Michigan
November 19
A highly anticipated morning hunt was cut short by shifting winds. Instead of ruining a spot hunting it with the wrong wind I got down and moved. I spotted this buck out in a field heading to some standing corn. I was hidden well and maneuvered into a position where I could get a clean shot. I watched him for 10 minutes make his way and when he passed me at 40 yards I shot. I had never seen a mature buck like this in an open field in Michigan that far into the gun season. Definitely caught me by suprise but I'm glad I was there to capitalize. Had I not got down I never would've seen this deer.
I hunted Ohio hard as well and had my sights on a 150" 8pt that I never connected with. I had one encounter at 45 yards but passed the shot. I pass a few nice ones.
I hunted Indiana ML as well and passed on this buck. My buddies dad shot it making it the second biggest buck he's killed in his hunting career. He was pumped and I was happy to see this great buck fall to him!
Other highlights inluded taking 3 mature does with one being my biggest ever and introducing a young hunter to our sport and getting him his first deer in the youth season.
