Nice morning out..I took two days off work to catch some rut activity before the shotgunners have at 'em next week.
I sat for a couple hours with just squirrel and raccoon activity so I broke out the rattle bag and grunt tube. I can't believe how fast he responded.
Within two minutes of my initial rattle sequence he was there, 60 yards out staring right in my direction, a nice symmetrical 8 pointer out just past his ears. I was handcuffed, & couldn't reach for my grunt or rattle so we just stared each other down. I'm sure he saw my knees knocking together! Anyway, after a full 10 minutes he turned to go, so I light grunted again and turned him and we played the staring game again! He wouldn't take another step towards me though, he sensed something was amiss and the breeze was changing direction. He walked away to live another day and I walked away a little frustrated but perhaps a little smarter too!
Mikey Vee
got outsmarted by 8 pointer
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
got outsmarted by 8 pointer
Last edited by Red Label on Thu Oct 28, 2004 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
It makes you wonder though. How many times have you tried rattling/grunting and thought you were unsuccessful? If this buck stopped at 60 yards in denser cover you would never know you had a deer respond.
A couple weeks ago, I had three deer respond to some grunting, after I had spooked them(saw/heard me move but couldn't smell me). I heard a snort and figured I'll give it a shot. Grunted, waited about five minutes and continued still-hunting. I saw some deer walking parallel to me about forty yards out just after I started walking. As I was watching those deer, three deer appeared out of the thick brush, heading right towards me. They stopped at about 7 yards but offered no shot. But at 15 yards they were invisible.
A couple weeks ago, I had three deer respond to some grunting, after I had spooked them(saw/heard me move but couldn't smell me). I heard a snort and figured I'll give it a shot. Grunted, waited about five minutes and continued still-hunting. I saw some deer walking parallel to me about forty yards out just after I started walking. As I was watching those deer, three deer appeared out of the thick brush, heading right towards me. They stopped at about 7 yards but offered no shot. But at 15 yards they were invisible.
Amazing how they'll respond under the right conditions, ie. THE RUT.
Here's my Monday morning quarterback call, for all it's worth : If you would have struck with a visual aid (deer decoy) as well,...I think you may have been able to bring him in to shot range.
Sounds like he was looking for the deer brazen enough to come in to his backyard and challenge him.
Go back and git 'em, before a pumpkin ball thrower gets him first.
Here's my Monday morning quarterback call, for all it's worth : If you would have struck with a visual aid (deer decoy) as well,...I think you may have been able to bring him in to shot range.
Sounds like he was looking for the deer brazen enough to come in to his backyard and challenge him.
Go back and git 'em, before a pumpkin ball thrower gets him first.