Then fast forward to the spring, the shed season that I love so much! Once I found one of his sheds, I knew he was going to be high on my hitlist this year. I start to lose sleep at night once it becomes this personal.
Then I got some summertime pics of him at a nearby mineral lick. I couldn't believe how much more mass he had. The season couldn't get here quick enough.
About 10 days ago I tried to catch him headed to a bean field. And to my surprise, he came out during good light. But he was about 80 yards away. He was slowly headed downwind of me, so I left very quickly. I made several more hunts for him, but didn't see him again.
Saturday afternoon I went to a little different spot in the same area. At dark I looked to my left and saw a deer and horns walking very quickly my way. I started to ease up my binoculars, but put them right back down because I knew what deer it was.... it was him. I had one really big shooting lane that he was getting in to. I "manked" at him at 25 yards. The deer never quit walking, just picked his head up and looked straight at me while walking. He got behind a tree and I "manked" even louder. This time he stopped perfectly and I had a small window between 2 trees to shoot him. I let the arrow go and heard a loud crack then the deer ran off.
Chopper helped me look that night. We found awesome blood the first 300 yards. He got out in a hay field and we lost blood. I came back the next morning with another guy and some dogs. We parked in the hayfield and were getting our boots on. I was telling the story, then I looked across the field and saw him piled up in between 2 hay bails. chopper and I were 75 yards from him the night before, but couldn't see him because the Hay bails were in the way.
I am so excited and glad to have this chase come to an end. Deer had 40" of mass, and is at least 5 yrs old. Thanks to all who helped me along the way.
