DubTee Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I know eastern whitetails aren't coues, but they sure are fun to hunt with a bow. I grew up in the midwest, go back every year to my buddy's farm in WI to hunt big bucks during the rut. We chose the first week of November this year, a lot of management and QDM has been efforted by us over the past 8 years, and it seems like it is really taking a hold. We had more sightings and trail cam pics of mature bucks (4 1/2 year old+) this year than ever before. The farm consists of big wooded ridges with big agricultural fields in between. Food is everywhere, lots of corn this year, bumper acorn crop as well. The trick during the rut is get into travel corridors where bucks are cruising looking for available does. This area of WI is an "earn a buck" area, kill a doe, check her in, and then they authorize your buck tag. They went to this program several years ago to help get deer numbers down, it seems that it is working, although not very popular with the locals up there. I harvested a doe the first evening, 25 yard shot, about a 50 yard recovery, so I was good to go for the week. Ended up passing several 3 1/2 year olds and numerous smaller bucks, watched a nice 9 point (as we call them back there) breed a doe one morning, and ended up taking an nice 8 point on the morning of Nov. 5th. Buck came in cruising a ridge line, worked a scrape, and ended up walking right underneath me. When he got broadside at 8 yards, I gave a mouth bleat to stop him, and he totally freaked out. Almost spooked, but turned and faced me, looking right up at me. I was at full draw, decided to take the face on shot, shooting for the jugular, but at least burying the arrow deep into the vitals from the front. I hit him perfect, never seen so much blood come out of an animal, he went about 75 yards and piled up. We caught this buck on trail cam a few days before I killed him, we estimated him at 4 1/2 years old and he must have been a warrior. Scars all over his back, ears tore up, and his left eye was poked out. I think the eye problem caused him to freak out when I mouth bleated (I was on his blind side). Good mass, has a little kicker off his left G2, he scores about 128. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortpants Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Awesome!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFGinNM Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Very nice, Eastern whitetails out of a tree during the rut is a blast. I try to get out to PA for the archery rut hunt but have been busy the past couple years (going to Kodiak for Sitka's and AZ for Coues'). Those corn fed Eastern doe are hard to beat for eating, congratulations. Thanks for sharing, --Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted November 16, 2009 I miss hunting back east so much fun great memories Nice buck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 16, 2009 Great buck! Wonderful time of year to be out in the woods there! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted November 16, 2009 VERY cool!!! Awsome story about the close shot to! Thanks for sharing! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted November 16, 2009 The only thing I miss about living in PA are the big, tasty corn fed deer. Thanks for the post and congratulations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
