bigj23 Report post Posted August 31, 2020 After five years of multiple trips scouting and spending hours in the blind, it finally all came together even though it was not as planned. After a few trips to our spot this summer I quickly realized we were not going to be the only hunter in the area, as we have been for the last four years. There were four cameras and two blinds on the tank on Thursday before opening day. My hunting partner Shrek and I planned on trying to be the first one there, rolling out at 2am on Friday. We passed one hunter on the way that was headed to the waterhole, only to find a second truck with a flat bed trailer on the way, with no UTV. There was only one place he could have went and we confirmed he was ahead of us as we saw him about a half mile ahead near the waterhole. We can only assume he heard us coming as he did not take the time to put away his cot or sleeping bag. If you drive a tan new model Ford F250/350 and slept in the back of your truck Thursday night, PM me, I would love to talk. We did confirm he killed as we saw the boned out body on Saturday. With the main plan shot, we went to a waterhole I had mapped a few years prior. When we got there it had good water and the area looked great. Although the day was quiet with a bear and one doe coming in, Shrek was able to spot a mule deer coming in at 2:30 pm and made it quick work. Although not a giant we had a great time enjoying the success and relaxing. The next morning we thought to ourselves, we got beat at 2am, so there is no way we will get beat at 1am. Well, we rolled out of our camp and hit the first turn only to find out the hunter on the corner had slept at the waterhole. Respecting the fact we got beat, we rolled back to the same waterhole from the day before. The morning started off early with a 6x6 bull coming in and watering for a bit, with a couple barks to wake us up. The bull had white antlers just rubbing off its velvet. Then it got real western at 10:00 am. I stood up to use the restroom and when I turned around, I saw my buck next to the water and my buddy was telling me to stand still. Too late, the buck blew out. We must have moved at the same time for him to make it all the way to the water. After taking the punch Shrek told me he could see a mule deer walking around, so I crawled back to the blind. Shortly after Shrek told me the same buck was coming back in along with the mule deer. My buck got down to the water, I drew and was nearly on target, only to be busted by the mule deer buck walking over the hill from a different direction. I thought there was no way the deer would come back in until later in the day or the next. Well, about 10 minutes later Shrek tells me there was a doe coming in. I got set back up and she came down for a drink. After she reached the water Shrek told me my buck was coming in again. A quick shift of the wind blew the doe out and left the buck on the top of the hill to the water hill. Figuring it was my last chance and he was definitely not coming in it seemed, I drew, leaned out, and let one fly for the front shoulder from 40 yards. It was definitely not a comfortable position to shoot from but the pin was steady on his shoulder. We heard the watermelon pop and saw him go down about 60 yards later. After a five year wait we walked up to a deer I would have been happy with on any rifle hunt, let alone my first archery deer. I have had many chances and close calls over the last five years, it just never seems to come together. As Shrek always says, many animals are alive by inches or seconds. Well, today was the day and he was a stud. After some celebration we cleaned him up and got back to camp, enjoyed the night, and headed home. What a great trip!! When we got home the taxidermist rough scored him at 111" without all the tenths, so he will probably be around 113", with most of his score coming from his mass. Even though he was a good deer, the biggest feel of accomplishment was when my two boys and daughter were so excited about the deer, both the size and finally getting a velvet buck in the house. Next year it will be my oldest boys turn at the archery wheel and hopefully he can enjoy the success, since he already has a couple of rifle deer in the books. 24 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Great story. Congrats on the buck he is a dandy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke-BE Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Stud buck! Kudus for the people using blinds. This is why I don't use blinds. I hate the race to the water hole and the competition over it. But hey it works. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Congrats on your buck, he's a great looking deer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mangum Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Looks like being a respectful hunter paid off for you. Congrats on an outstanding buck. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OpticNerd Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Stud buck congrats man! It's crazy enough to think you got to get up at 1am to be the 1st one at a tank let alone having to sleep at waterhole. Hats off to all you stand sitting maniacs out there willing to go through all that craziness! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigj23 Report post Posted August 31, 2020 1 hour ago, Mangum said: Looks like being a respectful hunter paid off for you. Congrats on an outstanding buck. Got beat fair and square, but it definitely paid off! I will say we got paid the same respect on the water we were on. Four hunters the first day and one the second day turned around before they got to the water. Good karma I guess! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Acslate Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Great write up and very cool buck. I am very aware of pressure on the tanks, I have wondered if sleeping overnight at a tank would "foul" the tank for awhile, that is a lot of time to smell up the place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Big Congratulations! Nice when it all comes together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThomC Report post Posted August 31, 2020 28 minutes ago, Acslate said: Great write up and very cool buck. I am very aware of pressure on the tanks, I have wondered if sleeping overnight at a tank would "foul" the tank for awhile, that is a lot of time to smell up the place. Sleeping is camping. No camping within a 1/4 mile of a waterhole is the law. 1-800-gamethief. Good buck sounds like your second choice should be your first. Too many idiots at the other spot. Post the coordinates. LOL😷 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Nice buck, good for you. Isn't sleeping over night camping? you can't camp a 1/4 mile from a water tank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Acslate Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Good point, didn't think about that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigbuckclub Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Awesome story. Goes to show that just when you think your plan is going to make for a crap hunt, you push through it - adjust - and reap the benefits. Some of the best bucks I've been apart of have been a result of Plan A going to heck really quick and adjusting on the fly. That's a sweet velvet buck. Congrats. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigj23 Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Thanks all. It all happens for a reason. I spoke to the guy that slept there at the end of Saturday when we got our blind and all he saw was a spike. I definitely think his sleeping bag and cot 100 yards from the waterhole lying out hurt his odds with smell traveling all over the flat and to the bedding canyons. I would have slept much further away and started driving when I heard the next person coming in. But...it all played out perfect! The spot holds some big deer and is rough country, but at least I get to watch others play the game until 2021. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatrock Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Awesome! Big congrats to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
