10/28 6:15 PM. PA. I've watched this guy for three years and he's always eluded me, especially last season on nearly a dozen occasions, being in the wrong stand, leaving 10 minutes too early, coming in 20 minutes too late... sitting on the couch instead of the rain... After watching a pair of fawns mill around for an hour, they finally moved on and I did a doe in heat call. Less than five minutes later he came sneaking in from my left. Totally caught by surprise. He moved slowly, two steps at a time through the low growth sapling and briars. He stopped about 35 yards out, just his front half and barely that was in view. You all know how those seconds pass quickly so I knew once he cleared that Hickory tree, I had to shoot. He stopped broadside and was looking straight ahead. I aimed lower end of middle third right at the back of the elbow. He spun and went back the way he came. No light from the nock but I was sure I hit him. I heard him busting thru the brush then the crash and a second series of what had to be him kicking in the leaves.
After a long 45 minute wait, no blood. Not a drop. Found the light from the nock nearly 10 yards away from supposed impact. You all know that feeling. After several minutes and no one finding blood, I took a loop around toward a trail I have mowed in the direction I heard him go. Once I got through the woods, only 40 yards or so, as I ducked under a branch, and my eyes came up to see him lying there, right on the trail. Thankfully. Blood everywhere. Heart shot, just as I had thought when I saw the bolt hit him. Pic below is one I took in the morning showing his location that evening.
185 pounds dressed. My largest, most unique buck and terribly thrilled after four years on this new property (home), only 10 acres, and all the effort on food plots and other projects. My buddy hunts here too and he had this guy at 22 yards the morning before but no clear shot on the vitals before a doe changed his direction. Now, the only decision is mount or euro?