Had a great week in camp (btw...camp is by the barn and corral
) and gained a ton of learning and insight into the whitetail world. Puzzle is coming together nicely!
Watched this 10 below my stand Sat through Tues from 75 to 200 yds which is weel within my comfort zone. Inital thought on day 1 was to give him a 'pass' as it was clear on first sight that he was not the one tearing up the lumber. Really was hoping to take him with Mr Hoyt for my PB with a bow. I was told that passin with the MZ but taking with a bow was an 'oxymoron'...whatever the heck that is...dunno!
Anyway, somethin spooked him Tues eve (maybe that damned attack squirrel) and he went to the other side of the property for Wed and Thur.
Tuesday was one of those cool, cloudy, drizzy 'perfect' days. After a long morning sit till 11:30, I went 'to camp' for lunch and returned about 2 to the stand. On the short drive back, I notice a doe all hunkered up against a large elm in the middle of the destination area. Thought that was odd so I eased the scope up for a better look (binos were in the back seat in my pack) and this neck (sculpted like a fine taxidermist could) appeared in the background...one side attached to a large deep 5yr type of body and the the other holding some headgear with 6" bases, good brows, and sweeping dark beams. Pretty clear now who was 'the man' and tearing up the lumber. Branches were occluding my view of the tines, so I ease the truck back about 6 feet for a better look and that was enough to send him into orbit. On departure, could see clearly three on top on both sides and even making him an eight. Tines not overly long but he would nestle in the 130s given the mass. Wind was totally wrong or I'd have spent the afternoon on a sneak/stalk through the area. Very clear he had been pounding that doe hard and wasn't going to leave her side. I would hate to be one of the first does in heat in the whitetail world....she looked as scared as she did exhausted!
Anyway the 10 returned Friday AM once the cows eased out of my area. Had all week to think this over (which prolly wasn't a good thing) and he showed up at 50 yd Friday afternoon. Condsidering him having little fear of daylight, a tendancy to roam in the open, and no guarantee of a pass across the fences, he recieved a ride in the truck. A well placed Barnes layed him to rest in DRT fashion. Scored from the above cam pics at 130 gross but was lite on mass estimate and a tad long on length. Grossed 129.5 per the string/tape and only weighed 114lb with minimal internal fat and less than 1/10th of rump fat?? The bases are 4.25 with 3s and 4s nudging 9. With deducts and after drying, he would be on the 'edge of PnY wetness'. I am in doubt on the weight as this is prolly the longest deer I've harvested...over 7 feet in length from hose to rear hoof. Guessed him at 120ish lbs...and would have lost a hefty bet over it. Fought with myself all week on his age...on the hoof, he has some aspects of a 4 and some of a 3. Pleased with the rack but a lil disappointed in myself over the age and feeling the need to take him. Notheless, it is done now and time to move on!
Really intense chasing last week and it's been one of the quickest transitions from seek to chase (less than 1 week) that I have observed....suspect abundant mast leaving does in good body condition is the driving factor to early breeding. The chasing is already pushing does to the edges of blackjack and post oak and into briar laded bottoms. Lots of food (blackjack and post oak acorns) there and the added security of nearby cover in the scrub oak and/or briars for concealment from crusing aggresive bucks. I'll spend the next few weeks with Mr Hoyt along these hidden edges...specifically in key transitions such as small saddles, switch-backs, and ridge-foots. Pressure is off and there are a few 5+s running around...one being another dreaded half rack. One buck tag left to fill and time for some selectivity.
Age, score, and est dressed weight?
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