Well, I have been chasing a buck that I call Stickers for 4 seasons now.  Up until 2 days ago, I had only seen him twice during daylight.  Once, just after the 2014/15 season closed, and once last year at dawn at 40 yards away and on the move.

I was lucky enough to see him enter a field two days ago, coming from the NW, through brush cover which would not allow for a good ambush spot.  He ended up feeding in the south end of the field.  I said to myself, if he needs there during a north wind, he may be in trouble.

I quickly put up a stand this morning in a copse of trees in the previously mentioned field, knowing that the wind was to be out of the North today.  I got into the stand around 2 pm, and shortly thereafter had a small buck cruise by and by around 4 I had those feeding in the field on the North Edge.

With around an hour of daylight left, the wind died down and started to swirl. The wind currents were carrying my sent right to the portion of the field that Stickers was browsing in previously.  Even though there were dough in the field already, I made the decision to move to a different stand in the drainage southeast of the field right on the edge.

I was in the new treestand for only 15 minutes when other doe came into the field from the NW, and it wasn't too much longer until Stickers entered as well.  A couple.smaller buck had entered from the East, and chased them away, and started to feed near where he fed then other day, but daylight was fading.

Fortunately for me, a doe came into the field around 70 yards to my west, and he put his head down and started half-heartedly chasing  her, stopping nearly broadside 15 yards from me.

I took the shot, and he whirled back to the Northwest through the field, but I lost sight of him due to the fading light and the Contour of the field, and I could not be certain of where I hit him in the low light.

I texted a couple of friends and told them what had happened and I thought I may have shot a little low by the way the buck reacted.  I waited around a half an hour and turned on my green light to come out of the stand, and deer were snorting all over the field and I could hear them running. I hoped that one of them was not stickers, because that would almost certainly mean that I had wasted my last opportunity for this buck.

I got down out of the stand and was unable initially to find my arrow or any blood, so I slowly made my way in the direction that he ran shining my light ahead into the field. I had switch to a strong flashlight, and I I was very relieved and happy to see a white belly around 70 yards in a slight depression in the field.

This is as he was when I found him, and I eventually found the arrow. That is the exit wound, and he either turned a little at the shot, or wasn't completely broadside.

Some more pics.

And here is a pic from the first time I saw him.

Nice job Pat!! What do you think his age is , 7.5 or 8.5?
They never seem to live that long here!

Thanks.  I am not the best at judging,, but I know he isn't less than 6.6, and I am kinda leaning towards 7.5.  I don't think he is 8.5.  If my property had more road access, I doubt that he would have made it this long, if you know what I mean.

Well done Pat, I am glad you have taken that nice buck.

Attaboy!!
Very unique
Tim B

Great Buck Pat! Congratulations.

What a fine buck and the character of the rack is awesome-congrats on sealing the deal.

Congrats, must be very gratifying to harvest him. You sure did good!

     

Congrats on a great buck pat I know it's been a long journey way to get it done!!

Wow Great Buck Pat Congrats

Congrats Pat!

Well that just sucks.  Not your buck because that's awesome but I had my nose stuck in the phone reading the story and let a coyote walk right under me, lol.

Congratulations on a hard earned buck.

Great deer, glad you got him.

Very Very nice  Buck..

What a great looking buck! And so cool that you have a history with him. Congratulations!