It was a cool, crisp weekend morning and I'm on the East Side awaiting what God has in store...  

I'm focused on the shot opportunity, at about 15 yards I realize he's not gonna change his course on his own...  

I decide to start the draw sequence, and just keep my whole focus on the "pocket" and not the rack... I let out the "Mrrrpp" and he takes a few steps to a quartering away position around 16-17 yards. I'm at full draw when he settles, and the loose follows shortly thereafter   ):



View from the Stand to where the buck was standing:



And the view of where the buck ran:

I settle back into the stand and soak in what just transpired... Thank the Lord for an exciting hunt and the shot opportunity. Praying the shot results in a quick humane kill    

In addition to the help Ben provided, it was good to have him to share in the moment.... Time for a couple of pics!  



Little closer

This was one of those hunts where God chose the gift, and I thankfully accepted it. A true blessing indeed...  

There was a few days left in the County Park Hunt, but I remember things just getting busy at home & work. The does were elusive...

Remember the West Side Stand where I'd passed the nice bucks, before moving to the East Side to chase the "Target Stud Buck".......?

I went in and recovered the camera when I tore down the stand.......

Look familiar?  











Ummmmnnnhhnnggh...  

And one more for good measure!    



Thank you Lord for the Gift & Blessing you gave me  

Well done sir.....

,,,Sam,,,

Good Stuff KAZ, Congrats on the Buck I'm in for the rest!

Great story! That was a nice fat slap of seasoned oak you threw on the fire

Congratulations on a great buck, thanks for sharing the story and pictures with us.

Congratulations !!!!

Thank you everyone for reading, and the nice comments!

There's still a Statewide Any-Sex Tag, and some doe permits in 2016  

As you might imagine, pulling the camera card to find the "Target Buck" and another Mature Buck cruising in daylight AFTER harvesting the 8 Point can chip away at your joy, IF you let it...

Ultimately, I've come to the point in my life where the Journey is more important than the destination and I do my best with what I have... I've read a lot of thread's lately indicating similar themes, but Ryan Rothhaar put it simply "Right Deer / Right Time". Pretty much sums it up.

Back to the Journey  

KAZ,

Thanks for taking is along on your journey! It was a joy to read your thread, congrats on the buck!!

I'm still in the Peak of the Rut, so it's off to State Public Land to see if I can find a Wilderness Giant  

I could take you up & down each elevation change of the Roller-Coaster that was the rest of early season on Public Land.... However, even I don't want to relive each frustrating piece of hunt interruption that is Public Land.

Don't get me wrong, I understand it's PUBLIC Land and that it's available to anyone. However, it's hard to take when you're up @2:00am, Drive an hour & 15 minutes, trek in, hang & settle in a scouted hide, only to have company, sometimes lots of company come in later at prime time or just for a walk...

All that being said, as seen in the previous pic, I'm happy to have what I have, as it can happen at any time!

Thank You Lord for All You Have Blessed Me With!  

Ouch, he is a shooter all day everyday where I live. Keep after MR Jumbo, and keep posting.

Well I make my way through ALL phases of the Rut, including the dreaded CLIFF of Lock-Down. I cannot generate a Mature Doe or Jumbo Buck opportunity and the Early Season is drawing to a close.

It's now Friday December 2nd, 2016 and it's the Last Day before 1st Shotgun Season starting tomorrow... I will tell you that in my experience on Public Land the days following Shotgun Seasons are the absolute DESERT! I'm not saying it can't happen, but it exponentially ups the challenge with Traditional Gear. Plus the Weather may play with your plans...