Decoyed Buck.....

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 I had bought me a used deer decoy for cheap a while back and tried it out a few hunts last week. It worked well just never had a buck I wanted to shoot come in for a shot , I figured it would work just needed a tough guy to see it. So this morning I carried the decoy down to a spot near the river and got him set up a good hour before light. I set it up on the edge of the woods and a big field along the river and got settled in. Also put a fresh tarsal gland off a recently deceased buck a friend had killed on the decoys butt for a little added flavor. Just after daylight a few doe came through and gave him the eye then later a spike did the same. A pretty good 9pt came up out of the riverbed and acted like he wanted a piece of him but he wussed out and kept his distance. The morning was perfect with a heavy frost on everything and the sun coming up with a good wind and deer all around. How could it get any better????

The stand is in a great spot with a multi trunk tree for good cover and the sound of a small creek and the river to help cover any noise. I had the decoy out about 30yds in front of me facing my direction. And it could be seen for several hundred yards but was along the woods also.....

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

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[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 It's along about an hour after daylight now and I can see that the 9pt over in the woods is locked on something out in the field. I look over and here comes a wide buck going right for the decoy , I get my hat camera on and my bow ready cause he is covering ground. Before I know it he is 15yds infront of me all bristled up making some pretty strange noises. Problem is I can't shoot because of the trees he is behind , he starts making a scrape and did the whole bit right in front of me. So the grunting , snort-weeze , stiff-legged , I'm going to whip your butt deal goes on at 15yds for 10 minutes or more( I was sure hoping I had the camera on). He would turn like he was going to leave then come right back all I knew is I was about to come uncorked up in this tree....

,,Sam,,

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Here is the scrape he made...



Then his view to the decoy.....




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[SAM E. STEPHENS]

He finally makes his mind up to close in on the intruder and cleared the branches that were blocking my shot. As he turns to offer the classic slightly quartering away angle I'm already at full draw locked on him. Soon as the string came off my fingers I knew it was a good shot and the big TreeShark took him just behind the shoulder. He ran into the field and I thought I saw him fall but wasn't sure because trees blocking my view. I gave it a little time , checked my camera and thank goodness it was on and recording. Got down and found blood right where he was standing and was able to walk right to him down in the field. Good old buck for the hill country of central Tx , wide rack with 2 broken tines.

My first deer over a decoy was a rush and you can bet it won't be my last....

,,,Sam,,,

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

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[SAM E. STEPHENS]

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[neargeezer]

  You have the best stories and pictures, thanks for sharing!

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

................................. THE END ......................................

[huntmaster70]

Congrats again Sam, terrific buck!

[kadbow]

Very cool! Nice buck and shot.

[kenneth butler]

Outstanding. Perfect shot and he made you wait so long. Hard on the nerves.>>>--->Ken

[Cyclic-Rivers]

That's GREAT Sam. Congrats!!

[kerry]

Thanks for sharing, congrats!

[Joeabowhunter]

Exciting hunt!   

[BRONZ]

What a hole!! You gonna post the video link??

[Kopper1013]

Congratulations that's awesome

[Crittergetter]

Congrats Sam! You sure put a hole in that one!! 

[Macatawa]

Yeah!!

[goingoldskool]

Great pictures and even better story!
Congratulations