|
November 22, 2011
Buckling Down During the Rut Pays Off With Massive 9-Pointer - 13
There’s something special about chasing thick-necked bucks during the rut. For the past couple of weeks, that’s what I’ve been doing in my home state of Kentucky and I’ve realized that the rut can be just as tough on hunters as it is for mature bucks. A couple months of hunting hard have caught up to me, but everything finally fell into place when the top-heavy buck that I’ve been waiting on showed up during a cold and wet hunt this past Wednesday. After passing on several deer, I began to wonder why the massive-racked 9-pointer had suddenly disappeared. For a little while, I thought that maybe another hunter had already tagged my buck, because the outside hunting pressure had really picked up. On my Tuesday commute I saw rut activity all along the highway. Several deer had been hit, and I spotted two bucks chasing does. I decided to take a personal day to hunt the 9-pointer once more. The weather forecast called for a cold front and showers, and the overcast conditions would have the big boys on the prowl. Upon entering my setup before daylight, I heard a buck grunting and chasing just below my stand for about twenty minutes. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough light to pick up either in my scope. Nonetheless, I had a great feeling about being in the woods. At daybreak, I caught movement to the left of my stand, making my heart skip. It was a slick-headed doe acting very funny! Every few steps she stopped to urinate, looking over her shoulder. Without hesitation, I positioned my shooting sticks toward the doe and waited. A deep-throated grunt caught my attention. I spotted a tall-racked giant easing out of the fog. The buck was 190 yards away, but I knew that he was my shooter. A few more steps placed him in a narrow clearing, creating a brief window of opportunity. I set the crosshairs directly behind the buck’s shoulder and gently squeezed the trigger. The heavy-racked brawler instantly stood on his hind legs and crashed to the ground. Lucky for me, he slid on his back all the way down the mountainside. Needless to say, the buck was easier to haul out with my 4-wheeler. Hunts like these are exactly why I try to live in the woods when the whitetail rut is in full swing. On that note, I would love to hear any of your rut-hunting reports. What are the deer doing in your home states and favorite hunting areas? Good Luck and good hunting! |
Most Viewed Most Commented Top Rated
ADVERTISEMENT |
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
|
Outdoorlife.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2013 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Comments (13)
Catpool9,
I hear you brother! After the past two months, I feel like a walking dead man! I guess that I'll have plenty of time to rest when I am 6-feet under, but righT now I am going to hunt!!!! You can't drop a monster from your couch can you? Keep me posted on what you're seeing during the post-rut. Good luck!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Catpool9,
I hear you brother! After the past two months, I feel like a walking dead man! I guess that I'll have plenty of time to rest when I am 6-feet under, but righT now I am going to hunt!!!! You can't drop a monster from your couch can you? Keep me posted on what you're seeing during the post-rut. Good luck!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
6phunter,
The late-season is one of my favorite times of the year to target those super smart survivors! Less hunting pressure, limited food sources, and cold nighttime temps make nocturnal bucks vulnerable during the day. It's a special time to be in the woods! Good luck during the post-rut! Be sure to keep us up-to-date on your progress!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
A very nice buck Travis!, your right, deer hunting will wear you to a frazile, I'm beat after two months of the woods, came home today, but will still put in a few more days for the next couple weeks after a few days rest up.
I had my chance at Ole Big Boy but he won this time so far.
The deer in the area of Arkansas where I've been hunting have been chasing hard for the last 10 days, seems to always be a doe ready for a suitor.
One thing is for sure, you won't take a good buck unless your out there hunting!
David H.
nice buck TRAVIS,looks a lot like the 9 i've been seeing,our party of 4 have scored on 3 bucks so far,a young 8pt a nice nine and a heavy 11pt. a few more days left with a rifle then back to otter creek with a bow, waiting on late season black powder.Some real giants taken on ft. knox,soon i'll have the woods to myself.
Awesome buck Travis. The rut has been hard on me for sure. This magical time has been in favor of the bucks because their the only ones getting any action. Hopefully my luck will change. Congrats and goodluck the rest of the season.
Awesome buck Travis. The rut has been hard on me for sure. This magical time has been in favor of the bucks because their the only ones getting any action. Hopefully my luck will change. Congrats and goodluck the rest of the season.
Great deer Travis. It just so happens that I am at Ft Campbell. I have been trying for a big buck, but I have had limited success this season (first season bow hunting). There have been big bucks killed all around me, but mine has been elusive
I guess it also does not help that I work about 70-hours a week, but it goes with the territory. Thanks for the pointers, and I celebrate your deer with you.
Glad to see you say that Travis. I hope I never loose that rush when a deer steps out no matter how old I get.
Thanks! It's funny how the personal excitement and adrenaline rush from seeing a monster buck has only grown stronger with each passing season. Watching this deer step out of the fog and follow the doe instantly brought me back to my very first deer hunt. Seeing a buck like this makes you forget all about the lack of sleep, hard work, and cold mornings! You've got to love the rut!
Hopefully, I'll have another big buck story at the end of Thanksgiving Break! The bucks are still chasing and going strong in Kentucky, Tennessee, and southern Illinois from what I am hearing. Thankfully, I still have tags in both TN and IL. Now's the time to camp out in your stands!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Awesome Buck...Congratulations Travis!!!
Old deer - Big body - Big antlers....not much more you can ask for. Congrats on a fantastic deer.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Glad to see you say that Travis. I hope I never loose that rush when a deer steps out no matter how old I get.
Old deer - Big body - Big antlers....not much more you can ask for. Congrats on a fantastic deer.
Awesome Buck...Congratulations Travis!!!
Thanks! It's funny how the personal excitement and adrenaline rush from seeing a monster buck has only grown stronger with each passing season. Watching this deer step out of the fog and follow the doe instantly brought me back to my very first deer hunt. Seeing a buck like this makes you forget all about the lack of sleep, hard work, and cold mornings! You've got to love the rut!
Hopefully, I'll have another big buck story at the end of Thanksgiving Break! The bucks are still chasing and going strong in Kentucky, Tennessee, and southern Illinois from what I am hearing. Thankfully, I still have tags in both TN and IL. Now's the time to camp out in your stands!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Great deer Travis. It just so happens that I am at Ft Campbell. I have been trying for a big buck, but I have had limited success this season (first season bow hunting). There have been big bucks killed all around me, but mine has been elusive
I guess it also does not help that I work about 70-hours a week, but it goes with the territory. Thanks for the pointers, and I celebrate your deer with you.
nice buck TRAVIS,looks a lot like the 9 i've been seeing,our party of 4 have scored on 3 bucks so far,a young 8pt a nice nine and a heavy 11pt. a few more days left with a rifle then back to otter creek with a bow, waiting on late season black powder.Some real giants taken on ft. knox,soon i'll have the woods to myself.
A very nice buck Travis!, your right, deer hunting will wear you to a frazile, I'm beat after two months of the woods, came home today, but will still put in a few more days for the next couple weeks after a few days rest up.
I had my chance at Ole Big Boy but he won this time so far.
The deer in the area of Arkansas where I've been hunting have been chasing hard for the last 10 days, seems to always be a doe ready for a suitor.
One thing is for sure, you won't take a good buck unless your out there hunting!
David H.
6phunter,
The late-season is one of my favorite times of the year to target those super smart survivors! Less hunting pressure, limited food sources, and cold nighttime temps make nocturnal bucks vulnerable during the day. It's a special time to be in the woods! Good luck during the post-rut! Be sure to keep us up-to-date on your progress!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Catpool9,
I hear you brother! After the past two months, I feel like a walking dead man! I guess that I'll have plenty of time to rest when I am 6-feet under, but righT now I am going to hunt!!!! You can't drop a monster from your couch can you? Keep me posted on what you're seeing during the post-rut. Good luck!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Catpool9,
I hear you brother! After the past two months, I feel like a walking dead man! I guess that I'll have plenty of time to rest when I am 6-feet under, but righT now I am going to hunt!!!! You can't drop a monster from your couch can you? Keep me posted on what you're seeing during the post-rut. Good luck!
Travis Faulkner
Outdoor Life
ttfaulkner@msn.com
Awesome buck Travis. The rut has been hard on me for sure. This magical time has been in favor of the bucks because their the only ones getting any action. Hopefully my luck will change. Congrats and goodluck the rest of the season.
Awesome buck Travis. The rut has been hard on me for sure. This magical time has been in favor of the bucks because their the only ones getting any action. Hopefully my luck will change. Congrats and goodluck the rest of the season.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)