2017 Matt & Jack semi-live from Ohio
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Jack Harris
30-Oct-17
Well here we go again. Day before Halloween, I am all checked in hotel, and heading over to the property shortly to hunt. Matt will be in late tonight. 2015 - Matt took a dandy 154" buck on Halloween afternoon. I stayed the rest of the week by myself that year, but temps got into the mid-80s and the action was as expected. Hung a good set end of that week and had great action my last two days out of it. Fast forward to Halloween morning 2016, Matt took a giant 161" buck out of my stand, while I was a bit further South hunting with Kelly Harris. Another bad week weather wise, it hit 88 degrees and no cool in sight so I left early after passing a decent 8pt my first morning before the heat wave set in. I also hunted with Matt in 2014 and took a nice thick 10pt.
So here we are in Tuscarawas county, set for a great week weather wise. It's 44 degrees out! I hit spots on 80W in the upper Poconos that got down to 33 degrees and snowing like hell, at the tail end of a massive storm that hit the NE real hard.
I will post periodic updates from stand - but need to be ALERT because Matt has sent me pics of about a dozen shooter bucks, and he has already seen bucks moving all hours of the day.
One final note before I head out. I drove by the NFL Pro Football Hall of fame in Canton, as I always do. Those effing HYPOCRITES. There were hundreds of American flags planted all over their front yard, as if to send a message to the public " we stand for the flag, we stand for the anthem".... HELL NO YOU DON'T, which is why you lost this fan for a very long time if not forever. Those dirty rat bastards - how dare they insult our intelligence like that...
From: njbuck
30-Oct-17
Good luck Jack, kill a giant! We will be eagerly following along.
From: Scrappy
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
Looking forward to seeing and hunting with you Jack! I cannot wait to get the hell outa work today! I'll post some pics of some of the regulars...
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
This deer is a tank. I don't know if he's 120" or 140"??
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
Lots of nice 8s, 9s and 10s running around
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
2015 Halloween buck
From: mattandersen
30-Oct-17
2016 Halloween buck! A lot of pressure on me this Halloween! I'm telling myself to pass on anything under 145". I've passed on 2 nice 130 class buck so far this year. I can't expect 150s and 160" deer every year!
From: Jack Harris
30-Oct-17
Jumped a big rack on way in. Real nice. 45 overcast and moderate wind at my back from all 3 angles I am facing NW. No shortage of big fresh scrapes saw one big rub 75 yards from my stand. (That yielded Matt’s 2016 slammer). 125 gr super sharp VPA ready for duty out of the trusty Z7. I am considered a dinosaur for hunting with a seven year old bow.
From: Jack Harris
30-Oct-17
Two fawns feeding by me. No momma. Hmmmm what does “fawn separation” usually signify this time of year?
From: Florida Mike
30-Oct-17
That momma is getting pole stabbed?
From: Jack Harris
30-Oct-17
Just got surprised by a nice buck that looked like a shooter. But I surprised him too we caught each other’s movement at same time. Came in right in behind me at 20 yards and he walked away nervously. Some grunts and a few doe bleats with can brought him back in a wide circle. Got to see a solid 125” 9 pt that had good bases all chunked up with fresh bark. Body not yet filled in I gave him a pass at 25 yards he is in this pic.
From: BigOk
30-Oct-17
Good luck to the both of you!!!
From: kellyharris
30-Oct-17
You’ve already seen more deer than you did the whole time with me last year!
Lol it’s only 40 degrees cooler
From: Habitat for Wildlife
30-Oct-17
Good luck men!
From: Ace
30-Oct-17
Good luck guys, I hope some big ones show up.
From: Bowbender
30-Oct-17
Always like this thread! Good luck guys.
From: Jack Harris
30-Oct-17
Kelly the buck looked like the one I passed by u last year first morning! Lol. Saw and got winded by two doe & fawn pairs came from two diff directions last 30 minutes. Then Thre was a snort much further away and that spooked a smaller racked 8pt that was heading my way. Wind was brutal - it was gusting and swirling 360 degrees. And light rain off and on entire hunt kept my stank close to the ground. Hoping for a great Halloween hunt with Matt tomorrow it is supposed to dip low 30s and high in upper 40s and partly sunny. Early to bed after a beer and burger at a place called “Hog Heaven”. Till tomorrow - good night!
From: Shug
30-Oct-17
Good luck ... be safe and knock down a dandy..
From: WV Mountaineer
30-Oct-17
Get'em fellas.
From: T Mac
30-Oct-17
Look forward to following along! Good luck tomorrow Jack and Matt!
From: Marty
30-Oct-17
Good luck!
From: Fulldraw1972
30-Oct-17
Good luck guys!
From: wv_bowhunter
30-Oct-17
Good luck fellas. I always enjoy this thread. Been to Hog Heaven a few times. They have good wings too!!
From: standswittaknife
30-Oct-17
I’ll be in Ohio in two weeks. Keep it up!
From: EmbryOklahoma
30-Oct-17
Good luck fellas! Kill a monster three legged buck, Jack!
From: kellyharris
31-Oct-17
Good luck this morning!
The weather looks to be perfect today high of 46 current temps are 36
Bust a big one!
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Matt and I are locked and loaded. I am on south side of property gonna give this stand one more hunt. Matt on steeper more rugged side. We are 1/2 mile apart as crow flies but several deep ravines separate us. 33 degrees still breezy. Hope scent is rising because I am soaked to bone with sweat after 20 minutes walk up very long hill to this bench. I have a feeling Matt is gonna connect.
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Already had small 8 pt sneak by before daylight
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Matt has a rack buck grunting by him and a mature doe. It’s chased the doe off. 120”s class buck not what he is looking for
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
I FREAKING BLEW IT ON A SLAMMER! had I been ready would have had easy 18 yard shot at a massive wide dark horn10 pt. Like the buck yesterday he snuck in behind me and by time I got bow to draw he was quartering away 25 yards but in heavy brush. When he got out of range I gave a grunt and it stopped him for a few minutes he continued on and two more grunts and he spooked. Game over. Matt had just rattled in a nice 9 and told me to check out his video. That’s what I was doing. That buck was reason I drove 7 hours. Son of a bitch!
From: LINK
31-Oct-17
I’ll tell you like my daughter tells me, “I think you should get of the phone and pay attention”.
From: njbuck
31-Oct-17
Don't get yourself down Jack, he is in the area and time is on your side!
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
6 bucks so far today. Passed up a thick 4x3. Saw a decent 8 running ridge behind me. Two dinks close by one chasing does. The small 8 in dark and the monster 10 pt. 6 antlerless total. 11 am gonna get down soon.
From: APauls
31-Oct-17
Ouch!
From: stick n string
31-Oct-17
All that activity and ur gettin down soon???!!! Im at work dying to be in the woods.... haha. Good luck, excited for the rest of this thread!!!
From: APauls
31-Oct-17
Good luck guys - I enjoy following along on this one
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Both got in by 1:45 pm. I jut got bow up and spike cased a doe behind me. Matt already has a few young bucks and doe buck him. Signing off now to pay attention
From: HerdManager
31-Oct-17
These are the days you stay in the tree!!!!!!
From: GhostBird
31-Oct-17
Best of luck guys.
From: Ridge runner
31-Oct-17
How’s that knee coming along Matt?
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Matt geared up and heading out to keep his amazing Halloween streak going. Will it be 3 slammer bucks 3 halloween’s In a row?
From: EmbryOklahoma
31-Oct-17
Stop JACKing around and put the phone away. ;)
Good luck fellas!
From: Medicinemann
31-Oct-17
Where's the evening update?....delayed because someone is skinning?
From: stick slinger
31-Oct-17
Did you guys go to bed without updating all your fans?? You're killing us.
From: Jack Harris
31-Oct-17
Sorry... Pretty slow by me - had that spike chase a doe before 2 pm... Then grunted in a small 8 later on that eventually got down wind and snorted up the joint. Love hunting this property but just impossible to get a clean wind anywhere, it just swirls and swirls. Matt had 4 antlerless and 4 young bucks - overall a slow afternoon compared to morning. Tomorrow looks promising, snow/sleet in morning, then a few showers possible with cloudy conditions, nothing too heavy. Another cold day on tap, should have bucks on the move. Now that I had a chance to watch the video Matt took, he rattled in a very nice 9 point probably 130" or so and let it go. Not sure I would be passing that buck up but now that I saw something much bigger, perhaps I will? Buffalo Wild wings was the dinner, now off to bed.
From: Trophy8
01-Nov-17
Good luck guys! Jack....I'll take good care of the Z2/Z5 spots for you while you hunt with Matt. :)
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Just had a fawn come running in from 1 o’clock. Like chased. Started to feed. Then 50 yards at my 10 o’clock 2 monster does and two fawns in a grassy clearing between thick blow downs heading behind me Then heard grunt at my 2 o’clock and it’s a little 4 pt. He chased them all outofsite at my 7 o’clock. Then Just saw nice rack where big does went in heavy brush at my 8 o’clock. 100 yards. All of a sudden I hear tremendous thrashing like a big fight broke out and that rack buck goes running straight toward My 6 o’clock as did the 4pt. But - he was snorting like he winded me? My scent wasn’t blowing that way. Just checked again with milkweed. Pic of direction he ran. I have never seen a buck snort like that unless he reacts to smell of predator like human coyote or bear. Anyone see them react that way out of fear of another buck?
From: Nick Muche
01-Nov-17
Hunting in a target rich environment during the rut sure is fun, hope you both connect on great bucks, thanks for taking us along! Good luck today!
From: Florida Mike
01-Nov-17
Godspeed guys! Great thread. FM
From: T Mac
01-Nov-17
Wow love the action good luck guys!
From: mattandersen
01-Nov-17
Finally logged in. Having a great morning, seen 5 different bucks plus this poor guy
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
File this under bizarre. Matt has this poor buck by him among several other bucks that All seem completely freaked out by the headgear? He said it can’t see where it’s going.
From: mattandersen
01-Nov-17
Another
From: WV Mountaineer
01-Nov-17
Jack, I’ve twice experienced big bucks going at it. Both times lesser bucks snorted after the victor turned his attention to them. We associate snorts as being bad. But, I can’t count the number of times in the rut that I’ve had does snort at me and mere minutes later had bucks come looking for them. I wouldn’t use it as a call but, it sure can bring the deer in sometimes.
I killed a doe a couple weeks ago that came looking for a deer. Reason being, two minutes before I saw her, another deer had busted me in the tree and started snorting g.
Good luck fellas.
From: Shug
01-Nov-17
Take him...
From: kellyharris
01-Nov-17
In the rut of a doe snorts at you work your magic on the grunt tube.
Bucks will come charging in
From: kellyharris
01-Nov-17
What is on that deers head? Is it a growth or some sort of material
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
We think it’s netting. Could be some part of Halloween decoration?
From: kellyharris
01-Nov-17
That’s jacked up!!!
Pun intended
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Started raining good and it seemed deer were bedded. Got down and did some scouting. Found ground all torn up where the big buck massacre took place. Whenever I hunt hat stand I always see all the rut activity there in the thick brush area. Found a great tree for climber and bright eyed it back to the trail. Then went to check a cam I placed just off the main dirt trail that divides the property. It’s a natural crossing based on terrain and trails confirmed it. I walked in the 10 yards to my cam bow and hand and up jumps the big bully buck (biggest body of all on cams). Thick horns massive brow tines. He never looked at me. Stopped 20 yards broadside. Of course I have no arrow nocked.!!! By time I made the move to nock- he moved on. Well at least he confirmed that the deer were bedded. That trail leads into area the buck showdown occurred - maybe 300 yards in. I suppose he could have been the assailant.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Barbed wire and?
From: GotBowAz
01-Nov-17
Wow, poor deer, can you imagine his relief when his antlers drop...if he lives that long. Keep at it Jack, great semi-live post! Hope you get a big one.
From: Shug
01-Nov-17
Put that fella out of his misery... forget the bully buck
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
I took climber to spot I saw the action this morning. Thickest part of property - rut central. Get all the way up and can’t find my good long arm bow hook. It must have fell out of my side pouch of pack.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
So when 17 feet up - you improvise had to trim that branch anyway it was in my face.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Actually it’s pouring again - so bow is on lap anyway under tree stand umbrella. It poured from 10:30 to 2:30 we headed out as soon as it let up. Raining harder than ever now
From: bdfrd24v
01-Nov-17
I'm in a tree in SE Ohio as I type. Rough day with all the rain. I've had almost no rutting activity this week. Shocking as it was much stronger in PA.
Good luck out there tonight.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Matt wanted to hunt my stand. I don’t think he was in 20 minutes and a really big 10 partook same path as big one I saw yesterday morning. He drew back and for whatever reason decided to let him go. He said it was 140” plus. I guess that is what shooting a 161” a year and a day prior out of same stand will do for u! Said it was heading my way. We are half a mile apart so it’s not guaranteed I see him. It’s so thick where I set up any shooter will already be in range if I see one.
From: Bowtech Archer 0880
01-Nov-17
13yr old first bow kill and buck.
13yr old first bow kill and buck.
Hunted Carrol county Ohio last weekend called in several bucks. No shot ops. Buddy’s boy got this for his first buck and bow kill. Called in small buck this morning twice in Northeast Ohio Back out now. Good luck everyone
From: mattandersen
01-Nov-17
So I decided to hunt "Jacks" infamous stand this afternoon. Pouring rain, Jack convinced me to buy a treestand umbrella and I'm glad I did. I'm in the stand no more than 20 min when I look east where they've been coming from and see a nice 10 cruising fast. At first I thought it was a nice 135" 3 yr old I want to live but I quickly realized it wasn't. It was a stud easy 140" 10. I stopped him broadside at about 40 yards, was at full draw and let him go...I think I should have shot him although passing nice deer is getting easier and I truly am seeing more and bigger deer! Wow it doesn't get any better than this!
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Foodie I counted 4 black squirrels this morning and 5 fox squirrels. I assume the blacks are melanistic eastern grays.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
I really suck. Just spooked a doe behind me. Should have scanned better before I reached in my bag for a snickers.
From: Trophy8
01-Nov-17
Snickers....hopefully you didn't have any chilli? You know what happen last week...lol Hang in there guys.....good things are coming to those who wait!
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Matt just texted me BBD. It’s the one I jumped this morning. It’s a tank.
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
1st pic.
From: stick n string
01-Nov-17
That dude is a frickin killer of big bucks.... i guess now you can find out for sure if he is 120" or 140"??!! Congrats
From: BigOk
01-Nov-17
WOW!!
From: Fulldraw1972
01-Nov-17
Wow great loookg buck!
Congrats Matt!
From: kellyharris
01-Nov-17
Bammm
From: Bowtech Archer 0880
01-Nov-17
Congrats Matt. Nice buck!!!
From: Trophy8
01-Nov-17
Way to go Matt~
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
190lbs dressed on Matt’s hoist and scale. 10 pt. Heavy bases. Carries great thick mass to tips. This buck was never going to score super high based on his age but what a cool buck and a great one to take out early in the rut.
From: Medicinemann
01-Nov-17
Any other photos to share?
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Doing best I can Jake ! Will have better in daylight.
From: mattandersen
01-Nov-17
Thanks guys! I'll get some better pics tomorrow! I'll tell the story in a bit. Jack and I are headed out to celebrate!
From: B&C
01-Nov-17
I wonder if he grosses 140"
From: Jack Harris
01-Nov-17
Rainy day buck!
From: kellyharris
01-Nov-17
114?
Lol Congrats on the three for three for the last three years
From: mattandersen
02-Nov-17
So thanks Jack for the great steak dinner first off! Like I said, I think I mistakenly passed on the big 140ish 10 pt around 3:30. If I had shot him, he was in the exact same 30 yard hole I shot last years buck in! Jacks stand is the best stand I've ever sat in. No question. A little while later a lone doe checks bait. Doesn't like it and just walks away. Then I see a rack 100 yards to my east walking away from me so I grunt. He stops behind some brush can't get a good look. I slowly look back towards the bait trying to keep my head on a swivel. I see Tanks big body 10 yards behind bait with his head behind a tree. I knew it was him. A spike was with him. After seeing no does they started down the logging road away from me so again, I grunted. I knew this buck would respond. We think he's the bully this yr. Still not sure if I want to kill him yet, he angles in towards me closing the distance..too tempting! I knew he was smaller than I was holding out for inch wise but also that he was a mature, huge bodied, split G2, neck all swelled up, tank of a buck, mass every where. So I drew back, stopped him broadside at about 20 and let it fly! Shot was a heart shot, blew right through him, 8" into the earth. Broadhead looks fine, love those VPAs! Oddly he ran about 40 yards, stopped for a min or 2 then bedded down!? Scrambling for my binos cause I never use them, they're all fogged up and wet, everything is wet actually...I look up and see white, no movement, head down. BBD! Sad my Ohio buck tag is filled but a very grateful and happy hunter. Last 2 days have been some of the best rutting action I've seen. Going to try and shoot a doe with Jacks recurve tomorrow afternoon. Sleeping in! Good luck to you all! Very confident Jack will get another opportunity.
From: Nick Muche
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt!
From: brettpsu
02-Nov-17
Way to go Matt! Congrats
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
Here I sit in my stand the dark. Got 3 more days to get it done. Today has conflicting conditions. The rain finally just stopped moments ago and is done for the day. Woods is wet and damp - great for cruising bucks sneaking quietly. However - it’s warmed ten degrees overnight. We hung Matt’s buck in 46 pouring rain. It’s now 56 and rising to 68. Still - better than the 85 degrees a year ago this time but I fear the warming trend might slow things down a bit. Big tree came down across only access trail/logging road. into this section . If I shoot a big buck gonna need a chainsaw ASAP.
From: T Mac
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt on a great buck! Your turn now Jack good luck and pay attention lol!
From: GhostBird
02-Nov-17
Congratulations Matt... your turn Jack.
From: Brotsky
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt! Beautiful old buck! Now it's Jack's turn!
From: Hawkeye
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt! All you need is the right 5 minutes Jack. It will happen!
From: Florida Mike
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt! I'd shoot that tank anyday! Something about them swelled up necks an big bodies that makes my trigger finger itch... FM
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
Been a good action morning. It’s 10:31 and have been seeing deer since about 8am starting with the junk head. He can clearly see out of both eyes. It does look like insulation and barbed wire or some type of wire. It bounces out in front of him as he walks. He wanted to fight two dinks but they wanted nothing to do with him then he spotted a doe and took off after her. He looks like a 2.5 year old 8 point that stuck his head in a bad place and got in trouble. Like a dumb teenager. He may end up being the new bully buck because as even Matt noted - none of the other bucks want anything to do with THAT. Hopefully he rubs it off on a tree at some point had another doe. Then doe and two fawns she got chased off by 4pt. Just had nice 125” 9 pt I passed up Monday night cruise by at 50 yards. Gonna sit till 11 or so. It’s quiet now. Will get back in another location by 1 hopefully
From: WV Mountaineer
02-Nov-17
Congrats Matt. Get ‘em Jack
From: kellyharris
02-Nov-17
Jack I don’t remember how far you and Matt are hunting from my lease but in my Vinos I have a chainsaw and my dad is there all week
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
The VPA 125 is ready and waiting to launch. After playing around with feathers and 4” helical vanes the past few years on my bitz - came back ful circle to blazers. They just seem to shoot better faster flatter straighter.
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
Thanks kelly I think we are 90 minutes north. We have a good ax only need to make one cut and drag with quad. Matt can get a chainsaw from a neighbor here as well. Tree is about 12” diameter
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
Tree problem solved felt good to swing the axe. It’s 64 out and I saw frogs on way in and see spiders in tree and Yellow Jackets landing on my sandwich from stand. Hopefully it did not put the mature bucks down for a long nap because I am ready to put one to sleep permanently. I am high up on North side of property. Never hunted this spot but Matt had good action here. Wanted to give my stand a break will be on it in morning unless I tag out tonight. One of the cool things about this side of property is the challenging masssive hill ride on quad to get up the first half of the trail that would be near impossible to walk unless u like being soaked to bone in sweat. First part is 60 degree angle and some tight turns through trees then it’s 1/4 mile of 45 degrees before u near the top. Then it’s a mere 400 yard walk
From: APauls
02-Nov-17
Very cool! This thread has not dissapointed! Good luck Jack and congrats Matt!
From: HerdManager
02-Nov-17
Jack, in case you haven't learned this from the last 2 years, don't move around, just stay in YOUR stand!! Stay there for 4-5 days and you will have an opportunity at a giant. Just ask Matt...../:^)
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
Matt doesn’t sit all Day for four or five days on end. He usually jut hunts Halloween or day after - and surrenders his buck tag. So far I had a lone fawn. Then later a big lone doe bedded by me 20 yards for half hour until a spike harassed her and then another spike came in. She actually kicked both their asses. Thought I had some Good trophy buck live bait but the youngsters ruined it she moved on. Now these two knuckleheads are locking what little horns they have. More like a single click than a rattle. That’s about all the noise u get with a spike fight.
From: mattandersen
02-Nov-17
Did some grocery shopping. A buddy from work shot a moose a few weeks ago and gave me some steaks. Going to cook them on the fire tonight. Hope dinners interrupted cause someone needs help with a buck!
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
No mature bucks tonight. Back to my #1!stand on earth tomorrow and I am thinking all day sit tomorrow and Saturday out of it. Saturday is wet and the 4th is supposed to be the “fully synchronized rut”
From: kscowboy
02-Nov-17
I wonder if that's twine from a hay bale? We had a guy that used to farm/ranch for us and was a freaking slob. He'd dump trash, old vehicles, etc. on our property. He had an area where he used to store bales (leave them until they just rotted) and it was full of wire and twine. I spotted an antler among the bales and sure enough, this buck got his antlers tangled in the twine and died. It was a sad way for the buck to go.
I do worry about that deer in the pics sparring with another buck and them getting locked-up and dying. You may want to add him to the hit list a little later in the hunt, as this would be my immediate fear.
From: Trophy8
02-Nov-17
Have faith in you to pull it off.
From: Jack Harris
02-Nov-17
So I hunted Matt’s good stand tonight and pulled his camera card. Seems like while he was shooting a Good buck in my stand - I should have been in his. Note the dark bases - pretty sure this buck is the one I should have shot Tuesday morning but was not paying attention.
From: Nick Muche
03-Nov-17
Looks like a dandy! Good luck on him Jack!
How far of an ATV ride in are you having to do to get to these stands and don't you feel that the noise created by the machine will spook deer that otherwise wouldn't be spooked by just hiking in slowly so you don't sweat much?
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Nick no doubt quads can spook deer. Anything that doesn’t belong in their environment can spook them. Many feel they are less spooked by a quad or vehicle than by a walking human. I prefer to walk as much and far as possible but I do factor in the sweat factor as to what is acceptable. For that stand I hunted last night the quad ride is through area deer would not geographically want to be and then the walk is at least 400-500 yards so that is plenty of buffer. I will still say that nothing spooks a deer more than site or smell of a human. Plus around here they really only need to fear Matt- they know that I am no threat and am most likely using my iPhone :). Lol
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Slow morning but did have two spikes cruise under my stand 30 minutes apart. In my stand the one Matt kills big bucks out of. Want to sit all day. Rain just stopped and it’s cooling down from 63 to 57 as day goes on. NW winds. One problem though. I forgot water. Can I go ten more hours without it? I have 17 ounces of coffee. A sandwich. Granola bars. Peanut butter snickers. Do I drink the coffee or will it ultimately dehydrate me more? I could refill coffee with my o wn urine. Isn’t that what survivorman would do?
From: Nick Muche
03-Nov-17
Drink the coffee slow as you need, you can survive without water for the next 10 hours.
From: Brotsky
03-Nov-17
How about you just shoot a buck this morning Jack and then go get some water while you wait for him to expire:)
From: stick n string
03-Nov-17
You didnt set up a rain catching apparatus in your stand? Rookies.....
Shoot a biggun!!!!!!!
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Just grunted in a 3pt. Then saw a decent 7pt cruise by out of range which is fine I passed him up Tuesday.
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Just saw a spike mount a doe. He was sort of sideways not sure he got it in. Where is the big boy allowing all this to happen? Saw three does running like mad. Don’t see the chaser
From: HerdManager
03-Nov-17
You have plenty of food/liquid for the day. Stay in that tree!!!!
From: WV Mountaineer
03-Nov-17
The breeding has started. That’s where the big boys are. With their hot doe. Stay in there. Actions going to slow in comparison to what it has been. But, all it takes is for one of them to wander by looking for their next doe or, following g their doe. Good luck.
From: mattandersen
03-Nov-17
Ridge runner thanks for asking about my knee. Sorry I forgot to reply with all my action! It was a success as old bone on bone pain is gone but I have other pain I believe to be nerve related. Hope it goes away but it may not. Still building back muscle I lost. I use a quad, maybe more so than others due to my knee and some of the stands as Jack said are a hike. I don't hide that I bait, run cams and hunt the way I do. Often deer are on it minutes after I bait. So I really don't think these particular deer are spooked much at all by the use of quads.
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Saw a buck no bigger than a fawn with two small forks. Odd. Maybe would dress 60 lbs?
From: kellyharris
03-Nov-17
Matt not spooked much at our place either.
We have extensive atv trail system at lease and we have always just rode past any deer seen in off season. No slowing down just keep riding.
It took about 2-3 years but it’s funny how they just watch you cruise by.
Even in hunting season I’ve hunted close to the main road and my dad will cruise by deer less that 20 yards from him watch him go by and go back to what they were doing.
From: HerdManager
03-Nov-17
Jack, years ago in NJ I killed a spike that dressed about 50 pounds. I am convinced it was a fawn that grew antlers it's first year.
From: Trophy8
03-Nov-17
Solid buck Matt. ..so now you've started a new streak...Nov 1. Jack...you having more action on mature bucks then back home...lots of young bucks just wondering, big boys not so much. Got get em!
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Just had a broad-winged hawk land 20 yards. I have never seen one but I knew it wasn’t red tail so I googled this image to confirm.
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
2.5 hours to go and just drank last drop of coffee. I think I can make it. For all of the all day sits I have done over the years I can’t think of one where I could say “ well that was worth it”. Like a damn fool I will do it again tomorrow though. This rut is starting to feel like lockdown.
From: jax2009r
03-Nov-17
Do you go through aservice to find a lease? Or trial and error
From: mattandersen
03-Nov-17
When you're tagged out but still hanging in camp, you take a ride and look for slammers...if I can figure out how to post it, I got a great short video.
From: mattandersen
03-Nov-17
Another..when I saw him stand up and trot off, holy smokes was he huge! Had to be 170.
From: mattandersen
03-Nov-17
Jack just texted, he's down. He saw mature does all afternoon but no bucks..He's checking a few cams and we'll grab dinner and discuss tomorrow.
From: Trophy8
03-Nov-17
Big bucks for sure Matt....don't need a video...lol Jack will pull it off tomorrow....he just enjoys the drama. lol Good luck Jack!
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
Hard to kill a big buck when they are already locked down with does.
From: Andrew W. Manukas
03-Nov-17
Keep at it Jack. We are all rooting for you.
From: SteveB
03-Nov-17
No way they are all in lockdown in Ohio on Nov 4. Hang tough!
From: HerdManager
03-Nov-17
Hang in there. All day sits are definitely the way to go. I’ve had many times when it was worth it, because I had to get down to retrieve a deer and end my all day sit.
From: Jack Harris
03-Nov-17
I am planning on an all day sit, but when the hunt starts the week with 3 days of cruising mature bucks hitting scrapes, rubbing and checking does, to 2 days in a row of nothing but spikes, forkies and a few 2.5 year olds plus a bunch of does with nothing mature in tow..... It makes one wonder... Tomorrow was that "one day to be in the woods" predicted by those rut experts... "The fully synchronized rut"... Full moon, coinciding with breeding cycle... Back home in Jersey, I have seen it be absolutely insane when it happens. I hope for the same in Ohio tomorrow. I already packed my water and sandwich for an all day, lets hope it ends by 9am!
From: kellyharris
03-Nov-17
Ohio? November 11 is always the benchmark
From: mattandersen
03-Nov-17
It seems like they are on lock down although early..I've now seen 2 mature bucks bedded with does this week and from local hunters and Jacks latest reports, it seems like it..Jack may leave midday if the mornings slow and I don't think he should. As we've checked more cams through the week, we've seen shooters at all the stands during shooting hours. He's just not been in one at the right time haha so the more he hunts the better his chance. One will come by Jack. Guys make sure he hunts another whole day!
From: Bou'bound
04-Nov-17
don't leave early jack..........you are not in NJ in October anymore.
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Wow what a start to last day! I will paste my wake up text to Matt. - “Had big rack go under stand as soon as I got in. Then a big 8 with white horn definite shooter started eating in moonlight Kept glassing him. Then another rack darker not bright but slightly smaller locked horns all in front of camera! I needed 3 more minutes I could barely see green pin. The big white rack was last to leave at 7:28 am! A few more minutes was all I needed! 15 yards broadside most of time. It’s like they know. Tried grunting him back and doe bleat but nothing. Hope he comes back. Msssive neck bigger than other one. Other one may have been shooter but horns too dark to tell white rack no doubt! Just my luck!”
From: WV Mountaineer
04-Nov-17
If what he has saw won't make him stay, I doubt anything we say will make him stay. He's burnt out and irritated I'm sure. But, the only way he is going to kill one by leaving early is if he hits it with his truck on the way home. Either way, Here's my honest attempt. Stay the course Jack. Get on the ground and move. Do whatever it takes to hunt. There is no better way to hunt when deer are moving then to be on the ground with them moving. You can make a lot happen when you are mobile. Good luck and God Bless
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
View of the morning woods. The sun seems to have scared off all the deer. Those big bucks were moonlighting. It’s November 4th and I have food and water. I got this - all day sit it is.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
04-Nov-17
Good luck Jack!
From: Bou'bound
04-Nov-17
Enjoy
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Just chillin’ with the fawns. First a pair then a single. All females. That’s all I have seen in3.5 hoursof daylight
From: standswittaknife
04-Nov-17
Looks like a good cold front I’s moving in this week. Keep at it
From: SteveB
04-Nov-17
Nov 4
Nov 4
Moving like crazy this morning in northeast Ohio. My son bagged this guy at 8:30 nose to ground alone fast walk. I’ve had 4 bucks past all but one chasing does.
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Had a mature doe come by then a young 8. I thought about moving to another stand but I am gonna ride this one out. It was a long ass quad ride and walk to get here and I am in middle of remote paradise.
From: WV Mountaineer
04-Nov-17
I can't believe all the foliage that is still hanging in those pics. If it was still that thick, I'd set too. Good luck and God Bless
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
WV - lots of Hornbeam Tulip Maple and oak in here. The hornbeam seem to provide great cover although not aware if they provide forage. Poor crop of acorns in here this year.
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Last 4 hours of my Ohio season coming up. There is nothing going on for past few hours.
From: sureshot
04-Nov-17
Good luck Jack
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
115” 2.5 yr old 8 pt
115” 2.5 yr old 8 pt
Things are looking better.
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Last hour! 5 5 days of hunting it all comes down to this. The woods are way too quiet for November 4th.
From: pa10point
04-Nov-17
no update. tracking or packing?
From: Jack Harris
04-Nov-17
Last day Last 20 minutes of light. Story and recovery is too long to tell big Ohio 11 pt. Thank you Matt. Now the work starts.
From: Medicinemann
04-Nov-17
persistence....it's a beautiful thing......congrats.
From: HerdManager
04-Nov-17
Congrats, man, you earned it!!!
From: Grunt-N-Gobble
04-Nov-17
Nice!
From: deerslayer
04-Nov-17
Awesome Jack. Good job man!!!! Way to get er' done!
From: Shug
04-Nov-17
Congratulations Jack
From: WV Mountaineer
04-Nov-17
Ha!!!!!!! Yes man!!!!!! Congrats on a great deer.
From: Bowbender
05-Nov-17
Awesome! Congrats, Jack. Looking forward to the story.
From: Ace
05-Nov-17
Nice! Way to hang in there Jack, Congrats, that's a nice buck. Looks like he's been doing some fighting.
From: Jack Harris
05-Nov-17
8 pt in the dark - almost shot him
8 pt in the dark - almost shot him
So it was my second all day sit in a row, in what are clearly two of the best stands on the property. Best action was in the dark, as I said was glassing a big white rack in the moonlight and thought he was a shooter, and lucky for him he wandered off with just a few more minutes until I felt comfortable taking a shot (after he sparred and locked horns with a lesser buck)... As it turned out, I am glad I didn't shoot that buck, at least on camera he looks a lot smaller than he did through my binos...
From: Trophy8
05-Nov-17
Congrats Jack! You really love the drama....lol
From: Jack Harris
05-Nov-17
Exit side.
Exit side.
Entrance side.
Entrance side.
So this trip just had to end like this. I was wide-awake 3:30 am thinking about going to that stand in the dark, so remote, such a long treacherous quad ride... The most remote and highest and most difficult terrain on the property. All I could think about was "just my luck, I will shoot a big buck last light, and it will run down over the drop-off into a big ravine with no way to get it out. Yes - those thoughts were really going through my head at 3am. So anyway, long day, had action in dark, some fawns, one mature doe all day, a few small 8s, but then around 6pm, all hell broke loose. I have a small 8 and spike by me and 3 fawns... Up from the gulch comes this 3.5 year old 8 point in sad shape, he was panting with tongue hanging out - like he just got his ass beat in. So I am watching him, and catch that the fawns are a bit distressed and I hear a big deep grunt to my 9 O'clock. I look left slowly and there is this buck (thinking it was the moonlight morning buck) and see the mass and body, and get the bow up and figure it's going to be a chip shot with him facing to my right. He does 180 when he realizes no does of interest, and started heading for the busted up 8pt that he beat down earlier that morning. Now he's walking slow, I am calm as can be, I knew moment I saw this buck I was going to kill it as his maturity levels was years ahead of all the other bucks I had been seeing.... 12-13 yards walking slow, broadside, I debated to grunt lightly to stop him but at that range and he was walking slow, I put the pin right behind left shoulder and let it fly... CRACK... What? Shot looked picture perfect, and looks like arrow didn't go all the way through, and it ran off as fast and far as I have ever seen any of my bow kills run. Replayed shot in my head 1,000 times (still am), and I made a potential mistake because I was so confident that I made a perfect shot, looked like double lung mid-body right behind shoulder, figured must have caught a big bone on exit. Matt was on the way but with 10 minutes of daylight left I wanted to try and find arrow figured it sheared off, and pick up blood trail. While it appeared buck ran at least 100 yards, I marked the last big Oak tree I saw and expected him to be in a heap just past there... NOPE.
I didn't find any blood until about 60 yards actually my nose put me on trail, his stanky musky stink was pretty strong. Then I found sporadic pin drops some getting bigger, then found a couple decent pools of blood and it seemed to be getting better and better. Still thinking " I got this" because I was so confident in the shot. I wanted to keep going but I gained new respect for Matt tonight, he suggested we back out go eat and come up with a plan. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, you need to listen to advice. So we went and got a burger, and he called a local buddy that is also an experienced deer tracker.. We took 2 quads way up into the hills/mountains, 3 men, flashlights, water and a knife. We picked up where we left off, fortunately I had a bunch of trail markers in my pack that I donated to the cause - I used to keep them for marking trails to stands, now I realize they can have far more value. I can't remember the last time I had to really track a deer this far and this puzzling.. we saw him run down very steep drop-offs, like 80 degree angles, he kept heading north, north north, but we kept finding blood and we found a spot where he clearly bedded ground all dug up and could see his knee marks in the dirt. Started finding bigger pools of blood and noted that clearly I did get pass through as clearly he was dripping from both sides. . We are now at least 400 yards from point of impact and never did find an arrow. We are now down in a deep bottom and he's following a creek north, another 50 yards or so... We lost trail until we realized he did the unthinkable, he climbed straight back up that steep hill we just came down only in this spot it was steeper and longer... We could see the ground all dug up - bigger pools of blood, yet he climbed and when we got to the top. found one little spot on a fern, and fresh poop. The blood trail vanished, We are now probably 500 yards from point of impact. we grid searched every possible direction - no blood. I was beyond dejected, everything I believed said that if a buck could climb a long steep hill that I could barely climb, over 400 yards into the trail, then he is superbuck and was not going to die, at least that night. I was talking to Matt's buddy about calling it off, and he tended to agree. Matt was on a mission, with no blood trail to follow he just went on his own following an old logging trail, for about another 75 yards and he says "come here, I found the buck" I still can't believe it. Not another drop of blood, but there he lay 3 hours later, rigor already setting in pretty good. 3 happy men, and the real congratulations goes to Matt. I fully admit I was ready to bail - he had some inner instinct that told him where that buck was... I am not sure he can explain it. I know I can't. I will forever be grateful - we had a GREAT WEEK overall, some great conditions, some great hunts, and for the first time doing this we BOTH TAGGED OUT - YAHOO!
The buck dressed out 200# on the nose - Matt was so excited when he saw it "that was the buck I wanted you to shoot" he said. I actually think it might be the buck that surprised me Tuesday morning, but who knows, the woods is so big and gnarly - they come from anywhere at anytime. I don't really subscribe to the "management buck" thing, but we both shot two bucks that I believe are 4.5 years or older, and did not show signs of growing 150+ inch racks. We are both going to have the bucks aged so we can learn something about the property and better judge in the future. Matt is like the older stepson I never had to me, I am in my 50s he is in his 30s, and there is a lot of "life" advice I can give him but after this week, (and the collection of P&Y bucks he has amassed rather quickly), I hereby officially anoint him #1 Buckmaster! Thanks again Matt - there are tough woods to hunt and learn but you did your homework. j
So lets CUT to the CHASE - anyone see anything wrong with this shot placement? I cannot for life of me figure out how this buck even made it 100 yards let alone over 500 and down one steep hill and up another. I generally try to get it about 3 inches lower, but that still should have been double lung. When I punctured his diaphragm it seemed a gallon of blood poured out, and entrance hole is just a few inches higher but about in same spot. Whey didn't this buck bleed out quicker, and why did he do most of it internally? It's too warm to hang - we skinned and quartered and caped until 2am... What a long grueling night but it was truly a team effort. Oh - Matt had another great find, he knew where we were somehow, found some powerlines and said " we can get quads here". I was incredulous, but he was right again! I was left alone to gut deer in the dark 11 PM, and Matt and Dino went to get the quads. 30 minutes later they are back. The drag would have been like knockin' on heaven's door I think .
Sorry for the long story, but this was no normal hunt, and no normal recover especially when you look at the shot placement.
From: Jack Harris
05-Nov-17
There was no opportunity to take really good pics, or do proper autopsy. Clearly it was high lung. Here are some more pics.
From: kellyharris
05-Nov-17
Great Job Jack!!!
From: Trophy8
05-Nov-17
Outstanding job guys! Agree entrance is a tad high, but........still a good shot. Possible your BH was not as sharp as usual?
From: BigOk
05-Nov-17
Congrats
From: Bou'bound
05-Nov-17
that is such an excellent story and outcome. well told too!
From: WV Mountaineer
05-Nov-17
Man, you guys had an awesome hunt. As far as shot placement, it was perfect. Thee is zero way for that not to have been a double lung hit. It always cracks me up when guys say that a deer was hit wrong if he didn't die within that magical 100 yard distance. 99.9% do. But, this is testament that not all do.
Congrats fellas. Great stuff.
From: carcus
05-Nov-17
Cool story, I've had a few go further than they should have but that's when I was using a small COC broadhead
From: pa10point
05-Nov-17
congrats.well earned.
From: standswittaknife
05-Nov-17
Great job and always love checking in.. thanks jack and Matt
From: craig@work
05-Nov-17
Agree with the high lung for sure. I shot a doe Ian that spot several years ago and as I was on the edge of a field I watched her run. And run. And run. Until she disappeared into a ditch line 300 yards away. Scant blood trail until about 75 yards from the ditch and of course she was dead in the middle of it. 1-2 inches lower and a lot shorter tracking job.
From: Habitat for Wildlife
05-Nov-17
Excellent! Congrats.
From: HerdManager
05-Nov-17
Definitely looks like double lung to me. Did you examine his lungs when you gutted him?
From: T Mac
05-Nov-17
Outstanding Jack and Matt! Bottom of the 9th 2 out down by 3 and you hit a walk off grand slam my friend! Well done on all accounts!
From: brooktrout59
05-Nov-17
Followed hunt from start to finish- by far one of the bests threads I have read. Great job both hunters!
From: EmbryOklahoma
05-Nov-17
Congratulations, Jack! Well done!
From: Jack Harris
05-Nov-17
One lung looked pretty good the other was a bit deflated when I poke the diaphragm a gallon of blood poured out so he was just filling up the entire time and running on adrenaline
From: Jack Harris
05-Nov-17
Yes Virginia there is a void !
From: mattandersen
05-Nov-17
Happy for you Jack! Jack is always a gracious guest and I know appreciates what I share with close friends. This property is truly magical. I told Jack that all week long. My confidence in this property is through the roof. He toughed it out and put a lot of time in the seat. "Jacks" stand is phenomenal but I was trying to get him over to the northside of the property all week as I knew it would produce. He did everything right and the shot was good, these animals are truly beasts..Jack wrote a great recount of the night but unless you were there to truly appreciate what we saw and went through, its tough to imagine. Congrats again bud! Thanks for all that followed along! Its pretty cool to both tag out this year too!
From: Trophy8
05-Nov-17
Matt/Jack....you guys reported a great live hunt! Matt...your are truly blessed with a great property. ..but you already know that. .lol
From: Rickm
05-Nov-17
Nice job gentleman. Love the last day success stories!!
From: YZF-88
05-Nov-17
Congratulations to both of you. I know the feeling of finding an animal after nearly giving up. It is hard for words to articulate that emotion. That's beside the point though. Your diligent and consistent reports put us all with you in those trees. Great contribution to this place.
From: Buffalo1
05-Nov-17
This was a great episode of deer hunting at its best.
Thanks for taking us along. I could feel the hunt in your writing.
Congrats to both of you for 2 great trophy bucks !!
From: Ambush
05-Nov-17
Way to tough it out! The hardest time to keep playing is when you figure you're already beat. Awesome bucks and great friends. Truly the best of hunting.
I can't imagine how the buck went that far or had the energy to climb. It's one thing to plod slowly along on level ground, but that had to be just pure guts and never say die. A testament to the will to survive.
From: Andrew W. Manukas
05-Nov-17
Congrats to both of you. This was an awesome hunt to follow. Jack when I moved from NJ to IL, all I can say is that these big bucks are tough. My largest bodied deer, #193 dressed went almost 3/4 mile with a 1 lung hit. I GPSd it so I know the distance. Luckily he was running towards my truck the whole time.
From: SteveB
05-Nov-17
Congratulations to you both! Well done and way to stick with it, and share it with us!
From: midwest
05-Nov-17
Great job on a last minute kill....congrats to all!
My 2 cents on the shot.....Entrance side was barely below the spine and just caught the top of the nearside lung. Exit side center punched the farside lung. Just a wag looking at the pics. Mature bucks are tough!
From: carcus
05-Nov-17
Killed this buck this evening, entry wound, its even higher than your shot, buck ran 40-50 yards, your shot was perfect!
From: Jack Harris
06-Nov-17
Carcus - this will never make sense to me. The entry hole was a few inches below spine (looking on inside of cavity). My BH was razor sharp. I do think I clipped some form of shoulder bone or scapula either on entrance or exit as he was walking and I really can't tell the orientation of either side shoulder. The more I think about it, here is my theory. The crack I sound was my arrow blowing through onside scapula (there are thin parts to it). This would dull the BH which despite what many say, dull BH's don't make the best blood trails. Despite what I originally saw which was the arrow seemingly "stopped", it did get full pass through but was "Stuck". The exit hole looks like a 2 blade rage sliced it, not a 3 blade VPA. I think perhaps, that the arrow got hung up on a tree or brush and tore that straight-line gash you see... Combine that with the fact that "high lung" shots don't bleed well as they fill up in the diaphragm rather than spill out, with a amped up full rut mature Ohio buck that is used to running those steep ridges and ravines like a mountain goat that is what you get. I have spoken to many other bowhunting experts I know, and some say that the larger the deer, the more chance for a void between spine and top of lung. The lung is a free floating organ, and on a full rutting buck that is breathing deep and completely jacked up as he was - I may have caught him on a deep exhale, and completely missed top of entry side lung, but clearly center-punched or damn near it, the exit side lung. I really have no other explanation. I do think in the history of Pat Lafamine's "Blood Trail Challenges", this one is for the ages. Twists and turns, and the only thing that kept us going and what kept Matt going when I was ready to "call it" was that Matt trusted me when I said "shot looked picture perfect - I expected him to be piled up before the steep ravine".
From: mattandersen
06-Nov-17
Here is a good pic of Jacks buck.
From: mattandersen
06-Nov-17
And this is the one I shot literally minutes before I shot him
From: njbuck
06-Nov-17
Congrats guys on two great bucks!
From: Beav
06-Nov-17
Congrats on a great hunt!! Couple of great bucks!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
06-Nov-17
Nice job guys, terrific hunt to follow along with. Thank you for sharing!
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
Got some btr pics of my buck back. Thanks again to my buddy Zach and his wife Jen for taking some great pics!
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
From: mattandersen
15-Nov-17
Sorry if you're all sick of this thread...lol
From: deerhunter72
15-Nov-17
Jack, my buddy shot a nice 8pt last week on our trip and the blood trail was somewhat of a challenge as well. His shot placement was very similar to yours, high but a couple inches further back. The deer only went 150 yards max, but there a couple of 30-40 yard gaps where there was no blood at all and the deer was walking slow. The blood trail was very thin. I found him piled up under a scrub bush and we still can't believe the lack of blood on a double lung shot. You just never know with these amazing animals.
From: Paul@thefort
15-Nov-17
You guys know how to entertain and this hunt is a prime example of that. Congrats to both. my best, Paul
From: mattandersen
16-Nov-17
Thanks Paul
From: Jack Harris
18-Nov-17
So I know this hunt is over, and y'all getting tired of seeing this pop up, but you just can't make some things up. If you read this and understand the cat and mouse with stand selection (especially when Matt tagged out and I have full run of the 200+ acres and 6 lockons plus my LW climber). So I sat in my stand (which I think we both agree, is probably the single best "one spot to sit" on the entire property, although I proved Matt was right about the awesome stand he hung) all day long from dark to dark on 11/3, the day before I shot my 10 out of Matt's stand. It was a disappointing sit, and pushed me toward the stand that certainly paid off albeit the "hard way"...
So Matt finally gets back out there this weekend to check cams and put a friend onto a buck... He sends me this pic, of what would be my Buck Of A Lifetime, in front of my stand, 4PM, the last day of my hunt. Bittersweet, but its what will keep me going back, and that's what keeps us all going, because in spite of what hunting has evolved into with trail cams and such - you just never know what could happen if you are in an area that produces giants, in the Month of November.
From: Jack Harris
18-Nov-17
Matt also sent me pic of the big 10 I shot, moments before I shot him. 5 minutes perhaps? He was up the hill over 400 yards from me, trying to find the right doe near the only feeder on the property... (a feeder that wasn't even working until we fixed it two days prior). I can see the big scar where he either got poked good or bit in a fight, or someone perhaps skimmed him with a BH? I remember that patch of skin when caping him out...
From: Jack Harris
18-Nov-17
From: Jack Harris
30-Jan-18
Noon's Taxidermy gives me 2.5 month turnaround... Amazing... Went with a Mears form - it's different from all the rest... I do like the way it turned out. I completely forgot this buck had a bot fly "hole in the horn"...
