Opening weekend, I finally got a buck that is a trophy to me. I had several encounters with this buck during bow season. The first encounter, he was just out of range and all I could do was watch him join a few does, also out of range. The second encounter was better but not really. He came in and stopped broadside quartering away at 18 yards. Doesn't get much better for a shot. I came to full draw, put the pin on his shoulder and let the arrow with the Rage broadhead fly. It was starting to get dark and what I failed to see was a small branch on a tree between us. It deflected the arrow and it stuck 7ft up in a different tree!! He ran about 40 yards, stopped and turned to see what heck that sound was. I was sick!! I didn't move a muscle so I that I didn't give away my position. Fast forward 2 weeks to opening weekend. Saturday morning was not good. My feeder never went off because the battery was not making a good connection. Didn't see a thing that morning. Saturday evening started off bad at my other set up because the cows came in and stayed. At 5pm I had enough and chased them away. About a minute after I sat back down in the stand I heard them come crashing through the woods back to the area. They didn't stop and kept running. I watched as a mountain lion trotted after them. By the time I got my gun up I couldn't get a shot. I just new my day was over. 15 minutes later a doe and button buck came in. They hung around for a minute and walked away. 15 minutes later 2 sows and 6 piglets came in. At 6pm this buck shows up. The shot was 96 yards with a Ruger M77 270 with a Simmons Buck Master scope shooting 130gr Hornady. He ran a total of 7 yards and fell over dead. Perfect heart shot. He weighed 156lbs and was stinking to high heaven. This is not my first deer but it is my first buck that I am proud to hang on a wall. I dropped him off at Dreamcatcher in Gatesville and should have him back in a month. Can't wait!!

Excellent a trophy indeed. Congrats

Great buck, he's definitely a trophy. Congrats!

Absolutely a trophy. Congrats.

Nice buck. But back to the mountain lion, no shot?

Very nice! Congratulations.

Congrats on a dang fine trophy!!! He will look good on the wall

Well done!! Great looking deer, good post!

Congrats on a very nice buck. He'll look great on the wall.

Very nice buck,

Very nice buck

Gorgeous buck. Congrats!

Very nice

Do you hunt in Coryell Co? I do, like some info about the cat. Feel free to PM me if you don't mind.

Any Deer a person takes is a trophy. A very good buck. Congrats.

Congrats on a great buck. He will make a fine mount.

Nice buck there and hopefully your bag a cat to go with it soon

Nice job Jim. Congrats and good story.

Congratulations for a nice buck!

congrats!