I sat all day yesterday. I saw 1 doe, that's it. Luckily, my hunting buddy said he was heading back out for a morning hunt this morning and I told him I'd ride along.

Everything started off the same as yesterday in the stand. I knew I couldn't keep doing the same thing and expect different results. So at 8:00 in broad daylight I decided to slowly make my way down to a pop up I used late last season.

When I made it to my destination, I discovered that a limb had fallen directly on top and destroyed it. Great, I'm screwed. Guess all that's left to do is pull out the chair and have a seat. I positioned it behind a couple dead trees and propped my foot on one just in case something came in hot (like that ever happens). After an eternity, and the cold starting to numb my fingers, I decided it was a good time to get my 5 hour energy and enjoy a smoke.

You guys keeping track? I walked in late,sat exposed, and smoked a cigarette in an area that 50 yards was the furthest I could possibly see, much less shoot. Oh, and I was texting.

After about an hour and a half I caught a flash of brown through the trash shining in the sunlight, walking in just the way I hoped. A doe! She made it to the little corridor I cleaned out last year and dropped her head. I thought, I might better position my head behind the tree, of course my back scratched the canvas and made a faint sound that caused her to look my way. I just froze, couldn't see a thing but the bark of the tree. After an eternity of seconds I summonsed the courage to peak, she was gone. She didn't blow or stomp, whew. I thought I'd better keep an eye on the trail she came in on just in case. 15 minutes went by. Nothing.

Just as my nerves settled, I looked down the path that I last saw the doe and here she comes, with a purpose, and she's headed straight for me and closing fast. I quickly resorted to my new trick of sticking my head in the sand. Holy cow, it worked again. She took a hard left and never gave me a second look. Once she cleared my periphrial, I did't even blink. I think at this point I knew she was being trailed. I must have, I did something I never do, I clicked the safety off my rifle and secured it to my shoulder.

It wasn't long, seconds probably. I saw a flash of brown, it wasn't on the trail, it was comimg through the trash, and I mean straight into my space. If I didn't have my rifle shouldered and safety off, I would have had no chance. He was dark, he was wide enough, and he froze when I barreled him up. Right behind a dern tree. We had ourselves a little standoff, and I was beginning to pump adrenaline. He was 20 yards away, I had no cover. Finally, he took one step forward, I saw brown in the scope and I squeezed. He fell. Season over, an experience written on stone in my memory.

Great buck and story! Congrats!

Love that rack!

Good write up Standman and one beautiful buck man!!

Truly awesome buck! A little luck was on your side it seems. Congrats!

congrats!

Way to get it done! and stellar nice buck!!!

Super good read bud, that hunt would blow any "out of a deer blind" for me I personally believe the "smoke" brought'm in

Really great buck.

Wow! Big boy down!

Fantastic story. You exhibited more skill than your story lets on. Congratulations, that is one beautiful old buck. 'Hope there's enough in the taxidermy budget to get a shoulder mount done.

That's awesome!! Congrats

Wow, so many nice things said by people I have great respect for on here. I truly appreciate it gentlemen. It's been a great day.

now that was a good hunt and a great buck

Great buck and read. It's nice when things just work out like that.

Great buck. Congrats to you.

Great buck.....Congrats !!

What brand cigarettes? They must have smelled just like doe pee. Great story and even better buck!

That's fantastic!!! GREAT story and beautiful buck.. Congrats!!

Those splits and 'scoop' are really cool looking!

Always nice when a plan comes together. Great buck and story. Thanks for sharing and congrats

Greatness!!!