Posted By: RiceU_huntNfish
First Deer - Amazing Weekend in Coleman County - 11/23/15 04:38 PM
This past weekend, I had the privilege to hunt one of my best friend's and ex-teammate's land in Coleman County with the goal of taking my first deer. Needless to say it was an amazing weekend that I will never forget.
Friday morning it was WINDY, but we did manage to see some decent bucks and plenty of doe. One buck was very tall and we knew right away that it was a shooter. My friend, who has still never shot a great buck on this new property, was kind enough to let me try to take him but unfortunately I never had a clean shot and he trotted off into the distance. The rest of the morning had lots of activity with doe and small bucks chasing, but no more big guys came through.
Friday evening I was in the blind with our other friend (our host was hunting alone). It was time for my other friend to shoot a buck and I was his spotter. He had shot numerous doe over the last few years but never had an opportunity at a nice buck, so we were really hoping that tonight was his night. We got into the blind around 3:30 and from 3:30-5 we did not have much action other than a few doe and some small bucks off in the distance. Luckily, that all was about to change.
About 5:10, a doe came running along and elected to pee right near our feeder, which turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise. 2 minutes later an 8 point came in that we were not sure was a shooter until he looked at us. It took about 2 seconds to get the gun ready and 10 seconds to take him. Fantastic shot and we had a buck down. The animal had an amazing 17.5-18" spread with nice thickness; needless to say a great first buck for my friend. Fortunately the hunt was not over...
Being that it was 5:10, my friend and I decided to continue the hunt, so we switched seats and tried to get me my first deer (doe or buck). Well remember that pee? It really was a huge blessing! Like magic, bucks started coming out of every which way to check out the area around the feeder. For about 20 minutes we had 6-7 bucks nearby with 4-5 more hanging out in the distance. None of these bucks however were shooter worthy, and we made a deal that we would wait 5 more minutes and then go grab my friend's deer before it got dark.
Well wouldn't you know, the good lord sent one more buck into our sights 4 minutes later. Once again, we could not tell if he was shooter worthy, as he was on a mission with his nose down behind some cactus. Fortunately, as soon as he picked his head up we knew this was a shooter. As he kept wandering around, I kept hoping for a shot as my friend tracked him through the binoculars. Fortunately, he made his way over towards the feeder to check out the pee, and as soon as he arrived I had a clean shot and dropped him. He turned out to be a solid 8 point and one of the tallest deer ever shot on the property. I have big hands and it was 2-3" taller than tip of my pinky finger to thumb.
We could not believe the craziness of what just happened, and believe me we are used to crazy from playing 4 years of college baseball. We had taken our first bucks, in the same blind, with the same gun, 30 minutes apart! It was as incredible of an experience as I have ever had and I was lucky enough to share it with one of my best friends. As someone who considers them self a fisherman first and then a hunter, I truly understand the beauty of hunting now, as I will never forget those magical 30 minutes of my life. I am officially hooked and can't wait to do it again, though I doubt I will ever be able to surpass that incredible moment!
If I was able to post pictures from my computer at work I would. Even though these were not giants, I am dang proud and know I will never forget 11/21/2015!
Friday morning it was WINDY, but we did manage to see some decent bucks and plenty of doe. One buck was very tall and we knew right away that it was a shooter. My friend, who has still never shot a great buck on this new property, was kind enough to let me try to take him but unfortunately I never had a clean shot and he trotted off into the distance. The rest of the morning had lots of activity with doe and small bucks chasing, but no more big guys came through.
Friday evening I was in the blind with our other friend (our host was hunting alone). It was time for my other friend to shoot a buck and I was his spotter. He had shot numerous doe over the last few years but never had an opportunity at a nice buck, so we were really hoping that tonight was his night. We got into the blind around 3:30 and from 3:30-5 we did not have much action other than a few doe and some small bucks off in the distance. Luckily, that all was about to change.
About 5:10, a doe came running along and elected to pee right near our feeder, which turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise. 2 minutes later an 8 point came in that we were not sure was a shooter until he looked at us. It took about 2 seconds to get the gun ready and 10 seconds to take him. Fantastic shot and we had a buck down. The animal had an amazing 17.5-18" spread with nice thickness; needless to say a great first buck for my friend. Fortunately the hunt was not over...
Being that it was 5:10, my friend and I decided to continue the hunt, so we switched seats and tried to get me my first deer (doe or buck). Well remember that pee? It really was a huge blessing! Like magic, bucks started coming out of every which way to check out the area around the feeder. For about 20 minutes we had 6-7 bucks nearby with 4-5 more hanging out in the distance. None of these bucks however were shooter worthy, and we made a deal that we would wait 5 more minutes and then go grab my friend's deer before it got dark.
Well wouldn't you know, the good lord sent one more buck into our sights 4 minutes later. Once again, we could not tell if he was shooter worthy, as he was on a mission with his nose down behind some cactus. Fortunately, as soon as he picked his head up we knew this was a shooter. As he kept wandering around, I kept hoping for a shot as my friend tracked him through the binoculars. Fortunately, he made his way over towards the feeder to check out the pee, and as soon as he arrived I had a clean shot and dropped him. He turned out to be a solid 8 point and one of the tallest deer ever shot on the property. I have big hands and it was 2-3" taller than tip of my pinky finger to thumb.
We could not believe the craziness of what just happened, and believe me we are used to crazy from playing 4 years of college baseball. We had taken our first bucks, in the same blind, with the same gun, 30 minutes apart! It was as incredible of an experience as I have ever had and I was lucky enough to share it with one of my best friends. As someone who considers them self a fisherman first and then a hunter, I truly understand the beauty of hunting now, as I will never forget those magical 30 minutes of my life. I am officially hooked and can't wait to do it again, though I doubt I will ever be able to surpass that incredible moment!
If I was able to post pictures from my computer at work I would. Even though these were not giants, I am dang proud and know I will never forget 11/21/2015!
Congrats on your first deer...but 
On a great hunt.
Congrats and great bucks!
