Watched this guy and a 9 pt for a few years since we bought our place in 2021. It’s been fun watching him but decided this year I would take him or the 9 who ever gave me an opportunity. Definitely different feeling getting any deer off your place. I find that I pull the trigger less now than I ever did on a lease. I think it’s because there’s no pressure to shoot something plus I want to enjoy our place for a long time. It’s small 108 acres so I need to be a good steward and not tag out each year. He’s only the second wt I have shot off our place, got a doe last year. Invited a buddy so his son could get a doe yesterday.

I went out last weekend to try and close the deal as they normally come out in first two weeks in December during the rut but I couldn’t get him that first week and the 9 came out but he was at the fenceline and I didn’t wanna take any chances. Been busy with life and water leaks at our homes. So this past weekend or maybe this weekend would be it. I got to the ranch Saturday mid day and had to bring some parts for my neighbor to fix his HVAC as his ranch so once I dropped off his parts and we chatted for a bit I let him know I had to go to get ready. Saturday I decided to try my tower blind and saw seven doe, couple young bucks, some nubbins and 2 axis bulls. One of the axis was mature but he was still growing out in velvet and the other was young. I was surprised to see anything as it was gusty and wind didn’t stop till about 5:30 that evening. No sign of this buck though so decided to try my ground blind Sunday. I get into the blind about 50 mins before feeder goes off and when time comes for it to sling corn it goes off but feeder is empty. I decided to wait just in case as the deer may still come out but alas no deer showed up so just after 8 I called it and got out. I filled that feeder and topped off the feeder at the tower blind and dropped some more cottonseed at my protein station. Sunday night decided to go back to the ground blind as it was closer and had seen him and the 9 at this feeder often just cruising through looking for does the most. Well that evening I got skunked again, nothing came out. Feeder went off and I sat till dark so that was defeating as I had never been skunked all day at our place. Generally the house doe come out like clockwork once a feeder slings corn. I checked cams when I got back to see if the other feeders had any activity and thankfully protein station and tower blind both had guests show up.

Monday morning I decided I didn’t want to take any chances so I went to the tower blind as it had been consistently getting activity. It was cool that morning, was hoping it was going to be colder but the skies were clear and the wind was still so I couldn’t complain too much. I got into the blind an hour before the feeder goes off and busted my house doe and some hogs. The hogs were pissed one was snarling and growling at me as they ran off. Once I got settled I left the windows closed till about 20 mins before sunrise as I wanted to make sure the does returned without sniffing me out. As soon as I did 4 wt doe came running to the feeder, got worried for a minute as I thought I startled them. They stayed and were picking scraps waiting for the feeder to go off. Soon 4 others joined them a few minutes after the feeder went off. About a quarter to 8 the does all kind of stop and look off in the distance so I knew something was coming just didn’t know what. Well as I’m staring in the same direction they were I see movement. After a few minutes here comes that 8, I really thought he was the 9 as they have similar antlers the 9 just has a kicker on one side. As I’m watching him stroll over towards the feeder and does he stops and looks back. So I’m waiting thinking maybe that 9 will be coming out with him. After about 5 mins a young 8 comes out and they are both eating corn sniffing around.

I decided to wait a few more minutes in case another buck decided to pop out and I also wanted to make sure the deer were calm before I started to raise my gun. After swatching them for 10-15 minutes the 8 starts looking around like he’s ready to make his exit so I raised my rifle and rested it on the window sill of the blind. Sure enough he’s slowing pushing this doe to leave and that doe doesn’t want anything to do with him so she makes a quick turn back to the feeder and he’s kind of surprised but he keeps moving for his exit. I didn’t want to shoot him on the move so I hit him with a couple “meh” calls to get him to stop broadside to get my shot off. He was a little busted up from the rut but for my first buck off my place I’m thrilled with him. That 9 will get another year maybe two he’s larger overall to include antlers so hopefully the neighbors haven’t gotten him. He’s pretty slick and stays close, so I’m confident he will be here after Sunday.

That's awesome!

Good lookin' buck there!

Nice Texas Muley!

That’s a heavy buck, congrats.

Very nice

Do what?

You in the sauce early today? Jeeeeezzzz Buzz....

Congratulations!

Nice write up and nice deer. Sounds like you have a nice place.

👍👍

nice

cool buck