Texas Hunting Forum

My Turn II - Ground Checked

Posted By: Big_Ag

My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:39 AM

Back story: So, I donate a management buck hunt at our ranch every year to a fundraiser auction for the youth hunt organization that hunts does at my ranch. The winner of the auctioned hunt came out this weekend to hunt a mature 8 point. In talking with the winner, I had told him that I had been hunting a huge 10 point that was mostly nocturnal since MLD season opened up. Friday afternoon we headed out to hunt and saw several bucks, including a big 11 point, but nothing that fit the management buck criteria.

About 5:30, the 11 point alerted and out walks the huge 10. The 11 shagged a_s, wanting no part of him. The mgmt buck hunter asks if that is my deer, and I confirmed, yes. He says, you should shoot him. I said no, I don’t want to ruin your hunt, plus I have no gun. We have some more conversation and he says, there’s only 20 minutes of light left and an 8 point is not coming in to challenge this guy. He insists I shoot the deer. We switch seats in the blind. He hands me his rifle. I ask him some questions about the trigger, and I get set. The 10 finally turns broadside. I exhale and squeeze the trigger. The buck runs forward and then turns runs directly away from us with his tail straight up. I asked what just happened? Did I miss that deer? The mgmt buck hunter said he could not tell. He said it did not hunch up or appear hit. I initially felt good about the shot, but it was not my gun, and I’m having serious doubts. We waited 10 very anxious minutes, and although I knew I should wait longer if it was a bad hit, I wanted to at least check for blood before it got dark.

We made our way around to the feeder, I check behind where the buck was standing and see a droplet of blood. I turned toward the direction he first ran, and there was a large swath of blood and some tissue. What a relief! I start following the direction he went. Found more blood and when looking for the next sign, I saw him laying about 30 yards out. Time for a happy dance! In my elation, I am also thinking I really need to get this hunter a deer or I am going to feel terrible. He was so gracious letting me take this buck, and he was the guest!

We head out Saturday morning to a blind on a wheat field. The wind was perfect. On the drive to the blind, we caught a mature 8 point in the mule’s headlights. He is blinded, and we get a good look at him. He is one of the management bucks. The buck finally trots out into the wheat field. We head on to the blind and get set up. Before light the same buck comes within 10 yards downwind of the blind and bolts. I’m thinking great. He’s winded us and is gone for good. Daylight comes and the buck is nowhere to be seen. A couple of young bucks come out into the wheat field and we watch them for a long time. Suddenly, I look to my right and upwind of us in the brush is our buck. He steps out about 50 yards from the blind and within minutes, the management buck hunt is over. What a great way to finish off the story of my best buck to date. The hunter who was so gracious to me, now had his management buck.

In the previous “My Turn” thread, many of you had this buck close to my previous personal best. I had him somewhere around 160-165. Well, we scored him yesterday. The verdict is 173 7/8 gross. He is super symmetrical and nets an even 168. He had a whopping 37 4/8 of mass. 17 2/8 spread and 46 4/8 in beams. That’s 101 2/8 down and tines were 72 5/8 with the longest being 12 1/8. He weighed 184 lbs and was 6.5 years old.

Here he was a week ago:
[Linked Image]

Here he is Friday evening:
[Linked Image]


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Posted By: 4Weight

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:46 AM

Great buck and holy brow tines! Nice job
Posted By: CharlieCTx

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:58 AM

Good things happen to good people. Congrats!

Charlie
Posted By: ErikL

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 05:06 AM

great buck!
Posted By: jeffbird

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 05:07 AM

Fantastic deer and great story.

Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: jdk1985

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 05:08 AM

really nice
Posted By: Pope&Young

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 05:33 AM

Hell of a buck sir flehan
Congrats cheers
Posted By: texfork

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by ErikL
great buck!
Posted By: Hudbone

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 11:18 AM

Wowsers for sure!
Posted By: Stub

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by 4Weight
Great buck and holy brow tines! Nice job


Originally Posted by CharlieCTx
Good things happen to good people. Congrats! Charlie



cheers
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 11:57 AM

Fantastic buck! Congrats....it is always great when you walk up on a buck that grows on the ground. cheers
Posted By: Pootie

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 12:06 PM

Woohoo!
Posted By: flintknapper

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 12:50 PM

Dandy of a buck.

Well written story as well....you have a talent for that.
Posted By: batman

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:00 PM

Great buck, with an even better story!
Posted By: Big8

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:10 PM

Great buck! cheers
Posted By: Flatcreek

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:23 PM

Awesome buck, congrats! The pictures should be a reminder to folks about how to take them. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: bear64

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:49 PM

what a deer!! what a smile!! love it
Posted By: tailchaser93

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:55 PM

Awesome buck
Posted By: deerhunter1956

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 02:55 PM

That is one great looking deer should look real good one the wall. up
Posted By: redchevy

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by jeffbird
Fantastic deer and great story.

Thanks for sharing.


And maybe what's even better.... a hunter not afraid to smile with his trophy!
Posted By: Grosvenor

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:21 PM

Man it's fun when we underestimate them. Congrats on an amazing animal.
Posted By: ILUVBIGBUCKS

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 04:37 PM

WOW

Great buck and story
Congrats!!

cheers
Posted By: bobcat1

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 05:42 PM

Congrats! Heck of a story and heck of a buck!
Posted By: S.A. hunter

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 06:41 PM

Dataram! Congrats Sir.
Posted By: Jimbo1

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 09:18 PM

Heck of a buck. Congrats
Posted By: BOBO the Clown

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 09:24 PM

Hell of a deer
Posted By: Old Rabbit

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/23/20 09:41 PM

Great story and an even better buck. Thanks for keeping at it to get the other hunter his buck. Congratulations to both of you.
Posted By: freerange

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:16 AM

Great buck. I guess we all missed him on score. Congrats on a great buck. I would of felt real uncomfortable shooting a buck like that with a gun I knew nothing about but I guess I would of done it.
Posted By: dlrz71

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:22 AM

Congrats on a great buck!! cheers
Posted By: SapperTitan

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by ErikL
great buck!
Posted By: Ringtail

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 03:47 AM

Wow, what a beast!! That was really nice of your guest to allow you to get him! It worked out great for both of you!
Posted By: TXHOGSLAYER

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 04:07 AM

Great story and congrats to you both!
Posted By: kmon11

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 01:41 PM

Beautiful buck and recap of the hunt, one you and you hunter will remember a long time. Sounds like a friendship of hunters was made. cheers
Posted By: Daddybigbuck

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:25 PM

Wonderful story. Great buck!!
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:45 PM

That is a great buck. Congratulations. Great write up too.
Posted By: AZ_Hunter_2000

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 02:59 PM

Damn nice buck. Congratulations!!!
Posted By: landsurveyor

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by jeffbird
Fantastic deer and great story.

Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: Whack n stack

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 04:27 PM

Great buck! Good work and congrats!
Posted By: Pitchfork Predator

Re: My Turn II - Ground Checked - 11/24/20 04:33 PM

I guessed mid 160s on your first thread....Glad I was low! Outstanding buck, congrats! cheers
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