The river has been a little out of shape lately but is starting to look good again. While the river was recovering, I spent some time archery hunting. Those raging hordes of deer that are supposed to be out there have been doing a good job of staying away from me. I spent some time moving stands and checking out different areas. I did find some serious scrapes and new rubs.
This time of the archery season can be very tricky. Some doe will start to come in heat now and over the next few weeks. Bucks start showing themselves more as they cruise around looking for hot does. It is often feast or famine hunting. If you are in an area that has a couple of hot does, you’ll see deer running in every direction. One doe often gets the attention of a number of bucks.
A couple of years ago I was on stand during this time period and a doe with a nice 8-pointer on her tail came crashing down the trail. They pulled up and stopped about 35 yards out. Seeing that they were not going to get any closer, I grunted and the buck came toward me a few steps, then turned and went back to the doe. Further grunting produced the same results, he would not leave the doe. He finally got infuriated with my grunting and tore into some nearby saplings, demolishing them with his rack. Suddenly he looked back and then I heard more brush cracking. Not one, but 3 more buck were coming on the doe’s trail! No wonder he was on edge. He charged straight at the 3 bucks, all of which were smaller than him.
Deer went in all directions and I was so amazed at the scene that I never even drew the bow. Finally they were all gone and I realized I was shaking. Then I heard a single deer coming in from a different direction. I got turned around in the stand and here comes another 8-pointer. When he came to twenty yards, I centered the pin just behind his front shoulder and let fly. I missed. It was a simple shot, but he was uphill of me and closer than I thought. The arrow shaved a few hairs off his back and buried into a tree. I was a little excited and it happened so fast. The woods went completely quiet after that, and the rest of the morning was uneventful. I kicked myself all the way back to the truck.
Hunts like that make up for all the times on stand when you see nothing. The best hunters are intense optimists.
I started my bow hunting late this year, and I have yet to see a deer while on stand. But I know if I stick at it, the moment will come. Some hunters think the best hunting has passed and some think the best is yet to come. I’ve always had more luck seeing buck during the last week or two of the early archery season. The rut seems to vary somewhat each year depending on weather, and I have taken several bucks that were trailing doe during both weeks of the firearms season.
So, you never know when that big buck will slip into view, but when it happens it is worth the wait.
-- Ken Maurer, Herndon, is a licensed fishing guide and a regular contributor to the Outdoor Section. E-mail comments to kenrose@tds.net.
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