Bienvenidos Senor Grande! By
Jan 26, 2008 - 6:50:28 AM
Scouting a new bowhunting area is always fun and exciting, but the mid day three digit south central Texas August heat sure didn't do much for my enthusiasm. As I worked my way across and down the hillsides towards the long, wide, and heavily wooded draw between the opposing ridgelines I found just enough deer sign to keep me interested along the way. But, it wasn't until I broke through the barrier of the thick, brush choked edge and into the heart of the draw that I knew this new site was going to create the greatest expectation and excitement for my 2007 season.
As soon as I stepped into the deep shade of the thickly canopied white oak draw it felt like I had walked into an air conditioned room, providing instant heat relief. The cool breeze wafting up the draw was being produced by its orientation to the ridges, with the wide opening at the bottom of the draw facing directly into the predominant breeze blowing in from the SE. Flowing upwards in elevation and then funneled up and out of the narrowing end of the draw to the NW, it acted like a chimney, pulling fresh air through the cool, lush habitat. It also made sense that just the opposite effect would take place during the arrival of our winter Texas Blue Norther's howling in from the north, with the draw providing a sanctuary from the cold, wet winds.
Instantly, I found abundant buck sign. Scrapes and rubs that have been utilized for years dotted the draw from end to end. Heavily used trails containing fresh tracks and deer pellets criss crossed in and out of the draw in all directions. The more I searched, the more I found, in such amounts it stultified me. I felt as though I had stepped into a members only country club for the elite class of mature bucks. The challenge now before me was to determine where to set stands and figure out how to get to them without being detected, which would prove to be my biggest hurdle.
One of the attributes that made this draw so attractive to the deer also presented the greatest barrier, this region's predominant SE winds. This small pie shaped piece of property only offered me one way in along the fence line on east side, which bordered another property I had access to. The 180 acre property bordering on the north side was posted and off limits to me, and the west side bordered a major eight lane 300 yard wide freeway. Given my restricted access, I could only get in and out undetected when the winds blew in from the SW, W, and NW. Because we rarely have SW and W winds, my hunting opportunities would be very limited.
After studying ariel and topo maps, and another intrusion into the draw, I determined I only had one site where I could effectively hunt the bucks that came out of and went into the draw. The 40 yard diameter site allowed me to hunt a hub area of where four heavily used trails merged into one of the two main trails which angled down and towards the fence line 75 yards below. The other main trail was 60 yards further up, and had less side traffic flowing into it. I could only see a few yards of it through a small window in the brush from my stand tree, but just enough to keep my eye on the traffic. I was confident in my choice and set my stand downwind of the center of the hub and between two primary scrapes in the site. Although archery season was scheduled to open September 29, I decided not to hunt it until the first front arrived, typcially in late October.
Luckily for Adam (my British guest), that day came on our first hunt here at home on October 25th.
Me and Adam Durrant, from Norfolk, England - on his first ever bowhunt.
Not only did we have a steady NW breeze, it was cool for the first time this season. We saw four bucks late that evening, three which skirted the site well out of range on the other trail, and the last one sneaking through the safety of the thick persimons, never stopping in a shooting lane. This guy was a true monster 8 point, with long, heavy beams that stretched out to the tip of his nose, and thick tines that reached for the sky. I named him "Buckzilla", and determined he was going to be my buck for the season. I decided to let the site rest at least two weeks before hunting it again.
What I learned on that first hunt with Adam was that a light NW wind would not work, for all those bucks caught a trace of our scent before entering the zone, even though they were up and cross wind. The topography, and the clumps of oaks and junipers which surrounded the stand site created circuitous drafts and back drafts in the cooling air of the late afternoon. What I learned on subsequent hunts was that a south wind was just as perfect as a SW or W wind. Given our breeze always swings around out of the south after the passing of a cold front, that opened up even more opportuntites for my season.
On November 3rd the morning broke cool and clear with a soft south westerly breeze. Thirty minutes after sunrise, here he came down the tunnel trail in front of me following a younger white faced 8 point, which I named "Whitey". When Buckzilla broke right onto the main trail and stopped broadside 15 yards out, I raised my arm and drew my bow, and as I touched anchor both bucks broke out and bolted into the persimons, stopped, and cautiously looked around for several minutes before meandering out of the site. The only thing I can think of that happened is that the stand squeeked as I leaned into the shot. I made sure that would not happen again and lubricated the joints with odorless liquid silicon. For two months and only hunting the site under perfect conditions and a long rest inbetween each, I continued to hunt Buckzilla. Although I saw several other nice bucks there, he had disappeared along with the rut. But like Dennis Crabtree always says, "Never give up". And with that advice I continued to hunt him while pouring over my notes, looking for flaws to correct, and creating new strategies.
After missing three great bucks over the next six weeks in other sites, with all shots skimming across their backs, I had lost almost all confidence in my ability to make the shot when it truly counts. Yet, I had never shot better in 26 years. Groups were tea cup tight out to 20 yards, and my 3D had no heart and lungs left in him. Mentally, it was crunch time. I had to overcome the short circut taking place between my ears. On New Years morning I sat the Fire Creek stand, and when a big lone doe poking along down the trail in the creek bottom showed no signs of having a suitor in tow or fawn with her, I excitedly anticipated the opportunity she was about to offer me. I needed to prove to myself that I could still keep it together. The fresh sweet vension would also make a fine reward. When she stopped broadside beside my stand, I gave that shot everything within me.
The short 60 yard blood trail was the finest start for a New Year ever.
With only four days left in my buck season, I set out January 3rd on a marathon to fill one of my buck tags, and determined to hunt non stop until the closing bell. Because I had seen six magnificant bucks from several different stands over the previous weeks, I decided to take the first shot on any mature buck if given an opportuntity, Buckzilla or not. January 3rd and 4th were both a bust for mature bucks, and I was getting just a tad nervous after zipping completely on my morning hunt on the 5th. When the wind swung around out of the west at mid day, I was given a final opportunity to hunt Buckzilla. After a quick lunch, I was settled in my stand. To make things interesting, I had decided to set a Renzo buck decoy in the brush 30 yards behind me and off to my left, hoping it would capture a buck's attention long enough for me to pull off a shot. To be honest, I was just a tad bit nervous with this new tactic, but I was willing to give it a try.
At 4:45PM, Whitey was the first one to come out of the draw, using a trail that approaches the site from my hard right side and behind a clump of large junipers. After he broke to the left and got on the main trail in front of me he saw the decoy and locked up - stone cold still, staring at it for several minutes. After a couple of head bobs and a flick of his tail, he continued on. True to the old addage that the first deer through sets the standard, every deer that followed used that same trail out of the draw.
A short time later a large, young 4 point followed by a handsom 3.5 year old 8 point came in on the same trial. But they broke right and arced behind me on my downwind side. Although I was sure one of them would wind me, neither did, and when they saw the decoy they began a slow sneak towards it. After a short stare down with the decoy, they too continued on their way. Within a few minutes of their quiet departure, here came Buckzilla down the same trail. Because of the action there I had already rotated so I could shoot to that side, and I was ready for him. When he approached the scrape on the far side of the juniper just 15 yards out, he stopped in the middle of the shooting hole I had trimmed out and gave the licking branches a good working over. He then pee'd and dropped some pellets in it leaving behind his calling card. Unfortunately, he was facing directly towards me the whole time, a shot I won't take with my bow. Oh, how I wished him to turn broadside. When a doe came trotting in and skirted behind him to the left, off he went after her. Darn! But moments later another huge buck came trotting in down that trail and put the chase on her as well. This was a new buck I've never seen before, a very wide 10 point!
Things got crazy for several minutes as these bucks chased that poor doe in and around the brush choked site. Buckzilla taunted me once when he stopped broadside mere yards away, but before I could complete my draw off he went again! The big 10 twice had a brush with death as he chased the doe around. Each time, never stopping for more than a second. Here I had two magnificent bucks in my lap and neither of which would slow down for a shot! And then the floor fell out from under me - off goes the doe with both bucks in tow! I was heart broken.
Half an hour later deer legs coming down that same trail back in the brush caught my attention, so I stood in anticipation. I couldn't believe my eyes, here came the doe followed by the 8 pt, 4 pt, Whitey, Buckzilla, and the big 10 - they had made a large circle around and back to me unseen! To make things really interesting the doe decided to push through the three thick junipers on my right, popping out only 5 yards away and then stopped almost under my stand. As the 10pt started to follow her, Buckzilla quickly arced around towards the top of clearing she was in, but stopped in some thick persimons offering no shot opp. As the 10pt pushed through the junipers, I prepared for a quick 15 foot shot, but as I began my draw he stopped short in the junipers, screened by the thick branches. Changing his mind he backed out and also circled around the brush, heading towards Buckzilla who then moved off and deeper into the persimons. Figuring this cat & mouse game between these two bucks and the doe would not play out much longer, when the big 10 broke clear of the persiomons 14 yards out and stopped broadside facing the doe, I made my move.
As I began to draw my bow, the soft crease behind his shoulder zoomed into full view. Determined
at all cost to stay totally focused throughtout the shot sequence, I
was elated when I saw the crease quitely catch my arrow and spit it out
the other side. Mr. Big broke out hell bent and throttled towards the
safety of the draw, but in less than ten seconds he crashed hard in
the brush just out of view. I knew right where he lay, a mere 50 yards
from my stand.
Relieved and in emotional overdrive, I sat for a spell to gather my composure and
soak it all in. As the gathering stars in the heavens above chased the
light of dusk below the horizon, it painted the perfect picture for the
end of my season. I was truly grateful.
