Last hurrah!

[megalomaniac]

Got done with work a bit early, just got on stand at my local lease for the last deer hunt of 2022/2023 season. Not expecting much, as this place has been hammered this season, but just couldn't sit out my final opportunity.

I suppose this is sit no 12 or 13 in the past 2 weeks, as we usually get a good 2nd rut, but all the deer have remained nocturnal this Feb. I've only seen a couple does in the past 2 weeks.

Really hurt losing the other half of my lease, as it's better hunting and we ended up with 14 members on only the remaining 900 acres.for this season. Between all the members, I'm guessing around 250 sign ins for hunts this season, with 3 does, 1 spike, and 1 small 7pt killed. Now THATs some pressure!

 

[Ski]

Good luck. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[megalomaniac]

Well, was a great hunt actually. The 4.5yo 9pt everyone in the club had been hunting actually crossed a pipeline 450y away at 545. Couldn't get on him before he crossed, so I hauled ass to the interior blacktop road he would have to cross to keep heading north. Set up for a 200 to 400y shot if he kept the same path.

At 600, he popped out from the woods 10y away beside meinstead of 250y away down the road. He pegged me on the blacktop, but didn't spook. Just stared at me frozen for 90s, then turned and eased back into the woods with no opportunity to spin the the rifle 90 degrees for a shot.

Was a fun hunt, and as far as I know, I'm the only person on the club to actually have laid eyes on him.

Prerut pics

 

[megalomaniac]

Just after 1st rut

 

[megalomaniac]

Tonight after he turned from me and crossed back across the pipeline

 

[megalomaniac]

Really solid buck for my area... im figuring 115ish. Like killing a 145in buck in middle TN