| v> | | | | normally slows down during warmer weather |
| The sound of leaves crunching in the distance alerted | | | | conditions, but I had done my homework by |
| me to the slow progression of several deer | | | | conducting several intensive scouting missions just |
| approaching my stand site. My heart began to | | | | prior to my hunt. I knew if I was willing to spend |
| flutter in anticipation of their arrival, as the staccato | | | | some quality time at one of my many ambush sites, |
| rhythm of advancing footfalls grew louder and louder. | | | | I would have an opportunity to take a good buck. |
| The sound of leaves crunching in the distance alerted | | | | Given my positive attitude, it was still surprising to |
| me to the slow progression of several deer | | | | have a good buck within effective bow range so |
| approaching my stand site. My heart began to | | | | soon into my five-day hunt. |
| flutter in anticipation of their arrival, as the staccato | | | | The sound of my bogus grunts infuriated the buck. |
| rhythm of advancing footfalls grew louder and | | | | As the bruiser slowly worked his way toward my |
| louder. The first deer to appear on the scene was | | | | stand site, he answered back in bold defiance. |
| a medium-sized doe, followed by an 8-pointer and a | | | | Continuing his show of aggression, he stopped every |
| much larger buck whose unique-looking rack sported | | | | few feet and pawed a fresh scrape on the ground, |
| a small sticker point, and a broken left brow tine. | | | | tearing at the earth with each ruthless thrust of his |
| As I embraced the magic of the moment, a surge of | | | | hooves. |
| deep concentration took over my thought process. | | | | Now strutting past at a mere 12 yards, urine dripping |
| My eyes immediately centered on the bigger of the | | | | from his hind legs, the husky stag presented me with |
| two bucks. After casting a few quick glances in his | | | | a perfect broadside target. Seeing the window of |
| direction, I instantly determined that he was a | | | | opportunity open, I slowly moved into position for |
| shooter. | | | | the impending shot. Just as I started to feel the |
| My position was ideal. A strategically placed ladder | | | | string’s tension on my finger tab, the twist of |
| stand blended in well with the surrounding terrain. | | | | fate decided to rear its ugly head. At that very |
| The stand was located approximately 15 feet above | | | | moment, the small 8-pointer came dangerously close |
| the ground in one of several large oak trees that | | | | to my stand tree, slamming the window shut. |
| overlooked a gradually sloping hillside. This particular | | | | Fearing that any movement would tip my hand, I |
| area was a virtual haven for white-tailed deer. It | | | | elected to wait it out. And, wait I did. Standing |
| offered an assortment of natural attractants that | | | | stone still, afraid to even exhale, I could literally hear |
| appealed to bucks of all shapes and sizes, including | | | | the ticking of my watch as seconds of time turned |
| the most dominant and mature. The presence of a | | | | into minutes of agony. With the indiscriminate force |
| nearly impenetrable cedar thicket to the south | | | | of nature directing the show, the battle of wits |
| served as a secure sanctuary for their daytime | | | | ensued. |
| bedding area. In addition, a small creek bottom and | | | | Finally, after what seemed like hours, the smaller |
| a recently picked cornfield nestled below the stand | | | | buck moved off leaving his superior and I to finish |
| of oaks provided an inviting buffet of food and | | | | the high stakes chess match on our own. The big |
| water. Also, large family groups of female deer | | | | 9-pointer was now facing directly away from me. |
| commonly gathered on the hillside oak flat at | | | | He had moved out to 23 yards while I was busy |
| sundown to feed, which further increased its allure. | | | | performing my best impression of a tree trunk. As I |
| From my elevated perch, I watched the 8-pointer | | | | waited for a shot opportunity, I silently reminded |
| vigorously work over a large scrape and its helpless | | | | myself to pick a spot. |
| overhanging branch. Meanwhile, the bigger buck | | | | The buck began slowly moving to his right in what |
| appeased his appetite by devouring a healthy amount | | | | seemed like slow motion. Without hesitation, I |
| of acorns. He was also quite intent on analyzing the | | | | brought my 78-pound Hoyt Vectrix XL back to full |
| actions of several does that were now lurking in the | | | | draw and waited for him to complete his turn. |
| nearby shadows. Since it seemed obvious that he | | | | Suddenly, he paused and looked back in my |
| had no idea I was in the immediate area, I figured it | | | | direction. I patiently waited for him to look in |
| was safe to try tickling his auditory nerve. I | | | | another direction, but that look never came. Minutes |
| assumed that I could prey upon his natural impulses | | | | passed as I pleaded with the heavens for a favorable |
| as his attitude clearly indicated that he was ready to | | | | outcome. I knew I had to act quickly or all would |
| start the breeding ritual. After slowly reaching for | | | | be lost. Realizing that I could no longer hold my |
| my grunt tube, I followed with three short tending | | | | pose, I forced myself to focus on a spot behind the |
| grunts in an attempt to lure him into bow range. It | | | | buck’s shoulder blade and released the string |
| seemed to work as he stepped out from a patch of | | | | from my stiff fingers. |
| thick brush and started heading in my direction. | | | | My arrow found its mark in less than the blink of an |
| I was bowhunting trophy bucks in southeastern | | | | eye. I watched the broadhead-tipped shaft |
| Nebraska. It was the latter stages of October and | | | | penetrate the brute’s tough exterior as a |
| the pre-rut phase of the whitetail breeding season | | | | crown of crimson instantly formed around the |
| was just starting to heat up. Although the drive | | | | fletching. Fatally wounded, the buck fell to the |
| from my then home state of Wisconsin had been | | | | ground within sight. Struggling to regain his feet, the |
| long and tiresome, the prospect of hunting new | | | | big deer made a staggering exit, toppled over a ridge |
| territory kept my spirits high along the way. | | | | and came to rest at the bottom of a steep ravine. |
| Arriving later than expected, I quickly made plans for | | | | Hours later, in the radiant glow of the moon, I knelt |
| an early evening hunt. There was only enough time | | | | at his side and gave thanks to the Great Spirit above |
| left in the day to purchase my license and to take a | | | | while praising him for his courageous effort. |
| quick nap before making my freshman debut as a | | | | After conducting an early morning photo session and |
| Cornhusker State bowhunter. After some much | | | | visiting a cold storage plant, I made arrangements to |
| needed rest, I headed for the woods. Needless to | | | | employ the services of a local butcher. It was |
| say, I was eager to start my five-day instructional | | | | during this time that I had a chance to reflect on the |
| course in Nebraska Whitetail Hunting 101. | | | | hunt. I quietly mused over the buck’s |
| The last minute appearance of a large doe was the | | | | potential as a record book candidate and what may |
| only action I experienced on that first afternoon. | | | | have caused him to break off one of his brow |
| After coming within easy bow range, the lone deer | | | | tines. After a fair amount of conjecture, I came to |
| occasionally stopped to browse in a nearby milo | | | | the conclusion that he lost it while defending his |
| field. A sense of bittersweet consolation swept | | | | breeding rights. I surmised that another buck had |
| over me as the last seconds of legal shooting hours | | | | invaded his territory and was competing for the |
| slowly ticked away. Undaunted by the outcome of | | | | amorous attentions of the local doe population, when |
| my first encounter with a Nebraska whitetail, I sat | | | | a routine woodland scuffle turned ugly. In any |
| back and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of | | | | event, I was one happy hunter to have harvested |
| nightfall. The gradual decent of the sun dissolved | | | | such a fine trophy. |
| into a wash of vibrant colors, setting the night sky | | | | As it turns out, the decision to end my hunt after |
| on fire. It was a show of natural artistry that I will | | | | only two days afield was somewhat prophetic. The |
| not soon forget. | | | | temperatures continued to climb into the high 80s, |
| Once the doe was out of my sight, I quietly climbed | | | | causing most breeding activity to occur under the |
| down from my stand, walked out to the main trail | | | | cover of darkness. As a result of Mother |
| and waited for my hunting partner to pick me up. | | | | Nature’s fickle mood swing, daytime buck |
| Sitting alone in the darkness, I heard the eerie yips of | | | | sightings became few and far between. |
| several coyotes echoing in the distance. From one | | | | My only regret is that I didn’t spend more |
| predator to another, I wished them all good hunting | | | | time in the woods chasing an even bigger buck that |
| as I silently devised my own plan of attack. | | | | was caught on videotape in late August by some |
| Although I never raised my bow from its hanger, it | | | | local hunters. Nicknamed Heart Attack, the |
| had been a good first day of hunting. | | | | huge 12-point typical is a true jaw-dropping monster. |
| Unfortunately, the temperatures turned unseasonably | | | | Maybe that Cornhusker State giant and I will cross |
| warm for the month of October, resulting in tough | | | | paths sometime in the future, but that’s |
| hunting conditions. On the second day of my hunt, | | | | another story. Until then I'll set up an appointment |
| the mercury consistently hovered near the middle | | | | with my cardiologist, and keep my bow fingers |
| 70s. As one can imagine, good buck activity | | | | crossed. |