Finally got the chance to head out to a section we have access to South of Water Valley. Walked to my second choice spot as my hunting partner Scott wanted the back corner, which I think is best. I saw nothing, but did have a fox come within 12 feet of me while I was waiting. I've never seen a fox while hunting. Scott returned with stories of a cagey buck in the second clearing who would quickly trot to the next clump of trees before he could get a shot off. Spotted him three times, but had the magnification on the scope high enough he couldn't find him at 60 yds. We spotted a couple of does on the way back to the truck, but they beat it at the sound of my heavy footfalls trying to get into position.
After a quick bite, we drove around checking out some of the other areas around the section, plenty of action even around 11 am from both mule and whitetail deer. Headed up to the Gas plant road by Burnt Timber and called for a 1/2 hour in some high scrub that offered a 100 yd view, but all we saw were some wild horses.
Headed back to the section around 3 pm and decided to switch the spots we were at in the morning. Get to the first cutline and there's a doe standing right in the middle of it. Well, hot dog! I range it at 334 yds. and look a bit closer.....that's a buck. Get the binoculars on it and he looks a good size. Brief discussion with Scott had him telling me to take it, but we were in a low spot and getting prone meant I couldn't see him. We were too far from any trees to get to without definitely spooking him. Scott had grunted a couple of times and he was undecided if he wanted to take off, or come and check us out. I tried to double up our hunting packs as a suitable rest, but no go. Standing shot at that range was just too risky, and kneeling I had a bunch of grass in front of me. Damn! Before we had a chance to try anything else, he decided to leave and tail up, bolted into the trees. I thought this morning, laying in bed that I could've had Scott kneel and put the forestock on his shoulder.
We quickly headed for the next trail, which ends in a small corral, befor the buck came out, as it offers a 600 yd shooting lane. Got set up and waited, and watched a truck on the next property drive by. What the.... Waited until last light and saw nothing of the buck. However, that same fox crossed the road in front of me 5 or 6 times, circled behind and beside me. It was pretty great actually. We figure the buck walked out behind us and over the fence, and that's why the neighbor was driving the fenceline. Oh well, maybe we'll get him next time.
After a quick bite, we drove around checking out some of the other areas around the section, plenty of action even around 11 am from both mule and whitetail deer. Headed up to the Gas plant road by Burnt Timber and called for a 1/2 hour in some high scrub that offered a 100 yd view, but all we saw were some wild horses.
Headed back to the section around 3 pm and decided to switch the spots we were at in the morning. Get to the first cutline and there's a doe standing right in the middle of it. Well, hot dog! I range it at 334 yds. and look a bit closer.....that's a buck. Get the binoculars on it and he looks a good size. Brief discussion with Scott had him telling me to take it, but we were in a low spot and getting prone meant I couldn't see him. We were too far from any trees to get to without definitely spooking him. Scott had grunted a couple of times and he was undecided if he wanted to take off, or come and check us out. I tried to double up our hunting packs as a suitable rest, but no go. Standing shot at that range was just too risky, and kneeling I had a bunch of grass in front of me. Damn! Before we had a chance to try anything else, he decided to leave and tail up, bolted into the trees. I thought this morning, laying in bed that I could've had Scott kneel and put the forestock on his shoulder.
We quickly headed for the next trail, which ends in a small corral, befor the buck came out, as it offers a 600 yd shooting lane. Got set up and waited, and watched a truck on the next property drive by. What the.... Waited until last light and saw nothing of the buck. However, that same fox crossed the road in front of me 5 or 6 times, circled behind and beside me. It was pretty great actually. We figure the buck walked out behind us and over the fence, and that's why the neighbor was driving the fenceline. Oh well, maybe we'll get him next time.
