The pain

Very cool story. You can't really explain buck fever to non hunters, you just have to experience it to know.

Why didn't you go after him, anticipate their route and intercept them, or call to the buck or doe?
 
Very cool story. You can't really explain buck fever to non hunters, you just have to experience it to know.

Why didn't you go after him, anticipate their route and intercept them, or call to the buck or doe?

The last term I would use in describing the op's state of mind is "buck fever". He made correct and responsible decisions throughout this hunting experience. We all get excited but the more experienced of us use that to advantage.
 
The cramp in the chest was from the way i was bent and rising the bow. Yes my heart was pumping though

With the crispness of leaves there was no way id ever sneak up within bow range. Muzzleloader he would have been in my freezer right now.
 
I took a nice 10 point already this season so i cant complain. Dragging 212lbs over 1/4 mile with a cracked rib sucked but i managed to get it out and loaded into my truck. Alot of hunters still have unfilled tags as it was a tough year. Next season should be stellar
 
As it turned out we got some icy snow for the last day. Walking in was not sneaky and just as i got about 30 yards into the bush i heard him running across the field. He ran right along the edge of the bush and right over my tracks. If only he had waited another 15 mins it would have been an open easy shot. However he lives on
 
The last term I would use in describing the op's state of mind is "buck fever". He made correct and responsible decisions throughout this hunting experience. We all get excited but the more experienced of us use that to advantage.

Interesting that you think of buck fever as something which causes people to make incorrect and irresponsible decisions. Many others refer to buck fever as the adrenaline surge and excitement experienced during an experience with game. Buck fever is not limited to inexperienced hunters.

The cramp in the chest was from the way i was bent and rising the bow. Yes my heart was pumping though

With the crispness of leaves there was no way id ever sneak up within bow range. Muzzleloader he would have been in my freezer right now.


When conditions don't allow for a stalk it pays to know the land and deer you're hunting. Usually you can sneak out the back door and make a wide loop to get into position without the deer having any clue. Works for turkey as well. This is one of the reasons why I always scout entire properties and mark all relevant landmarks, trails, sign, feeding areas, etc on my GPS before hunting as I can look at my GPS and determine where the animals are likely going and where I should setup. It pays to have a "road map" of the bush you're hunting.
 
Interesting that you think of buck fever as something which causes people to make incorrect and irresponsible decisions. Many others refer to buck fever as the adrenaline surge and excitement experienced during an experience with game. Buck fever is not limited to inexperienced hunters.

Many others, other than your many others, think buck fever involves a buck and a hunter who forgets to take the safety off, because of antlers, fires on an empty chamber because antlers, misses 4 times at 30 yards, because of antlers. It is specific, involves a screw up usually and an enormous rack.

Not something brybenn seems to have succumbed to. Be the rare guy who doesn't get excited in the presence of a desirable animal buck or not. Not to the point of "fever" though.
 
I admit to feeling more adrenalin when i see big antlers coming but its not enough to make me miss or act like a fool. Deer dont have anything on wolves and bears for adrenaline. Especially when theyre under 20 yards

Next year should be great as many big bucks survived and so far we dont have a winter
 
15 yards? That's SKS range!
My favorite part of hunting is when you got an animal in the crosshairs and you have to wait for a shot. Time gets distorted, muscles hurt, heart races.

This season i was riding shotgun with my buddy on our way to meet another buddy who shot a deer. We spotted a deer down a cutline. I jumped out and ran back to get a shot. Two deer. One was back on directly infront of the other, which was broadside. Knelt down. Zoomed in my scope, and focused on my breathing. My friend said i sat there for 6 minutes. Felt like 30 seconds to me. Deer moved. Shot at the broadside one. Grabbed my pack and my friend went to go meet the other guy. No body, no blood trail. Just disappointment.
 
Wish i could use centerfire where im at. I get a decently long archery season thats broken up for 3 separate muzzleloader and shotgun seasons. I partake in 1 of the week long muzzleloarder seasons. I took a fine 10 point so i cant complain. If i could use my 2506 i wouldnt have tags for very long. I need to find a place to hunt in a centerfire zone.
 
Buck fever doesn't even need a buck to take hold of a guy. I knew one lad that cranked his Marlin empty while pointing it at a doe, and never fired a shot. It was his first hunt. His later escapades are stuff of wild tales at camp. He's a friend, but very glad he doesn't hunt out of our camp.
 
I got a buddy that gets so excited shooting turkey he cant speak right and can barely walk he shakes so much. He shoots a deer or moose like hes shooting paper.
 
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