Archery season began without much activity in my best stands. I spotted a few small bucks and some does, but the bigger bucks remained elusive in Bartow County. It turned out a large, aggressive black bear had taken over the white oak creek bottom, keeping the deer away. Each time I used my deer call, the bear appeared, unwilling to share his territory.
Moving to a New Stand Location
To outmaneuver the bear, I relocated my stand to a ridge between two bedding areas, where I had seen deer crossing. I put this new spot to the test by rattling and grunting during the week of Halloween. My efforts attracted four two-year-old bucks, but I had to leave for a planned draw hunt in northern Georgia and didn’t return until early November.
An Unforgettable November Morning
On the morning in early November, I quietly slipped into my stand along a logging road. Positioned 30 yards from the top of the ridge, I had a clear view in all directions. The wind was gusty, blowing at nine miles per hour, and the temperature lingered in the sixties under a slightly overcast sky. As dawn broke, the air was thick with the aroma of fall.
Perfecting the Calling Sequence
Once daylight set in, I executed my calling routine: long doe bleats, followed by grunts, then a bellowing grunt. I wanted to simulate a buck tending a doe. Rustling noises teased me, though I couldn’t locate the source. I grabbed my antlers for a mock fight, banging them together to mimic two bucks engaged in battle.
The Big Moment
Suddenly, I heard rapid movement behind me. Glimpsing a flash of movement, I turned but couldn’t get a clear view. Moments later, does bolted across the road, pursued by a massive buck. A quick bleat made him pause, just long enough for me to focus my 3x9 Vortex scope. My Savage 220s 20-gauge shotgun roared, and a well-placed Remington Accutip slug dropped him instantly.
A Trophy to Remember
I climbed down and placed a finishing shot on the fallen buck. He was a magnificent eight-pointer with an 18-inch spread and impressive tine length. This was the reward for practicing patience and passing on younger, less developed bucks. Our hunting club’s strategy of allowing young bucks to mature is paying off, and we can expect to see more quality deer in the future.
The Rut is On
With November comes increased deer movement and the rut. If you aren’t in the woods in the two weeks following Halloween, you’ll miss the best opportunity to bag a buck. The thrill of hunting the rut is unmatched, and every moment spent in the stand counts.
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