I sat back in the North Bowl again this morning. Something just draws me to that place. It gives me a feeling inside that’s really hard to explain. I’m pretty sure it’s one of those place I could just go sit at any time throughout the year. My mind becomes quiet when I’m there and the world seems to slow down. I really don’t care if I see a deer when I’m sitting there.
The day started off quick. At first light I had a nice buck chase a doe right to me. As she was fidgeting around underneath me I couldn’t see well enough to determine if the buck was a shooter or not. I could tell that his body matched that of a mature buck, but I couldn’t see his rack well enough to decide if I wanted to shoot him. It couldn’t get light fast enough and the gray part of the morning won the battle. When he finally turned to go I saw that I had made a mistake. I should have taken him when the opportunity presented itself. I was really disappointed as I watched him continue chasing the doe around on the ridge in front of me. It’s amazing how five minutes can make a difference in how you see the animals. Since I didn’t take the shot I’m hoping it means something better is coming my way.
After the buck departed I had a small 8-pointer come down the bowl out of the cornfield and go right past me. When he was gone two more bucks came in and one made a scrape and rubbed a tree, which I was lucky enough to get video of. It was pretty awesome.
Tonight I saw a few bucks in the cornfield beyond the knob plot, more over toward the Toad Saddle (named because my buddy Kevin killed a buck he named “Toad” there in the saddle a few years back). One of the bucks was a small 8 and he was chasing a few does around the field. One big shooter went up the field directly away from me right at dark. He was a dandy but didn’t want to give the doe with him any space at all.
Dad saw a really big buck this morning cruising along the edge of the cornfield. I still feel like we’re close, but I also feel like we’re probably going to be hard pressed to get one within shooting range. Any way you look at it this trip has been an experience of a lifetime. It’s been simply awesome.