DAVE BECK

It’s archery crunch time and I haven’t said much about it, until now. If history holds true, we are in the middle of the white-tailed deer rut, a/k/a breeding season. In other words, this is the best time of the year to bag a big old monster buck because he is distracted. Even though I got a late start to my hunting season, I am now in it to win it.  

To date my best outing was a couple of days ago when I was so close yet at the same time so far away. My morning started with a decent 10-pointer coming through. He gave me plenty of time to assess and disqualify him from the contest to win my archery buck tag. He gave me several chances by stopping and standing in that perfect quartering away archery shot. It was tempting but I kept asking myself, “At the end of the day, would I rather have this buck or my unused archery tag?” The buck finally moved off to the south into a hayfield taking all temptation with him.  

As I waited and watched that buck walk away, I asked myself the age-old archery question: “Did I just make a mistake?” Thirty minutes later in the far end of the field a chunky nine-pointer stepped out and immediately answered that question. The new buck had a higher, wider and heavier rack. He checked all the boxes but one to qualify for my archery tag. The last box to check: Is he in range?  

The Big 9 took his sweet old time heading towards me. He turned right and I assumed he was going to head into the woods. I pulled out a buck grunt tube and threw a few calls his way hoping to refocus his attention and direction. It worked. His gait and demeanor told me that he was the boss. That was evident when the previous 10-pointer took a submissive pose and gave the Big 9 a wide berth. It was so interesting to watch the two bucks assume their natural roles in the deer hierarchy. There was absolutely no mistaking who was the superior buck.    

The Big 9 eventually got closer and walked into bow range. It was now or never. He held his head high and his ears were tracking in all directions taking in every sound. Not having to deal with the inferior buck, the bigger buck was alert and soaking in everything. It felt like as soon as I raised my bow, he would be on to me. I waited for him to look away or maybe stop and feed or do anything besides being on high alert. That never happened. He came and went through my shooting lane and that was that. He slipped into the woods and our chance meeting was over.  

It had been a great morning to sit out in the woods. I want to get back out there soon and being that I still have my buck tag, that’s just what I intend to do. Big 9, you won this round.   

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