Well it was a great hunt for my first time hunting in Ohio. It turned from a very tough hunt (due to that darn full moon) into maybe my most special. I had hunted hard for 4 straight days sitting for 6 hours in the morning before coming out to grab a sandwich and jumping right back into an evening stand for another 5-6 hour sit; had to jump stands a few times due to changes in the wind.
During those first four days I saw few deer with only one moment of excitement. That came on the second morning when a huge buck came up over a ridge into view as it chased a hot doe. I cannot be certain as to how big it was, but I can say without hesitating that it was at least a 140” frame and could have been much much bigger. I sure which I could have seen him well enough to know just how big he really was. His rack was HEAVY! Oh well, he jetted down into a thick ravine after that doe and it was all over. I couldn’t get him to respond to any calling or rattling.
On the fifth day in the evening, I move to a stand over looking a 5ish acre food plot. My morning stand produced no sightings in almost a 7 hour sit; a change in scenery was much needed! I saw my first three deer of the evening about 2 hours before dark. A doe and her two fawns entered the field and fed for a short time. One of the fawns (a buck fawn) moved quickly across the field to inspect a few scrapes on the opposite side. It was like he was an older buck following a scent trail and he quickly exited the far side. The other two turned and followed him and the field was once again empty.
Nearly an hour later I started to hear a lot of noise coming from the far side corner. To be honest I though it was turkeys roosting; I’d heard turkeys earlier over in that direction and it was simply too much noise to be deer. WRONG! In the next few moment deer after deer would enter the field. Before I could finish a count there were over 18 deer eating in the plot. Only one was a buck and he was a spike. He chased the does around for a few minutes while constantly grunting.
I remember thinking that there was no way I wouldn’t see horns tonight with all these does and that little guy making so much racket. I was right, just then a real nice buck entered the field. Now I can’t be sure what he was, but ’d call him a 140”+ 9 point. He did exactly what you’d expect, he started chasing does. At one point I had him at approximately 40 yards and started to draw my bow. However, 40 yards is about my max and (to be quite honest) in this open field setting, I wasn’t totally sure of his true distance from me. For some reason I didn’t shoot. I know it was the wise choice, but it was still hard to not release an arrow.
Not to long after that another buck entered the field and this one was a little bigger! It wasted no time seeking out the 9 pt and confronting him. It was awesome watching him flare up all his hair, walk with that side ways stiff legged walk and snort weez at the 9 pt. I just knew they were going to get it on and I was going to have a front row seat. However, the 9 pt wanted nothing to do with the big guy and he quickly backed down.
I spent the next 30 minutes getting to watch this guys scent check every doe in the field (at least it seemed that way). He went from doe to doe with no takers. I just kept wishing one of those doe would run to my side of the field with him in tow, but they were keeping to the far side or back to far to my left. Finally, one of the does decided to help me out. She came from the far side straight across to me and turned heading off to my right at 30 yards. He followed to almost the same spot and continued his pursuit. He gave me a quartering to shot at about 35 yards while still walking. I grunted to stop him but he wouldn’t of heard me if I had been a train. He was working does and nothing else was entering his mind. I consider the brief shot and again backed off it. A small amount of frustration came with not taking that shot.
I couldn’t believe what was happening! Here I sit having had two opportunities to release an arrow at two different great bucks and I’d yet to hit the release. Now my buck was again chasing does and headed into the other direction. Light was getting short now and I knew I had to do something. Out of desperation I got on the grunt call trying to make him think the 9 pt was back after his does. Again, he wasn’t having anything to do with anything other than the real McCoy’s. Now I’m down to 5 or so minutes of shooting time.
Just then I found I had another friend in that group of doe. She led my boy down to the left near corner and then headed straight down the wood line right under my stand. Right behind her, grunting his head off, was the buck. This time he would pass through an opening at 15 yards. All he had to do was not change his path; and he didn’t. I drew my bow right as he entered my opening and gave him another grunt; this time he stopped! It took only a split second to line him up and the arrow was gone.
What a night this had been. Four long hard days of little followed by an evening of a lifetime. The deer ran only 100 yards and never made it out of the field. Unfortunately I didn’t see him fall since the field was crowned in the direction he ran. However, he was easily found after dinner was eaten and we had returned to look for him. The shot had been perfect. The two passed opportunities for shots were no longer regretted. This deer, my best ever, was riding home with me and there wasn’t a happier man on earth at that particular moment. I must admit to having been choked up when I realized I’d shot this incredible buck on my mother’s birthday. She passed away in 2005.
Before I finish, I have to thank Todd Franks of Clear Creek Outfitters of Ohio for allowing me to hunt with him and his family. They have great properties and run a great operation. More importantly, they make you feel like one of the family; and their family is very special. Todd knows his many properties very well and knows his deer hunting. It was a pleasure to spend time in the evenings talking about how and why he does certain things and comparing them to what I have always done. You can never know everything about deer hunting, but you will learn something if you sit and talk to this man! Thanks for everything Todd! I hope to see you again next year. That 9pt should be about ready for a trip to Michigan.
Almost forgot, he was a 12 pt (one broke off kicker or he’d be a 13) with two split brows. We think he was either 3.5 or 4.5 and weighted around 225 when put together. I don’t know what he will score at this time but guesses range from 150-170. I personally think we won’t score as well as he looks because the brows carry so much mass and he will not get credit for that. Either way I really don’t care, he’s made my year!
Ohio 12 point (and story)
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