I hope it's not too late to get a rut thread going and keep it up for a couple weeks. I got mine on Halloween night in PA. I know a lot of folks that have had a lot of success on 10/31, but it never worked out for me before. This one was actually a pretty good story. Nothing special about it but it can be surprising when things actually play out like they are supposed to. I've hunted this out-of-the-way public spot for many nears and never drug out a buck. Had some very close calls and 2 bucks lost. Not a good track record. This spot keeps me coming back because it has so much potential. The caveat is that access is limited due to having to cross a deep creek. There are only so many opportunities per season and sometimes get completely locked out.

This past Saturday it was borderline crossable in the morning and a little better in afternoon. I hunted both with a break in between. Wind direction could have been slightly better. Over the years I learned and refined the set-up to take advantage of the creek and now hang my stand right at the edge. That affords me most westerly wind advantages. The trade-off is losing out on deer that cross further into the narrow strip of open woods. The other key is close shots. I prefer chips shots and max out around 25 yards. And I have to sit due to balance issues. Any deer running the creek edge is going to offer that and none can get behind or to my right where I can't turn to shoot.

In the evening I hadn't seen a deer until just at sunset even though the conditions were great. A doe and two fawns emerged from the north as they tend to do in afternoons. No chasing or nervousness, just browsing through. Tough to let her pass as I don't often get east shots on mature does. Note, she stopped and urinated right on the trail directly in one of my shooting lanes. I should have, but didn't think much of it at the time.

I just had that feeling one buck would cruise by in the closing minutes. About the time that thought entered my head, I heard a grunt from upstream. Got in position. Grunted two more times before I saw him. A good shooter (spoiler, it was a big buck for PA). He was moving at a good pace with nose to the ground, searching. I drew early and planned to hold it after seeing how fast he was coming in. As he cleared into the first lane, he turned directly away so I let it back down, ~23 yards. He quickly reversed direction, trying to find her trail I assume. I drew again as I didn't want him getting too close and locking me up. As soon as he hit the pee spot he turned almost broadside so I let him have it.

Shot was a little far back since I was trying to miss the shoulder blade. I knew it wasn't going to be a double lunger but had to get an arrow in him. He didn't go far. Grueling drag out in the dark solo. Stumbled home around 10:00. The only unfortunate part was not being about to savor the moment much. Finally proved the hot spot was for real though.

Great buck!!!! Getting ready to go sit in the woods now and Ill post the picture everywhere if I shoot a buck like that!!! Good job!

Nice buck.
Congratulations.

Nice one!

That's a nice buck, I'd be happy with him.

great deer!!

Great job my man.

Awesome buck.

Got this one sticking his nose in a does rear Saturday evening.

Scout1, that doesn't look like NC. Where bouts?

Got this one the other day in Missouri. 215 lbs

Nice Bucks

Wyoming last week.

Gotta love the rut

It’s in full swing down here in our neck of the woods. Couldn’t shoot a doe if you wanted too. We have everything from 1.5 year old spikes chasing to 6.5 year olds chasing. One of the greatest time to be on the woods!!

No doubt.

That one makes my socks go up and down. Gorgeous buck.

Sons buck from Sunday.