Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

I was out hunting this evening and saw a doe at 35 yards but didn't have a shot on her. I am setting on the outside edge of Slate Creek and behind me is a cut meadow, a road and then Slate Creek. The creek flows in a horse shoe shape. The doe came from the north then goes back the way it came in, circles around and comes back by me at 10 - 12 yards, passes by me on my right side at 10 yards and goes back out into the meadow. I glance over my right side and a BIG 9 point buck (160" give or take) walks in from the meadow on the same path. I move my safety from safe to fire. The buck hangs a left and he is passing in front of me at 8 feet. I get him in my sights (I'm shooting a crossbow) and nothing but hair! Crap too damn close, so close I can't even pick a spot to shoot him. It was his lucky day, he walked into my life and right back out again. He never knew I was there, he should have heard my heart pounding!

Have any of you other hunters out there had a close encounter like that before?

Reel hip Loc: San Diego, Ca

No ! Never that close.
my heart was racing just reading your story though. Next time hopefully that buck wont be too far out of range for you either.

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

It would have been hanging in the cooler had it been 8 yards instead of 8 feet. I limit my shots to no further than 40 yards. I didn't realize that I had a limit on how close is too close.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Well written Rut. Haven't hunted in years but it was like i was right there. Better luck next time.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

OH, ,,,,,, SHI1!!!!!!!!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I feel bad for you RB, but you may see him again. My biggest buck to date was taken in 2011. It was opening day of the WI rifle season and I was in a tree stand which had been lucky in the past. I had a bonus doe tag to fill as well as my buck tag and an empty freezer so I was going to take the first adult deer I saw.
I heard the barbed wire fence squeak which is the first sign one is in the area. I got ready as they pass through my shooting lanes quickly at times. Well, this big doe comes racing around a pine tree about 30yds in front of me. She cuts to my left as I try to get her in the scope, then back to the right as I flip off the safety. She did her best impression of Barry Sanders as she cut around every tree and clump of brush when I caught the glimpse of antler from what she was running from. The buck came around the pine, but didn’t bother with the cutting and juking as he just crashed through everything trying to get her. She made a small loop about 20 yds out and sprinted right under my ladder. He followed and I pulled the trigger as soon as I could get his gray chest in the scope at about 25’. Then it got crazy...he hit the brakes and stopped just about straight under my stand. I stood up, racked another round and aimed down the side of the barrel and after ensuring I wasn’t going to shoot my own foot, I shot him in the shoulder. He crashed into some thick, heavy cover and I sat back down trying to figure out what had just happened. It was all I could do to flip him to field dress him as he dressed out at 260#. He was only an 8 pointer which scored 110, but he was an older buck who had peaked and was on his decline. That was 6 days after I caught the Muskie in my avatar photo. It was a pretty good week. 😉

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I started bow hunting in ‘85 and had permission to hunt on a few farms in Central WI. One particular farm had about 110 acres of corn planted in an L shape with another 40 acres of canary grass and trees with a stump pile at the inside corner of the corn. It was overgrown with small trees with rubs and scrapes around the edges. There were no trees large enough to support a stand so I erected a small platform from scrap lumber on which to stand. It was about 7’ tall and I left a small backdrop of branches when I cut a few shooting lanes. I used fox urine as a cover scent and took my position the first night. As if on queue a big buck walks right to me from the only direction which didn’t present a shot. He got to about 2yds and stood, testing the wind as I was at full draw. My bow only had about 50% let off at the time, so I was darn near in tears, trying to visualize an angle or column through the branches at his vitals. I had to let it off after about a minute as I was shaking. That buck stood there for 5 minutes then turned and snuck away, in the direction from which he appeared, seemingly unaware of my presence. A buddy shot him the next weekend on the opening day of the rifle season and won a big buck contest.

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

OJ those were 2 good stories and they will definitely get your heart pounding. My grandson shot his first buck at 13 with a mission craze set at 32 pounds. We were sitting in a 2 man stand when two 6 point bucks come in. He took a shot at one and just trims hair when the arrow passes underneath him. They take off and his heart hits the ground with a big thud. We’re sitting there talking about what happened when I catch movement to my right, tap him on his leg and here comes a little 8 pointer. At 15 yards he grunts at it, nothing. He grunts a little louder, still didn’t hear him. We are practically yelling at him to get him to stop when he turns his head towards us and says “huh”. He takes the shot at 20 yards and hits a bullseye. The buck didn’t even make it 30 yards. When field dressing the buck I looked at the heart and the broadhead was buried right smack dab in the middle of it! Wow what a thrill for a first bow kill, going from a low to a high powered adrenaline rush was unbelievable. I don’t know who was happier him or me.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

That is awesome RB, very happy for you both! I was sitting next to my Son when he shot his first buck. I may have already told the story, but not much beats that feeling.
It just shows that you never know what may come along...similar to fishing! A lot can happen in a minute.
I was out last night and passed a 1 1/2yr old buck and 2 adult does as it was last light and too warm to risk a shot and a search in the dark in the swamp. They came in from 3 different directions. Plus, I was alone and it would have been a long drag at 65 degrees. Now, if his Dad showed up...I may still be out there. 😉

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

OJ do you have a deer cart so you don’t kill yourself dragging one out? I built one 32 years ago with 20” wheels on it and have hauled at least 75 deer out with it.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

As a matter of fact, I do. 🤦🏼‍♂️ I purchased one for an antelope hunt 2 years ago.
Thanks for the reminder.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

I had that same problem at a 6 pt buck running past me when I had my smoke pole. Could only see fur thru the scope !

Jeremy Loc: America

Awesome Hunting Stories. I made a 1 wheel Deer cart out of the expanded steel ice chest carriers that were pretty popular through 2000 or so. I used a 2 inch receiver idea for a pair of bicycle forks. Then had a 20" bicycle solid rubber tube ( no mor flats brand) so never needs air. It has 4 1" receiver single 1" EMT electrical conduit with handle grips. One for each corner. Can be used like a wheel barrow with one person ( two handles) or like stretcher with two people using all four handles. The single 20" bicycle forks and wheel were in the center of the expanded steel. It all disassembles and has brakes too with a brake lever for each person to use if needed on hills etc.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Great idea about the brakes Jeremy.

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

My deer hauler was made out of 1” square, angle and flat aluminum. I bought 20 inch solid rubber wheels from great northern tool catalog rated at 150 pounds each. It will haul anything you can put on it. I’ve had 3 ladder stands, a loaded pack and a chainsaw on it and pulled it across a half mile field without any problems at all.