I decided to make the easy trek to Missouri to chase white tails in hopes of getting a true MO giant.
After weeks of escouting and talking with the local CO down there, I decided to press my luck in the Bethany area.
Had limited time for boots on the ground scouting but spent 2.5 days scouting and 2.5 days hunting (I did hunt some while scouting).
The deer sign was insane! Talking with some guys who’d been hunting there a while, the bucks were definitely working rubs and scrapes but only at night. Bucks weren’t chasing yet.
I set up on an intersection of three well used paths within 10 yards and another big trail section about 30 yards. The trick was going to be playing the wind. I didn’t know which way the deer were travel so I guessed…but guessed wrong. That said, only a few busted me.
I saw too many does to count. A large 6 pointer, several spikes, a 5 pointer and a spike battling less then 10 yards from my stand. On the last morning sit, 30 minutes before I was to leave, I had a borderline 7 pointer walk right down in front, broadside at 5 yards! It was more then likely a legal buck but it just wasn’t worth the risk.
But the excitement came Wednesday evening during high winds and blowing snow. Less then 10 yards came the buck I was looking for. Unfortunately it came from down wind. Several small bucks came down that trail earlier and never busted me so I thought I might be clear. I’m not sure if it busted me or the turkeys coming by spooked it but it slow trotted right by me and never stopped. What a beast! Less then 10 yards! It was hard to watch being that close but was super excited to have an opportunity.
Saw dozens and dozens of turkeys. Full draw on a nice Tom but it decided not to come forward of the bush it was standing by.
Even though I walked away with nothing, it was one of my favorite hunts to date. And it was a solo hunt.
Learning points: MO woods are THICK! Hunting edges on heavy used trails between food and beddings was clutch. Scout. Scout scout. Taking 2.5 days for scouting during a short hunt paid off, at least to getting on the deer. DONT wear Berber fleece. The burs are ridiculous out there.