Hey all, following up on this thread. It so happens that the only daytime pic that I have of a target buck named DoubleWide (mentioned above) was taken the day after I tagged out on the 9pt (subject of this thread) and went home. 6 years of hunting this buck. 100’s of nighttime pics since 2018. No one I know has ever seen this deer. I’ve talked about him with my dad for 6 years. I saw this buck twice last year, including once at 32 yards with no shot during bow season (I was cool as a cucumber until after he bounded off and then my steel ladder stand was shaking so hard I thought for sure the straps would break!)
But I digress. On Veteran’s Day 2023, one month after my dad passed away…DoubleWide screwed up. I swear it’s because it’s the only way my dad could have been with me. Parkinson’s had him and wouldn’t let go. 10 minutes after legal I layed down two full minutes of hard rattling followed by 8-10 grunts (I lost count). Every thing was wrong about this morning, not the least of which was wind direction. Two minutes after I put my call away, DoubleWide ran past me at 20ft and full speed!! Up comes the muzzle loader as I knew he would eventually stop in my open pasture somewhere before he hit the wood line 125 yards away. He stopped cold, broadside, at 60 yards. Steaming,and soaking wet from running through frost covered standing corn. And he was pissed! I have never heard a deer make the sounds he was making. Within 2 seconds of his stopping a cloud of smoke blocked my view and this 6 year hunt was over. 100’s of hours on stand, passing on many nice deer, waiting for him…it was done. I still can’t believe it happened. And I’m thrilled my dad was there with me.
It was never about the 22” inside spread with DoubleWide. He hung at 290lbs two weeks into the rut. Now what!? I kinda miss him…
Attachments:
DoubleWide1-scaled.jpeg