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By Dan Infalt
I had been itching to scout
this particular property for a while, but I needed a lasting snow to show
me the deer patterns on it, specifically the patterns of the big bucks
that I knew inhabited it. I had caught glimpses of some slobs the previous
fall on this new found haven, and my neighbor had a trail camera photo
of a giant. But this property was hard to access. I knew winter would be
the time to get the answers to my questions.
The time for answers came in early March. Two days of walking this land
was all I needed. There was a ridge on the far side of the property that
made a large arch following the flood plain of the river. Down in the flood
plain was where I found the big buck's bedding area that I was looking
for. He kept his bed near the edge of the river. The natural west winds
rolling down the ridge here allowed him to face the river, smell an approach
from the ridge, and slip across the river to safety. He could easily detect
an approach in front of him and slip out the back.
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I can't describe the feeling when he turned,
flicked his tail, and started walking straight towards me. I started
to shake and wondered if I would be able to control myself for
the shot.
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His staging area was in the transition zone where the hardwood ridge met
the flood plain. Despite a few thick tangles, most of the area was belly
high weeds and canary grass. I could see a large scrape at the base of
the ridge where the snow had begun to melt. There were some huge tracks
in it. I assumed it was a primary scrape as it was in the middle of the
staging area. Deer use these primary scrapes year round for communication.
There were also several huge rubs on trees as big around as my leg. I looked
around for a good tree I could sneak to and setup in come fall. The tree
was far enough to the side that a steady northwest wind would give the
buck a false sense of security and give me the edge I needed. It was well
within range of the scrape and all the trails that met within the staging
area.
All winter and spring, I worked hard finding other good setups in other
woodlots and farms, but this spot stayed fresh in my mind. When July finally
arrived, I started glassing and shining the different areas where I had
found big buck hideouts. The spot that kept haunting me was remote, so
shining was out of the question. One hot July afternoon I walked out to
the ridge and slipped down to where I could safely watch the staging area.
Sure enough, about an hour before dark, a monster 11-pointer emerged from
the bedding area into the staging area. He went right to the primary scrape
and lightly worked it. I backed off and slipped out of the area.
I returned several times to watch the monster from a distance and to make
sure he continued using the same pattern. The last time I snuck down there
to look, I brought my camcorder and filmed him as he moved around near
his bedding area. I noticed he was becoming increasingly nocturnal. That
had me concerned. I knew he would not tolerate any human scent in his staging
area. I would probably only get one chance.
Opening weekend finally arrived. I was out of town on my first ever bear
hunt. I wished I was back on the property sitting in the tree overlooking
the scrape, but it took many years to draw a bear tag. The buck would have
to wait. I shot my Wisconsin bear on opening day of bow deer season. I
stayed the night planning on being home the next day in time to deer hunt.
I was up before the dawn and on the road. All morning it looked like it
wanted to rain. The weather was predicting the wind I needed for that stand.
I knew that with a light rain, my buck would likely come out to freshen
his scrape.
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The last time I snuck down there
to look, I brought my camcorder and filmed him as he moved around near
his bedding area.
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I dropped off the bear at a butcher shop and drove straight to my hunting
grounds. There was a short but hard rain as I drove there, but it stopped
as I pulled into the parking spot. I arrived at my tree a little later
than expected, but I still felt confident I could sneak in and setup the
treestand quietly. After getting everything slowly and quietly in place,
it started to rain again. I sat down and looked into the bedding area 40
yards away as the monster I came for rose to his feet. He shook off the
rain much like a lab after retrieving a duck. I can't describe the feeling
when he turned, flicked his tail, and started walking straight towards
me.
I started to shake. I wondered if I would be able to control myself for
the shot. He never stopped. He just walked straight to the scrape. Instinct
must have taken over because I can't remember shooting or aiming. I was
just staring at the monster when my arrow zipped right through him. It
was as if it wasn't me who shot. The buck spun around, took a jump, stopped
for a second, then ran full speed until he piled up 40 yards away in the
canary grass.
I never came out of a tree so fast! I raced to the buck, and grabbed his
massive rack and absorbed the moment. The buck's massive rack was 24 inches
wide inside. His live weight would have exceeded 300 pounds. What a monster.
It took me and a friend half the night to get him out of the woods. At
the time, this was my best buck with a bow. My Wisconsin bear and deer
season ended almost as soon as it started.
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Comments
Ya gotta make writing your profession and turn machining into a hobby :o)
When did this take place?
Definitely AWESOME!
Posted by: Kurtis on August 26, 2005 08:02 AM
When you start the new book whats ya gonna call it?What ever it is can I sell it on my website?
Whats everybody think Dan should call his book when he writes it?"True stories from a true slob chaser"
Posted by: Scott on August 28, 2005 06:46 PM
I finaly got a chance to read all the articles, there're really great! Keep writing and posting. Love to hear how the slobs are taken.
Barry
Posted by: B South on August 31, 2005 11:35 AM
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