Jeremy Westling • Franklin County Had a discussion with friends and family regarding this buck. “Im not leaving the woods until I die or he does” after seeing only his head through the straw grass while aimed in on a big 8 Saturday morning at first light. Deer were moving in force all day but he didn’t make it back around. (No I didn’t stay the night in the stand, although I would have probably slept better if I did. Couldn’t get my mind off this hunt) Sunday morning started out active as well. Tons of movement at first light. Then bedding time hit followed by 62 degree temps with no breeze. Movement stopped and not a sound aside the 175lb squirrel turning the woods into a rage room. with an hour of light left, I hit the doe bleat to what I believed was an act of desperation and just like that I have movement behind me in the tall grass, thinking to myself. “Oh joy I’ve just called in the P diddy of squirrels” I turn to observe every hunters primary woods annoyance, and there he is. The buck looks at me, I look at him and I immediately regret turning to look at him like I’m a bored kid in an office chair. He bolts, and I wasn’t about to spend another sleepless night thinking about this very moment. Busted him on the run and he took his forever dirt nap in place. Patience and discipline are absolutely key, we always manage to learn a little more about ourselves with prolonged outdoors exposure! Apologies for the lengthy post but you’d be lying if you said you couldn’t relate! Also, this fella was a fighter, Had battle wounds all over this neck
