After logging 175 hours in the treestand this year during early archery season, with not much oppurtunity at a mature buck, I was starting to not get my hopes too high for this year's opening weekend of gun hunting in Wisconsin. (Nov. 17)
Exactly one week before opening day I caught this buck on camera hitting a scrape along the woods which borders a marsh. I have 5 cameras set up all year long on the nearly 80 acres of land I hunt and have never had this buck on camera before. Needless to say this as one of the nicest pictures I had came across and got me a little bit more excited for gun season.
Opening morning came around and I had 3 small bucks sparring and grunting within 50 yards of my stand at first light. They of course got a free pass to go on about their business.
At about 8:20AM I heard another buck grunting coming from the woods across the 125 yards of marsh I was watching over. I pulled up my binoculars to take a look and caught the ears of a doe sticking up just above the tall marsh grass. She wasn't moving much and kept looking behind her. Further behind her along the woods was this buck. A big buck by my standards. All I can see is his rack sticking up. As the excitment and shakes begin to set in I pulled up my rifle to get a look at him. After several tense minutes he finally moved a bit closer where I could make out more of his body through the tall marsh grass. I took my shot and was unable to pick up the buck after the shot in my scope or with my eyes. The doe and another smaller buck behind her stood motionless not knowing what happend. I was unable to see any deer running away. I thought I might have missed. After a half hour of second guessing I walked to the spot where he was when I shot and found him. He had not moved at all after the shot.
I was using my Rem 700 .308 with 150 grain nosler ballistic tips from Federal Vital Shok. This was the first animal I had taken with this rifle and was impressed with its performance. The enterance was in front of the left shoulder below the neck. The bullet was located behind the left shoulder just under the skin. The shot was approx 120 yards. I don't know exactly what it scores. Its already at the taxidermist since this is one of the largest deer I have taken. This deer was shot in Columbia County WI.
It is difficult to see in the pictures with me, but we believe this is the same buck in the trail camera photo due to its distinctive bladed G2 on the left side and the smaller brow tine on the left side.
This first picture was taken where I located the buck. You can see just how tall the marsh grass is, as well as the woods right behind me where he and the doe came out of.
Exactly one week before opening day I caught this buck on camera hitting a scrape along the woods which borders a marsh. I have 5 cameras set up all year long on the nearly 80 acres of land I hunt and have never had this buck on camera before. Needless to say this as one of the nicest pictures I had came across and got me a little bit more excited for gun season.
Opening morning came around and I had 3 small bucks sparring and grunting within 50 yards of my stand at first light. They of course got a free pass to go on about their business.
At about 8:20AM I heard another buck grunting coming from the woods across the 125 yards of marsh I was watching over. I pulled up my binoculars to take a look and caught the ears of a doe sticking up just above the tall marsh grass. She wasn't moving much and kept looking behind her. Further behind her along the woods was this buck. A big buck by my standards. All I can see is his rack sticking up. As the excitment and shakes begin to set in I pulled up my rifle to get a look at him. After several tense minutes he finally moved a bit closer where I could make out more of his body through the tall marsh grass. I took my shot and was unable to pick up the buck after the shot in my scope or with my eyes. The doe and another smaller buck behind her stood motionless not knowing what happend. I was unable to see any deer running away. I thought I might have missed. After a half hour of second guessing I walked to the spot where he was when I shot and found him. He had not moved at all after the shot.
I was using my Rem 700 .308 with 150 grain nosler ballistic tips from Federal Vital Shok. This was the first animal I had taken with this rifle and was impressed with its performance. The enterance was in front of the left shoulder below the neck. The bullet was located behind the left shoulder just under the skin. The shot was approx 120 yards. I don't know exactly what it scores. Its already at the taxidermist since this is one of the largest deer I have taken. This deer was shot in Columbia County WI.
It is difficult to see in the pictures with me, but we believe this is the same buck in the trail camera photo due to its distinctive bladed G2 on the left side and the smaller brow tine on the left side.
This first picture was taken where I located the buck. You can see just how tall the marsh grass is, as well as the woods right behind me where he and the doe came out of.
