In my last blog I discussed the concept of “locked down” bucks and how this relatively new phenomenon being recognized by hunters can really throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans.

Well, here is my story of a “locked down” buck, witnessed from a front row seat for two full days.

Realtree’s John Tate and I had hunted on the edge of a big wheat field one day and saw several big bucks chasing does. Feeling an urge to hunt in the thickets surrounding the field, we placed a Lone Wolf ladder stand in a big pecan tree on a creek bottom and we decided that we’d stick it out at this location, several hundred yards off the field.

When we went back into the area to hunt, the wind was howling! About 30-35 miles per hour. As we eased up to the stand, I looked up on the ridge and caught movement of a huge rack in the brush. The buck had no idea we had just walked to within 70 yards of him because he was intently looking into the brush beside him.

Very carefully and quietly, Tate and I eased up into the stand and got set up. Still, the buck had no idea we were anywhere around! After another ten minutes, the object of the buck’s focus stood up. A big ol’ doe!

About that time a smaller buck started easing into the thicket and the big boy would have nothing of it. He quickly chased the “young challenger” off and returned to his patiently waiting female companion.

For a half an hour, they stood still. Then the buck started rubbing a tree. All of this was caught on camera by John. Finally, the doe started to slowly feed down the hill into a clearing. At first, I thought she may be coming our direction. That would have been too easy!

After running off another couple of young bucks, including the same one twice, the buck walks over to the doe and, well, things got really interesting.

The doe stood still and the buck mounted her and proceeded to spread his genes. Incredible! And John got great video (High Definition I might add)!
Slowly, they walked over to another thicket...and bedded down! Where they stayed until dark!

With the wind still blowing hard, John and I were able to ease out of the area while leaving all of our equipment (except for the camera) in the tree. We would be back before daylight the next morning!

Now, don’t get mad at me but unfortunately, I was told to make my blogs “quick reads” so it wouldn’t take up touch much of your time, so I’ll continue the story on the next blog!

Go finish your Christmas shopping or split some firewood! You’ll love the way this story ends!