Florida 10 Pt Falls To My 7x30

[Dave1]

There was a cool breeze blowing Monday morning as I climbed into my treetand right at daylight.  The swamp bordered oak hammock, where I was set up to hunt, was quiet and still.  As daylight emerged the woods came alive with many sights and sounds.  I had been hunting a big 10 pt in this area for two years.  I had seen him near here twice this year but after six weeks of steady bow and muzz hunting this area, I felt the buck had me pinpointed in my treestand that was situated on the West end of the long narrow hammock.

I decided to change my approach to the area and also put another stand in the hammock.  I carried a lock on style stand in there and placed it on the North side of the hammock and back in a small cluster of trees that would provide good cover.  I had a good view of several trails that entered the hammock and hoped for some "good" wind during my hunts.  I left the area alone for the next couple of days waiting for that good wind.

Monday morning the winds were blowing West to East which was a cross wind down thru the hammock and perfect for my new stand setup.  As I watched dark turn to daylight it was quite peaceful and serene and I was enjoying just being there.

My 14" 7x30 Contender with red dot scope was laying in my lap as I scanned the hammock and trails on the far side of the hammock.  A movement back in the brush and palmettos caught my attention. Within seconds I made out the form of a big deer moving into the edge of the hammock.  Still well back in the brush but only 50 yards away I could see antlers of a big mature Florida Whitetail buck.  The buck stopped and was staring down toward the treestand where I used to be.

For several minutes he stared in that direction and as I watched him, I wondered how many times he had done that and had spotted me there, then just faded back into oblivion without me ever knowing he had been close.  As he stood statute still, I was moving ever so slowly raising the handgun resting it on my Stoney Point bi-pod rest and getting ready for the shot if he came out.  After what seemed like eternity, he stepped out of the brush and turned broadside to me at 43 yards.  The tiny red dot danced around a bit then settled on the shoulder as I tighened up on the trigger.  I remember little of the blast or recoil but saw him drop at the shot.

For some reason I had trouble quickly reloading the big handgun while keeping an eye on the fallen buck.  After all movement had stopped I climbed down and eased over to him.  His life was over and before me lay the 10 pt I had been hunting for a long time.  What a magnificent animal!  My feelings were mixed with elation and sadness all at the same time.  He will go on my wall with several others and I will always remember that day and that hunt.

Dave1

[DesertRam]

Great story and good going on a nice buck.  Congratulations!

[KYODE]

wow! congratulations. with a handgun, is no doubt the most satisfying hunting one can do. :agree:

[markc]

I am still after the large buck on my lease.  Bow hunting like handgun hunting to me brings a bit more satisfaction than rifle hunting.  Good going, post some pic's if you can.
markc

[Bob/FLA]

Great story, congrats Dave!

[Gregory]

Enjoyed your story.  Congratulations on the deer.  Post a picture if you can.

[HHI #4694]

Wow Dave--- you did really well! Your story was captivating, superb writing. Congratulations!

[Bug]

Three Thumbs Up!!!
 You know, I started doing the same thing a few years ago. After hunting a stand for a while, I'd quit using it, and move another stand into the same area. I have often seen deer looking over the old stand. Seems like just moving the stand doesn't work as well, as they tend to be spooked by the change, and look EVERYWHERE! When it's time to change locations, I move the original stand to a new location, entirely. I have used as many as four stand locations in the same area (maybe 100 to 200 yards square), if it was really hot. It works for me, too! Congrats on a sucessful hunt! Post some pics!>>>>>>>>>>>Bug.

[Dave1]

Thanks for all the pats on the back.  I was proud of this one as I had been hunting this particular buck for two previous seasons watching him grow each year.

I can't emphasize enough the value in having multiple stands in a good hunting area.  Everyone knows these big and old bucks are very smart and do much of their movement in the middle of the night but some day movement does occur.  Having multiple stands in a hot area allows you to take advantage of wind and sun and also makes it difficult for the deer to pattern you (which they do).

In my hunt lease several of the guys started using trail cameras a couple years ago and the results were very surprising.  There are many big bucks there that have never been seen.  Most are photographed between 1:00am & 3:00am in the morning.  Seeing those pics and knowing they are there just excites me even more and gives me much more incentive to let the little ones go and grow.

I don't consider myself to be a trophy hunter but I do try to hunt only mature bucks.  I let all 4s, 6s, and even some 8 pts go and it pays off.  There is no doubt in my mind the bucks I do kill are the young ones I let walk a couple years ago.  It is impossible to get everyone in my hunt club to agree on any form of QDM so I do my own form of QDM and hope for the best.

The best part of the hunt for this buck was that he was taken with the handgun.  Contender Super 14, 7x30 Waters, Pachmeyer Decellerator grips, UltraDot red dot type scope, and was using a Stoney Point Bipod rest from my treestand.

I have some pics of this buck but don't know how to post them here.  If someone will send me a private email to davisalf@aol.com with detailed instructions, I will try to post some pics.

Good luck to all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave1
davisalf@aol.com