The Build Up

It’s All About Timing

October 16, 2020, I laid my hands on the antlers of a buck we nicknamed “Crab Claw.” Beginning in August we had gotten trail cam photos of this particular deer. Even after the season opened up October 1st, we continued to get pictures of him passing by a newly set treestand, well within shooting hours. With each day I grew more and more anxious as I patiently waited for the correct wind and my free time to align. On a cool cloudy Friday evening, that’s exactly what happened. Here is the story.

The Story

The Conditions Align

It began with a text message to my hunting buddy, Jose. Through last minute planning, we both were able to head up to the property for an evening hunt. Just as I’m getting ready I get the dreaded text from Jose that he’s working late! He reassures me to just head up to the stand and he won’t be far behind me. I do just that and as I get all settled in, I just have that feeling that something good is going to happen tonight!

First Glimpse

At 6:09 pm Jose texts me he is finally off work and headed my way. Just then I decide to try some nonagressive rattling with the black rack.  At 6:34 pm Jose says he’s safe in his stand and I reply at 6:35 pm that Crab Claw just popped out behind me! He’s about 200 yards out and walks directly away from me towards a pond. I lock in on him through the binoculars and watch him grab a little drink. He then turns around and starts following the ravine he’s in, back towards me. He disappears for about 5 minutes, then I see him pop up in the brush only about 50 yards away!

My Moment

Instantly, I realize that he’s going to follow the trail which pokes out at just 10 yards from my stand. I am able to get my bow and fully position myself before he steps out. Sure enough, he does exactly what I anticipate. As he turns to walk quartering away I silently draw back my Fred Bear bow. A small bit of relief calms my nerves as I come to full draw undetected. Miraculously, Crab Claw stops on his own, perfectly broadside at only 15 yards. As always, I quickly go through my mental checklist: is my string free and clear of everything, am I level with the bubble centered, am I using the correct pin? Everything checks out and as I steady my sight right behind his shoulder I release the arrow.

That Feeling A Hunter Dreams Of

As soon as he is hit he takes off running and quickly disappears in the tall brush. I hear crashing, running, then a big crash before silence! Replaying the shot in my mind I feel as if it was a perfect heart shot! Excitement and adrenaline engulf me so much that I can’t even contain it. In fact, I scream out a loud “Whoo!” with a solid fist pump! I immediately call Jose and deliver the great news! It’s the call that every hunting pal wants to receive. He asks if I yelled out and I confess that I just couldn’t keep it in.

Trail Of Anticipation

After about 20 minutes we start on the trail after my buck. It’s not a really heavy blood trail, but it is steady and we can easily follow it through the tall grass. About 10 minutes into our journey we look up and there he lays! My wife texts me if we have found him yet and what a wonderful feeling it was to reply with a picture.

What This Buck Means To Me

A Long Pursuit

Harvesting this deer comes with a lot of emotions. It has been 7 years since I’ve brought home a buck to my family. 7 years I’ve studied trail cam photos, moved stands around, and came up empty handed. For 7 years I learned an unspoken amount from my mistakes and missed opportunities. Although I typically harvest a doe each year, I’ve found that the dynamics between a buck and the hunter can be very different. They think, act, and move differently than most does do. The pursuit is my passion and with this buck comes an immense amount of gratitude.

A Connection To The Kill

Later, in the dark hours of the night as I stand exhausted from processing my buck, a strong emotion comes over me once again. I find myself staring at this deer and reminiscing on the past hunting seasons. Gratitude consumes me but so does something else. It is respect. A kind of respect for the animal that I’m convinced only some hunters ever experience.