It actually started early on Thanksgiving day, I was in my stand with bow in hand and shortly after 7:30 I seen a small buck followed by a doe and the huge 10 point I was after following her. They slowly made their way behind me in some brushy trees between 25-40 yards out. Well the big 10 started wondering further out so I decided to grunt some. It worked and he turned and started coming in and at that time the doe started to leave the area.. and so did he. By this time I thought, oh well nothing to lose so I did a "snort weeze" and he turned and started coming my way with ears laid back... ok so I get ready and the tree I'm in is suddenly in the way, :( with a 3" branch at eye level I tried to crouch and draw the bow at the same time, he's 20 yards away behind another tree and stepped out and spotted me, promptly leaving the area...gone but not forgotten. Should have waited..
The Monday gun opener I was in the same tree and the activity started again around 7:30, had my Marlin 1895 with me loaded with the Noe 460-315 RF. This time a buck followed a couple does out to my left and he is a decent 8 point, they went for this thicket and I lost sight of them. About 20 minutes pass I rose to stretch a bit and saw the buck get up and move...right behind a tree with his front half covered around 60 yards out, he didn't like something and left the area almost a straight line with the tree in in the way, no shot. Tuesday morning I'm in the tree again this time the action came in from the north to my right and behind me. I spotted this button buck behind and out my left side and he's looking back...sure enough the eight point from yesterday and a doe, they make their way behind my tree and I see the buck down to my left no more than 5 yards from me, I had my gun cocked and pushed the safety off, he snorts, starts doing this bunny hop I'm bleating trying to get him to stop and they're gone.. I'm not one for shooting at running deer and so ends my week. Didn't see anything the rest of the week from the area... now to move on to muzzleloader season... and learn from these lessons, Lord willing the deer will be back in the area.