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DAY 3

Wednesday Afternoon Hunt

For my first winter afternoon hunt I took my buddy Bills' suggestion and hunted the stand he hunted 3x in November. The stand was situated at the corner of an alfalfa field. There was a tree belt running East-west and North South and the stand was in that corner. The wind was out of the south and that was perfect for this stand. He had seen a real nice 10pt along with another nice 8 in November. The weather was turning sour, the wind was picking up and clouds were moving in. Tomorrow a front was arriving and it was supposed to rain then snow all the way until Sunday. Not good. But that could also mean that the deer would be out feeding in droves.

I saw a few does from 3 PM on, but it wasn't until 4:20 that deer began to pile into my stand. Some hit the corn while others headed straight out into the field. A small spike was feeding around me when a group of does startled him. They were running off the alfalfa as if they were being chased off the field. I looked up to see a gorgeous buck heading toward me. He didn't realize it was December and was chasing does around like it was mid-November. My heart was pounding - he was a great buck. A typical 10 with a drop-tine off his left base, split brow tines and some kickers and trash.

Getting him on video was important to me and it was no small feat. I had does all around me and the stand was only 15 feet up the tree. The buck looked up at me twice, but I was very deliberate with my movements and would only move when he moved. I honestly didn't think I'd get a shot - he would hit the corn for few moments then get distracted and chase the other deer around the tree belt and out into the alfalfa.

He came back one last time and was slightly quartering-to me. A doe ran by him and he turned to watch her - I wasted no time. I focused on his off-leg and squeezed my release. The arrow looked great but I didn't have time to think about the shot. The big buck went down in 10 seconds within sight of my stand. This was my 2nd buck shot with the new Muzzy MX-3 broadhead and it performed as well on this big buck as it did on the buck I shot last week.

Watch the shot on Video

I couldn't believe my hunt is over. This was my first day! In some ways I'm disappointed to end this quickly. But in all honesty, it's probably a good thing given the nasty weather and the fact that I was going to miss New Years' Eve with my family and friends. But one look at this buck and I have no regrets. I made the right decision.

What a great hunt! I'm already looking forward to 2007.

KOM Bushman Shirt	KOM Bunwarmer Pants	1000 Gram Rubber Boots	Hood, Gloves, Etc.	Thermal Underwear
Thermal Sox	Temperature was 49 degrees with a 10-15 MPH wind. I was slightly under-dressed and could have used the KOM Beavertail Vest.