Killed while walking a scrape, rub line
This past weekend I had the chance to experience the thrill of deer hunting by killing my first 8-point buck of the season.
I had previously taken a doe and a 4-point on private land in Mississippi.
On this morning, everything was perfect. I had honed my skills the entire deer season and it paid off. Leaving the camp at around 6 a.m., I walked the entire distance to the stand. Approaching the stand at the trail, I sprayed myself with Primos Silver scent cover and applied Tinks 69 doe in heat urine to my boots.
The wind was blowing into my face and I was walking upwind to the deer stand.
Reaching the lean-to, I climbed the ladder 15 feet to settle in for the morning. Around 8 a.m., Grady Franchebois, texted me asking, “Have you seen anything?” I quickly replied that I had seen nothing but ducks, squirrels and rabbits.
At 8:10 a.m., a squirrel was trying to make his way on a log in front of the stand. He quickly made an about face and scampered up a tree.
This was an indication something spooked him.
I looked in the opposite direction and sure enough, a good looking 8-point was walking a scrape and rub line along the edge of slough. This buck did not have any indication I was in his area.
Raising my 270, I fired the 130-grain Federal Premium when the 8-point reached an opening. I made the shot approximately 90 yards from the stand. The cross hair was on the middle of his right shoulder and when I fired the shot and dropped him in his tracks.
To most deer hunters this time of year, it may not have been a big trophy buck. To me it was a long awaited shot since archery in October.
The wait was worth it.
I texted Franchebois that I had an 8 point down. He congratulated me in a replied text.
Waiting 30 minutes to get out of the stand to check on the buck, I noticed his neck was swollen and the tarsal glands were dark black and I could smell them. The rut was in full swing.
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