Once again, the early archery season has caused me more frustration than reward. Last Friday, I was hunting in the stretch of woods behind my home in northern York County. It was a fairly cold morning, and after about 3 and a half hours after daylight, I decided to take a little break.
Besides, the farmer who owns much of the property was operating a plow about 150 yards away in a field, and I decided I'd head home for a while until he finished up. I don't know about you, but even though I've become accustomed to bowhunting in a suburban area, the sound of an engine, a lawnmower, or a kid on a trampeline still tends to get on my nerves when I'm hunting.
It was about 10:15 when I climbed out of my tree stand, and started creeping through the woods. In the morning, or evening when I'm being extra careful not to spook any deer that might be in the woods, I usually walk though the field, but it was mid-day, and I figured I would take the opportunity to check for any fresh buck rubs or other sign along my way home. Sure enough, I found a few fresh scrapes, and some new actvity on some ones that I'd already seen.
Within about 10 minutes, I was home. I took my boots off inside my garage, and headed upstairs to let my dogs out. Just as I was going to open the rear sliding doors leading out to my deck, I saw something moving in the woods about 20 yards away. It only took me another second to realize that it was a big buck. I'm not sure how big, but I saw at least six points, and I think it might have been an 8-pointer. At the time, all I could think of, was how is this even possible?
Where the buck was walking, was exactly where I had just come from. While I was trying to be sneaky on my way out of the woods, the loud crackling of the dry leaves beneth my feet should have been enough to spook any nearby near, especially a mature buck like this nearing the rut.
Before I could do anything about it, the big buck was gone.
The only thing I can think of is that he might have followed me out of the woods, picking up my cover scent. Like many bowhunters, I try to conceal my own scent with a variety of odor killing clothing detergents, soaps, and deodorants. That morning, I had applied some synthtic doe urine to the bottom of my boots. I guess the buck caught my trial and thought he might get lucky!
Mike Parker
Anchor
CBS 21 News 5, 5:30, 6, & 11
and CBS 21 News at 10 on the CW15
