NJ Hunter Jay took a target buck by letting another buck go, Here is his story..
I had one of those days that I'll never forget. About a week ago a new buck showed up on camera chasing does all over. He made all the other deer I been watching look small! But permit season was coming to an end in my zone.
Today was the last day so I decided to go early. I stopped and grabbed a coffee and breakfast sandwich before leaving the blacktop. Got to the area and switched out sd cards in couple cameras. Drove to my parking spot 500 yards away and began checking photos. He was all over my cameras and in daylight too! I began eating my sandwich and heard a stick break to my left. Oh shit!!! I think that was both of our thoughts lol. There he was about 65 yards away and he quickly took off into a swamp over the ridge. I was beside myself. I decided to go get in my blind early and try an estrous scent drag. They never worked for me in the past but hey why not. An hour and a half go by and a nice 8 point comes in. A buck I normally would have been very happy with. But knowing the big boy I named Tank was around I passed.
Half hour later a 5 point and spike come in chasing two does all over and off into the distance. Now it's the last 30 minutes of the hunt so I try an estrous bleat followed by two short grunts. Not 10 minutes later here he comes! Tank is coming right down my scent drag!!! He hits the spot where I hung the scent pad in the tree and stopped. The rest...well take a look at the pictures!!!
Special thanks to Dave Murray at Vital Limits for helping me keep my gear ready. And to my wife Stephanie Thomas who puts up with all my shit lol. And Tony Borz and Greg Davis for helping me get him out of there! Last but not least my father Jim for everything he taught me.
