This is the buck that I called the mutant. He had a typical 4 point left side (quite large) but an odd or damaged right side. This photo is from last year. I arrowed him and didn't recover him last year. He amazed me when he showed up on camera still alive. I've known him for a few years. He's been on camera a lot this year and his right side was much improved.
The local hunter network got me this photo. This is the son of my neighbor on the back of the property. He took the mutant a week or two ago. I understand that they called him "half-rack". He's a fine buck even though not typical. Congrats on taking him. I'll miss him. He has a nice drop tine this year on his mutant side. I bet he's at least 6 1/2 years old.
My wife recently had one of those milestone birthdays so we went on a Disney cruise with the kids and grandkids.
It was a blast and the grandkids really enjoyed it. Too much to do, not enough time in the day. Anyway, I pretty much missed the rut this year while frolicking in the Caribbean with my grandkids.
When I got back, there was lots of evidence.
Rubs and scrapes everywhere. The corn and soybeans in the neighboring fields had been harvested.
The weather had finally turned cold - but the winds were high.
All of my clover fields look unusually good for this time of year. This is the barn field.
Pond field. I expected that the removal of the neighboring food sources (corn and bean harvest), the cold weather, and the plush clover would result in a lot of activity this weekend.
Driveway field. In previous years, the clover was often eaten down to nubs by gun season.
The orchard field clover looks great.
My brassica field is a bit of a disappointment but there is still a lot of food out there.
I spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning in stand. I saw a young buck each time. It's hard to tell but the guy in the photo was a six point just barely ear wide. I never saw a doe. In previous years, I often had 6, 8 or 10 does in the field waiting for the buck to step out.
The pond is low and the entire perimeter is full of deer prints where they have been down to drink.
I sighted in my muzzleloaders in anticipation of gun week. The right target is my old TC Black Diamond. The first two shots were low, I made a scope adjustment and it came right in. The left target is my TC Encore. First shot low but on center. Second shot lower but I may have goobered up the load. I use two triple7 pellets in my old gun and three in my newer one. Third shot right. Made a slight scope adjustment and brought it closer. Good enough. I'm ready.
This 10 point made several visits to my camera sites while I was out of town.
Narrow basket rack but a mature deer.
Looks older.
Walking past a bedded doe.
This guy looks beat up.
10 point in daylight.
Barely in frame from left.
Might be the 6 point that I saw on Sunday morning.
Broken up right side.
Frisky does.
Lots of coyotes.
Red fox.
Hundreds of turkey photos.
On my way to stand a couple weeks ago.
Walking the camera tour this week.
