Big Buck Down in MA!

[Oneday121o]

Hey guys! normally I don't post my harvests until the season is over because of spot blowing up but this is a different state so I think I am good! I recently moved to MA for work so this is my new residence. The deer hunting here is nothing like NJ as far as numbers but I moved to the Eastern part which currently has the highest deer per square mile ratio, especially my area in the sticks! Hunting here is a lot different and highly regulated, you are allowed two bucks per year and can take them the same day and what ever weapon (except crossbow, rifle), does are by permit only (always available where I am at usually). I can't say I disagree with them to be honest and kind of like them! The licenses are also a lot cheaper! About 30$ which covers everything and all seasons, including pheasant / small game!  Anyway they are much more open to hunting here on property, so i set myself up on some public property that was recently bought, I saw a couple stands in there but nothing like NJ. I found a new area in there by chance after shooting and tracking a doe! I knew the area would produce because it had all the things a buck needed. The rut hit and sure enough about 6 or 7 scrapes were made in this area right outside of a bedding area so I made my move in there. Didn't see anything at first except a few does and some Grey fox! (which was cool didn't see them at all in jersey) but that is the way deer are here....still I knew it was a good area. 

 

Finally on 11/15 I saw a big 10 come out of the bedding area, make a few scrape and kill some trees but stay in the heavy cover. He was 20 yards away but would shy away from any open area as a normal mature buck will do. He ended up moving off and hanging by just watching my area. I started grunting and sending off the doe bleats but he had no interest, even snort wheezed a couple times. But...all my commotion attracted another buck. He came in at a distance slowly, checked the area and would only move under heavy cover. He avoided the open areas at all cost. I had him at twenty yards pacing back and forth three times at the end of shooting light before when it was dark enough he finally committed to come in and  check out what was making the noise out from under the heavy cover. he came in and I moved slightly to get into draw back position and he didn't catch me but saw something and knew it wasn't normal. so at this point he turned back the same trail he was facing that he came in and I was able to draw back and take a very "advanced" shot at him  (quartering away, low light condition, through some pocket of trees). The quartering away shot is my favorite and I know my bow so I put it right where it would drive up his lungs. He took off on the "death run" I heard him hit the heavy brush then heard some thrashing followed by heavy breathing. I didn't hear the distinct crash thou, which worried me as I didn't see where the arrow had landed after the shot. So I took a look at the blood and tried to find the arrow. Blood was good at point of impact and had bubbles, arrow did not pass through (which is normal for the shot I took). I followed the blood trail for a little bit and everything looked "good", I saw that it was coming out at a good flow considering the pace he ran off; however, I did see how far he ran so I said let me be sure and give time. I came out of the woods, changed my gear out, got something to eat and bought some new flashlights. I went back in after about 2 hours and started tracking.....but it wasn't long before I came up on him. Turns out that thrashing I heard was him in the heavy stuff stumbling to go down. I was very grateful when I came upon him, this is my biggest buck to date! 

 

I took him with my bow on public land with no bait, no cover scent B.S. crap (hunt the wind), and no cameras.....just hunting! I had him weighed officially at 180 dressed! so probably around 210 live. My back hurts like hell and I needed some extra IB Prophen this morning; but it was all worth it!

 

I am ready to go out again tomorrow after that big 10 I saw (have to get them while they are hot and legal here in MA). The rain would have washed away all my scent, so I should be good. 

[Tarhunt]

That's a cool buck!

[Swamprat]

Great job dude. Congrats.

[JimmyScags]

Congrats

[3Blade]

Nice buck! Congrats!! Good luck with the big 10!  

[JHbowhunter]

congrats - i was always under impression it was a tough state to get a deer with let alone a good one so well done!  It also confirms my belief that experienced hunters that cut their teeth on NJ deer are among the best out there, and their skills transfer well to other states.   (our deer are just smarter than all the rest)

Edited November 17, 2017 by JHbowhunter

[Jerseybassnbow]

Very Nice. RED SOX SUCK!!!

[Lunatic]

Cool, congratulation, good story, good buck.

Did you check his teeth to age him?

[NorthNJHunter]

Congrats!

[rackemup]

Nice Buck & Story!! Congrats!!

[Oneday121o]

Cool, congratulation, good story, good buck.Did you check his teeth to age him?

no, didn’t even look actually. Good idea! When I felt his back it hadsome weird bone structure so maybe he was hit before. I won’t know till I butcher him but I’m giving my back a rest for now and drinking beer lol.

[Oneday121o]

congrats - i was always under impression it was a tough state to get a deer with let alone a good one so well done!  It also confirms my belief that experienced hunters that cut their teeth on NJ deer are among the best out there, and their skills transfer well to other states.   (our deer are just smarter than all the rest)

deer here are tough to hunt, they shy away a lot easier and will run at the first sight of a human. They are a lot scarcer here but eastern mass has a lot more deer, western you are lucky if you see a buck.

[Rusty]

Great buck, congratulations Oneday.  

[Huntfree77]

Lol. So does the state

 

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[Racknfin]

Very cool buck,congrats!