Winter bow buck down

**Gobblengrunt** · January 11

I had this older 8pt move into a steep ridge in mid November. Thought of him as buck just passing through in the rut. Since that day, he would make an appearance a day or two a week. He was very noticeable with all the scars on his back from fighting. Never could get a handle on him or caught up with him the days i hunted there. Since the last snow storm, him and a few other deer started to hammer this ridge with the leftover abundance of acorns. He started to show up on camera about 4 days a week now and decided to target him for winter bow. Put quite a few cold windy days after him with no success. This afternoon had every animal on its feet when that wind died down, I had a good feeling. About 4pm, i see a small spike that always seemed to lead another buck in the area everytime i had him on camera. Sure enough, up the steep rocks comes a beautiful 3y/0 8pt, a wide young 9pt, and this old man trailing from way behind. As the deer slowly started to make there way past me, i wasnt sure if i can make it happen, too many eyes, bucks were very alert, and it got very still and quiet. This buck walked into an open lane at 35 yards which i had rangefined earlier. I had an opportunity to pull the bow back as every buck was either looking away or behind trees, perfect! Anchored, took a nice calm shot and pinwheeled him. He ran a short 50yards and started to go down. Unfortunately for me, as he expired, he started to roll down the hill making my drag even worse than it was. 2.5 hr drag and he was in the car headed home. Happy day! Thanks for looking