So I decided to take a couple day off this week to bow hunt some public land close to my house. I usually see some pretty good bucks on this public land but the gun hunters are usually pretty thick once modern gun opens. I hunted Monday morning seeing a couple does and a really good 9 or 10 point. I grunted to him several times but he would stop and look for a second and continue walking. I snort wheezed and he locked up and looked my direction, then proceeded to show his dominance while whipping the crap out of a small oak sapling. After that he changed his course towards me, but like all mature deer he skirted down wind and smelled where I had walked in. He snorted and wheeled and ran a little ways but wouldn't commit after that.

That evening I saw only one small doe. She came into feed under a white oak tree that was dropping acorns by the bucket load! I sat this stand the following morning and didn't see any deer. So I walked around and found another area really close that also had some white oaks dropping. There was some cracked hulls under this tree that led me to believe deer were feeding under it. While standing there looking I noticed a deer cruising through the bottom, a small buck. So I moved my stand to this new location. That evening I saw a small spike and another deer that I could tell what it was. I'm in a small bottom with some hardwood timber and mixed pine. I've got a really thick pine plantation on my left with a thick cutover adjoining it.

So this morning I get up and get ready as usual. This is my last day to hunt. Rain is coming in this evening. I decided to carry my KennyM swap bow with me this morning. So I put the quiver on her and continued to gather my things. I opened the cabinet to get me a cinnamon twist out for breakfast, I noticed a bottle of vanilla extract on the shelf above. I remember reading articles when I was younger about guys using this for cover scent back before scent aliminators and other cover scents. The articles talked about how deer would follow you to the tree when using the vanilla extract as a cover scent. I grabbed the bottle and stuck it in my pocket. I arrive at my parking spot about 45 minutes before day light. I hike in about halfway to my stand and I stop to apply a small amount of the vanilla to my boots. I continue on to my stand and get settled in for the morning. About 8:30 I hear something walking behind my tree, the exact place I walked in, and I see deer legs through the canopy below me. The deer continues on the same trail I walked and I see he's a small, but legal buck. He continues till he's about five yards from my tree. I get drawn back and release the arrow!

As the deer bolted and ran I was concerned about arrow penetration. I felt like there was an awful lot of arrow sticking out of the deer. I listened as the deer crashed through the pine plantation and finally silence. I climb down and head back to the truck to get my pack frame and game bags. I give the deer about an hour and start a slow track job. The blood was almost non existent because of the shot angle. But low and behold I probably didn't get into the thicket about 60 yards and there he was. He's not the big buck I saw the previous morning but he might as well be. My first traditional deer.

He's a helluva buck.  Inches of bone dent determine the trophy status.  Congratulations on a fine buck and first trad deer.

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Thanks GCook!

outstanding deer and a well told story.  Thanks for sharing.
Now fire up the BBQ.

Awesome job!! Congrats!

Congratulations on your first trad deer!

Thanks guys! It's been a pretty special day.

Great job Dannon

Next up, getting one with a bow you made!

Way to go, and a big congrats on your first trad deer!!!!!!

Bisch

Well done sir , Congrats....

,,Sam,,

Congrats! Though we live in SC currently, I am from central arkansas and have hunted around your area quite a bit! I miss it. Thanks for the pics, and congrats again!

Congrats on your first! Well done

Great story, beautiful deer. I like the Beman centershots as well


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Great story and pics. Congratulations on your first trad deer!

very nice, congrats on your first!

Congrats to a fellow south Arkie trad brother!!

That's awesome congratulations