So I'm setting under this tree.....

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I 56, out of shape and lazy, so Tuesday evening before dark I take my folding chair out to the woods behind my house (on a farm) and decide to squirrel hunt the next morning where I see a ton of cut nuts on the ground.

Before daybreak Wednesday morning I take the 4 wheeler about a hundred yards from where the chair is, walked in and set down with with my back against one tree, facing said target tree. After daybreak, there are squirrels everywhere, but they are little juvenile greys. So I'm holding out for something a little bigger than what I'm seeing.

About 30 minutes after daylight, as I'm watching another little one playing around, I see movement in the path next to me and here comes a 6 point buck. So naturally I froze, only my eyes moved, and not much. That buck walked off the trail and up to a good 10 feet from me setting in the chair, looked right at me, sniffed the air, and began to eat acorns and stuff off the ground. Went on for 5 minutes like this with me frozen in place before he slowly walked back to the path and slowly walked out of sight. I finally began to breath and just left the chair after that encounter. It was pretty awesome.

This weekend is youth only deer hunting with a firearm and I was going to take my nephew this year (13 years old). So, I changed my mind on where I was going to take him and I went back that evening and set up my pop up blind within range of where the trail is and hope Mr. Buck might meander back through. He may be in the next county by now, but ya never know.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Let us know what happens, Preacher!

 

[Captcurt]

Love it.

It is pretty cool to have deer up close and personal. Two years ago I was in a blind and had a doe and bambi 5' from me. I was peeking thru a crack in the blind and could see them batt their eye lashes. They stayed until I shot a nice 9 pt crossing in front of the blind. I bet that they are still running.

I hope that the youngster gets a shot. Teach him well, Unk.

 

[Patocazador]

Good luck.

In my experience, a newly set up blind will usually put deer on alert and they approach suspiciously, if at all.
Try constructing a semi-blind out of available natural materials. It will blend in better and give your nephew a better chance at a non-spooked deer. A whole leafy tree limb is good because wind storms and lightning strikes leave things like that around frequently.

 

[Hardtarget]

Great story of a close encounter! Hope y'all see him again!
Don't forget! Pictures!

Mark

 

[gamestalker]

About 25 yrs. ago my Wife had put some turkey to bed one late afternoon while I was at work. Early the next morning befor first light, she took me out to the roost to set up and call them in for her. As it started to get pretty light out we heard someting coming up the game trail, which was no more than several feet behind us. When we turned to see what it was, we saw a doe and fawn within arms reach of us, and she made it very clear that she wanted us to move, stompping, snorting, and raking the dirt. When we stood up to move, she didn't budge an inch, as if to say I'm going no where and you had better get going. We moved about 20 yds. from her and all was good. BTW, my Wife and I both got our turkey sbout 5 minutes later.

A week after having major knee surgery, and having drawn a prime spring turkey tag that was going to expire the next morning, I went out early on the last morning of the hunt to see if I could find a bird roosted to call in. I got lucky and got a gobble from about 400-500 yds. off, and on crutches, I made my way to the roost, sat down, and waited for it to get light. After it got light, I called in one of the best gobblers I had ever called in. As hunts go, when I got there I realized I only had one turkey shell with me, bad habit I seem to have when turkey hunting. But I managed to make my shot count and nailed him with a load of copper plated BB from about 10 yds., DRT. Strugglinh with the bird and SG, I decided to just get him and the SG out to the road, I decided to just drive back and pick both up. As I started making my way I walked up on a hollow downed tree, in which I discover a brand new born fawn laying inside the open side facing me. The fawn stood up, wobbling and still wet with birth fluids, which was when the doe came charging right at me. I didn't, nor could I run in my post operative condition, and obviously had no way or means of defending myself, being that I had forgotten to bring more ammo with me. She got to within several feet of me, I froze and hoped she wouldn't stomp me to death. I remmained still for what seemed like an eternity, the fawn and momma then slowly walked away.

I have had a lot of very close encounters with not only deer, but numerous other big game, almost always when hunting turkey.

GS

 

[Doc7]

great stories! good luck!