Congratulations!  Really nice buck and a cool story!

On the second day of the PA rifle season, I ventured out into the pouring rain to try to fill my buck tag. Four others at camp had some opening day success at camp on mature bucks.

After a few hours of still hunting, I finally saw a buck. I watched him for a few minutes, but he wouldn’t give me a clear shot as he fed unaware of my presents. Eventually he walked off up a hillside. In an attempt to get closer for a clear shot, he busted me when I closed the distance to about 80 yards. The wind was swirling and I broke a stick crossing a blow down. 

I decided to move in the direction the buck ran hoping he may lead me to more deer. Sure enough after still hunting slowly for about 800 more yards, I came to a spot that looked like a deer should be there. After standing and looking around for a few minutes, I took two steps. A nice buck jumped up 100 yards from me. I tried getting a shot picking openings where I thought he would cross. Unfortunately, he never hit any of them. 

Feeling pretty frustrated, I continued on along the ridge. The rain continued to pour and fog was setting in making visibility even more difficult. At this point, I was a long ways from my truck. I called my grandpa, who tagged out on the first day, letting him know where I was heading and would need a ride back to my truck. 

I decided the best option was to move up the ridge I was on to get to the top where I had seen a lot deer sign weeks prior. I had to take two breaks in my climb up the steep hillside until getting to the top. Once I got to the top, I started out across the top on a skidder trail. That’s when 4 doe and this buck jumped up and took off running. I was able to connect and bring him down.

My phone told me I had walked 5.8 miles and climbed 83 floors to get this buck. As luck would have it, the rain let up to a slight drizzle right as I ready to field dress him. Also, my grandpa had gotten my voicemail I left him and actually got to the pick-up location right as I started shooting. He was only about 600 yards from me. This will be a memorable hunt for me due to the effort I put into this one.

A Memorable Rainy Hunt

A Memorable Rainy Hunt

Lucas A

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Whitetail Buck

Zach S

Wes D

Craig A

Joshua L