Forum.RttP{2007 Maine Bowhunting Season "Day 3"}

Well, you can't hunt in Maine on Sundays so I figured I'd give you all an update.

Yesterday was fucking awesome.

Phil (my hunting buddy) and I headed out to our stands at 0500. We settled in and watched the world wake up (this is the best part of hunting by the way.) I watched 2 toms (wild turkey males) fly down from their roosts at about 0630. I also saw a few partridge come down from their roosts at about the same time. A small titmouse (a bird) kept warbling and flying around me. I thought that he was going to land on me as I wasn't moving and in full camo (to include face mask and gloves.)

Anyhow.....

0731: I scanned the area after not hearing anything for the past hour and low and behold, about 27 yards (according to my range finder) from my stand on the other side of a large rock wall were two beautiful bucks. The first in line was a gorgeous 4-pointer with good mass, about 140-150 lbs. The second was a MASSIVE 8-pointer. Great body mass, about 180-200 lbs. After almost shitting my drawers, I waited until they walked behind a set of pines to stand and draw my bow. This was tough because as one got behind the pines, the other stood looking around. If they caught any movement out of me they would've bolted tails high.

My stand is situated on the far side of the stone wall, near a break in it that they often cross. Had these deer crossed the break, I would have arrowed the 8-pointer for sure. But, as hunting goes the 4-pointer took a right and headed down the path away from me and the big 8 followed. They walked away non-chalantly wagging their tails. Had they come out of that break in the wall it would have been over.

So, I sat back down. Still shaking and heart pounding, I rehung my bow on the hanger and tried to calm down. After getting this close to 2 big animals like this, you realize why you love to hunt. You spend many boring and cold hours sitting in a tree stand wondering why you do it, and for 5 minutes of that 8 hour day you are elated and can't wait to get back out there in the morning, carrying hope that tomorrow...that big 8 will cross that wall.