Scott Heatley's 2008 PA Archery Buck


Hi everyone!
Thought I would share my recent success here in Pennsylvania. Its not the biggest buck for sure, but I am pleased with him, especially for where we hunt. What makes it even more special is how I got him.

Thursday night, October 30th, 6pm, calm (too calm, you could hear forever) temps in the upper 40's.

Just before 6pm a yearling doe comes in behind me and very cautiously works her way beside me to my right and through very thick beech brush (not on the trail 14 yards to my right). I couldn't figure out why she was so cautious. Carefully placing each step and looking all around. Then I could hear this guy grunting from behind me. (I think the doe was trying to lose this guy) I knew he would follow the does trail and not offer a shot.
Which is exactly what he did. He made a scrape in the beech brush not 25 yards from me, and then continued on, following the doe. He stopped about 60 yards out and I snort
wheezed at him, nothing. Then he made a short run at the doe and she ran off. I snort wheezed again, and he came stiff legged, hair bristled, marching on a bee line, right to me. Very cool.

I was also running camera myself, but hunting took over and the video is not that great for sure. He started angling broadside in front ofme at about 17 yards or so, maybe less. I grunted, and of course, he stops behind a tree, not in my opening. I had another small opening on the other side of the tree. I remained at full draw and when he stepped out from behind the tree I shot him while he was walking. The Muzzy smoked a clean
pass through high in the lungs. He ran off to my left, stopped, then I could hear him crashing back towards me, trying to breath with lungs full of blood. He died about 15 yards right behind my treestand but I couldn't see him because of the brush.

My first bow buck since my Pope and Young 10 pointer in 2003. Have faith my fellow deer hunting fanatics, the best is yet to come! Things are just getting started to make the bigger boys act goofy and give us those sought after opportunities.
Best of luck to everyone, and keep me posted on your successes!
Happy Hunting, HEAT