Ohio Hunter Stalks into Place on a Bedded 200-Class Buck

“With my finger prepared to the touch off the arrow, I watched the buck by my bow sight. He seemed my approach once more and this time, he noticed me.”

Posted on December 13, 2023

Jason Thomas with the large, 12-point buck he killed in central Ohio. Courtesy Jason Thomas

I’d hunted from the identical stand within the hardwoods a minimum of a dozen instances this season. However I hadn’t seen the buck in particular person since late September—earlier than the season even began. I’d watched him by the late summer season, and path cam images advised me he was nonetheless across the farm in central Ohio the place I hunt. I knew he was a particular buck, and I’d grown obsessive about him as October wore on.

It was simply previous 9 a.m. on Oct. 28, and I’d seen precisely zero deer that morning when the large buck lastly confirmed himself. My hopes dissolved simply as rapidly, although, as I watched the deer of my goals stroll out of the woods and right into a standing cornfield the place I didn’t have a shot. The buck bedded close to an overgrown washout that ran by the corn. I contemplated sitting and ready him out, however after about 45 minutes, I made a decision I couldn’t take it. I needed to make a transfer whereas the buck was nonetheless bedded.

After rigorously climbing down from the tree, I headed dwelling to seize a small folding stool. I known as up a pair looking buddies on the drive, and we debated whether or not I ought to stalk the buck and try a shot, or if I ought to simply arrange on the sphere edge and look forward to him to make the primary transfer. We determined the second possibility can be the smarter determination, as I didn’t wish to get too shut and threat bumping him.

I made it again to the cornfield and crawled greater than 200 yards towards the place I believed the deer was bedded. I carried my crossbow, my pack, and the small folding stool. By 12:30 p.m., I used to be in place and roughly 50 yards downwind of his mattress. Now all I needed to do was wait and hope my plan would repay.

Two hours later, I watched the buck saunter down the center of the washout. He was headed my approach and shutting quick. When the buck obtained to 30 yards, I eased right into a half crouch and raised my crossbow to organize for a shot, however then he turned and confronted instantly at me. It appeared he hadn’t busted me as a result of he got here even nearer by the cornstalks.

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Prepared to the touch off the arrow, I watched the buck by my scope. He seemed my approach once more and this time, he noticed me. I aimed for the middle of his chest, however then his again legs shifted as he ready to run. As quickly as he spun away, I launched my arrow. I heard the thud of the broadhead as he ran off to my left and tore by the corn.  

I texted the buddies I’d known as earlier, and so they might inform I used to be anxious. I used to be much more unsure once I walked to the place I’d seen the deer final and located no hint of successful. No blood or hair was seen, and I couldn’t discover my arrow. So, I slowly backed out and returned dwelling to attend for reinforcements.

Some family and friends and I returned to the spot that afternoon. We recovered the buck roughly 120 yards from the place I’d hit him. The arrow had entered proper behind the shoulder and handed by each lungs.

On prime of being the most important buck I’ve ever killed, the everyday 12-point may very well be a brand new Ohio document. It has a 22 ½-inch inside unfold, 26- and 29-inch mainbeams, and tines pushing 14 inches. Scorers with Buckmasters Whitetail Trophy Data gave it a inexperienced rating of 208 5/8, which makes it the brand new No. 1 in Buckmasters’ Excellent class for all weapons. A panel of Boone and Crockett scorers plan on measuring the buck in late December after the 60 day drying interval, and if that rating holds, it could be a brand new state document, in response to B&C. It will additionally go down because the No. 3 all-time typical whitetail within the B&C document e-book.