MBP 26; Don's "Basinhunter"

[Professor T]

“Basinhunter”
My Brothers’ Place, Tunica, LA
MBP Kill # 26
Don’s Bow Kill # 3
Don’s 13th Deer Kill

October 25, 2007
MBP, Death Valley, Three Trees Stand
Evening Hunt
12 point; Main frame 9 pt with split brows and one sticker
5.5 yo; 206 lbs.
Hoyt Vectrix compound bow

The first trailcam picture I got of this buck was October 17, 2006. Every picture I got of him that year was at night. He appeared to be a very good 3.5 year old buck or an average 4.5 year old. He was not the best buck of the year but was pretty good. Ranked number 3 on the shooter list, he scored an estimated 125 4/8”. He was never actually seen by a hunter. The last picture of him was on November 19, 2006.

The first trailcam pictures of 2007 were not immediately recognizable. On July 5, 2007 I had several pictures of a big main frame 9 point at South Fork. It wasn’t until after I killed this buck that I was able to put everything together. Then on August 30, 2007 I had a picture of a big buck at Buck Point that was tall but did not appear to be wide at all. Only a little more than half of his antlers could be seen but it is enough to identify him as “Basinhunter” now that I have the antlers to match.

On October 14, 2007 I moved a trailcam to Death Valley because there were some buck droppings on the plot. Several bucks were caught on camera but the big guy stayed well away just showing that he was a big 9 point. At this time I still thought is was another deer from last year named “Clifford”. He showed up again on October 20th and again of course on October 21st.

On the evening of October 21, 2007 I was hunting the “3 Trees” stand on Death Valley when about 5 minutes before last shooting light for me two bucks came out from the Wagon Trail and came to feed. The smaller was a 2 1/2 year old 7 pointer named “Lucky 7” and the other was a big deer that I assume was “Clifford” because “Basinhunter “ had not yet been seen this year. I drew on him at 20 – 23 yards and was able to see my pin but not able to pick out my exact spot. I tried real hard but eventually I let down giving up the opportunity because I did not want to cripple or waste this deer on a bad shot. I sat back and watched the show. Two does eventually joined them. They had to keep their distance. The 7 pointer was allowed to feed near the big guy but knew where he stood in the pecking order.

About 20 minutes after they entered the plot the big deer, which may have been “Basinhunter” or “Clifford” ran to the west side of the plot with a vengeance. He slammed on the brakes and bowed up and gave a snort wheeze then growled. Both were very loud. He stood there a few seconds then paced back and forth at the edge then crashed into the cutover at full speed. The 7 pointer exited to my right towards the creek and crashed through with the same intensity. I don’t know where the does went. I just got out of there as quick as I could so the deer wouldn’t return while I was there.

Knowing that there were bucks visiting the plot before this I started separating the feed at the trailcam. The rice bran was placed close to get good pictures of the deer using the plot. The corn was placed further but still in front of the camera. The deer were feeding on the corn first and then the ricebran. I started adding some iron clay peas to the feed. It is a little more difficult for the deer to find these and any not eaten has a chance to sprout and become a better lure for the deer. The usage seemed to increase after this. But on the 22nd when the bucks came in to feed they took to long to get in good shooting position.

The next day when I started feeding I moved the corn and peas closer to the stand. I started at a 20 yard shot and ended at 10 yards. The trailcam on the plot by flashing now and then would keep the deer concentrating on the camera instead of the stand. Most deer will face the camera when they know it is there.

On October 25, 2007 the weather was cool for the third day in a row but the wind had died down to a breeze now and then. On the way out while passing the East-Plot on the 4 wheeler I saw 2 fawns feeding. I parked the bike at the bottom between the two ridges. When I walked up to the West-Plot there were 2 fawns at the feeder in front of the “4-Trees” stand. I continued through the plot to Death Valley and walked the eastern edge to the “3-Trees” stand and laid out my stuff.

I had a scent pad of Southern Whitetail Scents “Hyper-P” which is fresh doe urine. I use this as a cover scent, not an attractant. I emptied it out the fresh zip lock bag that it was in onto the ground. I then rubbed my boots on it and walked to the trailcam to put out the rice bran. I then walked half way back along the same path and spread out corn and peas. Then I walked straight back to the stand picked up the scent pad with the zip lock bag (never actually touching it) and then placed it in a sapling to the west of me so that it would pick up any breeze. On Death Valley the wind tends to swirl a lot but the breeze was from north to west. Deer tend to enter a plot with the wind and all of these deer did that. Then I climbed the stand and settled in for the hunt. This was about 4:30pm.

Later I noticed that there were deer feeding in front of the “4-Trees” stand, probably the same fawns but not sure. Then at 5:20 pm I saw deer entering the plot from the west. It was a double white patch doe with her fawn who was almost out of spots. They fed for about 20 minutes and I got several pictures of them and one short film clip. I had one short shot opportunity but decided against it. There is still no rush to get a doe. Eventually they exited out the Wagon Trail. Still later there were two deer feeding in front of the TRAP stand on the West-Plot. I believe these to be fawns but not sure.

A little before 6:20 pm I heard a deer to the west of me. When I looked down I so a decent buck. I recognized him as the 7 point I named “Lucky 7”. He walked along the edge of the runoff on the west side of the plot. He stopped at 30 yards and was looking the other way. I took the shot. At first I though I hit him, but I missed. I watched him walk into the cutover. He never knew what happened. He was not really spooked and I look forward to seeing him again.

At around 6:45 pm an 8 point walked into the plot from the same area. He fed in front of me but never gave me the shot I now wanted. (2 feet) He fed for a few minutes and was exiting the plot from the same trail so I said NAA! He stopped, turned around and walked back into the plot. It wasn’t me that made him turn around because right behind him came out the big boy, “Basinhunter”. If he presented a shot I had to take it. He walked the same path as the other two bucks and then turned straight into the area I had thrown the corn and peas. He fed facing me at 20 – 25 yards and then turned around and started to exit. It looked like I was going to let him walk again. Then he turned around and came back. He stopped broadside at 18 yards while the 8 point fed facing me at 20 yards. I drew partially then let down. Then I was able to draw all the way. I put the pin under his belly then on his back back down to his belly then up one third. I felt good about the shot so I let it fly. WHACK !!!!! It sounded like my arrow hit a 2 x 4. He made a semi circle then exited the plot the same way he came in. Now it was time for the feeling. Yes it was there. The heart beat, the shakes, I had to hold on to the tree so I wouldn’t fall out.

We waited until 10:30 pm before going to look for my buck. Brady had his bloodhound and it wasn't long before he found my buck. He was still alive. We had to finish the job. It was downhill from the plot. The incline was very steep and we knew we couldn’t go back uphill with the deer. I didn’t think I could make it back up the hill. I definitely would be of little help dragging him to the creek. So I gave my camera to Brady to take some pictures of the deer where he died. I tried to work my way back to the 4 wheeler to go around the creek to pick up Kevin so he could get his Ranger which I was hesitant to drive down to the creek. I’m not much on directions in the woods during the daytime but I knew I couldn’t get lost…..for long anyway. Well I found the hardest and thickest way back up the hill. But I made it. By the time I got to my bike I had lost every arrow in my quiver. No big problem, I just shot a monster.

On my way to the creek, at the edge of the East Plot I jumped another 8 point. I believe this one was “Jake” who is a very nice 2.5 year old. I met Kevin and Brady in the wash that the deer fell in and brought the dog out while they did the hard work. I haven’t seen Kevin so worn out as he was dragging this deer. I brought Kevin to his Ranger then we both drove back to the creek and we loaded the deer up and went to look for the doe. The doe left a good blood trail for at least 250 yards. Then nothing. We lost her. It was 2:00 am but the time we got back to the camp. Then we weighed and cleaned the deer. After that I couldn’t sleep. I scored it the next morning.

Here are his measurements:
Inside Spread: 15 1/8
Right Left
Beam 20 4/8 21 2/8
G1 4 4/8 4 3/8
G2 8 6/8 9
G3 7 7/8 6 2/8
G4 4 4/8
C1 5 4/8 5 2/8
C2 4 4/8 4 2/8
C3 4 1/8 4 1/8
C4 3 6/8 2 6/8
NT 1 1 6/8 2 2/8
NT 2 1 3/8

Green Gross Score = 141 5/8”
Total deductions = 14 2/8”
Green Net Score = 127 3/8”
It will still make P&Y