This buck was shot on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 2:45 p.m. just after he finished making his last rub. The rack sports a 20 1/4" inside spread and the dressed weight of the buck was 210 lbs.
The weather on this particular day was overcast and the temperature was hovering in the mid 30's. I had jumped (5) does and (1) smaller buck from this area between 7:20 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. There was a rub line that was separating the softwood swamp and the hardwood ridge. I had located numerous trees that were 4 to 5 inches in diameter that had been shredded. I knew there would be a dominant buck hanging around near these does.
I still hunted the ridge for a while looking for more sign in an effort to figure out the buck's pattern. I came back to the edge of the swamp at around 1:00 p.m. and decided to wait out the remainder of the day overlooking the larger rubs. At approximately 2:45 p.m. I noticed a deer moving along the edge of the swamp. I could see the body of the deer moving around and it appeared as though he was freshening up one of the rubs. As soon as he finished, he took a few steps out onto an old overgrown logging trail. I immediately noticed the width of his rack and the size of his body. The buck stopped and was facing towards me, offering only a shot at his neck. I carefully aimed in an attempt to thread a bullet through the whips and into the big buck. The buck whirled 360 degrees at the shot and now stood broadside. I now aimed at the boiler works and fired again. The buck reacted by stepping forward three or four steps and then turned again offering me a clear view of the neck. The third shot dropped the buck in his tracks. (All 3 shots were fired in less than 5 seconds) I rushed down to finish the job and then thanked the Maker for providing me with this beautiful opportunity.
I now examined the buck. There was fresh tree bark embedded at the base of both main beams, indicating that he did indeed finish his last rub. It appeared that the first shot that caused him to whirl was deflected and had actually passed through the lower part of his right ear. He may have believed he was stung by a wasp! The second shot had not found its mark. The third shot struck the neck, passed through the right shoulder and entered the spine. The shots were approximately 75 yards downhill through an area thickly laden with alder whips. Hunting in Maine! Who could ask for anything more!
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