Bill Rodger’s 11-11-11 buck

This buck had appeared out of nowhere, standing just inside the edge of a cut soybean field. I’d been preoccupied watching a parade of does near my tree when he’d quietly materialized about 60 yards away. I immediately recognized the buck as a potential shooter and began focusing my complete attention on getting into position for a shot.

The buck was intently focused on the activity of the does in the immediate area, the bad news was he was heading downwind directly into my scent stream and I feared it would be over before it ever got started. As he slowly moved in my direction I slowly and quietly shifted into position and clipped the release on the string. For a moment it looked as if he would take another trail away from me, but as he ducked into a little swale out of site, he immediately appeared on the ridge 40 yards away and took the trail leading right to my location.

With the wind in his favor, he was singularly focused on some female companionship, and my scent control strategy seemed to be working well? At 12 yards and slightly quartering away, it was time. I came to full draw, placed the pin carefully, and squeezed the release.  Within seconds, the buck was down within site of the stand, and with that I had my fourth Pope and Young whitetail in five years from this very tree! While not the largest of bucks I’ve had the privilege of taking from this area, I was thrilled to harvest this deer after three solid days in the tree and some adverse conditions. This buck was taken at 1:30 in the afternoon and the first buck I’ve ever taken at mid-day and also on 11-11-11! Unofficially, the buck tapes out at 131 gross inches with 10 symmetrical points.

Equipment: Matthews Switchback @ 62lbs
Gold Tip arrows with 100 grain Muzzy 3-blade broadheads