Go after the Ghost?

[Southbound]

I hunt 500 acres of timber right off the Tennessee Line. For the past 3 year we have seen this very nice buck right before season, kind of a "Hey guys I'm still here" type of appearance. Other than these early appearances he is usually a ghost. Last year he was a whooping 12 pointer with a spread reaching out past 20 inches. We guessed him at 23 inches! He, once again, has made his little preseason appearance just to show us that he has gotten bigger, and picked up a very impressive running partner.

Year after year now I have tried to place myself in his path. Last year I was informed by my dad that he had ran past one of my stands at 2pm. Me, being the intelligent hunter I am, had moved to a thicker location where I believed he would be chasing does. I guess I outsmarted myself.

The corn was cut behind my house yesterday, which brought the deer on my property into clear sight. There is a very respectable 10, 120 to 130 range, in the group of 7 bucks out in the field, he is probably only 2.5 years old but he will never make it thru the year. Too many hunters in the area willing to shoot anything that moves.

So, what would you do? Chase after the ghost another year or take the easy beans?

I know what I'm doing already...I just wanted to hear what everyone else would do.

[nwest]

I would hunt him only when you thought everything was right and save that buck tag unitil at least Dec.
Having nieghbors that shoot all the small ones is not a reason to "settle" for a smaller deer. Now get out there and pattern him before its too late:D

[quackrstackr]

I did that for a few years and wound up taking him well past his prime.

It was a bittersweet end having put that much time into hunting one deer, finally taking him but knowing what he was in years previous.

[slickhead slayer]

I would rather hunt a mature buck and strikeout than take a buck that I personally considered smaller than what I would like.
Go after the bigun.;)

[nwest]

I would rather hunt a mature buck and strikeout than take a buck that I personally considered smaller than what I would like.
Go after the bigun.;)


I agree. I have not harvested a buck for 2 years, but he gets bigger every year.

[SmokeyBear]

I only take a buck if I am completely satisfied with him. I take a doe every year for the freezer (early in the season if I get a chance to hunt) and then I hang on to that antlered tag until I see one that I want. If "the ghost" is the one you want, them hold out for him. Good luck and post us a picture of him when you get him!!!

[hannibal]

Here's a couple of pics of those deer hittin your corn Southbound.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y300/hannibal_09/DSCF4723.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y300/hannibal_09/DSCF4719.jpg

These deer just sat there and let us take pictures for about 45 minutes. All in all we saw bout four does and three fawns.....but no buck like he told me (liar). Maybe next time.

[Southbound]

Here's a couple of pics of those deer hittin your corn Southbound.
These deer just sat there and let us take pictures for about 45 minutes. All in all we saw bout four does and three fawns.....but no buck like he told me (liar). Maybe next time.

Hey, those pictures turned out pretty good. Yeah, yeah...we didn't see any bucks because you smell funny. Scared them all off!

[nwest]

Be careful there southbound. I heard the drool hit the floor when Medeor saw those pics :D. Looks like you could get some tender vittles early season.

[Southbound]

Thats the plan...I'm going after ol' big boy opening morning...Then I'm going grocery shopping in the evening...lol