Guest post from Big Daddy, who has stuck with me on the blog since I launched in 2008. This is one of the coolest posts I can remember, and one of the most satisfying for me:
Mike: Once again early November proved to be a big buck’s downfall.
I posted on your rattling tips blog the other day about working on this buck with the horns:
Big Daddy on November 7, 2016 at 10:59 am said:
“I have been hunting hard for one certain buck since October 12th except for a few days I took off to hunt mule deer in Montana the third week of October. I have seen him twice with no shot either time. Today, Nov. 7th, I rattled him up again, no shot just too darn thick! It was in the mid-30s here and the sun had not burned the light frost off yet. I am working the polling places tomorrow for our boy Trump so will not have a chance to hunt him again until Wednesday the 9th….hope your tips work! BD”
Well, on Friday Nov. 12 at 11:00 AM I was able to use a combination of rattling, grunting and doe bleats to pull this giant into 17 yards and put a 3-blade Rage thru his lungs.
This buck is 5 1/2 years old and I have hunted him for 3 years. In 2014 I passed on him with a gun and missed him with my bow in 2015. He green scored 194 3/8″ without deductions. Love your work, Terry Murphy, aka Big Daddy
Way to go Big Daddy, buck of a lifetime!
Great buck BD. Will still try and get together next time up your way. Merry Christmas to yours & you!!
Congrats BD, awesome buck with all the history behind him.
Congratulations Big Daddy! Hell of a deer!
Great deer Big Daddy! I know the feeling of gratitude, and some sadness, when you harvest a buck that you have come to know so well. Makes the farm seem empty for awhile. But there will be a new season next year, and a new deer to get to know.
Also great you let youth hunt a lot. I have a hard time being that generous, but I should be more like you and share our sport and passion. Well done sir.
If a gentleman knocks on my door an asks if he can take a kid hunting I have never turned him away. I have been known to even allow the youth to use my own stand sites an they have killed some whopper deer over the years. BD
Well, then BD…consider me a youth then. I will be there next November to assist you. Or, maybe it’s you assisting me? LOL!
Congratulations!!
Dean Yes I killed him on a farm I own. It is private to the extent I request an adult to have a mentor or youth with them to hunt there, other than that I allow no trespass. Call me old fashioned but I believe the youth today only need an opportunity to get afield and a place to hunt to get them started.BD
A question Big Daddy. Is this your own private land you killed him on? Just curious to know since you seem to have such a long intimate history with him (and his mammy too, for that matter). Again, outstanding job. Happy for you.
Wow, that is a gorgeous buck. Congrats!
BD: you are a hunter from the heart, I’m glad there are still a few of us left. Thanks for sharing your story, and great story at that!
Sheddhunter
I knew this buck since he was born an his mother since she was born along with the harvest comes remorse for killing such a long time friend. Yes, friend as he knew me well also. We played a game much like chess he’d make a move and I’d adjust and move myself until eventually I won the game.
In 2014 I passed on him with a rifle at 100 yards hoping he would make it to 4 1/2 then in 2015 I missed him twice with my bow an I swear he was laughing at me. But alas as a 5 1/2 yr. old he let lust put the last move into my hands.
For me it is almost spiritual when I watch a buck mature through the years and hunt him as a middle aged pot bellied male…just like me.
My late ather would comment,” to the victor goes the spoils” well trust me this buck was the victory in my of days I pursued him.
What State did you kill him in? Love that you had such a history with him.
Simply Awesome! Congrats BD he’ll be tough to top lol What state did you kill him in? Love the fact that you took time off to help serve your community.
Congrats Big Daddy. That is a monster! Good for you!