We have had horrible weather the last 2 weeks with hot temperatures, rain, wind, etc. It has been a bit frustrating to hunt. Today I slept in and was going to hunt the mid day movement pattern, then sit all afternoon until dark. I arrived in the stand at approximately 9 am. It was 45 degrees with a NW wind at 15 mph. I decided to go to a secluded area that consists of a narrow strip of woods running between a freeway and a steep bluff. I got the idea from a friend of mine (Monty) who had suggested a secluded area when the big boys are locked down with a doe. The strip of woods has thick bedding areas, cedars and a creek running through it. I have always thought the area would produce a monster buck but never scored on one in three years of trying the area.
The day started out with a lone, mature doe coming by the stand as soon as I was set up in the stand. She used a trail that was down wind of my stand which surprised me. I was happy that she did not bust me. Over the next couple of hours I saw 2 different 8 pointers that were both 2 1/2 year olds. One came within 15 yards of my stand. I remember thinking, why can't you be a 160" buck? At 1140 my Dad called me and asked if I wanted to head in for lunch. I had planed to sit all day but with only 3 deer sightings, I thought I should consider moving to another stand location for the evening hunt. I told him that I would meet him at noon because I planned on pulling the stand.
I packed up my gear and proceeded to lower my backpack, bow and rattling antlers down to the ground with my bow rope. I remember telling myself, it would be just my luck if a shooter walked in on me while my bow was on the ground. Just then I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over my right shoulder to see a 140" deer standing broadside in the middle of my 30 yard shooting lane. I couldn't believe his timing which actually ticked me off a bit. Because my tree was between the buck and my gear, he did not see me lower the items with the bow rope. The wind had obviously covered the sound of his approach through the thick cedars.
I knew the buck would have to walk behind 5 small cedars before he would hit my last shooting lane. While he was behind those cedars, we would not be able to see each other. As soon as his head went behind the first cedar I grabbed the pull up rope and lifted my gear up as fast as I could. I knew speed would be important because it would not take the buck much time to hit the next opening. Once I got my gear up to the 24' stand I immediately set my backpack on my seat. I scrabbled to untangle my bow and the rattling antlers from the bow rope. During the process I accidentally dropped my rattling antlers. They seem to drop in slow motion. I knew that as soon as they hit the ground, the opportunity for this buck would be over!
As the buck was entering my last shooting lane the antlers hit the ground with a thud followed by a little rattle. I always keep my rattling antlers tied together with a bungee cord so they don't make noise as I walk through the woods. The deer locked up at the noise but did not bolt. He was actually curious at the brief rattling he had heard at the base of my tree. He locked on to the antlers laying on the ground confused. This gave me enough time to take my bow sling off my bow, nock and arrow, and dig my release out of my hunting vest. The buck was still staring at the base of my tree as I drew back. The buck had never looked up in the tree at me and he was now at 25 yards. I waited for him to walk around a brush pile which put him slightly quartering away from me. The arrow was on its way and buried into his off shoulder. The blood sprayed out of him as he ran about 60 yards away. Then I saw him wobble a bit and fall over. Wow! I could believe what had just transpired in what was probably no more than 80 seconds.
I am convinced that if I would not have dropped those rattling antlers, I would not have been ready to shoot that buck as he entered my last shooting lane. So, the next time your deer calls don't work on a mature buck, try the ol' distraction technique. It worked for me! Just throw your rattling antlers in the direction of the buck. Sometimes it pays to be lucky than good. 
I had a trail camera set up on the trail that this 142" buck was using to check for does. This pictures were taken as the buck heard the rattling antlers drop and the deer comes towards me to investigate. I had not changed the clock on my camera yet after daylight savings.
I am convinced that if I would not have dropped those rattling antlers, I would not have been ready to shoot that buck as he entered my last shooting lane. So, the next time your deer calls don't work on a mature buck, try the ol' distraction technique. It worked for me! Just throw your rattling antlers in the direction of the buck. Sometimes it pays to be lucky than good. 
I had a trail camera set up on the trail that this 142" buck was using to check for does. This pictures were taken as the buck heard the rattling antlers drop and the deer comes towards me to investigate. I had not changed the clock on my camera yet after daylight savings.
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