01/20/22 IST/ IBT

Waterproof, LA
33 degrees, steady N wind, gusts 25
Elevated box on Large plot in between harvested ag field and oak flat.
7mm Mag

Good luck. Bring an extra layer with you

ETA: it’s cold. Used to have a heater in almost all our boxes and there was one in here last week. Texted my 2 brothers and younger brother took the heater in here and put shooting house on other side of property. Second time he’s done that to me this year. Don’t think I’ll freeze.

The deer were everywhere this morning until about 7:05. Walking to my stand before daylight there had to be 40 deer on this plot.

Before I climbed in stand I pulled my IR binos out just to see what all was out there. Well, 2 of the 3 160”+ we know we have on this side of the farm were out there amongst some does and a handful of younger bucks. Was kind of shocked to see both in there and the handful of younger bucks. They all had head down feeding.

I decided to hold tight before climbing in because it was about 28 minutes before shooting light and didn’t want to spook them. Ended up having a Mexican standoff with one of the bucks and a couple of does that knew something was right. 12 minutes before shooting light a few does and one of the big bucks just walked out of the plot and they weren’t spooked, never knew I was there. 4 minutes before shooting light the other big buck got within 20-25 yards from and just stopped and looked dead at me. It felt like an eternity we had eyes locked on one another but it was probably about a minute and a doe a little further out stomped her feet a couple times and bounced out, flag up and he some of the others followed suit. Thing about that doe was she was looking in a completely opposite direction of me. She never blew nor did any other deer. I’m hoping the gusts just spooked her and I don’t know if that buck actually knew I was there. Second morning in 10 days I’ve had one of our plus bucks on plot before shortly before daylight and checkout less than 6 minutes before shooting time. Kind of discouraged but that’s the way it goes. I know it sounds ridiculous to be frustrated but I’ve passed on some good bucks these last couple of weeks that were absolutely shooters.

Deer are starting to pile back in the plot as of 7:50.

Good luck fellas