I spent Wednesday working around the house. I took several breaks to wet a line. The bass were active and taking bass colored super spooks. I caught a bakers dozen with several in the 3-5 lb. class. This was just killing time because I knew Thanksgiving morning was going to be just about perfect for a quick morning deer hunt.

 I got in the SHNF early and had to set-up on a larger tree because the wind was really blowing. I sat for an hour until the sky started to get light. It was 6:45 when I caught movement over my right shoulder. I watched the deer coming in fast with its head down. I struggled to look for antlers on its head. At about 25 yards I realized this was not just a buck but it was the buck. The antlers were broad across the back and the white tips silhouetted against the dark hide. I could not count all the points nor did I want to. I had seen enough. The deer's path would cross directly behind my tree. I knew I would have to wait for him to pass before I could even think about a shot. It seemed my morning hunt was going to end early.

 As the deer crossed just behind me, he made a detour directly away putting the tree between me and him. I was waiting for him to  pass to my left. When this did not happen, I saw only a glimpse of him over my left shoulder walking steadily away from me. He hit the brush at about 35 yards and I could now stand and try to find him in the scope. I searched for a half hour as I have had several deer have a staring contest with me before. I never saw it again. This magnificent animal had simply vanished into thin air. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours sitting and not seeing anything else. This small encounter that did not last for more than a minute was worth the effort of the season so far. I don't get to see animals like that often on public land, but knowing they really are there is what keeps me putting in the hours, days and weeks it takes to harvest one.

 Perhaps my standards will drop as the season goes on and I may take a lesser deer. But now I will spend my days looking for that one deer that you know could be stepping out of the brush at any second. I still have a doe tag so meat does not have to come from a smaller buck this year. If I have learned one thing in the last few years it's to get a doe tag so I don't have to shoot those smaller bucks like I have done before. Getting this deer will be tough for sure, but from what I saw in that one minute it should all be worth it.