I was walking to my stand for an afternoon hunt in Mid-November and spotted several does along the edge of an overgrown pasture about 60yds. from me. They were kind of dancing around with there tails up . I was downwind of them and was curious as to why they were acting spooked .they had not seen me. Then I heard the distinct sound of antlers clashing. The does finally took off so i followed the sound down a winding tractor path into the woods. I snuck up to a dogleg in the trail and peered around the bend and saw a large 8 pointer on top of a smaller 8 pointer just mauling him. The smaller buck was on his back kicking as the larger one lunged and thrashed his antlers into his chest. I was awestruck for a moment and then realized I might be able to arrow the big one. I snuck in to about 30 yards and drew back just as the smaller buck broke loose and bolted to my right. The big one ran straight at me as I stood there at full draw. He turned left abruptly and I let my arrow fly. Missed him by mile but had to try. Then, in mid December I was ground hunting in the same area and had 8 does around me as I crouched in my makeshift blind. The big buck appeared about 100yds. across the pasture and headed toward the does. He stopped 35 yards from me. An older doe was looking in my direction and getting nervous so I could not move a muscle. The buck stood perfectly still as the sun set. As the does moved off in the dark the buck followed and I could get up . They never busted me. Have hunted there several times since then but have not seen the big guy, but thats hunting and thats why I keep doing it. The buck fight was the third one I've witnessed in my 20 years of hunting, but this one was by far the most violent. By the way if you look in the photo section you will see a buck I shot in that same area in 2000
