It’s always been a goal of mine to tag out before gun season and this year I was fortunate enough to do so. After shooting a nice 8 point on November 1st in Clinton County, I took the second week of November off to hunt the rut. After sitting out in the snow storm on Monday and Tuesday and not seeing much, I was excited about Wednesday morning with new snow on the ground and single digits to really kick the rut into full gear. I got in the stand early and right at daylight I got a glimpse of a buck chasing a doe off in the distance in the hardwoods. At about 7:30 this buck came in chasing a doe hard, but was staying out between 60 and 100 yards not giving me a shot. They got a little closer and the doe made a good move to create some separation, so I grunted aggressively and over the hill he came and right into my shooting lane at 35 yards. I was fully drawn and ready to shoot when he stopped broadside with a tree right in front of his heart. He stood there for what seemed like an eternity like he knew that I couldn’t shoot him. He kept looking back over his shoulder for the doe and just hanging out, but would not take that next step. By this time, my shoulder was burning and I dropped my bow a bit and anchored my string hand in my coat to relieve it. He stood there even longer and as if to taunt me even more proceeded to lick his private parts! I thought to myself, OK bud, you are really asking for it! Luckily, I’m hunting from a saddle this year and I was able to swing around the tree to just barely get a shot at his heart just behind the tree and let an arrow fly. He went about 40 yards and crashed into the snow and I was able to watch the whole thing which is another first for me. Very blessed and thankful for a great season with two bucks going up on the wall!