I scouted all summer for Slide and had good luck finding his summer location. On August 26th, I left for a heavy filming bender out west. We hiked, stalked, and found success with the camera in hand.
As I drove home, my mindset instantly went back to trying to figure Slide out. He hadn’t shown up on any cameras, so my hopes weren’t high for finding him in the early season.
Two days before season, I was doing some maintenance and prep when I decided to make one more scouting push. Somehow, I found him.
I was able to figure out his September home range and really start dialing in his pattern. I put out three new cameras and hung a saddle where I thought he was traveling along the edge of his bedding area.
I hunted him two sits without ever laying eyes on him. My plan was to back out until I had camera confirmation that he was where I thought he was. That night, an hour after my evening sit, a picture of Slide hit my phone.
The conditions weren’t ideal, but I took the chance. I figured if he was going to move, it would be when the conditions were in his favor, and I was willing to risk bumping him to relocate him.
On the morning of September 22nd, I had a sub-30-yard encounter with him at 9 a.m. He was just behind some brush and I never got a shot. Right then, I knew I was in his bedroom.
I had to stay after him.
That evening, I climbed into the saddle early, hoping to catch him switching beds as the wind direction changed. I sat for hours without seeing a single deer. It was hot, the conditions sucked, and my wind was bouncing right off the edge of where I needed it to be.
I was getting to the point of thinking, “I need to get out of here”.
Then everything changed.
Two bucks stepped out directly under my set. I could hear another deer coming through the timber behind them.
I came to full draw, assuming it was Slide.
I was right.
He stepped out, I settled the top pin, and sent the arrow.
I watched him pile up right in front of me and honestly couldn’t believe what had just happened.
Walking up on my target buck was an unreal feeling. The chess match, the late night thoughts, the alarms set to wake up and check pictures, all of it finally paid off.
The chase for Slide is one I’ll never forget, and his legacy will live on for years to come.
God blessed me greatly this season!
Thank you, Slide.
