BBD: big buck down
A little over a decade ago, we all watched T.J. Scruggs as he zeroed in on the opposing ball carriers at Bryant Field. He really had “an eye for the ball” as he made tackle after tackle. The ball carrier just didn’t get away.
It seems that his prowess has changed from football to deer hunting. But his mentality stays the same, “Don’t let them get away.” T.J. proved that last weekend when he went archery deer hunting in Bureau County.
He left home early enough to be in his stand by 6 a.m. There was no action near his stand for nearly an hour. Then he heard some crunching and when he looked to the left, he saw a buck coming down a trail toward him. When the buck got about 15 yards from his stand, he stopped in a quartered stance. T.J. drew the arrow back and let fly. The buck took off running away but T.J. felt good about the shot. He got out the blind to call the landowner and wait to go after the buck.
About 7:30 am., Jim Scruggs, T.J.’s father, was hunting at another location when he received a message on his phone, BBD. 7:30. He called back to his son and asked him what that meant: the reply, BIG BUCK DOWN.
In about an hour, the owner got there and they started following the blood trail. T.J. said they followed the trail a long ways and then it stopped at the edge of an alfalfa field. They walked through the field for a while and found nothing. Then they walked near the fence row where there were several big round bales of hay. Then they saw the fletching of an arrow sticking in a bale. T.J. recognized the arrow as his but it was only the back half. They walked through the bales to the other side and there it was. They agreed that they might not have found the deer if they hadn’t seen the arrow sticking in the bale.
When field dressed out, the buck weighed in at 205 pounds and had nine points. Congrats, T.J.
• Last week, D.U. held its annual banquet at the Met. A good time was had by all. I’ll pass the results when I get them.
• Next week, the PHS Sportsman’s Club will be shooting some indoor targets at the Time on the Waters’ indoor range. Beginners will shoot next Tuesday and experienced bowmen will shoot on Thursday. Thank you “Time on the Waters” for helping us out.
• Finally, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Mark Hudson, a PHS graduate in the class of 1985, who passed away on Tuesday.
Lee Wahlgren is the BCR outdoor columnist. Contact him at pdub51@gmail.com
