Seen a nice buck tonight in D14. San Bernardino NF

[spectr17]

Was out squeak shooting in D14 and scouting. This area is more a crossing area for deer and bear. I had the camera ready when I drove out at 7pm to go watch the eclipse when I looked to my left and there stood a really nice buck broadside about 15 yards off the power line road watching me. I hit the binders, killed the engine and grabbed the camera and he was GONE!! I had just enough time to lock eyes and that was it. I climbed on top the truck shell to see him run off in the chapparal and still no buck. Dang, I figured he might of laid down so I chucked some rocks in the spot I last saw him and all around and nothing. I circled with the truck hoping to see him sneaking down a small dip but nothing. The red X marks where he was standing.

His antlers were well past his ears and just starting the 2nd branches mid way, they were about 6" inches up. Older buck from the look of his body and face. Man what a sight with him locked up broadside staring at me with all the green behind him. Would have been a great pic. I'm not sure which way he was headed, the creek is just a short hop straight out from the road so he probably was headed for a drink from his bed on the surrounding hills. Gonna put a trail cam along here to see if he stays local. A treestand hanging on that telephone pole would have been a chip shot with the bow .

Please, not another ghost buck, those kind haunt me bad.

Anybody else out scouting and poking around?

[slanttop357]

You might of just spotted the first buck of the year in D14. Good for you Jesse congrats.

[chap_dog48]

I've been out several times. Seen a ton of deer in places everyone hunts. Come season there will be a buck or 2 die then the rest will be gone. I had 12 does and 2 bucks at 80 yards last week while I was riding the quad in Rattlesnake Canyon. They looked good but they will be moving up high in the next couple weeks as it gets hot.

[Rob P.]

There's an older buck I see all the time over near Lake Casitas. He has a nice rack with beams as thick as my wrists this year. I suspect he's probably 2" diameter under the velvet. Good spread well outside his ears. Maybe a 4x5 or 5x5. Usually see him near his bedding spot inside the Lake fenceline or going/coming from hanging out with his girls in the field across the road. I was within 15 feet of him once - both of us on the road and he was in the typical "Hartford photo" pose.

Of course he's in the middle of a HUGE "no hunting/trespassing/etc" zone for the lake watershed. Totally protected from EVERYTHING since they do their best to keep lions out of the area (kids camping/playing area). Not a lot of competition either.

I've seen him every year for the last 5 years and he wasn't young the first time I saw him. I think this is worse than a ghost buck.