Submitted By: Corey Johnston
My Buddy and I have always hunted Michigan our home state. We always talked about doing some traveling and hunting different states that offer bigger quality bucks, but didn't want to pay some of the big-time outfitter fees and be limited to a week of hunting. Luckily, I came across Base Camp Leasing at the begging of the year of 2017 and When February came we hit the road driving through Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana! Our 3rd property we checked was located in Carroll county, Ky and as soon as we stepped out of the truck we knew this was what we were looking for. Found Multiple sheds while more deer sign that we've seen in a long time. We had to paid for before we left the property to say the least!
After making countless 5-hour trips or setting up stands and Minerals sites to help our chances and to help the herd we finally made it down opening week! I was most excited that we got the chance to hunt that's deer in the velvet (Bucket List of things to do.) I've been hunting since I was 9 years old when my step Dad passed down his knowledge to me and I've been addicted ever since!
We hunted for 6 days and it's was by far one of the best experiences I've ever had in the woods. Every night I watched multiple shooters come of the mountain and feed into the bean field with me just waiting for one to make the mistake and give me a shot. Of course, like all hunts go, my hunt came down to the last night with about an hour left and this guy entered the field with two other bucks. I had already had a decent shooter in the field but he was 300 yards always feeding with some other deer and this Buck was on 120 and feeding right to me. After about 15 mins of his getting his feel for the field we took his first step in my direction and never stopped until he got 37 yards broadside. Note we had other bucks that I had watched that were bigger than this one on trail cameras and I watched throughout the week, but the opportunity to shoot one in velvet was at my door step, so I drew back and hammered him with a lung shot with him alight quartering to me. The next thing I knew was, I was shaking like it was my first time ever hunting again and watching my Nocturnal Nock Lighting the field. I didn't see him go down, but I knew the shot was good. Finally, what seemed like forever the field had darkened to the point where I could get down and head back to the truck to meet the guys! From there we got our lights and headed in praying that he didn't run far and praying he didn't run up the Mountain, lol. we got to where my arrow stuck into the ground and we started tracking. We got 30 yards into to where he exited the field and they laid my Bucket List Dream Buck! We actually had pics or him and nicked name him "Stickers", because of his 4 points he had at the base of his rack. He's a main frame 10 with 4 stickers making him a 14 point in FULL VELVET!! Dream Buck!
Thank you to Base Camp Leasing for what you guys do and what you offer. Our property Manager Joe was outstanding! Wouldn't have been able to do it without you guys!
Thank you!