A Change of Plans: Big South Carolina Buck Taken Halloween Eve

By Michael Hutchens

I’ve had a 30-by-100-foot-long Imperial Whitetail Clover food plot for about five years in a creek bottom surrounded by cover. Deer feel safe there. Some deer bed in this area, and that attracts bucks during the rut. Plus, Mr. Buck can grab a quick Imperial Whitetail Clover snack while on the prowl for a date.

I’ve noticed that deer will mow Imperial Clover like a lawnmower late in the season. I’ve also noticed there are a lot more deer in the bottoms since the Imperial Clover patch has been there. Every year, a buck moves into the area during the rut and stays there until late January or February. I took three 8-pointers the previous three years since starting the Imperial Whitetail Clover patch. It attracts does, which attracts the big boys. Believe me, this clover attracts deer. I have counted as many as 19 deer in the field at one time.

The Imperial Clover helped me kill a huge buck on Halloween Eve 2006. At about 6 p.m. that cool, crisp October evening, I parked my Dodge Ram 4x4 at our normal hunting-club parking spot and unloaded my equipment.

I was running late, so I decided not to walk a half-mile to my normal tree stand on the creek bottom. Instead, I started across a hillside on my way toward a grove of pines. I planned to use these trees as a sneak area so I could slip across a ridge where I could overlook a bottom. As I approached the pines, I detected the strong smell of a rutting buck and deer urine. I stopped and surveyed the area, almost scared to move for fear of spooking a deer I knew was very close. I had located that buck a couple of weeks earlier and knew he was a quality deer. He seemed to know the area like you know your living room. He had a sixth sense, so I had to be very careful as I continued toward the stand. I had a feeling the deer was in the area that evening because the rut had started, and he was the boss.

I said, “Well, what would Roger Raglin do?”

As I started to my stand, a flock of turkeys appeared, and I thought the birds would give me away. But luckily, I stopped and stood very still until they passed. By then, it was getting pretty late, and I knew I would never make it to my original stand destination. So I decided to go to a ladder stand about 100 yards from my normal tree stand. After climbing in and strapping on my safety belt, I sprayed myself with antibacterial spray and pulled up my rifle.

I had finally settled in, and the sun was setting through the pines. It must have been about 6:30 p.m., and I was thinking I was too late. Then, however, some does appeared. I sat very still and glassed the area. I saw several small trees that had been rubbed and a very large — I’ll bet it was 36 inches in diameter — fresh scrape about 50 yards from where I had set up.

“You lucky dog, this might be your evening,” I said to myself.

I sat still and watched two young does. One kept looking into the adjacent thicket, and after about 10 minutes, they became nervous. The young does scattered and played around the area as though they were playing tag. Soon, the other deer came to attention and looked toward the adjacent thicket. I glassed that area, and there he was — a majestic buck. He was just standing like a guard on duty, and I suddenly knew why the young does had become nervous.

With my binoculars, I watched the buck walk down the hill and through the thicket. I knew if he walked into the opening, he was mine. As he approached, my heart was pounding, and I had a feeling like I never had before.

The buck — a nice 13-pointer with two drop-tines — came toward the opening while the two young does watched. As he passed through the opening, my scope was ready, and I fired as soon as I saw hair. The buck kicked high into the air, and I knew it was a deadly hit. I fired a second round, and the buck hit the ground. However, he was up in a flash, and I needed to stop him before he reached the thicket, so I fired a third shot. That took him down for good, and he was mine.

My heart was about to jump out of my chest, and my knees were jerking. I was a nervous wreck. I sat for about 15 minutes, trying to regain my composure and calm down — and also to make sure the King was down.

It was almost dark when I climbed down and stood on the ground. I regained my composure and kneeled down to thank my Lord for the exciting evening and majestic buck.

As I approached the buck, the first thing I saw was antlers. He was a magnificent South Carolina buck, with 13 points, two drop-tines and about a 21-inch spread. He weighed 248 pounds. I had finally taken the big boy.

It was a great day. Some times, last-minute plans pay off. Plant Whitetail Institute clover, and deer will come — I promise you. It’s honestly the best deer-attracting food plot I’ve had. Whitetail Institute has great products, and I advise any deer hunter or wildlife photographer to plant Imperial Clover.

If you plant it, they will come.