Opportunity knocked, and I buckled

[tjones96761]

8:30 this morning the wind was so bad I couldn't hold steady aim on the tree trunk in front of me. I figured I might as well get down, if something walks out I won't be able to get a shot anyway.
So I creep a 1/4 mile or so in each direction of my stand that will let me look upwind without getting busted. I make it back to the stand and decide to check the persimmon patch that is directly north of me down wind from my stand about 1/2 a mile.
I'm not 50 yards from my stand and I jump 2 good bucks. I get my rifle up and bleeted and the bigger one stops, broadside, about 20 yards.
I've got my scope turned down to 5 already, on a 3-9 power, but I cant find him. When I finally get crosshairs on him I can only see body, no legs, no neck, just body. Just when I get ready to squeeze one off he blows and bolts. I'm on him but can't get a shot in the 3 steps it took him to be on the other side of the trees.
I circled around where I thought they were headed, and jumped him again about 75 yards through the trees. I walked some more but that was the end.
Couple questions here. Why would 2 mature bucks be running together this late in the season? How long should I wait before I go back in there, if any?
I can't be positive, but I think it was these 2. I've got pictures of them together pretty regularly.

 

[tslabaugh]

I know this may not be true in all instances... but I have seen them not affected by being jumped.

The other day I left my stand to go get some lunch at 10:45...jumped a buck in some thick trees and he ran about 40 yards. I go eat my lunch and get back to the land at about 1:45 or 2:00. I jumped him at the EXACT same spot, I didn't expect it cause I figured he wouldn't come back after being scared off.

The second time he ran like 10 yards and stopped. I could see everything of him except where I was wanting to shoot. So I slowly left and went to the stand. After debating for 2 hours if I should have stayed there and waited for him to come back a third time, I grunted about 3 times and he came charging in. He sounded like he was either at the same spot or pretty close when he came running in.

I don't think they necessarily leave the area if it isn't something super threatening. I figure they get spooked by cows, coyotes, and such so they don't think nothing of it.

I'd get back in there... They may still be in the area.

 

[cutterbill]

the only reason that buck stayed in the same place is he was with a hot doe that you did no see.