NMGuy
Well-known member
Well, I got lucky and filled my ML deer tag. Going into this season, I had decided that I wanted an experience and this hunt didn't disappoint. I've had this tag before and have generally had success although I have to admit I've never seen a legal buck I wasn't willing to shoot so I usually come home with some tiny thing with a forked horn. Last year on this hunt I missed the biggest buck of my life at what should have been a chip shot distance. A rushed shot with too little pre-season practice really bit me on that one. This year was different though, I scouted more and shot more so I'd (hopefully) be ready when the time came.
Day 1
Opening morning I headed to an area where I've had repeated success finding bucks in the past. On my drive out, I listened to Randy's podcast with Dr. Bill Wilshire (the foot doc). Little did I know this podcast was speaking to me (although I was too dumb to listen). I got to my spot before daylight and waited, hoping to not see anyone else in the area. My spirits were high as nobody came by, so I parked and got my pack on. As I walked out toward my spot, I found a sinkhole I'd never noticed before. I have to admit, my wife loves murder mysteries and true crime type shows, so we've talked in the past about places to hide a body in the West....this was definitely one of those spots! Upon closer inspection, maybe somebody already used the spot (note the sneaker down in the hole)
I'd had enough with the distraction and moved through the area, but found no bucks. I did find a small group of deer in some very open country and convinced myself one was a buck, so after about an hour of hiking around to get a good angle, I had a staring contest with a doe at about 50 yards before they all bounded off. That "buck" I saw was definitely not a buck.
Since I was already a decent distance into the area, I decided to hike across a valley and up on top of a hill to check another area that looked promising on satellite images. Found a few more does along with a few reminders that I wasn't alone in the form of a few nope rope sheds
Well, this is where the podcast should have taught me something... 6.5 miles later I was back at the truck after only seeing a few more does. I was worn out and my feet were quite angry with me. I had stopped partway through to apply moleskin and change socks, which is probably the only thing that saved me from having a really, really bad day. After deciding I had done a little too much, I headed home to rest before the afternoon hunt. A comfy couch got in the way of that afternoon hunt.
Day 1
Opening morning I headed to an area where I've had repeated success finding bucks in the past. On my drive out, I listened to Randy's podcast with Dr. Bill Wilshire (the foot doc). Little did I know this podcast was speaking to me (although I was too dumb to listen). I got to my spot before daylight and waited, hoping to not see anyone else in the area. My spirits were high as nobody came by, so I parked and got my pack on. As I walked out toward my spot, I found a sinkhole I'd never noticed before. I have to admit, my wife loves murder mysteries and true crime type shows, so we've talked in the past about places to hide a body in the West....this was definitely one of those spots! Upon closer inspection, maybe somebody already used the spot (note the sneaker down in the hole)
I'd had enough with the distraction and moved through the area, but found no bucks. I did find a small group of deer in some very open country and convinced myself one was a buck, so after about an hour of hiking around to get a good angle, I had a staring contest with a doe at about 50 yards before they all bounded off. That "buck" I saw was definitely not a buck.
Since I was already a decent distance into the area, I decided to hike across a valley and up on top of a hill to check another area that looked promising on satellite images. Found a few more does along with a few reminders that I wasn't alone in the form of a few nope rope sheds
Well, this is where the podcast should have taught me something... 6.5 miles later I was back at the truck after only seeing a few more does. I was worn out and my feet were quite angry with me. I had stopped partway through to apply moleskin and change socks, which is probably the only thing that saved me from having a really, really bad day. After deciding I had done a little too much, I headed home to rest before the afternoon hunt. A comfy couch got in the way of that afternoon hunt.
