Here is my very first mule deer, harvested on 10/23. It's nothing like some of the bucks I see here on this thread, but I'm thrilled. I'm an adult-onset hunter and have been focusing all my attention on antelope and elk. I put in for a fairly tough-to-draw unit on a whim since it was so close to home and happened to draw. I scheduled some leave time in November to hunt, but when I went on what was going to be primarily a scouting trip, I ran into a dilemma, a good one. After just an hour of hiking, I bumped a trio of bucks, this being the largest of them. They were upwind so they weren't in a rush. I ranged them at 290 and lay down to practice dry firing. I just couldn't resist. I chambered a round, squeezed the trigger, and just like that, my hunt was over. This was also my first successful solo hunt.
He's not a bruiser, but they never are in southern California! I took this guy on MCB Camp Pendleton on the rifle opener. He is broken off on his main beams and his eye guard. Should've been a nice little 3x3.
2015 South East Idaho Mule Deer. First picture is of myself and the buck I harvested. Second photo is of my hunting partners buck. Third photo is of my hunting partner loaded down after we cut up and boned out our deer (those were some heavy packs!). Last two pics are of us boiling out the heads and our camp! Was a great two week trip. Idaho is awesome!
Went out deer hunting last weekend, went for an evening drive and 15 minutes later my Dad and I doubled up on bucks. First rifle hunt for my kids, so it was a great time. Gotta love mule deer hunting in MT.
Here's my last minute muley from this week. I was off by myself, hunting my way back to my truck for the final time, when I finally found his bachelor group. I really wished I had someone to help me while breaking him down on a sideslope and against a bush not strong enough to tie off the quarters when cutting.