BuzzH
Well-known member
Yesterday, my buddy Doug and I decided to make one last stab at mule deer and antelope. Doug started the day right bagging a nice 14 6/8" antelope about 7:30 a.m.
We then packed into an area we'd seen some really good bucks and set up the tent. We had about 3 hours before dark and started seeing deer includign a buck in the 160ish range, a really good one.
We kept looking and about a 1/2 before dark we located a buck that was undoubtedly a shooter. Doug took one look and said, "we have to go, RIGHT NOW!". We loaded up our spotting scopes and took off as fast as we could. We made about 3/4-1 mile in 17 minutes down some stuff that was not made to be run on, we're lucky one of us didnt break a leg or ankle. We then headed up a thick timbered bottom and came out below the buck. I settled down as best I could, knowing 2 things: 1. I was shooting at big buck and 2. It was going to be my last chance for the year at a big buck.
I took a shot and the buck hit the ground and never moved. I was one happy hunter when Doug and I got to that buck. Without Doug's help I dont know if I would have gotten that buck, I couldnt ask for a better hunting partner or friend. We took pictures, boned the meat and finally got it packed back to the tent at 12:30 a.m. ready for some rest. Hiked out today, and I still cant believe I took this buck. We taped him today and its 184 7/8 gross, will net around 178, not that it makes a damn bit of difference. Its a classy buck and I couldnt ask for a better typical mule deer.
We then packed into an area we'd seen some really good bucks and set up the tent. We had about 3 hours before dark and started seeing deer includign a buck in the 160ish range, a really good one.
We kept looking and about a 1/2 before dark we located a buck that was undoubtedly a shooter. Doug took one look and said, "we have to go, RIGHT NOW!". We loaded up our spotting scopes and took off as fast as we could. We made about 3/4-1 mile in 17 minutes down some stuff that was not made to be run on, we're lucky one of us didnt break a leg or ankle. We then headed up a thick timbered bottom and came out below the buck. I settled down as best I could, knowing 2 things: 1. I was shooting at big buck and 2. It was going to be my last chance for the year at a big buck.
I took a shot and the buck hit the ground and never moved. I was one happy hunter when Doug and I got to that buck. Without Doug's help I dont know if I would have gotten that buck, I couldnt ask for a better hunting partner or friend. We took pictures, boned the meat and finally got it packed back to the tent at 12:30 a.m. ready for some rest. Hiked out today, and I still cant believe I took this buck. We taped him today and its 184 7/8 gross, will net around 178, not that it makes a damn bit of difference. Its a classy buck and I couldnt ask for a better typical mule deer.
