The evening before opening I found a herd of elk, and was wishing I had bought an OTC cow/spike tag! Actually not since elk have distracted me many times from chasing mule deer, and this was to be my year for deer! So I turned away from the elk and finally found some decent P&Y bucks a few thousand vertical feet above.
They were in Mt. Goat terrain! I decided that I didn't have enough time that weekend to bivy up and chase them and I still had a couple other spots to check. I would keep them as a backup since not many would be crazy enough to go after them.
I did see a doe in the area, and the second time I glassed it a small 2pt buck. However I also ran into other hunters for there for the first time! Secret Spots don't stay secret forever.
Every old spot I went to seemed to have more pressure, camps set up, traffic, and just people. I knew I had to be patient.
Finally the 5th morning I went back to my old "honey hole" and right at first light glassed a weird 2x3. I figured I would go chase him and see what happened. it would take about 20 minutes from my glassing point to get ahead of where the buck would be. I quickly got my gear and headed out.
I got on the trail that leads to a flat that I couldn't glass from the vantage. As I got close to the open field I couldn't believe my eyes! I had finally found a good buck! The only problem was 200 yds of open field and that I had to report to work in an hour!
I went back in the evening to glass but never saw them. The next moring I was above were I thought they would go. I saw the buck come out into the flat below. However they disappeared only 150 yds below me and never showed up. Amazing how big bucks do that.
The third morning I decided to set up closer to where I thought they would be. The deer came in before shooting light this morning. That was one of my fears that the pattern would change and they would leave the public area before I could shoot.
How ever a more common fail occurred: I could tell there were a couple deer about 60 yds below me. It was 10 minute before shooting light. I got anxious to see if the big buck was there. As I adjusted to look over the bush in front of me I was busted by a doe 10yds from me! I didn't know she was there!
The deer moved off and I knew I blew it. The wind was bad that morning as well and it was a risky set up. 30 min later I see the rest of the deer herd move up about 100 yds away but not the big buck so I assume it was in the first group.
Shooting light came with no deer. I then heard a sound downwind and there was a 3 pt buck. I thought dang it, maybe they snuck past me lower down. I waited some more with no deer. It was now an hour later than when they came the day before. Unfortunately patience is not one of my virtues, so I wanted to go check down where I saw the 3pt buck go.
Nothing. This was the last day I had to hunt there before going home for a week. I was already planning the trip back as I headed back to the flat.
It's your story, tell it like you want. But, five days for 6 posts makes it a bit different than the anticipation you are trying to create. It creates boredom and instills the, "Oh well" feeling instead. So, in not so kind of words: Get on with it if you expect anyone to finish reading it!
He was heading straight to my ambush sight I had left only 10 minutes earlier. I decided to be slightly aggressive in the situation. Luckily there was an old trail that lead straight to the buck with a few big bushes. I was able to quickly close the gap to the last bush.
The big buck and his sidekick a wide 3x4 were right in front of me feeding. A small buck had joined them and was moving towards me. This is were all my practice shooting paid off. He was the exact same distance from my back porch to my target that I had shot at every day for the past 3 months, 65yds. With no cover between me and the buck I knew I had to take the shot.
Over the last 15 yrs I have struggled to close the deal on the few big bucks I have hunted. I have gained plenty of experience on small bucks though but couldn't get a P&Y buck down.
That was over now!
I was actually using a new broadhead this hunt since a friend had given me a 3 pack to test. It was a Rage Hypodermic. Now, I do not advocate mechs on elk, but I thought for deer my set up would be ok, especially on long shots. I am shooting a Hoyt Spyder Turbo set at 69# with 30" draw. the arrow is an Easton Axis 300 with a 50gr brass HIT, 125gr BH, removed factory wrap with blazers cut about 28.5" for a total arrow weight at 500gr.
I did not like how the shock collar worked on the Rage. Multiple times as I would stalk along I noticed the blades would rattle, with a slight wiggle. I would like them to be tight and quiet. The worse though was if the broadhead would catch on a blade of grass or small twig as I was sneaking it would pop open! Not good for a stalking situation where I would have to unscrew the head and secure it back. In a tree stand or blind it wouldn't be much of a problem.
I did contact the Department and they said there was nothing I could do. I was able to see the rack and got this quick picture. Its been a long 15 yrs but I finally feel like I now have a little redemption.
Out west, being patient and then aggressive has paid off with some big dividends!
Great buck!
Mark
Its 35" wide and has great mass! (he has also killed a bigger buck with his bow, a 238" monster a couple years ago)
I am lucky to know some great mule deer hunters and hope to be able to continue the success. It has turned out to be a Good year for Deer
Great bucks your buddies got this year! Congratulations to them as well!
Great story
Great deer
Great perseverance
Great pics
Congratulations on a job well done to you and your friend
