2014 WA MULEY

[Miles]

After taking last year off from hunting WA, Dad and I decided we would get together and give it another go this year.   We had tossed over the idea of hunting another state, and just didn't end up putting anything together in time.  He met me down here in Cali (forced to live here for the time being), and we loaded up the truck for the 800+ mile drive.   Twelve hours later - and one quick stop to buy some ridiculously priced non-res tags - and we were on our way to camp.

I had been mulling over the idea of hunting in a little different area this year.  We have had success in our normal spots, but things had been slowly changing over the years and the confidence was starting to diminish.  It's one of those things where you hate to miss "the spot" on the opener, but then there's all these other places that could be "better".  Anyways... we decided to try our normal spot on the opener, then depending on what happened we would go from there.

Opening morning came and went with not much seen.  There was a big one in the area, but it just wasn't like it had been in the past.  We hunted hard until the sun went down with no big bucks spotted.  After getting back to camp the decision was made, we were going to try plan b.

Not being completely familiar with the area, I decided to take it easy on the way in and hunt where I saw sign.  It was spotty in the beginning and there was some second guessing going on, but I pressed on up the mountain.  The higher I got the more sign I started seeing.  Keeping the wind in my face and still hunting the side hills I began to see a few does... 

[WAcoueshunter]

This looks promising...tag!

[Miles]

After seeing the does, I worked my way to the top and poked around a little.  Not seeing any bucks, I decided to SLOWLY hunt my way down.  After a ways, I thought I heard something below me, but couldn't find what was making the noise.  I stared into the yellow leaves with the binocs for quite a while and couldn't find anything.

[jackelope]

Oh boy. Here we go....

[Boss .300 winmag]

Just left us hanging, probably doing something important like watching old honey boo boo episodes. 

[Miles]

Giving up on the noises, I kept working my way down.  A little more than half way through the "good area", I stopped on a rock to grab a quick snack.  Figuring I might as well spend as long as I can in the prime area, I tried sitting until thoughts of an afternoon nap started creeping in...  It was time to get up and move.   I no sooner threw my pack on and I heard something a ways off to my right.  I picked up the binos and caught a glimpse of a deer's body moving through the shadows.  It was headed up where I had just came from.   Knowing there was no shot opportunity, I ran up the hill a ways and double backed to where it should come out.   After stopping (and before I could do anything), I spotted antlers coming up the hill...

I knew it was a good buck at this point and was focusing on just making a good shot, not looking at the antlers.   I saw some funky stuff going on with his left side, but I kept from looking.   Just as I was ready to touch off a round, he turned and started walking towards me.  I figured I would just wait him out until he was as close as possible...

At less than 50 yards I had all I could take and took my shot.  He folded and disappeared in a little depression with brush.  I ran towards him only to see him trying to get up to his feet.  I put one more in the front shoulder, and he tipped backwards an started rolling down the hill.

I grabbed the camera out of the pack, and the rest is in the pictures...

[Curly]

Great buck and great story!

[Birdguy]

That is awesome! More pictures PLEASE  . I cannot wait to see the whole thing at once. Sweet buck!

[Miles]

,

[Miles]

Here's a few more pictures of the deer.  I had a long hard pack ahead of me, so the picture taking was very hurried.   Now the long wait till next October begins...

[_TONY_]

Dang, nice buck!

[Mark Brenckle]

Great buck. How'd your pops do?

[boneaddict]

Outstanding

[Mfowl]

Wow, what a pig! Congrats!

[Quackwhacker]

That is a awesome deer! Heavy, dark and a droptine. Can't ask for much more than that.