Calling in Blacktails

[rsrobins]

Had to bump this back to the top so you didn't forget to finish your story slamadoo

[Slamadoo]

My heart was pounding. Adrenaline pumping. I scampered up the hill to where he had been. I saw his jump marks and then his blood. I tracked him downhill for a couple hundred yards. Eventually I found him, peering at me through the timber. Two more shots and the job was finished.

As I walked up to him I was filled with both a sense of accomplishment and sorrow. This was a beautifull animal that I had killed. I paid my respects and got to work.

[Slamadoo]

Here he is.

[Mike450r]

Nice buck, I would have to go back to past years pictures to be sure but I think this year is tops for quality blacktail buck pictures.

[Slamadoo]

After gutting him and attempting to drag him 10 yards I realized that the REAL work hadn't even started. By no means was this going to be my first packout, but it was definately my first solo attempt. My first strategy was to cut him in half and drag him out in two trips. That wasn't going to happen with the slippery snow and deadfall. Eventually with some skinning and sawing I was able to strap the back half onto my pack and start up the hill towards my truck. After an hour and a half hike I made it to the truck. I threw the half into the bed, put my rifle in the cab, grabbed a sandwich, some water and descended once more into the hole.

I quickly calculated that daylight was running short and with the snow piling up and nearly a foot in the forecast, I had limited time to get out without incident.

When I reached the buck, I immediately began caping him out. This Buck was going to hang on my wall. It was my first Blacktail and I was damn proud of him. After 5 minutes or so I heard a very loud and animalistic sound behind me. I nearly jumped out of my skin in an attempt to turn and see what was making the noise. I didnt see anything. I yelled in as frightening a voice as I could muster,"Hey, Get Outta Here!" Snap! Snap! The sound of branches being broken under foot. I quickly deduced that there was most likely a large predator down wind of the buck carcass and my deer blood covered body.

[Slamadoo]

Rifleless, I clutched my knife. The wind howled at my back. My mind raced. The snow wasn't letting up. Dark was approaching. Who knew what was beyond the trees. Watching. Waiting.

I made the decision to get all the meat that I could, as fast as I could, and to leave. As quickly as I could, I carved off neck meat. Cut out loins. Removed front quarters. The last thing I took was the heart. The cape would have to stay. I cut the neck high in an attempt to get all the neck meat I could. I filled my pack with meat, grabbed the head and left.

Slowly I inched up the hill. It wasn't long before my legs began to cramp. At first the right quad. Then the left calf. Eventually both legs in agonizing pain. "Would I make it off this hill?" "Could I crawl back to the truck if I had to?"

I cursed myself and these thoughts of weakness. Yelling at myself to "Walk It Off!" I forced march up the hill.

Reaching the truck was truly a great feeling. I thanked god for the freedom to hunt these amazing animals and for the opportunity to provide for my family. The work had been hard as hell, but it was easily my most rewarding and memorable hunt/packout. In hindsight, I really wish I would have kept that cape, but at the time I made what I thought was the best decision. Oh well, thats life. Watching that buck walk out from behind that tree and stare at me through the dark timber is something I will never forget. It is burned in my mind.

I can't wait for my next chance to hunt Blacktails in the Rut.
Slamadoo

[wt]

Bravo, I love the story, one word... pistol. It gets spooky quick after dark or in the dark timber any time day or night. Great buck!

[rsrobins]

Great story and a great buck! Nice work slamadoo

[Clancy]

Well done! Good story and a nice buck.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Rifleless, I clutched my knife. The wind howled at my back. My mind raced. The snow wasn't letting up. Dark was approaching. Who knew what was beyond the trees. Watching. Waiting.

I made the decision to get all the meat that I could, as fast as I could, and to leave. As quickly as I could, I carved off neck meat. Cut out loins. Removed front quarters. The last thing I took was the heart. The cape would have to stay. I cut the neck high in an attempt to get all the neck meat I could. I filled my pack with meat, grabbed the head and left.

Slowly I inched up the hill. It wasn't long before my legs began to cramp. At first the right quad. Then the left calf. Eventually both legs in agonizing pain. "Would I make it off this hill?" "Could I crawl back to the truck if I had to?"

I cursed myself and these thoughts of weakness. Yelling at myself to "Walk It Off!" I forced march up the hill.

Reaching the truck was truly a great feeling. I thanked god for the freedom to hunt these amazing animals and for the opportunity to provide for my family. The work had been hard as hell, but it was easily my most rewarding and memorable hunt/packout. In hindsight, I really wish I would have kept that cape, but at the time I made what I thought was the best decision. Oh well, thats life. Watching that buck walk out from behind that tree and stare at me through the dark timber is something I will never forget. It is burned in my mind.

I can't wait for my next chance to hunt Blacktails in the Rut.
Slamadoo

now ...that was a great story ...well earned buck ....and usually when they respond to a call they are close and are on you quick !!! Good job & a dandy buck !