Frustrating 08 season ended alright

[Hillbilly270]

This season was incredibly frustrating.  every weekend was 60 degrees and sunny.   My partner and I saw some deer, but not the numbers we are used to seeing.  We actually saw more hunters than normal as well.  All this combined to us getting super frustrated and we almost gave up.  Well...my partner gave up, but i just got lucky.  Well, i passed on a few spikes and a forked horn and my boss let me have the last three days of the regular season off work.  So wednesday 10/29 i went out alone.  It ended up being 65 degrees....i could of been wearing shorts and sneakers.  I went to three clearcuts and saw two does.  now i was getting pissed.  I decided to go to one more spot beforing going home.  went into a walk-in unit and as i was on my way over this little noel to look down into this unit, i heard something break.  I knew something was in there and i spotted a buck in the bottom.  He was looking at me.  i got out the rangefinder and he was dead on 250yds away.  I got a rest on a stump in front of me and blasted him in the chest.  I saw his left side of his body go limp and he hobbled around the hill (10yds) and dissapeared. 
now the work began.....this is the first deer i've had to get out by myself....and i've been sitting behind a desk for 5 years now so i was wondering how this was going to work out.  I walked back to the truck, grabbed my pack, and headed back down after him.  Now i'm down there standing  on a stump wondering where the hell he is cuz he was standing right here when i shot him and i didn't see any blood on my way down.  I look to my left and he was laying 5ft away from me.....scared the crap out of me.  Now i was stoked because i didn't get one last year and it felt nice having some meat on the ground. 
So this is my first time packing and wasn't quite sure about what to do but i had an idea.  I gutted him and cut his lower legs off right below the backstrap and hauled those out.  i was actually back to the truck and it only took me 1.5 hrs to do that.  the upper half is a different story.  I skinned er out and cut the backstraps out and got the front shoulders and head; grabbed my gun and binos and headed back up.  bout 1/2 way back i was ready to puke.  needless to say i got er all to the truck in like 4 hrs.........second half took much longer.  I was damn proud of myself and it made the hunt that much more exciting.  I know you all think i'm gay for writing this up, but i wanted to share my story for this year.  It's not the biggest deer, but it's one i will probably never forget.  What a frustrating year, but you just never know what will happen.  All i can say is...don't give up. 

[snipekillr]

NIce buck

[bow4elk]

...and i've been sitting behind a desk for 5 years now so i was wondering how this was going to work out. 

 

try 12 years...

[boneaddict]

looks like it turned out well

[bobcat]

I know you all think i'm gay for writing this up, but i wanted to share my story for this year.  It's not the biggest deer, but it's one i will probably never forget.

You're right...that's exactly what I was thinking as I read your story. 

Just kidding, thanks for the story. That's what this board is all about.

[blessed]

Congradulations on a verry nice buck. Looks like a black tail? With the brush we have to contend with on the west side it's a wonder we can get anything!
Thanks for sharing the story.... PS If you still want to hunt go get thoes cougars and coyotes  !!

[Ray]

Good job. I have not gotten my deer yet. I'm hoping to connect in early December. I think you already did better than me 

[elkaholic_74]

Congrats on a nice buck and dont feel bad, I swear Im gonna start working out everytime Im packing an animal out lol. You got your buck the same day I got mine! Good to see a fello harborite do well!!

[270Shooter]

Congrats on a nice buck!!!

[Gutpile]

I know you all think i'm gay for writing this up

    

Gayboy!!!!   

Just kidding, good story. Good write up.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Congrats on a nice looking buck!

[skybusterbo]

Nice buck!!! Way to hang in there and get it done.

[Hillbilly270]

I forgot to mention i shot this thing with my first hand load.  I shot it with a 140gr barnes TSX.  I hit the front left shoulder as it was looking at me and when i skinned the hind quarter you could touch the bullet just under the hide.  I should take a picture of the bullet and post it on here........it's the perfect mushroom.  And thanks for all the comments.

[mwhite]

Way to stick with it!  It was definitely a poor year for deer hunting in general.  Weather played a big role but you stuck with it and had success. Congrats!

[jollyskwala]

way to stick with it! got to be out there to have a chance.