2014 Bucks, Post them here

[csaaphill]

Never be ashamed when you get a deer or any animal of it's size.
Or does for that matter all nice ones.
 

[irishevox]

O i am not ashamed i am really proud.  i was just sayin for the rack comparison a spike isn't much compared to some of these big 8 points or for you PNW people a 4X4

[c.jones]

Nice bucks folks.. James, way to get it done! Solid deer and adventure..

[bowhiker]

Really some nice bucks on here so far. Congrats to all. I'm waiting for late bow to deer hunt, but seeing these makes the waiting hurt. I'll at least get a little fix when I take my son out for modern.

[B.G.hunter]

Wow some real nice buck this year.  And tony thanks for taking that one out of the gene pool. 

[tonymiller7]

Wow some real nice buck this year.  And tony thanks for taking that one out of the gene pool. 

  I'm pretty sure I've had that guy in my crosshairs a few years in a row now, he finally put on that elusive 3rd point.  Happy to do my part!!

[James]

Nice bucks folks.. James, way to get it done! Solid deer and adventure..

Thank your sir!

Lots of blood, sweat, and tears went it not only getting that buck, but getting him out.  Great adventure, great memories.

[PA BEN]

Nice deer and some good eating so far. Congrats to all. 

[Wyoming08]

Nice Bucks you guys  Way to get the old Huntn Blood going in me.  Some pretty awesome pics on here this year already.

[hooker]

Nice Bucks you guys  Way to get the old Huntn Blood going in me.  Some pretty awesome pics on here this year already.

Scum Sucker?  Is that you?   

[BOWHUNTER45]

Not the biggest, but a decent buck, especially by island standards.

Nothing wrong with that buck    Good job !

[BOWHUNTER45]

Well, he's not a masher like all the others on here, but he's my first blacktail buck, so I'm proud of him just the same. And, he eats really freakin' good!

  Right on ...Looks mighty tasty ...

[GameHunter1959]

The Jameson Buck 2014....

Like most of the Hunt WA members; each year I participate in the annual family deer hunting trip to Eastern WA (Modern Firearm Season). I have harvested my fair share of deer over the years. I am thankful and proud of each deer I have ever taken, but this year I wanted to do something different. So I set a few goals this Spring. I decided to put in for a Multi Season deer permit, with the idea I would try Muzzle Loading in a few new hunt areas. The priority; tag out prior to the modern season so I could focus 100% of my time coaching my son (Sammy). Sammy has hunted 3 seasons, but has not harvested his first buck. I can remember being a kid and getting discouraged, because I missed and my father would end up shooting the deer. That happened to Sammy 2 season ago, with me by his side. The only deer I wish I would have let run off. This will probably be Sammy's last year hunting in WA, as he plans on enrolling in the armed services after he graduates. This year I will make sure he gets his buck!

I watch the deer year round in 4 GMUs. One of my goals was to find several hunt areas within those GMUs. I began with talking to Hunt WA members, driving every piece of state property in the GMUs, talking with land owners, going to the court house and purchasing maps, etc. I even met with the DNR manager, to double check access routes etc. While doing this I discovered an area (private hunting) full of legal bucks. On June 24, 2014 I started taking notes and documenting every deer I discovered, land owner names, phone numbers, doing internet research, calling 411, etc. I went all out. On July 24, 2014 I had documented 108 legal bucks in 4 GMUs. The problem; land access, private hunting, etc. I could probably hunt less than 20% of what I researched. So I told myself; its time to implement the next phase, which was to target 1 specific area and find a way to get permission to hunt. I knew right where I wanted to go. Over the next 60 days I started to get the run-around. I'm sure Hunt WA members have heard "We already have our hunters for the year". "Our family hunts the property, so we don't let anyone hunt it". "Sorry, but we don't allow hunting". It can be very discouraging! I kept at it, and finally figured out whom to talk to, and where he lived. I set an appointment, and off I went. After a really nice conversation, I asked if my family could hunt the property? The response...yes! I was jacked! I am a hard hunter. I knew if I could get access, that I would fill my tag prior to the modern season. The only problem; no Muzzle Loader season offered in the GMU. I was left with Archery. The last time a shot a bow, was when I was a little boy. I had zero experience.

In late July I went of to a fellow Hunt WA members house to BS over a few beers. He asked me if I would like to shoot his bow? So I gave it a try. I did reasonably well, and hit his deer decoy a number of times at 10-35 yards. It was addicting. In mid August I decided; I got to buy a bow and start shooting to see if I am even worthy enough to try hunting deer with a bow. After talking with the Hunt WA forum, I decided to buy whatever bow feels best. Off to Cabela's I go! I ended up purchasing a Diamond Carbon something? Cost me $649, plus arrows, heads, gear, etc. I walked out spending $1200. The next day I started shooting into my practice block at 10-35 yards. I started to get better and better. I then moved out to 35-55 yards, and did well. I experimented with different heads (Montec, Slick Trick, Shuttle T) and arrows by Easton. I was ready...

Opening Week- Legal bucks all over, with a few dream bucks running around. Opening evening I missed a 4 point at 43 yards. Problem; I was shooting directly into heavy wind. My arrows were all over the place. I began to say to myself; this is going to be harder than I thought. Throughout the week I had several other encounters. I kicked up a big 4 point twice in his bed. I passed on shooting him the first time, as the shot placement was not good. The following day I tried to shoot him in his bed at 52 yards (he pegged me). I barely missed him. He ran up the hill and I declined to shoot again, due to poor shot placement.

Week Two- I started to figure out the deer patterns. I tried several times to put a stalk on. Problem; open country with zero cover. I could sneak in to about 80 yards, and the deer would peg me in the open. I began to get frustrated. Trying to hunt deer in the open country, no cover, heavy winds, and a first year archery hunter; is poor odds of harvesting a buck. I decided to buy a blind and setup in an area, where the same 4 point I missed on opening evening is coming out to feed. Every night he came out, but never close enough to get a descent shot. We got to know each other really well. He knew I was hunting him. It got to the point; he would see me a bolt off. Again; discouraging...

Week Three- I returned to Cabela's to ask questions. I knew I was making mistakes. For some reason I was shooting dead on with my practice tips, but hitting left when I put my broad heads on. I found I did not tune my arrows, which was throwing my arrows all over the place. I was not aware that I needed to do that. I corrected the problem, and I headed back to Eastern WA. I only hunted a few days. My father decided to come over to learn the new area for the upcoming Modern Firearm season. He was impressed with the quality and amount of legal bucks we were seeing. We hunted around a bit and had a few encounters. We decided to head home. Nothing...

Week 4- I head back over by myself. I am discouraged, to the point I did not care if I hunted much. I spent most of the week working. I only hunted 2 evenings and 1 morning. The second evening (this Thursday) I waited in my blind for 4 hours (until dark). Once again, the big 4 point came out into the area I was setup in. This was the first time he came up way to the right of me. The herd was about 200 yards to my right. They were feeding within 50 yards of my truck. It was like they were taunting me. I said to myself; "That's it, I'm done!". I was ready to waive the white flag and surrender. It set in, that I was NOT going to harvest a deer during the Early Archery Season. That was until this happened...

For those of you that know me personally; my wife was pregnant with our third son Jameson. Jameson was due to arrive in mid March 2014. Unfortunately we got some bad news in January 2014, that he would be born with a heart defect. My wife spent 1 month at the University of Washington Medical Center. Jameson was born on March 19, 2014. He was immediately transported to Seattle Children's Hospital. He did well at first, but his condition began to deteriorate. Jameson passed away in my arms on March 28, 2014. This was by far the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. Having your child pass in your arms is a tough thing to recover from. Over the next several months family would report rainbow sightings, during pivotal moments. Most recently we had a family reunion. Family and friends were discussing Jameson and the impact he left on them, during his short time with us. Out of nowhere a rainbow shinned over the lake. Events like this, have happened countless times. We believe it is Jameson's way of letting us know he is in heaven and safe with God. Sounds weird, but that is what we truly believe. Now back to the story...

So I am watching the 4 point feed next to my truck in discouragement. I asked Jameson "Where do I go to kill a buck?" No BS; I turn the opposite direction and there is rainbow. Below the rainbow is a monster 5 x 4 about 700 yards out. He is heading right towards a series on canyons. It was too late to stalk him. Hunting hours ended, but I knew EXACTLY where to go. I decided to stay to hunt the final day of the Early Archery Season. I woke refreshed with a positive attitude. I headed off to hunt. I am driving up the road, and there is the 5 x 4 feeding 48 yards to my right. Right where the rainbow ended. The buck is standing broadside, and ready to dash off. I ranged him at 48 yards. I got a little case of buck fever and had trouble knocking an arrow. My hands were shaking (bad timing). I draw my bow and let fly. Just as I let fly, the buck sprints off to the right. I shot left of him. The buck never stopped and headed to the bottom of the canyon. I'm thinking; I blew it! I cussed myself walking around trying to find my arrow. I look down into the wide open canyon and see the buck standing there looking at me. I range him at 194 yards. I decide to walk back to my truck, as it was not likely I was going to harvest this buck. I make it back to my truck. I sit there for 10 minutes and decide I am NOT giving up! I decided to drive to the top and park out of site. The wind was at my back, blowing directly into the bucks direction. I decide I will walk across the plowed field about 450 yards above him; circle around to get the wind in my favor. Once I got out there I hit a point where he could see me. He was feeding uphill (facing me) with his head down in the tall grass. I only had seconds to get past him without being seen. I decide to go for it. I made it! I proceed to circle around to the next draw over. Hoping he would feed his way over to me. Once I got over there, I determined I could sneak out on the face between the 2 draws to close the distance. Risky, but I was going to be in the wide open either way. I might as well close the distance and see what happens. I get in closer, to an estimated 125 yards. I decide not to press my luck and sit down on the wide open hillside. I can hear him crunching around in the tall grass below me. I scoot on my butt another 5 yards. I stop, and see his antlers in the tall grass. The buck began feeding down hill below me. I range him at 119 yards. I decide to stay put; hoping he moves in towards me. I sit there for 8 minutes as the buck turns and start feeding towards me. All he needs to do is lift his head, and he will spot sitting out in the open. Finally at 64 yards, he turns and starts moving downhill away from me. He has no idea I am there. I decide to take a shot. I felt like it is now or never. Sitting down; I draw back, put my 50 yard pin above his back, and let fly. WHAM!!!!! I hear the arrow hit and the buck takes off downhill. While running I see him favoring along. I knew I hit him good! I glass the bottom of the draw. If he makes it to the intersection; I am screwed. The intersection is the start of the next set of canyon leading to the road. He never showed up! I'm jacked! I call my father and let him know I shot a monster. Now it is time to find him. I move in to where I think he is laying. I move towards the tall grass and I spot something grey. I glass the area. I spot blood and his antlers sticking up out of the tall grass. I was ecstatic! I called my father back to let him know I found him. I waited 20 minutes before approaching him. I walk up to him and he is not moving. I had done it! I thanked Jameson, God, and shed a tear on the hillside. By far the most rewarding hunting experience I have ever had. I dressed him out and packed him straight up hill (500 yards) to the flat. I hiked back to my truck and drove down to where I left him. I walked out with the game cart and finished the pack. I hit him directly in the center of the liver. The arrow grazed part of his lungs and exited behind his front shoulder. He was a dead deer running on adrenaline. He dropped approximately 200 yards down from where I shot him.
 
The buck dressed out at 134 pounds. No head, hide, legs (joint down), or guts. Nice 5 x 4...

Now I can focus 100% of my time to getting my other son Sammy his first buck during the Modern Firearm Season. We will do it again in a few weeks!

Thank you Jameson. Until we meet again...

[GameHunter1959]

When I spotted him expired in the tall grass. Tough to see, but look for the red blood in the center of the picture.

[GameHunter1959]

More on the ground as I closed in..