elkboy's muzzy whitetail, 2014

[elkboy]

I went out to the property I hunt (in Whitman County) for one last night of deer hunting before leaving for the Taneum elk hunt. I settled into my tree stand in a natural funnel that connects the ponderosa pine timber below with the wheat fields above.  Our group of friends had taken one doe there the opening night, but the deer had now returned to their preseason routine.  A true chill of early fall was in the air, and the hawthorn, Oregon grape, and ninebark were turning warm oranges and yellows.  Anticipation was certainly in the air… and fortune smiled upon my hunt.  At ten to six in the evening, on the early side for our whitetails, I noticed deer emerging from cover around the valley.   That very moment, I saw two does graze their way across the plowed hillside a hundred yards from my perch in the old wind-formed pine.  I considered taking one, but we had harvested a number of does from the property, and are now seeing a lot of bucks.  This is a year to be patient, I told myself.  And then I saw antlers on the third deer to walk out.  I inspected with the binoculars, and while he was not a huge deer, he was nice… and legal for harvest.  The sunlight over the ridge cast the perfect contrast as I brought the front bead up to his chest… and then it was done.  Sixty pounds of good meat in the freezer, and excellent memories of another beautiful early season.   

I would like to thank Sabotloader for his constant good advice, and everyone on here for keeping my "hunting fever" alive all year!  I hope everyone is having a good season.

[elkoholic1]

 

[HornHoarder]

Nice job! That is a beautiful piece of property.

[boneaddict]

Great harvest.   There is something special about enjoying a fall evening on the hunt.   Goodluck in elk camp

[oneshot12]

congrats   

[h2ofowlr]

Some great hunting land there.  Always fun hunting that side of the state.

[Sandberm]

Nice hunt and thanks for taking the time to do an excellent writeup.

[Sabotloader]

elkboy

Dang!!! it is really nice when a plan comes together - good luck on the elk hunt...  We start 10/10 but I can not shoot elk until 12/2...

Which rifle were you shooting?

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Awesome!

[C-Money]

Congrats on your buck, Good luck during elk season.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[elkboy]

Thanks for the great comments, everyone!  Hey Sabotloader- it was the Knight Mountaineer- what a great muzzleloader!  Thanks again! 

[Watimberghost]

Great job! Thanks for sharing, doing your part to keep peoples "hunting fever" alive

[Soady]

That is a great write up that makes me feel as if I am there watching your hunt! Nicely done!