Trophy Hunt of a different kind

[boneaddict]

I was backpacking into a backcountry bowl where some big bucks can be found this time of year.   Other than holding onto the nearest tree by the skin of my teeth, it was a good hunt.  The frozen ground made travel pretty rough in the steep terrain.  I came up over a finger ridge and caught my breath before charging into the next one.  Something I learned from Idabooner. I had a feeling there were some deer here.  I started glassing closely when down below me I heard the backend of a wheeze from a snort wheeze.   I focused on the thick brush when I spotted a deers feet and leg, another trick I was taught when hunting the fir thickets.  I had noted some huge tracks in the area and was excited.   I loved the big feet.    Finally the deer came into view.  I slipped back to my backpack that I had slipped out of when I came over the edge.  I got my camera and monopod out and tried to get a picture.  I of course had to go to manual focus.  Its hard to explain the whole scene, but I would have harvested this buck with any legal tag.  Yes I have seen a lot bigger ones this year, but this whole scenario just did it for me.  A very memorable hunt that was able to concrete wuth just one image.   He snort wheezed again at another buck down the hill, then disappeared over the hill never to be seen again.

[trytough]

Awesome!

[Slimdog350]

I love your pictures Bone! When you are out and about with the camera do you go to Otc units or do you go to special permit areas?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Very nice,

Sometimes its just how we encounter a wild animal that makes us respect them even more that particular day. I'll give myself credit once in a while.. I mean, I had to hike and crawl to get there. I'm out of breath and breathing heavily into my coat to reduce noise, scent, and the fog from my breath. My knees are weak. I'm sweatin up a storm but my nose and ears are numb from the cold. Then that one thing catches my senses.... It's amazing to finally see a buck in the thick -especially at close proximity. After spending time scanning for antler points. An eye. A leg. Twitch of an ear. Sometimes I can smell them well before I see them. So frustrating when I can't see them yet. It's even more amazing looking at a bruiser in the brush, I can't help but wonder how they heck they got there when any time I make a move into the thick I'm smacked in the face with a bramble or branch that was purposefully pulled back with a rubber band. And at that point all stealthy quietness has gone out the window. Yet there's this buck! He's not happy to see me. In fact, doesn't want anything/one around. A snort/wheeze and others leave or in another breath, he's gone all together. Those are the ones we remember.

-Steve

[boneaddict]

  Steve.


Mostly general OTC areas Slim. 

[bigmacc]

Great writeup and pic sir,sometimes its not the score,the size or what could be considered a "trophy" in someone elses eyes. Its the hunt,the work,the knowledge and the satisfaction only you as the "hunter" feels by outsmarting your game and feeling you have the upper hand at that one particular moment,whether you take him with a weapon,a camera or you let him walk. I feel that in your story. Congrats on a fine buck my friend,you worked hard for him

[boneaddict]

Thank you!   Hard to see but he was also a five point.  Love those five points.

[bigmacc]

Thank you!   Hard to see but he was also a five point.  Love those five points.

I do see the 5,it also looks like(in the 2nd pic) he was just getting up out of bed? Did you disturb his sleep  ...if so,way to put the ole sneak-a-roo on him