I joined the forum a couple of years ago but have never really posted. Been meaning to introduce myself and become more active...i guess the new year is a perfect time.
Anyway, I got drawn for the Lakeview second deer hunt this year and then between work and school I never got out during the general season. The second deer, antlerless tag would be my only chance to fill the freezer this year.
We got out early on New Year's Day and it was cold and clear, with temps starting out in the low teens. The unit is mostly wheat fields and sagebrush so we could see for miles. Walked a few miles in the morning but only saw one group of deer on land that we didn't have access to. We moved a few miles to an area with more winter wheat and started seeing many more deer.
Spotted a group of 8-10 does at about 750 yards. We crawled across a field but could get no closer than 600 yards without being in plain sight. Decided to backtrack and walk a wide circle to get closer, while remaining downwind and out of sight. After about another 45 minutes we thought we were getting close and sure enough, we saw the group cresting a hill in the field less than 100 yards away. Got the sticks down and shot a relatively large doe that was standing separate from the group. The drag out was about a mile, but well worth it to fill the freezer and have what could possibly be the first deer taken in the state for 2015...about 1:15 PM on New Year's Day. ??
Special thanks to Fishbonker for all his help on this hunt (as usual).
