First deer

[wsubeagle]

I've struck out again hunting deer in Washington. This was my second year hunting, who no success. I think I'll try for archery season next year if I can get my skills up to par.

While disgusted with my second failed season, I decided to try for a Whitetail in Idaho this year. I think it was more sheer determination to have success the drove me to pay the out of state fees.

My first day out in the field about 5 min before the legal close of the day I saw this guy looking at me about 90 yards from where I was standing with my back to a tree. He has come up on my left side and I didn't see him enter the clearing. He was looking right at me, he called a few times and I just stood there frozen waiting for him to look away so I could lift my rifle. After a few moments he bounded away, my heart sank but I raised my rifle just in case I could get a clean shot. He stopped and turned back towards me and called again, looking around where I was. He gave me a perfect shot. I fired and he was gone. I went back to the truck and switched to my retrieval gear, including a light it was dark by then. I went back, plenty of time had passed so I went and looked for a sign i had hit him. I didn't see a blood trial where I shot him, but a few yards up hill there was a thick trail of dark blood. Found him laying down about 50 yards into the woods. 

He was a real pain to haul back, and I'm glad I had a couple of friends come and help me move him. I cleaned him myself, with a little guidance from an experienced friend. It took me all night but it was well worth it! I think this will keep me going.

[wsubeagle]

Here he is...

[Turner89]

Nice first buck

[lokidog]

Very nice!  Love those tall tined bucks.  Congratulations on breaking the ice.

[Bigshooter]

Right on.  Very cool looking buck. 

[Eli346]

Nice buck any time. You'll always remember your first!

[Lincoln4]

Only two years for your first white tail?  You're a quicker learner than I was!  Congrats!

[Hunterman]

Nice Whitetail    I'd kill a buck like that everyday 

Hunterman(Tony)

[deerhunter_98520]

Way to go! Great first buck!

[skeeter 20i]

Way to stick with it!!

[Widgeondeke]

congrats 

[Ridgerunner]

Great job, those whitetails can be tough to figure out.

[Smokepole]

Nice buck.  Now you got the ball rolling!   

[C-Money]

Congrats on your buck!!

[chiefeng]

Wish Washington would move their dates back I can't stand hunting when it's 70 out. great first buck

[Jonathan_S]

Wish Washington would move their dates back I can't stand hunting when it's 70 out. great first buck

Wish I COULD hunt when it was only 70 out   

Early archery is in the 80s-90s usually   

[Bango skank]

Wish Washington would move their dates back I can't stand hunting when it's 70 out. great first buck

Wish I COULD hunt when it was only 70 out   

Early archery is in the 80s-90s usually   

Try the late arch season?  Seems like thats when the big whiteys let their guard down

[Jonathan_S]

I actually have nothing to complain about this year, I stuck a buck when it was like 8 degrees out.

wsubeagle, do you realize how much bigger that is than 99% of hunters' first deer?   

[wsubeagle]

Thanks, I am very happy with this deer. I have the head and cape at the taxidermist, can't wait for it to get back

[chiefeng]

your first deer is the one you will remember the most btw that's a great first buck