Author Topic: First blacktail down in a long time (Read 5265 times)

7mmfan · « **on:** October 31, 2015, 07:51:19 PM »

I didn't get a mule deer in our normal area this year, so I've been concentrating close to home trying to get a blacktail the last few days. Today I made a plan to circuit a few different cuts while the weather was blowing up, trying to find deer out and about. Cut 1: nada, Cut 2: nada, Cut 3 (down and out of the wind) bingo.

I walked to the landing and looked down and instantly saw multiple deer. They were about 120 yards out, oblivious to my presence, but they had the wind so I was hustling. 3 does, one fork horn, one 2x3, one monster 4 pt with eye guards. The 4 pt and the 2x3 were standing off to the side, have somewhat of a showdown. I got my gun onto my pack and flipped the caps, scope is FOGGED. CRAP. I unzip my raincoat, and then my next layer trying to find a layer thats dry and finally settle on my wool base layer. I wipe down the lenses real fast and get them relatively clear. By this time however, Mr Big has made his way into the brush at the edge of the clearcut following a doe. The 2x3 was still standing guard though, and I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I settled in on him and one shot from the 7 mag dropped him in his tracks.

Now the fun begins. You see, I rode my bike in to this place about 5 miles behind a closed gate. Well, I rode it most of the way until the tire blew out and I had forgotten a spare tube. I was ready to complete the long haul when one of my text message prayers was answered and a buddy pulled himself away from his Halloween party and rode in with his trailer to help me out. I had the deer quartered, bagged and up to the road by the time he showed up and we headed out. He was kind enough to bring a spare tube for me so my bike was functional again too.

This is the first blacktail buck I've killed since I was a teenager, and it was very gratifying. Being out in that weather today and finding them in a place where I was certain they would be was great. My gut still hurts a little thinking about the giant that got away, but only a little bit. He's not the biggest buck on the planet, but I'm very happy with him!

cowboycraig · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2015, 07:54:38 PM »

Grats, glad the hard work paid off.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

predatorG · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2015, 08:00:07 PM »

Nice man! Sorry about the big one getting away, but if you feel like he needs to take a dirt nap I can help out

jrebel · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2015, 08:41:27 PM »

Great deer.... congrats!!

jeffitz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2015, 08:51:34 PM »

Nice job! You gonna split that buck with your buddy that rescued you ?

mkcj · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2015, 09:26:20 PM »

Way to go

Mark251 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2015, 11:36:45 PM »

Congratulations

rfhd69 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2015, 08:37:00 AM »

Nice buck! You'll get the bigger one next year

7mmfan · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2015, 08:48:05 AM »

I do have that guys number now. I know where he lives! I've been seeing his rut sign for a couple years and I think I've seen him in velvet a couple times in August. It was nice to see him hard horned and rutted up yesterday.

One thing that I appreciated about yesterday was being able to go hunting in my Xtratuffs! Its been a long time!

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2015, 08:52:47 AM »

nice ...good job !!!!

Turner89 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2015, 12:35:19 PM »

Nice job man. I love Halloween

7mmfan · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2015, 01:13:10 PM »

I know its your favorite day of the year Turner! Wish you guys had ended up pulling the trigger yesterday, but thats the way it goes sometimes. You guys had a great year already up there!

fishnfur · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2015, 01:23:02 PM »

Cool buck 7mm. Don't feel bad about that big one. He'll be there next year during the big storm that will undoubtedly come up around this time of year, and you'll ride in there (this time with a spare tube) and drop him.

RB · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2015, 01:27:44 PM »

Very Nice!

7mmfan · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2015, 04:19:52 PM »

Quote from: fishnfur on November 01, 2015, 01:23:02 PM

Cool buck 7mm. Don't feel bad about that big one. He'll be there next year during the big storm that will undoubtedly come up around this time of year, and you'll ride in there (this time with a spare tube) and drop him.

Sitka_Blacktail · « **Reply #15 on:** November 01, 2015, 04:28:25 PM »

Nice! Nothing like last day bucks. You got your money's worth on your tag.

muleyslayer · « **Reply #16 on:** November 01, 2015, 04:35:45 PM »

. I want to shoot a blacktail someday

7mmfan · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2015, 09:24:46 AM »

Quote from: muleyslayer on November 01, 2015, 04:35:45 PM

. I want to shoot a blacktail someday

I love mule deer, and will always hunt them opening weekend. But the last few years I've been doing a lot more bear hunting on the west side and getting reacquainted with Blacktails. In my opinion, they are the coolest looking deer out there and there is a certain mystery about them that's appealing. I see so much sign in certain areas and rarely see the animal. I can never help but feel that I've been outwitted when I still hunt through some old ferny timber flat and come out the other side not seeing anything. I know where I'll next Halloween

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Author Topic: First blacktail down in a long time (Read 5265 times)

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