First blacktail down in a long time

[7mmfan]

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]

Grats, glad the hard work paid off.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[predatorG]

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]

Great deer.... congrats!! 

[jeffitz]

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

[mkcj]

Way to go 

[Mark251]

Congratulations 

[rfhd69]

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

[7mmfan]

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]

nice ...good job !!!!

[Turner89]

Nice job man. I love Halloween

[7mmfan]

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]

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]

Very Nice! 

[7mmfan]

 

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.