Well, Saturday was a fantastic day! I was on the ridge line well before sun up, where I wanted to try and spot this buck from. Different from other times, the buck was actually where he was supposed to be! I was shocked and excited. I watched him for about 20 Minutes from 700 yards away, and to my advantage and his demise, he bedded next to a small pine tree, that would become my waypoint as I made my way to him.
During my sneak, I was shocked with the wind direction versus the location he chose to bed. 99% of the time, when a mature mule deer beds, the wind is at their back and they watch the bottom of the canyon- to be able to detect a threat from behind them. The wind in this situation, was exactly the opposite. I was able to close the distance on this guy in short order. I still was questioning how he would be there, as I crested the ridge. Just below the pine tree, I spotted antlers, and my heart rate drastically increased!
I slipped my pack off and made my next few moves from my stomach, knowing I was right in his bedroom! I got to a small serviceberry bush and had a clear shot at his vitals - I was 27 yards, from a mature mule deer buck, and he had no idea I was I was there. I placed the arrow in the exact tuft of hair that I was looking at, right behind the bucks shoulder. He got up after the arrow hit and went a very short distance - 45 yards and immediately bedded down. I knew my first arrow had done its job, however the buck stayed up for a little longer than I think he should have so I sent another arrow and he expired shortly after. He was 2.7 miles from my trailer and I was able to get him out in 2 trips. It made for a long day, however I am extremely happy with him. It was an awesome hunt.
