First off thanks to all the people that gave me advice on this hunt! You know who you are and I really appreciate it.
After a ton of google earth scouting and deciding on dates and an area my dad, son and I were headed for Idaho to mule deer hunt! We got camp all setup and were jacked to get in the hills.
We headed up the hill for a quick evening hunt and saw 2 bulls at less than 100 yards.
One was a perfect 7x7. This got us pumped up for the following days adventure.
We start the next morning going to the first place I had "scouted out" from a plush computer chair. After 9.22 miles, 5 hours of glassing, 2000' elevation gain with a total of 0 deer spotted we are beginning to wonder if we should of gone whitetail hunting instead.
We decided that maybe we should try the other area I had "scouted" for the next days hunt. So after another marathon day with my son being a trooper and having a great attitude we finally saw some deer. Don't get me wrong it was still pretty slim, which included us laying prone debating on if he should shoot 7.5" spike at 287 yards 4.2 miles from the truck. Thanks for not shooting him Cash! The highlight of the day is my dad woke up from a nap and had a small 4 point and some does feed out of some timber in front of him. He passed but we all agreed we should try to get my son on him the following day.
The next evening found us back in the same area. My dad and son were sitting 250 yards from the timber he had seen the buck come out of and I was sitting across the canyon trying to spot some deer. I ended up spotting 2 bucks one of which we believe was the 4 point they were waiting on. My son decided it was go time. He made a great stalk and with light fading was 300 yards from the buck and his doe. With the brush he was having a time trying to figure out which one was the buck and decided to sneak closer. Well it's highly pressured public land mule deer hunting and they gave him the slip while I'm watching it all happen in the spotting scope loosing my mind. Me thinking why doesn't he shoot the dang thing standing 100 yards in front of him. Well let's just say the terrain looks a little different at 1500 yards.
He was a little bummed but still had good spirits and we felt we had at least found where the deer were hanging. We all agreed that we are very blessed to have the hunting spots we have back home because this was some tough hunting.
At this point I was starting to get a little down but my dad being the ultimate positive thinker lifted our spirits. We made a plan for the following day. We woke up, sure that today was the day. When we got up there, visibility was 10 yards and it was flat pouring. After trying it for a few hours we'd had enough. We drove around the rest of the day and got back to camp early. With two days left in the hunt we decided on a plan we thought would give us the best chance the following day.
We woke up early so we could be where the deer were at first light. My son and I going one way and my dad the other. We were 1/2 into our hike and 4 quads go by us. We looked at each other and thought wow this is great, but we kept with the plan. We ended up catching up to them on the trail and they let us go ahead which would of been great had I known were I was going. We ended up bailing off too early which found us in the wrong bowl at first light. We decided that's not where we wanted to be and hoofed it to the next bowl. Soon after sitting down we spot deer and off we go. I can see 10 deer and there is a buck. At 600 yards we sit down to get a better look and all hell breaks loose. There are 2 guys we didn't see 300 yards from the deer below us and off to the right. The guys we saw on the quads are 800 yards above us. Well let's just say both groups start shooting and my son and I are really up in the air as to what our next move is. It appears that nobody is shooting at the buck we see so off we go. Upon getting closer we talk to the guys that were 300 yards away. After much confusion it's decided the guys at 1400 yards wounded a 4 point that is in the brush. There is still a 2 point in view that my son wants to go after so we head across the canyon and up the other side. We get to the same level the buck was and start working his way. We are working our way across the hill and I spot him at 125 yards. Well the brush was tall and my son wasn't ready and he goes over the top of the ridge. I tell my son that he has to be ready because they are not giving us much time. (I may of said that a little different in the heat of the moment.)
We catch our breath just before cresting the hill. He has his bipod extended and with two tags in his pocket he's ready to put something down. As we slip over there are deer everywhere. I spot the two point at 100 yards and tell him to dump it. As he's getting setup for the shot he says "How about that deer down there?" I snap at him and tell him to shoot the two point before it gets away. He tells me he thinks it's a buck and it looks bigger. I pull up the binos irritated he's going to let our hard earned chance walk away and all I see is horns. Now we're both in a mad scramble get set up on it. It's standing in an island of think brush at 300 yards. I tell my son to take his time, get steady, and make the shot. But he's saying things like "it's huge". I tell him to quit looking at the horns and kill it. After what feels like forever he shoots and misses. Then I shoot not wanting it to get away and miss. He then settles down and puts a good shot on it. One more shot and it's down for good. We are jacked and in the excitement think he should fill his second tag with the two point that's standing 150 yards away lusting after a doe. After calming down we decide against it.
We work our way over to his deer. He can't believe how big it is. He is all smiles! We just sat there and took it all in!!!
We talk to my dad and tell him we got one down. He gets the picture and is pumped up! After taking more pictures and sending them to his mom and brother to had to stay for football, we get to work boning it out. My son carried his fair share and at 14 weighing in at 120 soaking wet he did an awesome job!
After we got it all out. We were done. My son filled his tag, and that's the reason we came. I look forward every year to spending time with my dad, two sons, and daughter in the woods. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. Also wanted to say how thankful I am for my wife for being so supportive when it comes to the never ending hunting season. (I owe you a trip!)
