Finally! I got my first blacktail today! Story added + skull done

[crowinghen]

Thank you all!
 I was really struggling. Thursday morning we posted up on a clear cut where we had seen a nice buck and some does before. I spotted the does and then a real nice buck just standing, looking down the hill straight on to us, a little higher up on the hill then where we had seen him in the past. They were across a bowl from us, about 315 yards. I got him in my cross hairs and a-l-m-o-s-t took the shot, but it was a little further than I wanted, and straight on too. I think I could have done it, but I decided to wait and let him work his way down hill and hopefully get him broadside. So he started moving through some small timber and cam out to a little clearing. I got him in my crosshairs and then all of a sudden- Boom! A shot rings out from an area that I can't see and he's down. Someone else shot him. I learned a lot right there, but I was very very down and upset.
 After having the WA raffle ticket last year and hunting so hard , seeing literally hundreds of does and only 2 or 3 bucks the entire season, and not getting anything I was really struggling. My poor husband was being so encouraging, but I was ready to quit. He got a spike on Friday, the thing just ran out in front of him and he dropped it. I was happy for him, but it kind of made me feel like it was never gonna happen  with me... I just don't have luck that way.
So Saturday when the alarm went off, I said I just wasn't up for it, I needed to sleep. Got up later and he gave me ( another) pep talk and we decided we would head out to the woods, if only just to watch the wildlife, and maybe get a chance at a coyote or something.
Got to  a spot and it was super windy, he put a line of doe pee out and we sat and watched for a couple hours to see if something would come from downwind. Nothing.
Then we decided to explore an area that  might be out of the wind, so we headed there. It was like being on a mountain, the wind was whipping so hard. But as we side tracked a hill, we bumped a doe bedded out  of the wind, in  a little valley below us. So we posted up and glassed. After a  while I look to my right and coming up the valley is a set of horns! Came from the direction of the doe pee that Hubby had  put out. ( Not sure if he had come into the doe pee, or to  the doe that we had bumped that had just  popped over a hill and bedded down again.) I say " Buck" to my husband, but no sound comes out,  but I am already grabbing my gun and getting it on the tripod. I get set up and he's headed up toward us  at a steady pace. I ask my husband to  bark at him  , he waits until the perfect moment and barks. Well he said he did , but I didn't hear it I must have been so focused that I didn't hear it. All I saw was  the buck stopped, I looked at the spot and  I squeeze off a shot. He hunkered up but takes another couple steps. So  boom, one more to seal the deal and he's down!
 We headed down to where he was and my husband sees him first. He starts going Oh my god over and over , he was so excited ! He had no idea he was a 4x3! I knew he had a bunch of points that was all.
So we celebrated with a bunch of hugs and high fives, then  got to work. Unlike the spike, this guy wouldn't fit on the pack frame. So we put  a rope around his horns and  like a team of horses drag him back to the rig about 2 1/2 miles . We had to stop many times, but it was do-able, but definitely  a work out.
 It was an awesome experience, and I am really glad I was persistent ( even though it is more  my nature to say oh eff it and give up)  we are not trophy hunters, and I would have been happy with any deer as my first, but it does make it sweeter to have gotten such a nice buck.  We definitely earned it, and worked our butts off.
So that's the story!

[EyeTooth]

Great story and a very beautiful buck!

[Widgeondeke]

Thanks for sharing the story. 
Congrats to you both.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nice buck, and storey. 

You know they make these things called meat packs that make getting a deer out of the back country a lot easier than dragging them 2 1/2 miles.

[crowinghen]

Nice buck, and storey. 

You know they make these things called meat packs that make getting a deer out of the back country a lot easier than dragging them 2 1/2 miles.

I know! we just didn't want to get the meat dirty and there's also these things I've heard mentioned called game carts... I have one in my garage

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nice buck, and storey. 

You know they make these things called meat packs that make getting a deer out of the back country a lot easier than dragging them 2 1/2 miles.

I know! we just didn't want to get the meat dirty and there's also these things I've heard mentioned called game carts... I have one in my garage

It didn't do much good in the garage. 

I left my gear at home before, or better yet in the truck/ boat hiking double the miles to get animals out. 

[bobcat]

Great buck especially for your first! That would have even been a good buck to take with the raffle tag you had last year. Funny how that worked out.   

[Okanagan]

Fine buck, great story, even better pics and life experience that is best of all.

[Birdguy]

Great job!! Way to keep after it!

[lokidog]

Awesome!   

[bear hunter]

What a first blacktail. Congrats

[HvyHorn338]

Congrats to you and your husband for getting it done this year. 

[Muleyslyr]

Sweet! Nice job!

[KM1986]

Congrats on your first deer. That's a nice one

[pope]

Great buck and great story, Crowinghen. Totally excited for you because I know how hard you worked for this. And I've been around your husband when a buck is down range and you're right, he gets so excited. It's contagious.