BIG Buck Down

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea I suppose he died of old age. Probably found himself a nice spot where he could watch the sea of orange as he lived out his days.
I remember one year grouse hunting in the Methow. I had been hunting all day and got my limit on fines blues. I decided to go thru this small patch of lodgepole pine and wait the dusk out glassing for deer. Not more than 100 yards off the road I jumped this huge buck that horns were way past his ears go bounding off. You could tell that was his little bedding area with an excellent escape route. He didn't seem to mind the fact that right there was a cattle guard that rattled when everyone drove across it.

[WDFW-SUX]

I watched the biggest buck in my life hi-tail it into the thickets

WHAT A DEER!  He puts my biggest buck to shame.

seriously?

[boneaddict]

Dead serious!  Rates right up there with the greatest bucks of all time anywhere.  Pretty much a typical 4x4 with eyeguards, a little weak on them, not alot of mass, but squared framed and wider as all hell.  The main was wider than my big buck that taped 33.  Add the cheaters off both sides.  BUCK of a lifetime, state ground, general season.  Survived the whole onslaught.  Saw him several times from a distance and watched him a lonmg time with the spotter.  No camera stuff at this time.  I bumped him close once and that could have been what cost me the sheds. 

[WDFW-SUX]

That's some deer running around out there.  I 've seen one 7x8 with tons of trash that was around 200" up that way but I'm pretty sure he's dead.  Too bad they don't limit the tags up there it could be a really special place 

[boneaddict]

If you remember they did that and it created some phenomenal hunting.  They shut down Alta for permit only for 3-5 years.  I found a couple incredible sheds after that.  They opened it back up and I bet was awesome for that year.  I was hunting elsewhere.  Back to square one in one year.  I lived in the Methow and was a bit distraught when I couldn't hunt where I normally did.  I just moved someplae else.  They could easily do that with an area or two. 

[WDFW-SUX]

I think the recent increase in late tags is a real problem right now. Giving 5 per unit seemed just fine but with the increased in the late hunts to the current numbers they really created a situation makes it very difficult for a good crop of big 4's to make it through the season.  These late hunts are taking 100 mature deer out of the pop after the general season every year so the pigs are few a far in between.

I remember  a hillside I use to watch and it was not uncommon to see 15 4pt deer over about an hour in the afternoon and now there are none

[boneaddict]

I really wouldn't mind if they shut down one of the Methow units for trophy hunting.  It would be nice even in the offseason for photos etc.  I'm sure the entiat fellows might think the same thing.   It would be nice to seed some deer into the surrounding country.  It would improve hunting all around.  Maybe a good compromise for quality and quantity.  Give out more permits, not necessarily late season even.  Take any of those units, offer 100 tags and it would be a quality hunt.  One thing that makes the late tags quality is the lack of folks....

[jdb]

I agree completly. When they closed unit 342 for a couple years then went to a limted draw for a couple more it made a dramatic affect on the deer heard there were more bigger bucks then ever before. Then in 03 I think it was they opened it up to general hunting and it was a slaughter I hunted it opening weekend and it was INSANE! this past fall 4 short years later I hunted the same area and saw a small fraction of the deer I had in 03 and the bucks I did see were pitiful compared to the ones I saw in 03. I firmly believe that selecting several units in the central part of  the state and makeing them limited draw units indifinitly would be a huge step in the right direction JB

[Bookworm]

Hey Bone, where and when is the horn show this weekend. A couple of my friends and I are going to head over the pass this weekend to look at the elk and try and hit the frostbite shoot.

[boneaddict]

It will be at the Sundome.  It starts Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.  SUnday morning early or Saturday late are the best times to see the antler competition.  People start hauling their mounts away about 12-2 on Sunday.  Early Sunday is best before the "locals" (sorry, trying hard not to be racist) show up.  Sundays are really bad in Yakima. Friday is the best time to get in, usually opens around noon it seems like.  Its usually free parking, and you can get around the booths best, but most of the antlers for the competition aren't out yet.   

[boneaddict]

It was a successful weekend at the show.  I ended up taking first place Archery for Muledeer, and got a plaque for 1st place overall non-typical muledeer.  There was a bit of controversy but it all worked out.  It came down to whether my deer was a typical or nontypical.  My official score is entered as Typical, but if entered as a non-typical, it did better overall.  It managed to edge out another buck, which I think came from Idaho.  Anyhow, hard to keep straight with as tired as I am.  It was great to visit with a friend, and I had fun watching it all unfold. here was lots of excitement as everyone stood around waiting for the announcements or the postings, and I ended up with 4 first place ribbons or trophies.   There were some great animals there this year.  That Firing center turned out some brutes.
Now I can get this thing mounted....pictures of progress to follow.....

[boneaddict]

The project has started....first off, I drill the back with an inch or so drill and then mount on a hanger. Some forms come with built in hangers.  This one from Research did not.   I like to use the noose.  The come as one solid unit for heavier animals.  I split the thing in half.  Its built that way, and get two for the price of one.

[boneaddict]

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[boneaddict]

Then its screwed onto my bench holder.

[boneaddict]

Then I mount the antlers on.  I use the wood block to help me hold it into place.  Its all about getting it at the correct angle, and distance from the eye, etc.  Once I confirm the cape will indeed match the form, I will bondo this in, which will make it solid as a rock.