collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.  (Read 5014 times)

Offline Seahawk12

  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 3046
  • Location: Kenmore
Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« on: September 21, 2017, 09:33:16 PM »
I'm exhausted so will tell the story tomorrow.
Here's a pic of my 2017 Blacktail deer.

The story:
My 2017 deer season started on opening day hiking the east slopes hunting mulies. A full week with a few opportunities, but never one that presented a clean and ethical shot. On the final day of hunting I decided to head back to camp to get a start on packing up so I wouldn't have much to take care of after the evening hunt. I hiked down to the FS road and headed back. As I turned the corner into my site a deer jumped and bound away. It had decided that the best place to take a nap was right next to my tent!!! Well played mulie!

Since that opening week I have gotten in hunts over here on the wet side but have really been preparing more for the 2018 season because that will be my daughters very first season. I have an area picked out. There are four nice spots in this area that are great looking and I have been laying down the foundation for making them better. I have been clearing what will be our entry trails to where we will set up our blinds. Setting up trail cams. Etc.
One spot in particular has me pretty excited. I've cleared debris and pruned back shrubs the entire 1/4 mile or so up to an open flat. Last weekend when I came down off the trail I had cleared and turned the corner down the main trail there was a doe standing 15 yards up wind of me. She stood there staring in a broadside stance. I took five or six steps towards her before she bolted. I hadn't brought my hunting bow so there wasn't much I could do other than appreciate the moment and  get my hopes up for my daughter.
Yesterday morning I decided to run out there to pack in some mineral rocks and to check cams and conditions. This time I wasn't going into the woods without my bow.
I got up to the flat and saw that my cam box was on the ground. My first thought was that it had been broken into. I checked it out and it had been ripped from the tree but the cam was still there. The key was back in my truck. I kicked myself, because one of the reasons I was there was to take a look at the trail cams and I hadn't grabbed the keys from my hunting pack. So, now my curiosity is seriously going into overdrive and I decided to go get the keys and have a look. I start my hike back to the truck walking quickly down the entry trail and swing out onto the main line. I go about 50 yards and see movement off in the trees.
I freeze. It's that doe again. The wind is perfect. It's blowing from her straight to me.She's working her way down between a dry creek bed and the trail eating breakfast.
I carefully put my pack down, knock an arrow and work my way down the trail to about 30 yards from where it will intersect with the creek.
She steps out and presents a nearly perfect slightly quartered away broadside shot.
My arrow double lungs her and she takes about a dozen steps before bundling up.
I dressed and skinned her and got her in full sized game bags and packed her to the truck.
Last night my daughter helped me to process the meat. She watched me do one hind quarter then she did the other. She says we'll be doing two next year!

So, that's how it went down. Lessons I learned: I still believe camo is helpful, but you can see what I was wearing in the photo.
Be prepared. I lost an opportunity for a harvest by not bringing my bow along. I punched my tag by bringing it along while in the woods.

Best of luck to everyone this year.

« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 09:32:35 AM by Seahawk12 »
"I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."
William Tecumseh Sherman

Online Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 13011
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2017, 09:43:45 PM »
Wow, nice deer.  I hope to hunt Australia myself someday.  ;)

Offline bowhunterforever

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 8540
  • Location: Lincoln, Co
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2017, 09:57:52 PM »
 :tup:
You sure you know how to skin griz pilgram

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+30)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 18145
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2017, 10:17:15 PM »
No wonder you're exhausted.

Your grip strength is impressive.
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline Seahawk12

  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 3046
  • Location: Kenmore
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2017, 09:34:12 AM »
Thanks for fixing the photo.
"I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."
William Tecumseh Sherman

Offline dreamingbig

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 2819
  • Location: Mukilteo, WA
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2017, 09:47:30 AM »
What was the outcome with the trail camera?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@mukbowhunt
Avid Bowhunter
Maxxis 35 / Trykon XL

Offline boneaddict

  • Site Sponsor
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50475
  • Location: Selah, Washington
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2017, 10:15:19 AM »
Congrats on the harvest! 

Hey, we don't change usernames very often but due to current events Ill hook you up with a change if you want to. :)

Offline Seahawk12

  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 3046
  • Location: Kenmore
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2017, 10:26:05 AM »
What was the outcome with the trail camera?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My daughter and I hiked up on Saturday and took a look.
Beauty of a black bear. We got several great pics before thr camera was torn down and left face down. Apparently the bear values its privacy.  :chuckle:
I'll add some pics of it in a week or so. I didn't pull the sd yet.

As to the user name........the thought has definitely crossed my mind.
"I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."
William Tecumseh Sherman

Offline Curly

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 20921
  • Location: Thurston County
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2017, 12:16:56 PM »
Looks to be a very large deer.  Congrats!  :tup:
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

><((((º>` ><((((º>. ><((((º>.¸><((((º>

Offline Stalkin Prey

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2016
  • Posts: 229
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2017, 03:06:11 PM »
Congrats. Thanks for the write up. Glad to hear about getting the youngsters involved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Mark Brenckle

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 1585
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2017, 03:26:15 PM »
Congrats, :tup:

Online Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 13011
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2017, 06:38:10 PM »
Man, that's an ankle breaker for sure getting out of there with a loaded pack.

Offline whackmaster

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1853
  • Location: Duvall
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2017, 06:43:24 PM »
nice deer
Kimber and Tikka are my pets

Offline Seahawk12

  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 3046
  • Location: Kenmore
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2017, 07:30:45 PM »
Thanks all. She was a big girl and it was a little sketchy packing out over that section of rocks.  :chuckle:
It was worth it though. Here's my dinner tonight. I used this recipe:
http://www.mywildkitchen.com/pan-fried-venison-steaks/
« Last Edit: September 25, 2017, 07:37:12 PM by Seahawk12 »
"I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes."
William Tecumseh Sherman

Offline Mark251

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 2608
  • Location: Spokane
Re: Unexpected.....kind of. Deer down.
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2017, 08:45:44 PM »
Congratulations  :tup:

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Stealth Cam QV20 by Kingofthemountain83
[Today at 03:12:04 PM]


2025 Canning by 3boys
[Today at 02:51:04 PM]


Bino Bandit by O. Nerka
[Today at 02:30:42 PM]


1 week till bear killin time! by baldopepper
[Today at 02:30:40 PM]


Tease 'l' by hunter399
[Today at 01:49:39 PM]


Waterfowl Taxidermist by kodiak 907
[Today at 11:37:57 AM]


Gots me a new/old rockchuck rifle coming by JDHasty
[Today at 11:25:33 AM]


FirstLite at Big J's by BigJs Outdoor Store
[Today at 11:16:24 AM]


Mt. St. Helens Goat by hunterednate
[Today at 09:58:52 AM]


Are you using a Diesel Fuel Additive and if so which one? by JBar
[Today at 09:09:51 AM]


AUCTION: Custom knife by Alden Cole by Dan-o
[Today at 08:43:32 AM]


newbie bear field dressing and hide by ghosthunter
[Today at 08:03:45 AM]


Grouse in Vail? by hunter399
[Today at 07:28:12 AM]


2 Dozen CRD's for sale by Badhabit
[Yesterday at 09:52:44 PM]


Taxidermy Issues....HELP! by Bob33
[Yesterday at 04:39:16 PM]


Seeking packer OnCall for early archery unit 328 Naneum/Colockum by passman65
[Yesterday at 03:52:25 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal