CaNINE's Late Season Birthday Buck

[CaNINE]

Well on this day of Thanksgiving I'd like to share the outcome of my special draw hunt. I felt fortunate to draw a 2XX series unit with only 11 points. I had hunted this particular unit years ago and had some special memories there hunting with good friends. The unit has been on my list of places to hopefully return and take a crack at a mature late season mule deer.

[CaNINE]

I did some forum research and contacted past tag holders, biologist, friends and co-workers who have experience in the unit. Doing the research and putting together a plan is a big part of the enjoyment for me.

[JBar]

 

[CaNINE]

Through the research I learned that the herd is not in the shape it was the last time i'd hunted it and older age class bucks had been really hammered in recent winters. This was discouraging news for the deer herd and for my hunt prospects but I was reassured that there I would still see more deer every day and there were still a few good bucks around, just more difficult to find.

[CaNINE]

I took a pre-season scouting trip to get reacquainted with the road system, campsites and areas of focus recommended by my sources. It brought a smile as the memories returned from being in old haunts. 

[CaNINE]

Due to work and family commitments I wasn't going to have the time and resources to spend the entire 20 day season in the unit. So I made a plan to take 3 separate trips if needed, one early, mid and late in the season.

My wife and I went over for 4 days in the early season. I spent that time showing her around, telling stories and doing a few hunts on foot to glassing areas. 

We saw a lot of deer in those 4 days including several 4 point bucks but nothing I was too interested in. So I'd be back for round two.

[CaNINE]

A hunting buddy joined me for trip 2. I did more serious hunting this round, covered a lot of ground, new areas and glass, glass, glass. Unfortunately the unit was socked in fog most of this trip but we still saw an amazing amount of deer. I saw a few better bucks this trip and almost spent the tag but exercised some restraint.

[CaNINE]

So back for trip 3, this time it's solo and i'm prepared to hang in for the final 5 days of the season. Some heavier snows had fallen in the crests so I was keeping fingers crossed that might push a fresh crop of deer down while I still had some season left. But the mental game was playing tricks on me at this point. I had already been away from my family for 10 days in Montana and had now spent 8 days in the unit and hadn't seen the class of buck I was looking for. The next two days of hunting was more of the same and I began to wonder if I was investing my time doing the right thing. I spent some time Saturday on a high snow capped lookout doing some soul searching and the Lord told me to basically buck up, enjoy the experience and his creation and stop worrying about deer.

[CaNINE]

I texted my wife and told me to keep after it. I know the family wanted me home but having her support to stay in the game meant the world.

[jackelope]

Oh boy. That fog is enough to drive a guy batty. The pressures of a high quality hunt are enough by themselves. You don’t need Mother Nature messing with you at the same time...


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[CaNINE]

I'll cut to the chase. That evening, I finally found a buck that got me going. While making my way back down the mountain toward camp I glassed up two does in one of the holes I routinely check. And there hot on their tails is a good buck. He was definitely not one I had seen previously and assumed he was a new boy in town. There was no internal debate I made up my mind to make a move.

The deer weren't alerted to my presence but we're moving steadily through timber and heading to thicker cover where I would soon lose them, especially with only 20 minutes of legal light left.

I followed briefly and was able to find him in the scope. Yes buck fever set in hard. I had put a lot of expectations on myself. The MOAR retitcle settled down and from an off-hand position at 150 yards the 264 Win Mag barked. 

[CaNINE]

I briefly lost him in the scope. I see the two does trotting away without a buck in tow. That's positive. I scanned with my glass and now spot him staggering. I cycle another round and take aim but at that moment I hear a crash. I moved quickly toward him to ensure he was down before I lost light. I soon found him among a tangle of limbs and branches.

I gave thanks to the deer for his life and to God for rewarding me with a good deer and an incredible experience.

[CaNINE]

Considering how difficult this hunt was I am extremely grateful and happy to have taken this solid 4x4 typical mule deer.

[bigelk1030]

Great story and great deer!   Congrats.   

[GOING2HUNT]

Great story, it brought back memories of my hunt in 2011 in the 2XX.  Congratulations on your success!