2018 Blacktail success story

[PNWheckle]

What started off as my slowest Blacktail season yet, ended with a bang(literally). Before season started I knew I was going to limit myself to mature animals only, as the area I hunt doesn't usually have a lot of hunters, so I figured it would have what I was looking for. After hunting 3 days during the earlier part of rifle season and no luck with seeing anything, I was eager to see the last week of October. I had taken time off during the last 3 days and during the late season, hoping to get it done sooner than later.

Monday morning I arrive at my destination about 30 minutes before light and start walking the bike up the hill, I find this easier than pedaling for now. I knew the weather was rolling in and was prepared mentally to hunt all day, but this was a big test for all my gear. Upon arrival to my first spot for the day, all I see is fog, fog everywhere. Luckily the rain was coming down well enough to allow me to move through some brush where I assumed deer would be bedded, also seeing rubs along the way. 15 minutes in to my brush hunt, I see my first buck of the season about 10 yards bouncing away. I only knew it was a buck because of the set of balls between its leg. Never did see that buck again.

Still making my way up through the fog and rain, my gear was still holding dry. I continue walking from one area too another slowly, and always scanning my surroundings. Im not much of a sit and wait kind've guy but this walking around wasn't working either. Just around 2:30 I finally get a good sign that a buck is nearby...I could smell him, I picked a spot on this cut and sat, sat, and sat a little more. Come about 5:00 I was getting impatient, I knew for sure there was a buck in this area, and figured he would've popped out by now. Just as I get up to leave I hear a gunshot about a half a mile away, first one of the season. That makes me think the deer are starting to move, so I sit some more. Still nothing 30 minutes later. I proceed to my left about 5 yards from my sitting/standing area to grab my pack and think to myself, what the heck, I'll glass one more time.

I pull up my binos and instantly see a grey ghost appear out of thin air. It was feeding with its head down so it was hard to tell exactly what was on its head, but I knew for sure it was a buck. What seemed like an eternity of waiting for him to pop his head up, and he finally does. I saw antlers sticking well above his ears, but could only make out 2 pts. After watching for maybe a few minutes I came to conclusion he’s had a few years to spread his genes and decided to take the shot, being the fog was still in thick, I was unable to range him, aimed my crosshairs just below his back and near the front shoulder, squeezed and he disappeared. I never did see him run off but in the back of my mind I thought I might be tracking him in the dark soon. Waited roughly 15 minutes before slowly making my was his direction, and found him dead where he stood on a small plateau.

Still to this day I shake with emotion after harvesting an animal. I don’t enjoy having to take a life to feed my own, but have the deepest appreciation for what these wild creatures provide for us, and that it continues for years to come.







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[Milkman]

Nice work. Great pics

[salt n sage90]

Great deer, great story, even better pictures!

[elkrack]

Nice buck

[X-Force]

 

[slowhand]

Well done. 

[JasonG]

 Awesome pictures, Thank you for sharing!

[elkoholic1]

 

[JakeLand]

Very nice blacktail!!!

[DOUBLELUNG]

Sweet!

[Wingin it]

Nice job! Dandy blacktail 

[Watimberghost]

  Nice buck!

[fishnfur]

Nice photos man!  That buck was definitely mature too.  Thanks for posting!

[slavenoid]

That is awesome. They sure can test your patience and your vision. Thanks for sharing

[fisheral87]

Looks like a good bit of shooting too, nice work