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Author Topic: Late Desert Hunt  (Read 13390 times)

Offline Backwoods Barbie

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Late Desert Hunt
« on: November 09, 2024, 03:39:46 PM »
When WDFW announced the draw results this year I was initially drawn for the Quality Entiat tag (2nd choice). Fast forward a few days and it was switched to my first choice, the late desert tag. It went from mountains / snow and migration buck, to sand dunes and sage. A complete 180. As a mom of two busy boys, we didn’t have much time to scout prior but there is a lot of information about this unit out there. Over the course of the first three days we saw lots of deer, probably around 30-35 bucks. Each day we hiked 8-10 miles. The rut hadn’t kicked in full swing but the bucks were starting to cruise. A wind storm kicked up and the gusts got up to 55+ mph. I didn’t know what to expect as far as what this would mean for the deer and their activity. After a quick break from a morning hike, we set out again for an evening hunt. The wind was really starting to swirl around! Not much activity at all, the deer were most likely bedded down and we did jump a decent buck bedded behind a dune. As we were traversing up the side of another dune, we spotted this buck and took off running about 250 yards out. He slowed to a trot and then came to a stop, giving me about ten seconds to decide if i wanted to shoot. A quick range of just over 300 yards and I knew I couldn’t pass him up. I got a rest and dialed the scope, held dead on but a foot to the left to compensate for the cross wind. The buck went about 20 yards, running down into a pocket of sage bushes and he piled up. Measuring in at 28.5” wide, such a beautiful buck!
« Last Edit: November 10, 2024, 09:00:32 AM by Backwoods Barbie »

Offline Pudelguy

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2024, 03:42:38 PM »
Awesome, well done and congratulations!

Offline stickbuck

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2024, 03:44:25 PM »
Awesome buck!! Congrats on a great!


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Offline full choke

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2024, 03:45:30 PM »
Great buck!  :tup:
Thanks for sharing.
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Offline jstone

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2024, 04:15:17 PM »
Great Buck . Looks old

Offline Ridgerunner

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2024, 04:29:56 PM »
Sounds like a fun hunt and you got a very nice muley, congrats!!  Appreciate the report out. 

Offline mountainman

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2024, 04:32:39 PM »
A buck anyone would live on their wall! You did the tag proud!!
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Online jrebel

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2024, 04:58:06 PM »
Great buck!!!  Thanks for sharing.

Offline storyteller

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2024, 04:59:49 PM »
Great story, what a trophy.   Thanks  for the post

Offline Gentrys

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2024, 05:04:57 PM »
Congrats!  Nice buck!

Offline wadu1

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2024, 05:09:55 PM »
Well done young lady :tup: Thanks for the story and photo.
« Last Edit: November 09, 2024, 05:29:20 PM by wadu1 »
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Offline MADMAX

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2024, 05:12:54 PM »
Dandy buck
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Offline Boss .300 winmag

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2024, 05:27:19 PM »
Nicely done, love the width.👍
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Offline String Bender

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2024, 05:29:42 PM »
Excellent buck and great shooting!

Offline Bullkllr

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Re: Late Desert Hunt
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2024, 06:55:20 PM »
Oh Yeah! Nicely done!
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