My 1st Montana trip

[fowl smacker]

It was a fun (and frustrating) first few days in Montana.  A few stalks didn't work out, wind was howling for 2 days and all the deer we were seeing seemed to disappear.  Then mid day on Tuesday I spotted a doe on a hillside.  I got my binoculars out and started scanning around her I found another doe bedded in thick brush, then another, then another, then I saw HIM.  He was bedded facing straight at me, neck wider than his head, I told Scott, there's a buck, a big buck.  I decided he was big enough to shoot.  I laid my pack down, ranged him at 674 yards (which I practice at and am capable of killing a deer at) and start to settle into my rifle when Scott says "he just stood up".  I find him in my scope and he's starting to walk slowly up hill, he stops, I get my breath and touch the trigger.  The shot felt great but as I look through the scope again I see him running up the hill looking un hit.  He stops at the skyline, gives one last quick look at us and over the hill he goes.  I ask Scott if I hit him and he couldn't see impact.  I head over to look for blood with Scott's direction to exactly where he was.  Nothing, no blood, no hair.  The wind is howling over there compared to where I shot from which would help explain a miss.  I get on the radio and tell the guys I'm going after him which we all knew was a very small chance I'd see him again.  We've already witnessed several deer go literal miles after being spooked.  That and the fact there is private property mixed in the block management land, I knew chances were not good.  I said a prayer and started walking up and down draws, glassing every bush, nook and cranny I could.  I make it about a mile and I see a doe over the little knob I'm walking up, then I see another doe, they're 800 yards away and staring right at me.  The vision of these deer is impressive since it was literally just my head above the hill.  I creep up slowly to get a better look and they bust off over their hill away from me, 5 does then HIM.  Feeling defeated again I sit and try to figure out another game plan.  I prayed for about 5 minutes, then back on the search I go.  Having no idea which way they'd go it's a shot in the dark at this point.   Then I spot them again over a mile away, walking then trotting, then walking so that's the direction I head again.  I'm going as quickly as I can while still trying to remain somewhat stealthy as it's getting later in the day.  I get to the last knob I saw them go over and there's 5 different does at the bottom of the field looking at me.  I can't let them get spooked so I go around a hill above them and approach the draw where I'm hoping HE is in.  I take my pack off and set it down as I don't want any extra noise or weight if I have to crawl.  I break the top of the knob with my eyes and start glassing, I immediately see 3 does on the far hillside, I range them at 374 yards and dial my scope just hoping those are the same does that were with HIM.  I slowly lower back down, pray again that he's there and that I can get another crack at him.  I start crawling over the hill in knee high grass, I see the does looking in my direction, I still don't see him.  Then the does start walking quickly to the right, he's not behind them, I look about 50 yards left and there he is.  I move to a seated position, quickly get on him, he takes about 5 steps and stops, giving me the chance I've been praying for over the last 4 miles.  I touch the trigger and straight down he goes.  YES!  I jack my shell out, take a huge sigh of relief and look across the draw at him lying there.  I pick up my shell, take my ear plugs out, look over again and he's back on his feet hobbling up hill, I'm like you gotta be kidding me.  I am very close to the border of private property and do not want him getting there, I quickly range him again at 389, settle in on his spine as he's walking straight away and send another round.  Down he goes again, this time for good.  I thank the lord again, go back and pick up my pack, make a call on the radio that HE'S down.  I haven't been emotional over a harvest like this EVER. I put in so much effort and determination chasing this guy when in reality I should have never seen him again let alone have another opportunity at him, but God kept leading me to him.  Over and over during my pursuit I kept saying "Lord if it's your will it will happen".  God is good!  Here's the cool part....Scott was watching the whole thing through the spotting scope 1.7 miles away.  As I walk up to him and see his size I was overwhelmed, joyed, exhausted, and grateful!  Scott was on his way to help.  I got some pictures and started the work.  We still had a 1.7 mile pack out to the road from where I got him.  As the sun set and packs weighing us down on the trip to the truck it was a perfect night.  I looked to the sky and thanked the Lord once again! I've killed a ton of blacktail but this is my 1st mule deer. Enjoy the pics!

[HntnFsh]

Way to persevere and excellent buck! Congrats to an answered prayer.

[Dan-o]

That's a great buck and a great story. 

Appreciate you sharing both.

[fire*guy]

Congratulations on you nice buck... I enjoyed your story until you said you got.on the radio and called over your buddies...  you might want.to review the Montana game regs. .. two way radios are not legal while hunting in Montana.

[HillHound]

I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure it’s only illegal to use them to relay the position of game animals. So him communicating with his hunting party so they knew which way he was going is not illegal. If he told them the buck was coming their way and they should get ready to shoot it then that would be illegal. Hopefully, I’m not wrong or we’re breaking the law all the time When I’m just checking in and letting them know, I’m headed back to the truck

[Sakko300wsm]

I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure it’s only illegal to use them to relay the position of game animals. So him communicating with his hunting party so they knew which way he was going is not illegal. If he told them the buck was coming their way and they should get ready to shoot it then that would be illegal. Hopefully, I’m not wrong or we’re breaking the law all the time When I’m just checking in and letting them know, I’m headed back to the truck

Yep you are correct / we use radios all the time

[fire*guy]

You would be walking a very fine line.... the regs. do allow for two  way or cellular for safety but not to assist with hunting....which is what you are in the process of doing. Best advice is to leave the two way radios home.

[fowl smacker]

I'd fight that in court all day long.  Not using to assist, simply to communicate what we're doing and for safety.  Didn't have cell service most of the time.

[fire*guy]

I respect your answer... a Warden may not.. its a fine line.
.

[fowl smacker]

I'd fight that in court all day long.  Not using to assist, simply to communicate what we're doing and for safety.  Didn't have cell service most of the time.

lol your buddy was guiding you in to where the deer you shot at was last seen. That’s not for safety

  Where the deer was, not where the deer is.  Same concept as if I had the range finder capable of putting a ping on OnX.

[elkrack]

This is a success page not supposed to have negative comments. Sorry bout that. Nice buck

[fowl smacker]

This is a success page not supposed to have negative comments. Sorry bout that. Nice buck

Thanks.  It's all good.  I'm sure they're just looking out for my best interest.......

[MADMAX]

 Nice job

And don’t run with scissors either 

[pd]

His neck really is larger than his head.  What a buck. Congratulations.

[87Ford]

Nice buck!