This whole time I’m freezing because I didn’t want to spook anything. My jacket just sat in the pack next to me.
The buck steps out of no where at 140 yards. I range a gap for a shot. He walks into it, squeeze the trigger and miss. I look at him in disbelief. He follows the same line not changing pace, walks go the next finger, jumps two deadfall’s and disappears over the ridge. As light was fading I decided to let him walk and figure out what went wrong before coming back.
The next day I head to the range to check my gun. It shoot everywhere for 15 rounds or so. I believe dirt got in the barrel and through accuracy way off. I get it back dialed, shoot 200, 300, 500 and I’m back up and running. Hit the hill about 11 am. Hike back in there and start seeing does but no bucks. In this area I didn’t see a deer below 4000’. I get back on the ridge the buck crossed the night before and I’m about 6-800’ elevation in that area and start glassing. After 45 minute and scanning does where I assumed he would be, I pick him up bedded with his same does. 620 yards away.
I bounce to the opposite side of the ridge and work down towards an area to get within 200 yards of him. The crease he is bedded in is deep, every where I peek over he is nowhere near being in view. I finally get to a spot where he is less than 150 yards from me. I peel of my pack grab my rifle and he’d go a nook where I would have a great shot. When I get over the ridge he and his does are gone. I don’t know where he went, how they hurt or smelled me but that’s why he is as big and old as he was.
The rest of the hunt I kept lower. There were deer everywhere. Even the last day I had two 4pts, 2pt and spike pushing a doe hard right past the truck. The big boys rubbed antlers for a second and were grunting chasing her down.
It was a great hunt. So much fun. Did not tag out but I’m not disappointed at all.
