Last fall was bittersweet. Possibly my last hunt with my twin daughters. For those following - that's when we connected with 3 bucks, 1 for each of us - resulting in the fulfillment of a pledge that we would get our first tattoos (matching deer design) if we ALL got a buck. Amazing experience (story on here for anyone interested
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,289351.0.html).
This season I have been solo. I did a trip up in North Central WA for mule deer, but called it short because I was sick.
So I started planning a late season hunt. Either late blacktail or late whitetail. At the same time, I realized this was the final week for my local blacktail - and the rut was on and the weather was nasty - perfect conditions. So I did a short hike after work. Had about an hour or so of daylight. Went to a gated road about 10 mins from my house. Hiked a few miles - no sign of deer. Typical. I've been on my local DNR lands dozens of times and have never laid eyes on a deer while out. But plenty of hunters - human and coyote.
The wind and rain had really picked up, and light was fading fast, so I started the hike back down to the truck. The wind was swirling and at times crashing through the trees. Combined with the bursts of rain - perfect cover. Just felt very good for spotting blacktail. But, I was just starting to lose focus and speed up my hike to get back before it was fully dark. Dinner was waiting.
I was cruising down the overgrown logging road, my eyes having trouble in the low light + with the wind and rain. But suddenly there it was. Something down the trail, maybe 80 yards. Deer? Yes. Buck? Can't tell. Put the scope on it - it's looking right at me. Yep, I see stuff above the ears. No idea how much, but clearly not a spike. Shooter for sure. I did not like the angle. Tough shot. But, either side of the road was thick bramble that in one bound he could disappear into and would never be seen again. I had one chance and had to be quick. BOOM! What the heck - it literally just disappeared. Like magic. I'm sure I would have seen it if it jumped and bounded away. Where did it go? Just POOF, gone. I start walking briskly toward the spot, when I notice movement in the grass. It was there - literally just dropped it where it stood. Zero theatrics. Zero hesitation. Just dropped. Said a quick thanks to the deer and to God for providing, admired the stocky build and swollen neck (massive!) and decided it was too heavy to drag a mile by myself. So I went and grabbed my son and a sled. We took turns dragging that beast.
Got home and had a quick bite of dinner, then got it hung, with the help of another son, and then skinned it before bed. Will finish the job today. Pretty cool experience, but I did wish my girls were there with me!
