Opening morning success full of ups and downs!

[hirshey]

I had planned on guiding a few friends into some deer,but had multiple last-minute back outs which ended with me carrying the gun and my mother coming along to help glass as my boyfriend (EyeGuard), his brother and another friend hunted a different location where we knew there were larger bucks... you could say they are in their trophy stage of life whereas I knew my area held a lot of decent, legal deer. It was dark-30 when we got to our hiking spot and were sad to see 4 other rigs. I positioned myself a few minutes before shooting light precisely where I wanted to be only to hear: " you know, you're right below me". I look up in this rock outcropping, and there was the gentleman who had helped me drag my deer out of this same draw last year! I chatted with him for a few moments and we agreed I would hike downhill more towards the main draw. After many hard looks at a poor 2 point who was being run back and forth over hill and dale very hard, I was unsure we were going to see much, when a beautiful buck I had not seen on any of my scouting trips worked its way around the ridge: my mother was about ready to stand until I said, "MOM!". She froze and the buck looked our direction as I slowly pulled my gun up and took off the safety. I connected and he bucked and disappeared over the ridge. I ran across the draw after him and slowly peeked into the next draw only to see 8 BUCKS! I searched the group and did not see any that appeared to be mine, or injured. I was starting to second guess that I had hit him and was very tempted to let more led fly, and they started to feel uneasy and work their way up the draw... there were two BEAUTIFUL 3 points and a tall 2 with eyeguards taking up the rear and looking back down the draw. I decided to let them walk, and worked my way back around this rock outcropping only to see my buck bedded 50 yards below me, and my mother working her way around the hillside almost right to it! I finally got her attention and signaled for her to hold up. Due to the convergence of other hunters and the fear of what happened to our party later in this story, even though the first shot would have been a lethal shot I finished him and then the real work began.



Meanwhile, my boyfriend and company were on some public property near Chelan, and after a mighty spot and stalk, he shot a BEAUTIFUL 4x4 with a double eyeguard (3 times) and it disappeared into a canyon. Him and a dear friend of mine walked to the edge of the canyon and were directed that their animal ran up canyon. After a long disappointing grid for tracks and blood up canyon, a gentleman shouted across the ridge: "Hey! They're pulling your buck out of the brush down there!" ... the gentleman who misdirected my boyfriend had KNOWN where the animal went to expire and purposefully pointed them in the opposite direction and TAGGED it!   He went down there to talk to the two individuals and their story did not match up with the 3 bullet wounds put ito the animal by my boyfriend, but while disappointed he maintained MUCH better composure than I would have and looked that man in the eyes and said, "If you sayyou shot it, I believe you." (he said he shot in while it was looking straight at him from the brush, but only my boyfriend's 3 broadside holes existed. He walked away disheartened, but karma was good to him: late that evening he went to a different location and made a great long spot and stalk on a massive 4x4 with eyeguards and a few kickers making it a 6x6! Now if only my friends will let me tag along.

[benhuntin]

both great deer, congratulations

[hirshey]

I didn't get the kickers in this photo very well... shucks!

[hirshey]

both great deer, congratulations

Thanks! Hopefully they eat as good as they look. 

[archery288]

Congrats on the deer!! 

[PacificNWhunter]

Great bucks!!

[hirshey]

[hirshey]

PS - shame SHAME on someone for stealing a person's deer! I had heard stories of this before but hadn't experienced it this close to home. I just couldn't possibly chew on that meat or show off those horns and be proud!

[BLKBEARKLR]

very nice, both great looking deer, will wait for him to call so we can make arrangements to meet.


Joe

[Ridgerunner]

Great job, karma definately comes around, love seeing that you were so successful, too bad about the other buck, some other guys just have no ethics or morals.

[MuleySniper]

Awesome bucks! Congrats to you both! Bummer there are so many desperate turds out there that stoop that low and direct a guy in the wrong direction.
MS

[hirshey]

Thanks all! Overall, a good weekend. BLKBEARKLR will hopefully be doing some european mounts for us! Looking forward to meeting you!

[Lightning_Rider]

  If i was in ur boyfriends shoes, those guys would have broken off sticks shoved in their door locks, all the oil drained, and 4 flat tires when they got to the truck... thats very unfortunate but those are 2 damn fine bucks 

[bowhunterforever]

Great bucks, congrats you guys

[Basket Rack]

Nice bucks, good job!