.....to shoot a deer in September next year. That was frickin nasty, and whomever asked me to tell them how that went, I'd say I survived but it wasn't exactly Club Med. I got a decent buck. I dumped my pack when I spotted on him. He had a doe but only seemed moderatly interested in her. I swung around and dropped in on them. I got on him right at dark. I got a good shot on him with the New Sapphire hawk. I slipped away to go get my pack and then went after him. I was very careful to not get sweaty climbing the hill. The temp was plummeting. I'm guessing about 10 inches of snow or so to fumble with. It was now after dark but the bloodtrail was obviously easy to find. He went about 80 yards or so before he went down. Yet further in the hole, got a fire going and froze to death taking care of him. Bigger the fire the better. I worked on boning him out fireside. I contemplated heading back to the truck but I had all the gear I needed so I stayed put. I figured as cold as it was it would be easier to cut him up warm and there was NO WAY I'd get him out otherwise. MORE WOOD, MORE WOOD. No need to worry about spoiIlage. The bag of meat froze solid I swear. You guys are out of luck for field photos. I was too busy trying to stay warm to mess with them, and when I went to take some this morning the cold had zapped the battery. I ate a granola bar for breakfast and off the mountain I went. Now I am home. I'm still cold. I am pretty sure I photgraphed this buck last year. He looks almost identical anyway and it was in the same area. I haven't stretched a tape yet but think he is about 26.