Gardner Rut Whitetail Hunt (GMU 231)

[bradslam]

I'll try to get some info on here when I can.  I'm actually on duty right now at my fire department working a 48 hour shift.  It's after "productive" hours so I can be on the computer, but I'm trying to finish reports up between running calls and it is now after 11pm.  I may not get to it until tomorrow.

[slim9300]

I'll try to get some info on here when I can.  I'm actually on duty right now at my fire department working a 48 hour shift.  It's after "productive" hours so I can be on the computer, but I'm trying to finish reports up between running calls and it is now after 11pm.  I may not get to it until tomorrow.

Brad. I would greatly appreciate any help you can provide.

Is there any way you can PM me your email address? I tried sending you a PM but I think my privileges are still limited.

[bradslam]

I'll PM you this evening, I'm still on duty and my lunch is just ending.  Time to do some training.

[slim9300]

Anyone have any advice for me? Looks like my help has fallen through. I no longer care about finding Kahlen a big buck. I'll have her shoot anything bigger than a spike. We will be there on the 19th and the 20th and hopefully we can get it done.

[slim9300]

Morning bump...

[slim9300]

We have a guide taking us on some private land now. Looks like we should have a decent chance at Kahlen killing a buck this weekend. I hope we find a dumb one. =) The weather should be perfect if I can get there tomorrow night. Fred said he had a Booner in his back yard on Monday afternoon. Lol.

Wish my little sis some luck!

[slim9300]

BBD! I'll post the picture and story later today. God was looking out for Kahlen on this hunt. Lol

[bucklucky]

Awesome!!

[boneaddict]

Nice!   Looking forward to seeing it.

[upriver]

Sweet

[BOWHUNTER45]

Did you check out what I told ya to do  thats cool though glad it worked out .?  Pictures ....

[MtnMuley]

Obviously it worked out good for the kid. Congrats.

[slim9300]

This was a great weekend and the best birthday present I have gotten in a long time. My wife Erica and I took my 10 year old sister over to Winthrop, WA on Friday night (my 27th b-day). It was a long trip over two passes and it was slick. This would be the first hunt my wife has ever been on despite growing up in a hunting family. (thank the lord she understands my obsession)
 
My little sister Kahlen drew a special permit for Gardner as you guys know; a unit that normally takes 12 years to draw. The "problem" with the unit is that 95% of the whitetail habitat (river bottoms) is on private land and small parcels, so because of that I recruited a guide in advance. (at a very reasonable price I may add =)) Fred Miller owns or has access to a decent amount of land and I knew this would be our best bet to get Kahlen a whitetail buck. If it wasn't for Kahlen's age however, 95% of the land we had access to wouldn't be an option. Before I continue with the story, I will say that God was looking out for Kahlen on this hunt. Nothing else explains her incredible luck. =)
 
Saturday morning we saw 3 nice Whitetail bucks, 6 Muley bucks and about 120 does. The rut was in full swing. The problem was that she could only shoot a whitetail buck and they were all on private property we didn't have access to. Mid-day we did a couple mile walk through the only stretch of public land on the Methow river bottom. There were tons of tracks in the fresh snow, but the deer were moving across the river and into the higher country to bed. With 10-12" of snow we wouldn't be going that far after them and due to how thick the underbrush is in the timber, it was probably futile anyways. Not to mention my little sis was beat from fighting the snow for a few hours.
 
Here is where the luck comes in... Later that afternoon we were driving to some private property that we had permission to hunt for the evening. We were passing our guide's property on the west side of the two-lane highway, and on the opposite side of the road (out of the unit) we saw a buck chasing two does on a flat run. He was headed right for Fred's property (and our unit) and we pulled over to watch. He crossed 100 yards behind the truck and almost got smoked by two cars. After they ran into the timber we pulled a U-turn and hurried back to his road. We pulled in about 100 yards, parked the truck and started walking the gravel road and glassing the brushy timber. The buck had lost the does and was pacing slowing through the timber looking confused. He was VERY dumbed up from the rut, thank God. And we were actually between the buck and the does, so he was trying to get around us while I kept trying to get Kahlen setup for a clear shot. This literally went on for 4 or 5 minutes as we moved laterally along the edge of the timber as he did the same trying to get around us. He seemed to be getting restless (big shocker), but Kahlen was just too short to make use of the bi-pod on her rifle while seeing over the tall brush and she isn't able to hold steady off-hand. She is a crack shot with her Aimpoint scope, but she needs lots of time and a steady rest. I could have shot the buck a hundred times but that's how it goes.
 
Well, finally as the buck started to go right I realized he was moving toward a small opening. I grabbed her and we ran about 20 yards laterally to get a clear view. I set down the rifle and positioned it for her. As the buck walked into the opening I grunted and he stopped at 45 yards. I then started "coaching" her to shoot. She is always worried about making a perfect shot, and I could tell she was apprehensive. I finally said Kahlen, you need to shoot NOW! Just then she pulled the trigger and the buck mule kicked. He went 10 yards and flipped over dead. I'm glad nobody had a video camera because I jumped as high as I could and threw up a mighty fist pump. It was like I just killed a 400" bull. Don't ask me how someone can get so worked up over a Whitetail. (JK all you midwest boys)
 
This may have been one of the weirdest hunts I have ever been on, but it easily ranks up there with the best. Kahlen is one lucky girl and that buck was destined to die from her bullet. He just happened to be a stud of a WA Whitetail. I want to thank Fred Miller of Fred's Whitetails because without his help there would have been almost no chance of Kahlen killing a buck. He is a kind person and we all thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him. If you want Fred's number send me a PM. He knows all of the units in a 30 mile radius like the back of his hand. Secondly I would like to thank Brad on here. He went out of his way to help Kahlen despite his dad having the same tag. I hope his old man killed a bruiser. Lastly, thank you guys for all the tips and encouragement. Kahlen always loves to look at these threads and see what people have to say. Oh and btw, she killed an elk in October too before her 10th birthday. She doesn't realize fully realize this yet (despite me telling her), but she has had a more successful year than most hunters will ever have. =)

Enjoy the pics.
 
-Conlan
 

 

 

[buck man]

Great story and pics! Congrats to your little sis. Real nice four point.  Looks like he is about 18 inches wide. Nice job 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Awesome  cant beat that ...dang nice buck for that area ....!