2011 BIG Swakane Buck!

[hoytflinger]

Finally..finally..finally.. My first buck…and what a buck he is! I’ve been lurking for years on Hunting Washington website…but commented only once before. I’ve been hunting for the past 10 or so years. Initially hunting with a rifle and then found my passion to be Bow hunting. This year was to be lots of “in the woods” time… Bow hunting for Elk initially in Washington and then 2 ½ weeks in Montana. Didn’t kill an Elk but had quite a few encounters and reaffirmed my “love of the chase”.  Hunting for me has always been a time to get outside and enjoy God’s bounty and share the chase with close friends. 

We had hunted the archery season in the Swakane for years… but this year scheduling was going to have us hunting it during rifle season. I had put my gun away about 5 years ago and was strictly a “bow” guy. The Swakane during archery season is truly an awesome hunt. Steep and deep canyons with snow and bitter cold temps…love it!  Lots of great opportunities for nice bucks. But as you know with a bow everything must go right. For one reason or another I was never able to arrow a buck, but loved the chance. We were looking forward to seeing the same terrain without the snow and cold but were wondering the likelihood of bucks even being there yet. 

It was opening morning and we found ourselves working from the top down. We had to jockey around some of the other “orange caps” to find our ridge. Spent hours just glassing and slowly working downhill. There were shots fired near us but never saw deer. At about 11:30 saw “a deer’s butt….upon closer look it was a shooter.  He stood “on point” looking downhill for about 10 minutes. He was 387 yards per rangefinder…My hunting buddy Mike said “you could make that”…I questioned that…after all it’s a lot further than my comfort zone of less than 60 with a “bow” . Tried to crouch with rifle resting on my knees but there seemed to be too much scope movement so I looked downhill and found a blow down that I could brace the rifle on. Once in position I thought about the shot but waited too long… the buck started moving slowly uphill. When he stopped for a moment I shot… clean miss... shot again… unsure… Mike shoots… I shoot… 6 shots between us.  The buck took cover in these clumps of bushes and the only thing visible was his face.

Thought the best approach would be to cross the valley and come up over the next ridge and have a much closer shot. Hoping that he would stay put for the time it took to accomplish this…game on. Heart rate about 180, legs burning, breathing hard (Swakane is tough).  Made it to just under next ridge I took a minute to catch my breath, then eased up over the ridge. Bushes appeared,  and just visible in his bush cave was the face of the buck and his neck. Changed my scope power from 3 to 9 and figured I was just under 100 yards and aimed center chest. Buck crumpled and rolled. Buck down…reloaded and let out a “YES…YES..YES”. A magnificent Swakane buck.  Said a prayer of thanks to God and soon was joined by Mike where the celebrating ensued.  None of our 6 long shots hit him…. apparently…he was just going to hole up in his “safe haven”. 

My other buddy Mark was near the top and agreed to bring the Jeep directly above us…The gutting and game bagging ensued… big body…unsure of how heavy but 5 game bags plus the head and horns. 3 ½ hours of knife work and the climb out began. About 700 feet up took a little over an hour. We did not have extra water at the Jeep and were parched! Thank goodness for the other hunters who donated some water to two thirsty dudes.  We decided to grab the pack frames, headlights and pick up the meat and continue down to the road in the bottom.  Bad plan… apparently the road was 2700 feet down, which took 2 hours of ankle busting , quad burning, back breaking haul down the mountain.  Next time I’m going up. 

At the bottom was another hunter “Glen” who shared his fire, water, and cookies with two whipped puppies… many thanks as we waited for Mark to pick us up.  I am truly blessed to have this buck and to have experienced the kill with my best friend and hunting mentor Mike.  Mark, you are appreciated too.. Jordan…. first buck in your deer fridge… thanks for the hospitality.  Travis… didn’t bring home the big one from Montana but this one’s going to look great mounted…. same… same…  Brian….lets hunt next year eh?  Finally, I need to thank my partner in life, my wife, taking care of the home front so that I can pursue my passion…..  You are loved and appreciated beyond words.  Good times…  no….. great times…

[carpsniperg2]

Good looking buck! Very interesting looking rack

[Wingin it]

Very nice buck! Congrats!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Very nice

[Michelle_Nelson]

Thats a great looking buck.  Lots of character on him! 

[PolarBear]

Sweeeeeeet!  Congrats on a great buck!

[WAcoyotehunter]

AWESOME Job!! 

[woodywsu]

Stud buck. Congrats.

[Rainier10]

That is a stud.  I haven't seen too many bucks with eyeguards like that in Swakane, those are awesome, I love all of the junk.

[Gringo31]

Beautiful buck and LOVE the character he has!

[mtndew]

That, my friend is a great, mature buck! Heavy with a ton of character. Great story and pictures. I love hunting Swakane too! Congratulations!!!

[Armadillo]

they're migrating already 

[boneaddict]

Thats an awesome trophy.   WOW!

[boneaddict]

By the way, great post and don't be a stranger.   

[D-Rock425]

Nice looking deer.