I know, I know...this thread is worthless without pics....but, I got down to my buck after dark and all I had with me was my cell phone and it wouldn't pick it up in the low light. Now all I have is a head and horns shot in my garage...bleh.
Anyways, I was torn about whether or not to spend the money on a multi-season tag when I was drawn for it this spring. But I figured that the extra cost was worth it for the additional time in the field. Now, I would do it every year! I saw more deer this year hunting during the archery season and then 1 day of the muzzy season, than I have the past three years combined. I got oh so close on a number of occasions during the archery season but just could not close the deal. I had a number of does in easy bow range and debated it just simply because I really wanted to harvest something with my bow, but held off since I had the MS tag. The highlight though came this last Friday and Saturday.
I hunted hard on Friday afternoon and got on a really nice 3x3 later in the day. I kept getting 70 yards away, but just couldn't close the last 20-30 yards for the shot I was comfortable with. I knew that muzzy was opening in the AM so I hunted him carefully. The sun set and all I could think about was going out the next morning to get on him again. Well, on my way out to the spot as I was hiking along, i came across two other bucks...what to do? I decided to go after these two new bucks, but after two hours I simply lost them...I am quite sure they bedded in the thick stuff and I walked right past them...they are so smart! I proceeded out to where I had seen the 3x3 the day before and again came across a buck and a doe. I got the wind in my favor and made a stalk. I came up over the rise and they were feeding 50 yards away! I put the glasses on the buck and he was a clean 2x2...not legal! Darn. I backed out and thought things over. It was now later in the morning and I figured "my" buck was heading for bed. I decided to back out, go eat lunch and take a noon break and try again in the afternoon. This is one of the lessons that I learned the hard way during bow season, but I think will make me a better hunter moving forward...be patient, don't push too hard, hunt smart.
Later that afternoon, I return to where I had been on the 3x3 the day before and I look everywhere in the draw where he had been and he was no where to be found. I decide to be patient and I waited for two hours glassing. I saw several deer, but nothing legal. I knew I had only about an hour left of legal shooting time so I decided to go peek over the next draw. Ever get the sixth sense? I had that feeling, and as I peeked over the edge....wait for it....there he was! Bedded down 63 yards away, facing the other direction. I crawled into a little better position and set up for my shot. I placed my shot a little far back but knew he was hit well. He got up and ran down the hill (why do they always do that!) while i was trying to re-load. I heard him crashing in the VERY bottom of the canyon and knew he was done. It took me three hours to get him out. I ended up halving him to get him out of there. I have run marathons, and honestly, it was that grueling getting him out. He is a perfect 3x3, 21" wide. Nothing to brag about, but easily the most satisfying and exciting hunt I have been on. Needless to say, I am a fan of the multi-season tag.
Pic to come...
