My early archery hunt was uneventful and I wasn't able to tag a buck or doe, so I got to thinking that I would try my unit for the late hunt. I planned on 4 days. We left wed night for Conconully. Being this was the first time hunting during the late hunt I kept my expectations really low. The first day I started on some lowland hunting walk-in areas. Within a few hours I was within bow range of a nice buck but due to various mistakes I couldn't get it done. Oh well it was a great area and the stalk was fun. As we were headed out it started lighting snowing. The next day I hit the high country around 4000 ft and was seeing lots of tracks but a majority were heading down the mountain range. Hunted all day and didn't even see a deer. Again, beautiful country and I was happy just being out there. On my last day I tried another area which was a walk area. I noticed two does half way up the ridge crossing the tree line and thought there must be a buck around. So after a pretty good hike up the ridge I was about 200 yards from the tree line, so I took it really slow and once I popped out of the tree line a doe pegged me right away. Bedded behind her was a nice wide 4pt. Shortly after that the buck got out of its bed and went behind the trees and bedded down again. My friend and I came up with a plan and off I went. It took me close to hour to put the stalk on and get within bow range. I was 69 yards when the gig was up and the buck bolted up the hill side and over the ridge. Needless to say I have blown another stalk. My friend Chris is 71 years old and he went everywhere I did just a little slower. He is hell of a hunter and really knows his mule deer. I reflect on the hunt and realized how invigorating this hunt was for me and I want to hunt this hard during the early season. My normal hunting partner couldn't go but I realized he is holding me back. He doesn't want to put the miles on the boots and get away from the truck. I amazed that a 71 year man can out hunt a 38 old guy all day long. I didn’t take pictures and I wished that I would have taken the time. I end the year with tag soup but gained a lot of knowledge this year and saw some nice bucks. Till next year.
