Post by: Coastal_native on November 22, 2013, 07:26:27 PM
I spent a lot of time during the off season trying to find fragmented blocks of public land where motor vehicle (ATV) access was minimal. I downloaded the county parcel data on my survey grade gps I use for work, and planned out a few day hikes where I could snake my way through some contiguous blocks of state and BLM land that are surrounded by private. I found one in particular that was about a 8-10 mile hike that would allow me to get dropped off at one end in the morning and picked up at the other end at dark. I had a blast and didn't see another orange vest all day. I saw quite a few deer and blew a couple stalks, but finally got close enough to a buck that jumped out of his bed in a patch of timber, about two miles from my pick up spot. Put the boned out meat in game bags, hung it in a tree and came back and packed out the following day. It was a little bitter sweet tagging out on a smaller buck the first day of the hunt, but I probably would do it again. This is only my second year hunting Mule deer and I'm loving it.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 22, 2013, 07:47:20 PM
Post by: huntnphool on November 22, 2013, 07:47:30 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on November 22, 2013, 07:47:36 PM
I've never tried to eat a trophy, but I imagine it would cut up the mouth.
Congrats on a very respectable buck. His neck looks huge
Post by: whackmaster on November 22, 2013, 07:54:52 PM
Post by: Coastal_native on November 22, 2013, 08:02:47 PM
nice deer what cal was the gun how far was the shot looks like fun to me :tup:
.270 WSM tikka t3. I went through 60 rounds the last three months practicing from 250 to 350 yds...ended up shooting him at about 50 yds. Go figure. I was walking down a really worn down cattle trail on the ridge above him, so noise was minimal. He jumped out of his bed and made just enough noise to catch my attention. His curiosity in looking back to see what snuck up on him proved to be fatal.
Post by: MLBowhunting on November 22, 2013, 08:04:37 PM
Post by: Dan-o on November 22, 2013, 08:09:22 PM
you said you were a little disappointed at shooting a smaller buck.
Perhaps you posted the wrong pic, because that thing does not qualify as a smaller buck in my book.
:hello:
Post by: pashok23 on November 22, 2013, 08:15:43 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 23, 2013, 03:01:45 AM
Post by: chukar58 on November 23, 2013, 04:13:54 AM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on November 23, 2013, 09:20:37 AM
Post by: Coastal_native on November 23, 2013, 11:00:59 AM
It amazes me that I can hunt thousands of acres of public land, see lots of bucks, and no other hunters. It's also nice to be able to put lots of cross country miles on your boots without even breaking a sweat. It sure is different than hunting blacktails in western Washington. I might even say easier ;)
Post by: whiteeyes on November 23, 2013, 11:28:34 AM
Post by: PolarBear on November 23, 2013, 11:48:02 AM
Post by: 7t9cobra on November 27, 2013, 10:19:47 PM
Post by: cougfan79 on November 30, 2013, 09:37:37 AM
Post by: runningboard on November 30, 2013, 10:24:30 AM