Post by: tbrady on October 24, 2015, 04:35:07 PM
Once through the deadfall I had about 500 more vertical feet down and I had a really good idea where he would be laying. Wind was in my favor. I put in my earplugs, scope at 4x, covers open and starting creeping that last 100 yards. I knew the way he was laying just below the bench I would only have a second once he came into view. I got to the shelf and he stood up and looked at me broadside. In that split second I decided not to shoot and then he bounded away. I immediately starting questioning my decision. Once I started climbing back out of the hell hole I felt great relief that I had not shot him as it took every bit of strength I had to climb over 4ft deep deadfall on the side of a 40 degree ridge for 200 yards.
Every time I look at the picture though I question myself and wonder if I'll get a chance at one like this again.
I know it's not the best pic but any guess on the width or score?
And most importantly, what would you have done??
Post by: KFhunter on October 24, 2015, 04:46:14 PM
Looks like a good buck when I zoom in on the pic, hard to see for sure but I think I'd have done all I could to get on it rather than make a "shoulda coulda woulda" post.
Then again we need to know our limitations, what was the temperature? I would take that deadfall over chest deep brush you can't see the bottom of.
The more I look the smaller that buck gets, I might have talked myself out of that too :chuckle:
Post by: _TONY_ on October 24, 2015, 04:52:09 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on October 24, 2015, 05:44:22 PM
I am not sure what I would have done since I was not standing in your shoes. Over time I have learned to respect anyone's decision not to shoot.
Post by: fishnfur on October 24, 2015, 05:53:46 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on October 24, 2015, 05:58:01 PM
Post by: Shank on October 24, 2015, 06:03:14 PM
I would of shot, then dealt with the repercussions. Where's there's a will there's a way
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Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 24, 2015, 06:07:19 PM
I would have shot it,
Post by: USMC86 on October 24, 2015, 06:53:25 PM
Post by: duckslayer on October 24, 2015, 07:04:03 PM
There are other factors that could play into the scenario as well......ie, opening day, half way through your trip, you experience in the area and what it "normally" can produce. Only you were there and can make those decisions. Kudos to you for thinking it over and not just killing, that comes with a few notches under your belt.
I can say this, in 2013 I watched a 22" 4 pt walk through my crosshairs only then to realize that I'm in WA and not out of state. I've always looked back and just figured it wasn't meant to be.....
Bone him out and make two trips if he's huge bodied, but then again I pack elk over eight miles (with the right head gear) so a deer is "easy" in my book. It's a labor of love no matter how you look at it!
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 24, 2015, 07:08:48 PM
They all cant be shot next to a road....my most memorable hunts are the ones a left a gallon of sweat and a pint of blood on the mountain.
Post by: huntandjeep on October 24, 2015, 07:25:00 PM
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on October 24, 2015, 07:25:48 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 24, 2015, 07:25:53 PM
Post by: tbrady on October 24, 2015, 07:53:20 PM
I could have gotten the deer out fine on the bike. It really just came down to getting the deer to the bike. I was prepared to go to any lengths but man, I just can't describe how difficult the deadfall was, especially with the brush and new tree growth. I think I stepped on the actual ground only a few times as I crawled my way through it.
And then ultimately my litmus test was if he looks bigger than my last "big" muley I'll take him, if not it's just not worth it.
If I had had a buddy back there I would have pulled the trigger for sure!
Post by: kentrek on October 24, 2015, 07:55:26 PM
I think you did well
Post by: beaslayer6 on October 24, 2015, 08:02:10 PM
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on October 25, 2015, 05:28:28 AM