Post by: predatorG on October 30, 2017, 07:43:57 AM
We headed out last Tuesday after school for our first Montana trip. We arrived at our relatives farm at about 3 am Wednesday morning. That morning we left and headed up into the mountains to set up elk camp. The idea was to try and kill some elk that week and then come back Sunday to shoot mulies out at the farm.
We hunted a bit that night; it was insanely windy and we knew a cold front was coming in. We woke up the next morning to sub 20 degree weather and clear, cold skies. We had another friend coming in that night and hoped we'd need him to help pack elk! We hunted hard all day through some gnarly terrain, but saw zero elk and one doe way up in the mountain.
Post by: ELKBURGER on October 30, 2017, 07:57:56 AM
Post by: predatorG on October 30, 2017, 08:07:10 AM
My friend Sean and I push through a steep and dense valley hoping to either find some elk bedded or push them down to my dad, uncle, and brother. We spot a doe in some thick and dark trees. Sean tells me to look and see if there's a buck around. I see another doe moving away (wind was freaking ripping right at them) and look for a buck. I spot what appears to be a massive frame moving through the trees. "There's a real big buck" I tell Sean. He looks through his bino'a and repeats my words. "BIG BUCK". We're quickly moving through the trees trying to get me a shot. I finally have a clear look at the vitals, settle in, and "click". In the commotion my bolt was knocked up. I wasn't even sure what happened yet, so thinking that somehow I forgot to chamber a round, I rip open the bolt (a round flies out, so I know now I had one chambered) and slam another round in. The deer had moved. Sean is still looking through his binos, drool seeping through his lips. The only other shot I get is a brief look at the neck, which I didn't take. He meanders over a hill and disappears. We meet back up with the rest of the group at the bottom of the valley. Since in one had seen, heard, or smelt elk, we decided to go back after the black antlered beast (his rack was extremely dark). As we skirt the edge of the valley, about 10 deer scatter below us. I didn't see any horns, so I keep moving, and immediately see the beast standing there. I take a glance at the head and see dark antlers, with wide bases, but am preoccupied with the fact I have no shot. I take two steps sideways, now with a clear shot of the vitals - but the head is obscured. I can only see the bases, which are dark. "It's him, I'm taking him!!" I shoot and he drops on the spot. He tries getting up, and stumble-rolls 15 yards down the hill. I rush down the hill, but find that it was not the brute I thought. This deer was still amazing, it had no teeth and must be deep into regression.
For reference, the deer I thought it was was 5 inches wider in each side, and was 24-28 inches deep.
Post by: Wingin it on October 30, 2017, 08:10:49 AM
Post by: predatorG on October 30, 2017, 08:12:35 AM
Dads was definitely starting To rut, a little early by this areas standards. But he was puffy and he STANK.
Post by: Widgeondeke on October 30, 2017, 08:18:42 AM
Post by: Duckhunter14 on October 30, 2017, 10:35:14 AM
Those big bucks seem to always have a back door and have a knack for keeping trees and brush between you and them. Maybe next year you'll find the big boy in your crosshairs.
Post by: predatorG on October 30, 2017, 11:35:28 AM
Bummer on the elk, but way to get it done on the deer! Congrats.
Those big bucks seem to always have a back door and have a knack for keeping trees and brush between you and them. Maybe next year you'll find the big boy in your crosshairs.
Yeah, I'm hoping so. Never once did he seem scared or spooked. Either way, there's definitely some good genes there. I come from a blacktail background, so if I went back I'd probably end up trying to kill him in the same hole. I often forget how much a mule deer will move.
Post by: ELKBURGER on October 30, 2017, 11:46:31 AM
Post by: bowhunterforever on October 30, 2017, 04:35:56 PM
Great write up! Awesome experiences with family!:yeah: :tup:
Post by: hunting4sanity on October 30, 2017, 06:03:44 PM