Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:47:00 AM
This season I have been solo. I did a trip up in North Central WA for mule deer, but called it short because I was sick.
So I started planning a late season hunt. Either late blacktail or late whitetail. At the same time, I realized this was the final week for my local blacktail - and the rut was on and the weather was nasty - perfect conditions. So I did a short hike after work. Had about an hour or so of daylight. Went to a gated road about 10 mins from my house. Hiked a few miles - no sign of deer. Typical. I've been on my local DNR lands dozens of times and have never laid eyes on a deer while out. But plenty of hunters - human and coyote.
The wind and rain had really picked up, and light was fading fast, so I started the hike back down to the truck. The wind was swirling and at times crashing through the trees. Combined with the bursts of rain - perfect cover. Just felt very good for spotting blacktail. But, I was just starting to lose focus and speed up my hike to get back before it was fully dark. Dinner was waiting.
I was cruising down the overgrown logging road, my eyes having trouble in the low light + with the wind and rain. But suddenly there it was. Something down the trail, maybe 80 yards. Deer? Yes. Buck? Can't tell. Put the scope on it - it's looking right at me. Yep, I see stuff above the ears. No idea how much, but clearly not a spike. Shooter for sure. I did not like the angle. Tough shot. But, either side of the road was thick bramble that in one bound he could disappear into and would never be seen again. I had one chance and had to be quick. BOOM! What the heck - it literally just disappeared. Like magic. I'm sure I would have seen it if it jumped and bounded away. Where did it go? Just POOF, gone. I start walking briskly toward the spot, when I notice movement in the grass. It was there - literally just dropped it where it stood. Zero theatrics. Zero hesitation. Just dropped. Said a quick thanks to the deer and to God for providing, admired the stocky build and swollen neck (massive!) and decided it was too heavy to drag a mile by myself. So I went and grabbed my son and a sled. We took turns dragging that beast.
Got home and had a quick bite of dinner, then got it hung, with the help of another son, and then skinned it before bed. Will finish the job today. Pretty cool experience, but I did wish my girls were there with me!
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:48:54 AM
Someone else took a shot at it I think. Look at that split antler!
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:53:39 AM
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:56:01 AM
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:57:44 AM
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 09:59:00 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on October 29, 2025, 10:04:22 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 29, 2025, 10:09:59 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 29, 2025, 10:12:40 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 29, 2025, 10:17:10 AM
You've got me beat... I've never killed one..
Post by: Dan-o on October 29, 2025, 10:24:19 AM
That's a great buck.
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 11:41:24 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 29, 2025, 11:47:01 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 29, 2025, 12:13:34 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on October 29, 2025, 01:17:32 PM
Post by: Sneaky Squirrel on October 29, 2025, 01:48:41 PM
Post by: pd on October 29, 2025, 04:09:32 PM
Man, that is a great blackie! :tup:
You've got me beat... I've never killed one..
I had suspected this all along. You are such a slacker!
:chuckle:
Congratulations on the beautiful blacktail. In addition to the great hunt with your girls last year, you have a great story for this year, and your son helped, AND you are a step ahead of Pathfinder101. Very impressive.
Post by: Mfowl on October 29, 2025, 04:20:25 PM
Post by: jason stevens on October 29, 2025, 05:13:58 PM
Post by: DaNewb on October 29, 2025, 05:34:11 PM
Sweet!
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 05:38:01 PM
Man, that is a great blackie! :tup:
You've got me beat... I've never killed one..
I had suspected this all along. You are such a slacker!
:chuckle:
Congratulations on the beautiful blacktail. In addition to the great hunt with your girls last year, you have a great story for this year, and your son helped, AND you are a step ahead of Pathfinder101. Very impressive.
Thanks. But I still want to be Pathfinder when I grown up. I'll take this small win for now though :IBCOOL:
Post by: Rat44 on October 29, 2025, 05:41:09 PM
Post by: wrchinook on October 29, 2025, 06:20:20 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2025, 06:37:43 PM
Post by: redi on October 29, 2025, 09:07:43 PM
Post by: Bo_nimrod on October 29, 2025, 09:49:02 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 30, 2025, 04:29:29 AM
Post by: hunter399 on October 30, 2025, 05:41:00 AM
Post by: steeleywhopper on October 30, 2025, 08:48:54 AM
Post by: JohnVH on October 30, 2025, 09:09:48 AM
Post by: Colton195 on November 01, 2025, 10:19:50 AM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 01, 2025, 04:15:40 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 01, 2025, 07:55:38 PM
Post by: JDArms1240 on November 01, 2025, 08:41:08 PM
Post by: 22shtur on November 07, 2025, 01:01:49 PM