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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: bow4elk on October 25, 2009, 09:01:16 AM


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Title: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 25, 2009, 09:01:16 AM
I managed to take this buck yesterday afternoon while still hunting a thicket.  It was a risky move as I saw him trailing a doe at daylight but couldn't get a shot.  The wind was getting unstable so I made the decision to leave around 9AM.  I returned to the area around 3:15 PM and decided to still hunt the area I last saw him and the doe.  My hunch paid off after about 150 yards from where I'd seen them in the early morning hours.  He slowly stood from his bed and I was there ready to draw at 18 yards.  I made good on it and was pleased and surprised to find that this is a buck I've watched for nearly 3 years.  He had one (yes, 1) rear molar on either side of his lower jaw and that was it for chewing teeth.  His front teeth were in tact and healthy which allowed him to pack on a substantial amount of fat over the summer.  I was amazed how much fat was packed on him.

I have nearly a three year trailcam relationship with this particular deer, which made it all the more special.  I've been getting trailcam photos of him for the past three summers and after seeing him grow this additional tine and more width this year, I decided I'd take him if (big IF) I got the opportunity.  I have a couple stands for him in place but what's crazy is that I killed him a mile away from that area.  He's been on the move apparently, and this trailcam photo shows him in pursuit of this doe.  It's kind of sad that this is the last trailcam picture I'll ever get of this buck.

As for the rut, he was swelled a bit in the neck but his tarsal glands were not as dark as I thought they'd be.  His rack has one small chip and some gouges from sparring.

Anyway, I'm pretty stoked!  It's been a long time coming and it felt good to finally take a mature blacktail deer on his home turf.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: lazydrifter on October 25, 2009, 09:07:03 AM
outstanding.  Congratulations, that is one well earned very nice buck.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: popeshawnpaul on October 25, 2009, 09:08:27 AM
Great story and buck.  Nice.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: markts on October 25, 2009, 09:08:35 AM
That is a sweet b/t bud, congrats. I havent killed a buck that I have pics of first, seems like it may be a little bittersweet. Great job. Mark
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: blacktailer on October 25, 2009, 09:14:44 AM
Way to go bow4elk.  A well deserved, hard earned trophy.  Congrats!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Broken Arrow on October 25, 2009, 09:15:11 AM
What a great buck! Nice job......that is no easy task.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: WAPITIHUNTER on October 25, 2009, 09:15:53 AM
Congratulations. That is a dandy BT for sure and was definatley time to put him down with his age. Outstanding job!!!!!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on October 25, 2009, 09:18:55 AM
 I figured you'd catch up to that one, nice job and a great deer.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: rasbo on October 25, 2009, 09:26:12 AM
good story and a beauty of a buck..Nice work
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: NWBREW on October 25, 2009, 09:26:52 AM
That is a beautiful blacktail buck.....congrats
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: mulehunter on October 25, 2009, 09:33:54 AM
 :drool: CONGT!!!

Mulehunter
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: AKBowman on October 25, 2009, 09:40:02 AM
Great work! That is a bruiser BT...I've never even seen one on the hoof that big myself.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: KillBilly on October 25, 2009, 09:43:20 AM
Very nice Tom, patience pays off again. Good Shot, good deer, good eating.   Let us know what it scores.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: PolarBear on October 25, 2009, 10:36:03 AM
Very nice, congrats!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Basket Rack on October 25, 2009, 10:51:27 AM
Great job and definitely very rewarding to hunt for a particular buck and be able to take him.  Looks like a great shot as well. 
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: MuleySniper on October 25, 2009, 10:52:32 AM
Great job and nice buck! Glad to see you managed to catch up with him!
MS
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 25, 2009, 11:34:00 AM
Thanks guys.  Yeah, when he stood up I just saw enough tines to cause my arm to rip my bow into full draw.  The shot was quick as it was very thick.  It wasn't until I walked up to him that I realized it was him.  Again, a full mile from where I'd been seeing him.  I was amazed at the odds.  It was a personal moment for sure when I finally met this buck in person.  I had never seen him on the hoof before that moment.

I never mentioned it, but Charlie will be doing the shoulder mount.  He will reside next to my Leon Parson blacktail print and always be a special deer.  I haven't scored him and don't really care.  That was the last thing on my mind.  Feel free to guess.  Charlie asked me how wide he was so I quickly taped the inside while we talked on the phone.  16 1/2" inside.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Gobble on October 25, 2009, 11:49:25 AM
Outstanding BT! What part of the state did you get him? I've been noticing quite a bit of different antler traits with the BT's alot look like WT racks and some really carry Mule deer traits. Just curious this guy definately carries the WT looking rack. Great Buck and story
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bucklucky on October 25, 2009, 06:44:41 PM
Congrats on the dandy Blacktail Tom!!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Hornseeker on October 25, 2009, 06:55:39 PM
Good Job Lucky!! Congrats!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: stumprat on October 25, 2009, 07:03:18 PM
Congrats.
Great story and hellova buck...........with your bow to boot :tup:
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: javman on October 25, 2009, 07:31:08 PM
Awesome buck -- good work! Did you rattle anything in this season? (I'm assuming that's what the sheds were for?)
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 25, 2009, 07:33:08 PM
Great looking buck!  Way to go Tom!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Red Dawg on October 25, 2009, 07:35:44 PM
that is a great buck, congrats.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on October 25, 2009, 08:14:06 PM
Nice work Tom!! They travel alot farther than most folks say they do, I know cause I watch the same bucks all summer long, every year. When the rut kicks in, they really start puttin miles on. Great buck though man. Later
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: actionshooter on October 25, 2009, 08:20:02 PM
Way to go Tom!! I will say to my dying day that a big mature blacktail buck is the toughest animal to harvest.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: PacificNWhunter on October 25, 2009, 08:21:37 PM
Very nice BT! Glad you caught up to him
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 25, 2009, 08:24:09 PM
Awesome buck -- good work! Did you rattle anything in this season? (I'm assuming that's what the sheds were for?)

Was planning on it that evening.  I took the antlers with me in case I wanted to do some set ups but I just didn't get that far.  I love rattling bucks but honestly I haven't had much luck in the archery season.  I think right now is prime rattling and calling time.  If you've still got a modern deer tag, get you hiney in the woods and call up a buck.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: 280ackley on October 25, 2009, 08:29:33 PM
Dandy buck, congrats!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 25, 2009, 08:35:28 PM
congrats to you
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Schmalzfam on October 25, 2009, 08:35:47 PM
Wow...that's one heck of a BT!! Nice job:) :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: byrdman on October 25, 2009, 08:43:53 PM
That guy should bring many years of satisfaction every time you see him up on the wall.

Nice Hunting!

That's pretty crazy that he was a mile from his summer haunts. I'm going to have to rethink my strategy.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 25, 2009, 08:58:46 PM
That's pretty crazy that he was a mile from his summer haunts. I'm going to have to rethink my strategy.

As the crow flies...Yeah, I was a bit surprised considering I have two stands meticulously placed for him clear over there.  Every year you learn something new.  In a day they can cover a ton of ground.  They are trolling for ladies right now and will be very responsive to calling while leaving their core areas to find and check other doe groups.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Aneoakleaf on October 25, 2009, 08:59:24 PM
 :IBCOOL: I'm so happy for you!!!
There's nothing so satisfying as mission accomplished!!
VERY nice buck! If you belong to NFAA be sure to put in for the Diamond Buck award!
Smokey and Annette
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: MagKarl on October 25, 2009, 09:03:07 PM
Nice work Tom!  I'm glad you were able to get out there and get it done.  You earned him, that's for sure.  Not too many stories that involve so mush pre-work ahead of time and then notch the tag so quickly.  Way to make it happen.  
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: ouchfoss on October 25, 2009, 09:12:19 PM
Awesome buck!!  :drool:  I'm thinking about maybe switching to a rifle tag next year so I can get get one with my bow when the bucks are a little more active. Congrats!!! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Ray on October 25, 2009, 09:40:17 PM
That's a great blacktail. Congratulations on that one. I'd be very happy getting one that sized. I'm sure you put in a lot of effort.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: groundhog on October 26, 2009, 05:07:24 AM
WOW! Great buck and great story!! Having the restraint to leave until the wind was right was a critical move. It is nice to see a lot of hard work pay off!! He will make an awesome mount.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: lewy on October 26, 2009, 06:33:08 AM
Thats a great bt! Nice work....
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: byrdman on October 26, 2009, 10:19:33 PM
It's kind of sad that this is the last trailcam picture I'll ever get of this buck.


More questions:
Maybe I missed the details because I was busy drooling at pictures but,
The trail cam photo shows a pic of the deer on 10-24 in the early morning hours. From what I can tell, he was "harvested" in the late afternoon of the same day.
 
How far was he from that trail cam set-up?

This post/hunt exemplifies what Blacktail hunting is all about to me.

Congrats again!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 26, 2009, 10:25:29 PM
It's kind of sad that this is the last trailcam picture I'll ever get of this buck.


More questions:
Maybe I missed the details because I was busy drooling at pictures but,
The trail cam photo shows a pic of the deer on 10-24 in the early morning hours. From what I can tell, he was "harvested" in the late afternoon of the same day.
 
How far was he from that trail cam set-up?

This post/hunt exemplifies what Blacktail hunting is all about to me.

Congrats again!

Yes, I killed him on the 24th.  I pulled the cam on the way out and later saw that he was up and with that doe during the night (during a nasty wind storm, no less!).  I killed him about 200 yards from this camera.  Keep in mind 200 yards in the crap I was in seems like an eternity when still hunting.  I was making noise but I'd pause 5 to 10 minutes between steps and glass out in front of me.  It was agonizing but well worth the effort  ;)
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: eastside boy on October 26, 2009, 11:53:06 PM
Damn!!! thats a nice one
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: billythekidrock on October 27, 2009, 07:26:32 PM
Wow.....Can't believe I missed this one until now.
Congrats Tom, that is a great buck and to do it with a bow during rifle season is awsome.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: M_ray on October 27, 2009, 07:36:31 PM
I saw him yesterday at Charlies a stud BT for sure! Congrats and nice story on this one too!!!  :) Another one for the team hoyt guys!!! It's about time the mathews guys are out numbering us!  ;)
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: saylean on October 28, 2009, 10:08:32 AM
Thats a cool story man. You put in the effort I am sure. Congrats on a fine buck!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Elkstuffer on October 28, 2009, 10:23:09 AM
Fantastic buck. Especially taken with a bow during rifle season. Good job!!!!!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: SW Blacktail on October 28, 2009, 02:01:54 PM
NICE TOM!!!  I knew it was only a matter of time before you got a good one, you did your homework... No one deserves this more.....sounds like a fun hunt, well done :)
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 28, 2009, 08:42:38 PM
NICE TOM!!!  I knew it was only a matter of time before you got a good one, you did your homework... No one deserves this more.....sounds like a fun hunt, well done :)

Been doing homework on these deer longer than I care to admit but I try to take notes and learn from season to season how to sharpen my game.  Trailcams have been both fun and eye opening  :o considering I've never seen any of the deer I'm hunting - ever.  I am hunting them on faith.  Makes me wonder how many good areas I stumble through and never give it second thought, just because I'm not seeing anything.  If the sign is there, they are there - somewhere...
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey (pics added)
Post by: bow4elk on October 31, 2009, 01:35:21 PM
Couple more pics...
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Kent Hunter on October 31, 2009, 09:50:27 PM
Nice buck. Thanks for the photos.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 31, 2009, 09:55:56 PM
congrats
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: huntnphool on October 31, 2009, 10:05:25 PM
Its always nice to get a picture of a buck on the hoof and on the ground, it doesnt happen very often.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bow4elk on October 31, 2009, 10:22:52 PM
This is one of my favorite photos of my buck.  I love the look of wet blacktail antlers.  This was taken on September 5th.  Oh, and this was just over a mile from where I killed him.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 18, 2009, 05:50:49 AM
Yep looks like a nice muley!! congrats
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: FullDraw on November 18, 2009, 07:59:08 AM
Bowhunting during rifle season.  Good idea get em when their ruttin.
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: bowsandhose on November 18, 2009, 08:19:05 AM
glad you got that toad. grats
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: LongTatLaw on November 18, 2009, 08:39:53 AM
hell of a BT brother!
Title: Re: Good BT Down - a long journey
Post by: kramer on November 18, 2009, 09:47:39 AM
dandy buck, thats a mounter for sure. great story great buck. give yourself a pat on the back for that one.
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