Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: saylean on October 26, 2009, 10:52:24 AM
-
My season started a bit slow so I decided to hit up a white tail spot I like. I saw lots of sign after a rain and thought it looked promising. Dusk came and no luck so I decided to climb out of the tree stand, and I noticed a vehicle driving by mine nice and slow then turning around, parking by my rig. I no sooner than get out of the stand ....BOOM! :hunter:
Some guy shot a white tail about 40 feet from my rig...so I helped load it in the truck and off he went...sigh...
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010947.JPG)
I decided to head deep in the buck brush :chuckle:, to where my brother bagged a 2x5 a few years back. Its about 3 miles back.
I headed out at day break, rain and fog were the name of the game. I get to the hill I want to climb and start up, knocking the brush before going through it, to hit the water off. I get to the first bench and notice about 150 yards up, on the ridge, a buck silouetted by the fog...I can tell he has horns, but I cant tell how many points...
Bring up the binos...FOGGED and WET~! :bash:
I fall to my knees and extend the bi pods to help steady the shot...still cant tell how many points, as he looks straight at me, slightly quartered.
I get up and move up the hill, falling to my knees in the brush about 4 or 5 times trying to get a decent shooting position, but the angle of the hill along with the brush make it difficult. Not trying to be quiet or slow, I continue on...finally able to get a decent shooting position. He turns his head, looking back over the ridge a few times and I can easily see he is legal.
I steady and aim behind the front left shoulder..... :hunter: BOOM!
The hill explodes with doe running in circles....the buck remains....I was dumbfounded, thinking he would be piled up....
I put another in the chamber and re adjust my hold on the rifle to make the 125 yard shot (I was a bit ackward angle before)...now the buck begins to move over the ridge...all I see in the scope is his head, back and neck. I aim for the back of the head....BOOM!
I hear a crash and now the does are really moving out. Since I missed the larger target of him staring at me, I didnt have much confidence I hit him the second time, but as always, you go look for blood. I heard that crash and thought he was either dead or bounced down the hill.
Walking up the hill in the rain, I find him all piled up against this log, thankfully, keeping him from rolling down hill. I hit him in the back of the head, through the eye.
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/Copy%20of%20P1010957.JPG)
He is a nice 5x5 (4pt with eye guards) with knarled bases, swollen neck and smelled heavy of musk.
My excited face...
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010958.JPG)
I dont see many big bucks, so I was thrilled and actually hopped ontop of the log and yelled out "YES!"
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010962.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010963.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010967.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010968.JPG)
Being wedged between that log was a blessing and curse...it kept him from rolling down the hill, but made gutting a challenge.
I was making great time and was happy to get such a buck...after boning him out, it was time for the first load down...
where are my keys...uh oh... :bash: :'( :'( :'(
I normally put them in my pack or in a buttoned pocket...today they were just in my front pocket (I was just tired I guess)...I scour the hillside for over an hour looking where I shot, etc...no luck. Lost keys, soaked and three miles in with a deer...great.
I grab a load and hike to the truck....no keys there either...I was able to get a ride back to camp from some Sedro Wooley boys who were camped near by...they later bagged a 2x3. I was thankful for the ride and showed it by some bear summer sausage (they turned down beer and gas).
Three days later I was able to get back into my rig after getting a lock smith to come out.
The rest of the trip, I found some sheds (2pt and 3pt) saw some big horn sheep and had a great time. Saw a few more shooter bucks, but none as big as mine.
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010971.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010970.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10186/P1010987.JPG)
A buddy went up a few days later to hunt that same hill...the carcass had been moved down hill about 50 feet and up canyon about 20....I only wish I had the time to hunt whatever that is...
Its no monster buck compared to lots of you boys and girls trophy, but its my biggest and I am very happy with it! Hope you enjoyed the read.
-
Nice buck and a good read!!! Congratulations!
-
Nice buck man! Sucks about your keys :chuckle: Im always losing mine too so don't feel bad.
MS
-
congrats
-
Nice work. I hate losing my keys.
-
Nice job, great buck and congrats on getting a PR. Did you make it up to get your trail cam?
-
Nice buck..
-
thank's for the story great hunt. havnt been out yet this week i hope. Rick
-
NICE buck saylean. do you have a pic of the whole deer with his headgear?
-
nice buck and story. That ram in the right bottom corner looks pretty nice.
-
Salean,
I got more love for u than you do for me I think...every time I see another pastey white skinned red head it makes me happy!
Looks like a great buck to me brother!
Dont look much like a WT...lol guess theres all kinds round yonder ;)
great buck!
post a pic where u can see the whole rack at one time when ya get a second!
dave
-
Nice Buck and what a great story.
-
I updated the trail cam poll and here is a few more pics....I actually didnt even think about getting the whole animal photoed...I was kind of wrialed up....plus...my camera was soaked and I couldnt get a clear pic. ;)
Longtat...im just jealous you've got to kill so many doe and boars (pigs).... :'( :chuckle:
-
Nice Buck....Congrats to you saylean.
-
Nice Buck. I'm kinda surprised that the Sedro-Woolley boys turned down your offer of free beer.
-
Nice Job man! That first shot was just a "fouling round"... :chuckle:
-
Nice buck, great story. Hide your keys at the truck next time :chuckle: Mark
-
I was surprised about the lack of accepting beer as well... :chuckle:
The first shot was "fair chase"...I was giving him the chance to run for it...instead he walked for it.
-
Congrats on a great buck Saylean! I loved the story! :chuckle:
-
Nice buck,Congrats! :tup:
-
Sweet buck Saylean!! Bummer about your keys. I know them locksmiths arent cheap. Congrats again.
-
4pt with eye guards
Ya, getting back to the original western count! :chuckle:
Nice buck!
-
:IBCOOL: greats story and good experience. Congt to ur nice buck.
Don't loose key next time.
Mulehunter
-
Thanks for all the congrats guys and gals....
it was some humble pie asking for a ride after losing my keys...
:chuckle:
-
Damn Saylean, great buck, great pics, and great story.
I'm with 50Cal on this one though, I believed the whole story except:
I was able to get a ride back to camp from some Sedro Wooley boys who were camped near by...they later bagged a 2x3. I was thankful for the ride and showed it by some bear summer sausage (they turned down beer)
If they were really from Sedro, they would not have turned down the beer. :chuckle:
-
Great buck! I love your face! You look pumped!
-
congrats....nice buck.... :)
-
Dandy buck Saylean!! Diggin the pics too!!
-
great buck saylean
-
Hell, I wouldn't have turned down Beer! :chuckle:
Glad you had a great experience.
-Steve
-
I lost my wallet out of my fanny pack when my boy shot his buck this year. I know the feeling. :'(
-
No keys and miles from a locksmith :bdid: would certainly damper an otherwise awesome day and hunt :IBCOOL:. Great buck and story, sucks about the keys. Had to take the back window out of my truck once. Not fun.
-
Real nice buck there, congratulations!
I'm going to forget what you wrote about Sedro Woolley because that just doesn't make sense.
-
Nice Job man, congrats on the dandy Buck!
-
good buck and story,A very good year for ya :hello:
-
Great job Saylean! Nice Deer!
Now go buy a second ignition key, take a wiretie and some electric tape and attach it under the frame of your rig! (I learned this lesson many moons ago... :chuckle: )
-
Great buck. When are you coming over to help me with these coyotes?
-
Great buck. When are you coming over to help me with these coyotes?
as soon as possible...my .223 is beggin for round two.
-
Saylean you kind of remind me of Bill the cat in some of your expressions :chuckle:.
Nice deer BTW.
-
Great buck. I have a hidden key for that exact reason. I lock my keys in my truck at least 3 times per month. The pic of your face is perfect. Can't wait for Montana, I'm taking a pic of my face after I shoot.
-
"I'm taking a pic of my face after I shoot."
I would never do that to you guys, though that would be an interesting thread; the after the shot face photo contest..... :chuckle:
-
That's a really nice buck congrats!!! I love those dark tall ones ... nice write up too! :)
-
Nice buck, spare key(won't hunt with someone who doesn't have one), we called them noggins' as in red noggins', title the thread The Facial
-
Very Nice Buck and good story. I have lost my keys a time or two over the years so now when hunting I carry a spare on a bright orange knotted rope around my neck under my gear. I always know where its at and its easy to get to at days end.