Post by: hoytflinger on October 17, 2011, 11:44:13 AM
We had hunted the archery season in the Swakane for years… but this year scheduling was going to have us hunting it during rifle season. I had put my gun away about 5 years ago and was strictly a “bow” guy. The Swakane during archery season is truly an awesome hunt. Steep and deep canyons with snow and bitter cold temps…love it! Lots of great opportunities for nice bucks. But as you know with a bow everything must go right. For one reason or another I was never able to arrow a buck, but loved the chance. We were looking forward to seeing the same terrain without the snow and cold but were wondering the likelihood of bucks even being there yet.
It was opening morning and we found ourselves working from the top down. We had to jockey around some of the other “orange caps” to find our ridge. Spent hours just glassing and slowly working downhill. There were shots fired near us but never saw deer. At about 11:30 saw “a deer’s butt….upon closer look it was a shooter. He stood “on point” looking downhill for about 10 minutes. He was 387 yards per rangefinder…My hunting buddy Mike said “you could make that”…I questioned that…after all it’s a lot further than my comfort zone of less than 60 with a “bow” . Tried to crouch with rifle resting on my knees but there seemed to be too much scope movement so I looked downhill and found a blow down that I could brace the rifle on. Once in position I thought about the shot but waited too long… the buck started moving slowly uphill. When he stopped for a moment I shot… clean miss... shot again… unsure… Mike shoots… I shoot… 6 shots between us. The buck took cover in these clumps of bushes and the only thing visible was his face.
Thought the best approach would be to cross the valley and come up over the next ridge and have a much closer shot. Hoping that he would stay put for the time it took to accomplish this…game on. Heart rate about 180, legs burning, breathing hard (Swakane is tough). Made it to just under next ridge I took a minute to catch my breath, then eased up over the ridge. Bushes appeared, and just visible in his bush cave was the face of the buck and his neck. Changed my scope power from 3 to 9 and figured I was just under 100 yards and aimed center chest. Buck crumpled and rolled. Buck down…reloaded and let out a “YES…YES..YES”. A magnificent Swakane buck. Said a prayer of thanks to God and soon was joined by Mike where the celebrating ensued. None of our 6 long shots hit him…. apparently…he was just going to hole up in his “safe haven”.
My other buddy Mark was near the top and agreed to bring the Jeep directly above us…The gutting and game bagging ensued… big body…unsure of how heavy but 5 game bags plus the head and horns. 3 ½ hours of knife work and the climb out began. About 700 feet up took a little over an hour. We did not have extra water at the Jeep and were parched! Thank goodness for the other hunters who donated some water to two thirsty dudes. We decided to grab the pack frames, headlights and pick up the meat and continue down to the road in the bottom. Bad plan… apparently the road was 2700 feet down, which took 2 hours of ankle busting , quad burning, back breaking haul down the mountain. Next time I’m going up.
At the bottom was another hunter “Glen” who shared his fire, water, and cookies with two whipped puppies… many thanks as we waited for Mark to pick us up. I am truly blessed to have this buck and to have experienced the kill with my best friend and hunting mentor Mike. Mark, you are appreciated too.. Jordan…. first buck in your deer fridge… thanks for the hospitality. Travis… didn’t bring home the big one from Montana but this one’s going to look great mounted…. same… same… Brian….lets hunt next year eh? Finally, I need to thank my partner in life, my wife, taking care of the home front so that I can pursue my passion….. You are loved and appreciated beyond words. Good times… no….. great times…
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 17, 2011, 11:51:45 AM
Post by: Wingin it on October 17, 2011, 11:54:55 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 17, 2011, 11:56:52 AM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 17, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
Post by: PolarBear on October 17, 2011, 12:15:53 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on October 17, 2011, 12:17:37 PM
Post by: woodywsu on October 17, 2011, 12:25:26 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on October 17, 2011, 12:29:01 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on October 17, 2011, 12:32:46 PM
Post by: mtndew on October 17, 2011, 12:39:20 PM
Post by: Armadillo on October 17, 2011, 12:49:14 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 17, 2011, 12:52:33 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 17, 2011, 12:56:09 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 17, 2011, 01:04:23 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on October 17, 2011, 01:05:38 PM
Post by: Lowedog on October 17, 2011, 01:05:56 PM
Post by: Rooster1981 on October 17, 2011, 01:37:06 PM
That is a really cool looking buck, great job :tup:
Post by: BowBender87 on October 17, 2011, 02:00:55 PM
Post by: rgalanti21 on October 17, 2011, 02:07:32 PM
Post by: bucklucky on October 17, 2011, 02:22:46 PM
Post by: Snapshot on October 17, 2011, 03:08:40 PM
Post by: shedcrazy on October 17, 2011, 03:12:16 PM
Post by: muzzlebuck on October 17, 2011, 05:23:26 PM
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on October 17, 2011, 06:01:16 PM
Post by: deerdog on October 17, 2011, 06:10:14 PM
Post by: Co on October 17, 2011, 06:14:50 PM
Post by: hirshey on October 17, 2011, 06:15:24 PM
Post by: golfguy0912 on October 17, 2011, 06:42:03 PM
Post by: BackStrappin on October 17, 2011, 06:47:48 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 17, 2011, 06:51:55 PM
Post by: Camp David on October 17, 2011, 06:55:18 PM
Post by: blacktail luv on October 17, 2011, 07:20:02 PM
Post by: bearpaw on October 17, 2011, 07:27:11 PM
Post by: Jason on October 17, 2011, 07:30:13 PM
Post by: huntergreg on October 18, 2011, 12:03:45 AM
Post by: Deep Forks on October 18, 2011, 01:49:39 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 18, 2011, 07:15:32 AM
Post by: Hunter Dug on October 18, 2011, 07:17:20 AM
Post by: jmx369 on October 18, 2011, 04:02:50 PM
Sweet buck, I love kickers..Woulda been to much to ask you to leave him for me for my Nov. Tag...Good job.
:yeah:
Post by: jamesjett on October 18, 2011, 04:04:57 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 18, 2011, 04:21:30 PM
Post by: BLACKTAIL FREAK on October 18, 2011, 06:42:50 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 18, 2011, 07:15:43 PM
Post by: BOOM!! on October 18, 2011, 07:28:32 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on October 18, 2011, 08:28:14 PM
Post by: splitshot on October 18, 2011, 10:02:20 PM
Post by: patton1 on October 18, 2011, 10:06:21 PM
Post by: flingblades on October 19, 2011, 08:38:22 PM
Post by: Elkrunner on October 20, 2011, 10:07:41 AM
Post by: Sporting_Man on October 20, 2011, 10:55:40 AM
Post by: bowsandhose on October 21, 2011, 06:53:28 AM
Post by: mikelonsford on October 23, 2011, 05:39:32 PM
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2309390667657 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2309390667657)
Post by: huntergreg on October 23, 2011, 07:07:40 PM
Post by: CountryslickR on October 23, 2011, 07:08:40 PM
Post by: pips4bucks on October 23, 2011, 10:01:43 PM
Post by: Huntbear on October 24, 2011, 07:51:39 AM
Post by: mikelonsford on October 24, 2011, 10:20:12 AM
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1636057757# (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1636057757#)!/photo.php?v=2309432028691&set=vb.1636057757&type=2&theater
I think you'd have to copy the whole link to the address bar, not just clicking the highlighted part...............
This buck was like this for about 10 minutes watching something of interest. Then he cut up hill and away to the left before the shooting started.
Post by: Huntboy on October 24, 2011, 10:52:31 AM
Post by: saylean on October 24, 2011, 12:17:22 PM