18 year old daughter drew 204 quality deer

[jowings22]

I have no info on the unit, but best of luck to your daughter on turning up a good one! 

[bearhunter99]

Best of luck.  Bucks are chasing does pretty hard right now around here.  They should be moving!

[Jlittlebear31]

Well first off, many many thanks for all that responded to this message or that I spoke with via private message or via phone/text.  Harli and I hunted November 10th and 11th, then returned for the 15th-20th.  I had talked up this tag so much with my daughter and thought it would be a cake.  I know hunting in WA is never a piece of cake, but I thought this would be as close to a piece of cake as they come......I was wrong.  I know the unit is crawling with deer, but we just had a rough time finding them.  Harli turned down a few small 2 points, a couple 2x3's and spikes.  For days, we didn't see any shooter bucks.  On the 18th, we were walking in the national forest and a dark horned buck appeared 80 yards from us, just staring at us.  By the time I got my binoculars up and she got her gun up, he bounded into the woods.  We gave chase and immediately had to cross a fence.  As we crossed, Harli took off her backpack and left it near the fence.  We then began a 30 minute, .75 mile chase.  Making our way through the 5 inches of snow, the downfalls, the ravines (up and down), the buck never stopped.  Unlike most mule deer I've experienced, this guy never stopped to check his six or see what was behind him.  It was now nearing dark and Harli suddenly said, "Dad, my blood sugar is low."  She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 5.  For those that don't know, her pancreas does not work and she is forced to use insulin to keep her sugar down.  On the other hand, when her sugar is too low, she is forced to raise it with juice, or other high carbohydrate drinks and food.  Now, we religiously have emergency supplies on hand are always prepared.  It was at this point I realized all her emergency supplies were in her backpack, not mine.  Too low of blood sugar can cause her to pass out and eventually is fatal.  So, immediately the panic (medically), heart break of hunting hard and getting so close to this buck without an opportunity, exhaustion and shivering from cold, a slight meltdown occurred.  Me, out of fear and what to do? and Harli based on all the above.  I tried not to show it, but my panic was real.  We were quite a ways from her backpack, we had to navigate several big hills and all the national forest service has to offer.  Not to mention the snow, the dark and having to cover just short of a mile.  She was emotional and exhausted and her blood sugar was dropping rapidly (physical exertion is the only natural way to lower sugar).  A lot went through my head.....leave her alone in the forest and run for the bag, take off together down the hill to the nearest farm, or grab a hold of her and start trudging.  We decided on the latter and I kept telling her that if she got worse, she had to tell me so I could make a decision.  Oh yeah, no cell service for help.  Fortunately, we were able to make it to her backpack and get her blood sugar up to normal.  Once her blood sugar was up, we were able to walk out.
The night of the 18th was rough, she was dejected and lacked motivation.  To note, this was the second pursuit of deer we had to cancel due to her blood sugar levels.  For some reason, she was battling lows all week.
The morning of the 19th, we had discussions on lowering our standards and just going home with some meat and hopefully a buck.  We also discussed what to do for the day, as we were running out of time.  Everything in both of us wanted to just drive roads and take it easy.  However, I had a feeling that buck was gonna be close.  So, we both agreed, let's make the 2.5 mile hike in the snow back to the same area.
We hiked the 2.5 miles and wouldn't you know, "Dad, my friggin blood sugar is low."  She checked it and she was at 50....to those that don't know, that's very low and causes her to shake and feel nauseous.  We were in the general area I wanted to be in, so we plopped down and she started drinking a Capri-sun.  As soon as she plopped down, I heard some sticks break about 150 yards away.  I looked up to see the body of a deer making its way up a steep hill away from us.  I could tell the deer was a buck by the way he moved and held his head.  However, I never actually saw his antlers.  Knowing we were in no shape to chase him, I lied to her and said, "Oh, it's just a doe."  She stayed sitting down in the snow drinking her juice and eating a sandwich.  Suddenly, I caught movement on the same hill moving directly towards us at 100 yards.  I could see he was respectable with very dark antlers.  I told her "Sis, get your gun."  She grabbed her gun and turned around to look up the hill.  The buck was slowly sneaking above us and she said, "Dad, I can't see him."  There was a few openings and I gave him the deer hunter "meh."  Which caused him to stop perfectly broadside.  Again, she said, "Dad, I can't find him."  I was in the middle of trying to explain to her where he was, when she let her rip!  I saw him drop, but then lost him.  The happy tears started and we sat there for a few minutes.  After 10 minutes, there was not a peep, but I could still not see the deer and had a slight nagging that I hadn't actually seen him drop.  I told her to grab her gun and we began up the hill, slipping and sliding through the snow.  I was able to film her reaction and response once she seen him, but I do not have permission to show that video.  There were tears, thanks to God and prayers, hugs and everything you would expect.  Very emotional for her and for me.  I pushed this girl hard for a week.  I told her, "That was a Man hunt" and she was in lock step with me the entire time.  I could not be more proud of her and the effort she put out.  The buck ended up dropping in his tracks with a perfect heart shot.
I am not as great a story writer as many on this forum, but I wanted to share a little piece of our hunt.  I've been able to experience incredible and successful (and some not successful hunts) with all four of my kids and I look forward to many more in the future.
The man upstairs had his eye on us the entire time, and clearly had a plan for us and this deer even though at times, we wondered why things were going the way they were.
Again, many thanks to all who reached out and took the time to assist us in this hunt.  I couldn't be more thankful for this hunt and the experience with my oldest daughter.

[Jlittlebear31]

Sorry about the sideway pictures.  Not that computer savvy.
Jake

[DeerThug]

that is a dandy buck = way to get it done!

[X-Force]

Great mass! Very nice buck

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nicely done to the both of you. I’m a type two diabetic and being at 50 is severely dangerous. The lowest I’ve ever been is 57.

Glad you both stuck with it . 👍

[finnman]

I am a type 2 diabetic and can’t relate to what your daughter and you went through! You are tougher than most and deserve a whole lot more credit than most!
Way to get er done! That’s a great heavy buck and nothing to wink at!
Thanks for sharing your story and good job on using the once in a lifetime tag!

[Jason]

Great buck and an awesome father daughter adventure. Congrats!

[SWHUNTER]

Nice Buck! Congrats to your daughter and you. Thank God everything worked out and there was no medical emergencies.
My oldest daughter shot her first buck in the same unit. It was a special time.

[actionshooter]

Very cool story and great buck!!

[jrebel]

Excellent buck and great story.  Type 1 diabetes can be challenging at times.  These challenges often discourage kids / young adults from exploring beyond their comfort / safety zone.  Reading your story....I am sharing the same emotions you had....Excited for her success, but tearing up I have lived similar scenarios.  My pack has glucagon and food now at all times.  My son's pack has food and he carries Baqsimi nasal spray in his jacket.  I will often carry fruit snacks and protein bars on my person....  We overdo it, because it is a hopeless feeling when in that situation.  Glad it all worked out and super excited you were both blessed with a safe hunt and Amazing Buck. 

[Jlittlebear31]

Ok, she just gave me permission to share.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bFZJ64lC9PY?feature=share

[jrebel]

Love the video.....

[bearhunter99]

Congrats!  Glad it all worked out!


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