Two of my Soldiers and I headed up into the Pasayten Sunday morning to my normal spot. It was the first time up there for one of them so I was excited to show them around where I’ve been going for years with my family. On the way up we were just getting to our lunch stop and out walked a beautiful blonde bear at like 75 yards. Little bear fever kicked in and my buddy missed his opportunity when it was broadside
. After making it up to camp and collecting water all night we headed out the next morning. I took one guy up in the dark to one of the draws to watch for the day and then came back to camp to head the other direction with the other guy. We ended up only seeing does and made our way back to camp for lunch before we headed over to the other basins for the afternoon. After hiking up and grabbing my trail camera I told the buddy that came with me for the afternoon to sit over a beautiful draw and watch as much area as possible while I went down the ridge 100 yards to watch a different spot. While walking down the ridge line I looked with the binos over an area I’ve always thought there should be deer but never see or scare any out of it. Well this time there was a deer and it was a buck. Laying under a tree at 512 yards starting right at me. Thought about shooting the 6.5prc at that distance but I like getting closer and practicing stalking. So I decided that if he let me sneak over the ridge and then pop back over on him where I had planned, I was going to using my multi season tag on him. After getting over my own buck fever excitement and sneak up like I wanted to I peaked over some rocks and there he was at 200 yards still in his bed but now with his head on the ground passed out. That sold it for me and I decided I’m taking him. First shot was great in his bed but he stood up and turned broadside the opposite way just swaying in place. Decided I didn’t want to risk him running and put another shot into his neck and he did the super man with all for legs back and dropped face first down the hill. Scared me hearing the sound we all hate of the antlers hitting rocks as he tumbles down the basin but luckily he didn’t break anything. It was awesome shooting something with the guys since usually I’m just trying to help them because I’ve either tagged out or had a later hunt/different season. Had a blast as always and love being up there.
