Good BT Down - a long journey

[bow4elk]

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.

[lazydrifter]

outstanding.  Congratulations, that is one well earned very nice buck.

[popeshawnpaul]

Great story and buck.  Nice.

[markts]

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

[blacktailer]

Way to go bow4elk.  A well deserved, hard earned trophy.  Congrats!

[Broken Arrow]

What a great buck! Nice job......that is no easy task.

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Congratulations. That is a dandy BT for sure and was definatley time to put him down with his age. Outstanding job!!!!!

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I figured you'd catch up to that one, nice job and a great deer.

[rasbo]

good story and a beauty of a buck..Nice work

[NWBREW]

That is a beautiful blacktail buck.....congrats

[mulehunter]

  CONGT!!!

Mulehunter

[AKBowman]

Great work! That is a bruiser BT...I've never even seen one on the hoof that big myself.

[KillBilly]

Very nice Tom, patience pays off again. Good Shot, good deer, good eating.   Let us know what it scores.

[PolarBear]

Very nice, congrats!

[Basket Rack]

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.