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After five years of multiple trips scouting and spending hours in the blind, it finally all came together even though it was not as planned. After a few trips to our spot this summer I quickly realized we were not going to be the only hunter in the area, as we have been for the last four years. There were four cameras and two blinds on the tank on Thursday before opening day. My hunting partner Shrek and I planned on trying to be the first one there, rolling out at 2am on Friday. We passed one hunter on the way that was headed to the waterhole, only to find a second truck with a flat bed trailer on the way, with no UTV. There was only one place he could have went and we confirmed he was ahead of us as we saw him about a half mile ahead near the waterhole. We can only assume he heard us coming as he did not take the time to put away his cot or sleeping bag. If you drive a tan new model Ford F250/350 and slept in the back of your truck Thursday night, PM me, I would love to talk. We did confirm he killed as we saw the boned out body on Saturday. With the main plan shot, we went to a waterhole I had mapped a few years prior. When we got there it had good water and the area looked great. Although the day was quiet with a bear and one doe coming in, Shrek was able to spot a mule deer coming in at 2:30 pm and made it quick work. Although not a giant we had a great time enjoying the success and relaxing. The next morning we thought to ourselves, we got beat at 2am, so there is no way we will get beat at 1am. Well, we rolled out of our camp and hit the first turn only to find out the hunter on the corner had slept at the waterhole. Respecting the fact we got beat, we rolled back to the same waterhole from the day before. The morning started off early with a 6x6 bull coming in and watering for a bit, with a couple barks to wake us up. The bull had white antlers just rubbing off its velvet. Then it got real western at 10:00 am. I stood up to use the restroom and when I turned around, I saw my buck next to the water and my buddy was telling me to stand still. Too late, the buck blew out. We must have moved at the same time for him to make it all the way to the water. After taking the punch Shrek told me he could see a mule deer walking around, so I crawled back to the blind. Shortly after Shrek told me the same buck was coming back in along with the mule deer. My buck got down to the water, I drew and was nearly on target, only to be busted by the mule deer buck walking over the hill from a different direction. I thought there was no way the deer would come back in until later in the day or the next. Well, about 10 minutes later Shrek tells me there was a doe coming in. I got set back up and she came down for a drink. After she reached the water Shrek told me my buck was coming in again. A quick shift of the wind blew the doe out and left the buck on the top of the hill to the water hill. Figuring it was my last chance and he was definitely not coming in it seemed, I drew, leaned out, and let one fly for the front shoulder from 40 yards. It was definitely not a comfortable position to shoot from but the pin was steady on his shoulder. We heard the watermelon pop and saw him go down about 60 yards later. After a five year wait we walked up to a deer I would have been happy with on any rifle hunt, let alone my first archery deer. I have had many chances and close calls over the last five years, it just never seems to come together. As Shrek always says, many animals are alive by inches or seconds. Well, today was the day and he was a stud. After some celebration we cleaned him up and got back to camp, enjoyed the night, and headed home. What a great trip!! When we got home the taxidermist rough scored him at 111" without all the tenths, so he will probably be around 113", with most of his score coming from his mass. Even though he was a good deer, the biggest feel of accomplishment was when my two boys and daughter were so excited about the deer, both the size and finally getting a velvet buck in the house. Next year it will be my oldest boys turn at the archery wheel and hopefully he can enjoy the success, since he already has a couple of rifle deer in the books.

Hot days in the blind to get this little buck.

Played "Black Panther" in several Marvel movies, 12 Bridges, and others. Good actor. 43 is too young for anyone to die of colon cancer.

The super raffle is just that. If they brought it down to where everyone could only buy one chance then they’d bring the amount it brings in way down as well. Auctions are the best fundraising methods and always outdo raffles in every state they occur in.

looks like a animal sacrifice

Saw no problem with any of it, even the no so fat rich guy. Except!!! Why was there a tape on the antlers before skinning started? Maybe I saw it wrong but some them were there long before jimmy. I know it’s a picture/photo op game with a hunt like that but dang. The meat is as good as the rack albeit not as tasty as a young bull or cow but it’s still food.

Bill please take a portion of that 9.3 million and get some help man ! Prayers headed your way .

I’m still hung up on all those man rings in the opening part. He looked as uncomfortable wearing them as I was watching them clank around. Awesome bull and awesome shot. I felt like had there not been a crowd there bugging him about not shooting it in the antler he would’ve crushed him a couple more times before he had a chance to fall behind that log. His follow up shot was right in the money the bull just stepped forward.

McNary has some nice neighborhoods.

You dont have your own brother in laws phone number?

Midsouth has 1# & 8# in stock. Get them while you can. Been non-existant for 6+ months.

Willing to trade up to 5lbs of h1000 for Retumbo only. (not interested in selling) long shot but worth a try

anyone know anything about this hunt? My buddy just got the tag and its any weapon and starts on Sept 4th. Supposedly the elk are in agricultural fields and the private property owners want them gone.

So I’m sure I’ve seen his work but I've never head the name til today. My only local channel ABC has deemed him a hero and a king of men? Now I’m watching a film on said channel where he plays an African king with flying crafts yet they still live in huts and speak broken English. What am I missing here?? If this was pre riot would it be as relevant?

If he were a white B list movie star this would’ve been backpage news. Just a fact. I also have never heard of the gentleman but now that’s all the news talks about. Ever since the demonrats did an about face on their protest (eh hem... riot) stance when Trump got a boost in the polls, they are now looking for a different story to fill the time slots. So predictable that the execution of a Trump supporter is not getting any attention. A couple of Ryder trucks at CNN and MSNBC HQ’s would solve this.

Stud buck! Kudus for the people using blinds. This is why I don't use blinds. I hate the race to the water hole and the competition over it. But hey it works.

Great story. Congrats on the buck he is a dandy.

The leather SW brand says “Colt .45 Commander,” and lists other models it is compatible with. The nylon one is for a 1911, hope that helps 🙂

How could it be done differently, as far as the goveners tag?

Great write up Lance. Congrats to you and Taylor!! I know over the phone you had a crap storm that happen but holy crap what a roller coaster that hunt! Now I feel pretty bad that Kyle and I had both our bucks down in the first 8 hours of opening day :). But I also don't feel so bad about my 5 shots it took for my buck LOL. Next year will go smoother! I already cant wait

great job and write up

You in tucson? Gotta meet creedaz soon too so tjs5s an option i guess. These eberlestock packs are just too heavy. Solid and well built though.

Took my Ash Fork basketball team to his camp one year! We were from small town nowhere and he treated us like we were special! I had 5 kids there while other schools had 30-50 but he didn’t make us feel any less! I loved his philosophy and methodology! Good man! RIP Coach!

Just avoid Tri-City Transmission like the plague