Unlike my sons tag 2 weeks ago which was in the 100’s, I was so looking forward to this weeks much cooler temps. Even though he filled his tag first thing Friday morning I knew there were some bucks in the area from past scouting trips and I knew it was going to be a great hunt. I get out there just before sun up and by god it was really cold….I start glassing thinking these bucks are just gonna be out and about sunning themselves. Not the case, I find 1 doe at 7:30 and two more around 8ish. My eyes are bleeding glassing these hills and canyons and nothing is turning up. Around 10:00 I start to nod off, I crawl to the top of the hill I’m glassing from and look at the back of my eyelids….. nice little cat nap. I wake up around 11 totally refreshed and ready to glass the again. From 11-12:15, temperature is absolutely beautiful can’t believe nothing is moving. As I’m slowly scanning an opening underneath a mesquite tree I see something that catches my eye. The antlers move…game on. I focus on them and range the opening at 463 yds. For the next 1/2 hr I hem and haw because all I see is a portion of the antlers which is a 2x. I know there are bigger ones in here, but thinking why not…meat buck, but it’s 463 yds away and the terrain is absolutely awful for a drag out. Well I convince myself this is the one, get set up and squeeze one off. I don’t see the buck, so I get behind my 15’s and see movement further inside the mesquite tree. The buck is still standing. I can’t tell if it’s hit so I get on the gun again and get ready for a second shot. I can see the antlers moving a bit so I get an outline of the body and squeeze another round off. I get behind the 15’s and I see a buck laying on the ground. I let out a heck yeah. Due to the distance and terrain, I leave my rifle and pack and bring a deer drag, tag and knife. As pull the deer from out of the mesquite opening I notice a portion of the antler and it’s right ear has some blood on it. I guess the 1st shot actually hit it just high, not enough to spook him though. Got it back to my other gear and started the long haul out, 2.1 miles to the truck, this deer kicked my butt, but well worth it. Dropped it off at WGP!!!
