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LONG READ Opening morning we hiked into an area a mile away but found other hunters coming in from the bottom of the canyon. So we back out and hit a deep deep canyon behind us. We ended up glassing a big coues a long ways away. My buddy Andrew stayed put to keep an eye on the bedded buck while we worked at getting closer. An hour and a half later we were set up for a 263 yard shot if the buck stood up. After 3 hours of waiting my buddy Andrew calls me on the phone to tell me he had another nice buck further down the mountain. Not knowing if the buck we were on was still there, we decided to leave after this other buck. Right before the phone call I glassed up another nice 3x3 and big 2 point in a canyon to the left and ranged him at 450 but could of got within 400 yards but decided not to cause of the giant canyon between us and by the time we would get to him it would be dark. We made our way across the side of this mountain 500 yards and were within range of this buck with a 400 yard shot but the sun was in our eyes. We decided to climb the mountain and try to shoot across the cut. We made our way up the mountain and chose to peek over to see where they were. They were only 150 yards away with the sun still in our eyes. I got my daughter set up and Brandon to spot for us. I didn't even have a chance to see how she shot as I was behind her holding her up so she wouldn't slide down the rock. I began to talk to her and walk her through it. I told her to find the broadside buck and to look behind it cause the 3x3 was just a bit higher. She said, "dad I'm solid on the small buck, can I just shoot it?" I kept telling her to relax, and take a deep breathe and to look for the big buck. During this time I could see her breathing getting worse as she was near shooting. Again I told her to relax and to pull the trigger slow. BOOOOMMM......then I heard a thwack. We all looked at each other as 7 or 8 deer start heading up and over the hill. We didn't know if she hit it but it sure sounded like it. My buddy who was filming through his spotting scope from across the deep canyon had to replay it on his phone. He then called us to let us know she dropped it. First deer tag after trying for 4 years and she made it worthwhile

I glassed this buck bedded at 1200 yards around 0730 on the first day my wife was able to come out on her hunt. It took us a hour to move as close as we were going to be able to get. my wife got set up on the bipod and backpack and the wait began. After 3 hours Sarah took the 435 yard shot as soon as he stood up and sent him right back down! We are truly blessed as a family to be able to hunt together. the buck taped at 96 1/8.

Well January 1st couldn’t come fast enough; of course I had to work the first 2 days of the hunt and couldn’t get to my spot until 10 o’clock on the 3rd. I was bummed about getting out so late but knowing the rut was in full swing I figured it would be good. I got settled in to my brush blind and not 25 minutes latter had 2 spikes pushing a doe around 15 yards in front of me, they pushed that poor doe in circles for almost an hour After the spikes cleared out all was quiet for about 20 minutes, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and saw 2 does working their way toward me. I was hoping there was a buck behind them and sure enough there was. As soon as I saw the buck I recognized him from trail cam pics. I had gone over this buck in my head at home and wasn’t sure if I would shoot him due to there being some bigger bucks in the area. As I watched the buck follow the does towards me I could hear myself saying "be patient this is opening morning for you, wait for the big one" over and over. The buck walked behind a tree that I had ranged earlier at 18 yards, instinctively I drew back my bow as he stepped out I let out a grunt stopping him in his tracks ,all the while telling myself this isn’t the deer for opening day. My finger pulled the release and I sent the 100 grain muzzy completely through him. I watched him crash 35 yards from where he was shot. I then realized how wobbly my legs were and had to sit down for almost ten minutes. As I walked up to him I remembered why I love hunting these animals and was thankful I had taken the shot . He isn’t the biggest deer in the woods but I couldn’t be happier with him. There is a member of CWT I want to thank, he has given me a ton of advice and this deer might not have been possible without him, Thank you TJ (tjhunt2)