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After finding out that my daughter Jaycie did not draw the Jr. tag that she wanted it didn't take much thought to put her in for a left over tag for the same area that my cousin and I have late tags for. Fortunately she pulled the tag and preparations started for the upcoming hunt. This consisted of getting comfortable with her new 270, developing a hit list from our many trail cams, and buying all new camo's and boots since she seems to be constantly out growing hers! Plans were made, gear was packed, and after a great Thanksgiving with my in-laws; Hector (Chef), my dad, Jaycie, my cousin John and I headed out to camp. After a sleepless night (aren't all nights before opening day this way) we got up early and headed off to the trail head in the dark. It wasn't long before we were set up and seeing deer as well as listening to quite a few shots echoing up and down the canyons around us. Everytime we would spot a buck Jaycie would ask us if it was bigger than last year's and if not we'd better keep looking. A little after noon I explained to Jaycie that we had a couple of options and it was up to her. Option 1 had us moving about 500 yards up the hill to try and relocate a nice 3x3 we had seen go into the cut below us. Even though we might not relocate the buck we'd be closer to the rzr and it would be an easy hike out. Option 2 had us bailing off the top and trying to relocate several big bucks we had seen feed over a distant ridge. The hike would be brutal and we'd have to make it all the way to camp as we wouldn't be coming back up to where the rzr was as well as it was a long shot to relocate the bucks from that angle. Wouldn't you know she picked option 2. We didn't relocate the big bucks but did see a couple others that got us excited for a while. The hike was indeed brutal and painful for us all but Jaycie amazed me with how well she handled it and took it as an adventure as she checked out the different rock formations and shrubs as we dropped almost 2,000' in elevation. That night we decided to hit another area the next day that had shown some promise with some decent bucks showing up on camera. Again Jaycie asked if they were bigger than last year and if not we should go somewhere else. I assured her they were and the next day's plan was put into place. After a couple mile hike we were set up and it didn't take long to locate a group of bucks with one shooter in the mix. We played cat and mouse with the biggest buck in the group for the next 3.5 hours before Jaycie and I finally found ourselves 200 yards from the bedded buck. Located just below the green bush in the center of the picture. Jaycie got set up on the claw and I readied myself for the report of the shot. As I was watching through my binos Jaycie leaned over and said "dad I was shaking a little and moved during my shot", I told her it didn't matter as the buck was dead. She did jerk a little and hit the buck a little higher then intended which worked out perfect. John and Jaycie Proud Dad! Chef and Jaycie enjoying the fire. Always keeping dad straight. After getting home Jaycie couldn't wait to put a tape to her buck and find out what he scored. Even though she was thrilled regardless of the score I was excited to see what it would tape out at as well. We weren't disappointed when the total came in at 89 3/8"....definitely bigger than last year! Jaycie's buck on trail camera.