The ongoing story of my Dec. 2010 hunt

[wildcat]

Since I haven’t tagged out yet I’ve decided to share how my December hunt is going so far and give updates in this thread after every day I go out. My dad and I drew December tags for unit 32 this year. Since it’s a pretty tough tag to draw we decided to try and hold out for some good bucks (but we’ll see how long I can hold off the trigger ha). We hunted for three days opening weekend which turned out to be pretty uneventful and warm. The first day we glassed up all does. The only bucks seen were ones my dad kicked up while moving to a new glassing location. They were both 3x3’s but too small for what we were looking for. The next two days we saw pretty much nothing but does and just a couple spikes and small forks. We left Sunday around noon and he won’t be returning to hunt until the 27th since he lives in Phoenix. Even though he wouldn’t be with me I planned on going out whenever I had time on my own.

 

camp

 

some does about 700 yards away

 

doe at 300 yards away

 

[CouesWhitetail]

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing your hunt. I hope you both get a deer next time you go out!

 

 

[wildcat]

I didn’t have work today so I decided to go out to another spot I know of since the other one didn’t produce much. I got set up to glass as it was getting light. After about half I hour I caught a glimpse of a buck that was on the move. It looked like a good one so I moved positions to try to locate it in the area it was headed. I got set up again and found some does down at the base of the hill. After glassing some more I found a group of does up high and noticed some were running around, and then I saw what they were running from…the buck was chasing them. It was pretty cool to watch some rutting activity already. I was trying to see just how big he was but he chased a doe over the top of the hill before I could see him well enough to judge, plus he was pretty far away. Since there wasn’t a good way to get into position to glass the other side of the hill I decided to wait where I was because I had a feeling he would work his way back over to the side I could glass. After watching a group of three does for about 4 or 5 hours and taking an occasional nap after scanning the hill, I saw some does running at about 4:30 and sure enough the buck was behind them. I watched for a while deciding whether or not to make a move on him and used that time to get some video of him. I decided to grab my gun and head his way. I got set up within 450 yards of him and had him in my scope. I convinced myself to hold off though because I still wasn’t positive if he was big enough. It looked like he was only a two point on his right side but a nice three point on his left. I figured if I was so hesitant I shouldn’t shoot. By that time light was vanishing so I snuck out of there and I plan on going back tomorrow morning to see if I can find him again for a better look or possibly find his dad.

 

Here's the videos links of him I was able to get. You cant really see details of him but you can make out the rack. I was about 750-800 yards away.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myCpFoKoD8&hd=1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYi9xNthuFM&hd=1

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

 

 

Good for you, man! Don't weaken! The best is yet to come!!! Wait till Christmas before you pull the trigger and you will likely be rewarded.... unless a No Brainer steps out before then....

[pwrguy]

I had a December hunt last year. Hunted all 19 days including Christmas day You waited a while for the tag, might as well get your money's worth.

[wildcat]

I had a December hunt last year. Hunted all 19 days including Christmas day You waited a while for the tag, might as well get your money's worth.

 

This year was actually my first time applying for the December tag, I guess I got lucky. I wish I could hunt as many days as you did. Did you end up getting one?

[firstcoueswas80]

Yes, use all the time you can! When I had my December tag, I killed my buck on the 3rd day, my dad his buck on the first evening, and my moms boss' hunt lasted a total of 12 minutes. I had most of the tdays off and huntued a total of like 4 days! Keep at it and be patient! They dont come around too often!

[pwrguy]

I had a December hunt last year. Hunted all 19 days including Christmas day You waited a while for the tag, might as well get your money's worth.

 

This year was actually my first time applying for the December tag, I guess I got lucky. I wish I could hunt as many days as you did. Did you end up getting one?

 

 

Yes I did, I didn't find the exceptional buck I was looking for but in the end I did connect with a nice buck that I am pleased with. I truly enjoyed the hunt, the success at the end was just a bonus. It took me 5 years to draw the tag.

[ScottAdams]

That was a good buck to pass on. I would have passed on him too. The hunt will get better in the next week or so. The later the better! Good luck!!

[adddict]

HOLD OUT! I shot my Dec buck on the last day. Theres nothing like having a tag in your pocket during a Sep rut hunt! Youll see deer every day and you never know! It only gets better too.

 

Thanks for the posts!

[308Nut]

I had a December hunt last year. Hunted all 19 days including Christmas day You waited a while for the tag, might as well get your money's worth.

 

This year was actually my first time applying for the December tag, I guess I got lucky. I wish I could hunt as many days as you did. Did you end up getting one?

 

Lucky is right. You dont know what you have. It took 8 points for me to draw my first December CWT tag last year. Your next one could be a while. Slow down and enjoy it. Savor the flavor.

 

I was right next to pwrguy when he cropped his buck and was with him nearly every step of the way during his entire hunt. I missed the first few days. He nailed a really nice buck on the last day as he stated. We looked at some really nice bucks last year but never saw what he was looking for. I must say, he set his sights pretty high for the first 3/4 of the season. I think he made the right decision to hold out for as long as he did. What he didnt tell you is not only did he get his buck on the last day it was also the LAST hour. I wouldnt have it any other way. We were able to enjoy every bit of it. We could have ended it alot sooner but where would the fun be then?

 

Scott Adams is right on the money. It was a good pass up buck.

 

Congrats on the tag. A congrats will be in order when you tag out. Remember, it is not 'if' but 'when'. Stay positive and persistent. When it happens it will likely unfold VERY quickly. Stay ready.

 

Enjoy!

 

M

[wildcat]

Thanks for all of the encouragement guys I'm really excited! I went out and glassed for a couple of hours yesterday morning and only saw a few does and javelinas. I wont be able to go back out until the 23rd and 24th so hopefully the bucks will be more active by then.

 

Pwrguy and 308Nut, I read your stories about your hunts last year those were some beautiful bucks! I hope I dont have to cut it quite as close as pwrguy though

[wildcat]

Well I went out again for the day on Thursday and still couldn't find any shooter bucks. Many does and a couple smaller bucks. As I was walking to my glassing spot I spooked a decent 3x3 that was tall but still not quite what I was looking for. I tried to get some pictures of him but they didn't turn out great because it was still pretty dark out. At my second glassing spot I glassed up a little 2x3 that was chasing does and sparring with a spike. I watched them for a while and got some video. That was all for that day but I will be back out there the 27th and will be able to hunt until the end of the season.

 

Here are the links to the videos I took:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJSOTjZ1suM

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns19DswRLzw

[ScottAdams]

New Years Eve, Friday after the storm pushes thru should be phenomenal hunting!!!

[wildcat]

Well I hunted the 27th and 28th seeing a lot of smaller bucks and passing on quite a few. I went out today and did a little hunting in the snow and almost had a shot at a decent buck but lost him once I got within my shooting range. Looks like it's gonna come down to the last day. If a big guy doesn't show himself then I guess the smaller guys better watch out.