Poor buck walked by the wrong guy

[recurveman]

Well this isn't the year for my backpack trip but I did think I should get way off of the road. I found a spot that was back in about 1.3 miles and was a solid hour and fifteen minutes walk from the truck.

 

I got up at 3:30 and left for my morning hike. The hike started about 4:15 and ended a little after 5:30. I wanted to make sure I got to my spot before sunup. I found a tree and sat there waiting for first light. It was kind of cool seeing all the people in their vehicles driving to their spots down all the roads. I just sat their thinking they were already behind the 8 ball.

 

I glassed hard for awhile and then just sat there watching while eating a bagel. About 9:00 I saw 3 deer in the distance. I pulled up my range finder and saw that two of them were bucks(both small 3pts with eye guards) and they were heading my way on the ridge across the canyon. I figured they would come closer and I didn't think there was anybody around me so I figured I would let them get to an easier spot to get them before I shot.

 

This poor buck finally stopped at 250 yds. and that was all it took. I smacked him(or at least I thought I did). I got my scope back on the group of deer and saw what I thought was blood and a good hit on the opposite side of the deer. Then my bipod fell off of the rock. I got my scope back on the deer and all I saw was a buck and it didn't look like it was hit. I figued I shot the other buck and didn't need to shoot 2 bucks with only one tag. I watched the doe and buck walk away without the other buck and figured I hit the buck for sure and I hoped it was a good hit.

 

After a long walk over there (I'm pretty sure it was just as far down as it was across) I found my buck and the fun began. He was a little 3 pt with eye guards. I figure he will score around 70 or so. Not a monster but I would have shot a spike it he walked by first. Next year I'm looking for something much bigger.

 

I took pics but didn't finish the role. I've got a few more hunts this month and will put pics up when I get done with the other hunts.

 

I quarted/half deboned the deer and put it in my pack. I really needed a better pack. I didn't realize how bad my pack was going to be when I had that much weight in it. Next year I will get a nice pack frame system of some sort and be much happier.

 

Here are the things I learned.

 

1. You are not trophy hunting when you "field judge" your buck through your rangefinder. Then finish your "field judging" through your scope as your are clicking your safety off. The buck is going to get shot.

 

2. Sometimes it is better to let the deer walk to an area that is actually possible to get to before you shoot them.

 

3. When you are hunting a long ways from the road you should know that a smaller buck weighs just as much as the big ones. Shoot a bigger buck. The walk out won't be as hard.

 

4. There isn't much meat on a buck but it sure does weigh a ton after a few hours carrying out on your shoulders.

 

5. Make sure you have a pack that is very comfortable when loaded down with a deer. You will be much happier than me.

 

6. When you have two bucks that look exactly the same you better just shoot once and make it a good shot. It is really tough to tell which buck is shot and you don't need two bucks. There will be another hunter watching you.

 

7. It's cool to only hear shots in the direction of the road. You pretty much know that you are deeper in than other hunters.

 

Next year.......nothing less than 130.......or maybe a big spike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Later,

 

recurveman

[25-06]

Dude, A BIG CONGRATS on gettin your buck...I really enjoyed the (Things I learned) Thats how it happins

[az4life]

Congratulations. It sounds like you had a great hunt! Just acording to plan!

[DEERSLAM]

Good story and lessons well learned

[111]

Awesome...Congrats on your buck!!!

[COOSEFAN]

Congrats on your buck, thats such an awesome feeling to hunt harder than most and to be successful! My 36B hunt was very similar to yours and my Badlands 2200 pack came in very handy. I had my entire deer minus the rib cage and 2 pairs of binos, tripod, camera, pistol, and knives in and strapped to my Badlands 2200 pack. If you can carry it, it will hold it, I would definitely check the 2200 out. Great job again!

[WHT_MTNMAN]

Congrats that is awesome, I bought the eberlstock "just one" pack a few months back and it worked flawlessly, small enough for my day pack and then expanded to accept the quarters. Congrats again on the buck.

[Arizona Griz]

Congratulations and good lessons to learn.