Rangecon Report post Posted December 5, 2012 November 28th greeted us with some of the warmest temperatures that I can remember in quite a while, south of the Gila, and I was reminded of that the day prior when I was backpacking to our spike camp. Only a 2 plus mile hike in, but climbing vertically caused me to break out in a sweat, which I was trying to avoid with a late afternoon start. I made it to our camp with the use of a headlamp. My son and his childhood buddy/best-man started out much later than I; they had the advantage of a full moon which was a smart move. Plus, they made the trek 50 minutes faster than I did. It's not how fast you hike, but how smart you hike, is what I keep telling myself every year. With the dry weather and pre-scouting intellegence of the dry, usually wet spring, the deer pattern was unknown. The first day is always about getting into the groove of glassing and recovering from the first night of sleeping on the ground. Saw a few dinks and a few winks (one step up from a dink), but no shooters. The second day we decided to split up and see if we could pattern these ghosts. It was evident from the previous day that we had a small window of opportunity in the morning and evening to get a good viewing and postion before they bedded for the day or started moving before evening. I headed east and the young men headed west. At 0800 I glassed up what vaguely looked like the profile of a deer's head, but at 800 yards and not the best light, it was hard to identify. After 15 minutes, it finally moved its head confirming that it was a deer and it had horn on it. But at that range, I was thinking it was just a wink. I continued to glass for another hour with no joy on any other animals. I had memorized where that wink had last bedded and started my slow journey over to get a better look. As always, I am thinking about getting a nice buck, but I am also thinking about getting him out of this rock pile without causing any undue injury to myself. After an hour and half, I made it to the small ridge about even with where I last saw the only animal of the day. I set up the tripod and looked for any clue - nothing. An hour plus elapsed and my periodic viewing through the big binos caught an ear flicker and then some horn. At least it confirmed that a buck was there and now his horn looked a little better than from 800 yards. I proceeded to set up the 6.5 Grendel and anticipated a 280 yard shot, if given the chance. With the sun moving on the south slope, I thought for sure this guy would be moving soon - nothing. It was not until 1420 that he made his move. He got up and did not give me a decent shot until 10 minutes later as he maneuvered in the shadows of the mountain. One shot from the Grendel and I could see hair explode and he disappeared. Another 55 minutes elapsed before I could get eyes on this warm December buck. When I saw him, I said to myself - I can pack this guy out. I thanked the Lord for the blessings of a fair chase and opportunity to harvest this magnificant species. Sent a picture of the buck to my son who was making a stalk of his own about a mile away. By the time I packaged my deer up for the day, and started my trek back to camp, I received a picture of a very happy young man with a nice 3x3. Knowing where he got his buck, I was glad that he got to carry his own deer out this year. He had twice as far as I had to go and we started out about the same time the following day. He caught up to me at the bottom of the mountain. Oh, to be 21 again! (Both deer tagged immediately after pictures taken) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Great deer and story! Where does time go? Youth is wasted on some youth BUT others take full advantage (I mean you Rangecon)! Also, youth is a relative word! At 21, I thought people in their thirties were old! I will be in my forties soon....what will I think old is then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Good bucks. Yep, youth is wasted on the young, I feel older every season at work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Great story and congrats on 2 nice bucks. Im still young and I had to try to keep up with a 10 yr old this past weekend. Lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Nice Bucks and great story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Heck, I'd love to be 61, or even 71 again ... Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az_shooter Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Those are a couple of really nice deer, please tell Taylor I said congrats, my name is Justin and I used to work with Taylor in Nogales. Congrats to the both of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted December 6, 2012 When you raise you kids with a love and knowledge of the outdoors, it is a special thing. Congratulations on a couple very nice bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted December 6, 2012 nice buck congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cohntr6 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 Congrats to you and your son. Usually wisdom helps fill the gaps of youth (as least I am hoping for that!). Excellent write up. All I have seen is winks so far, not even a dink to fill the freezer. Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
archerman Report post Posted December 7, 2012 Excellent bucks right there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted December 7, 2012 Congrats on the 2 dandies! And thanks for sharing a great story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted December 7, 2012 what an awesome story. Thanks for taking us along to enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
