lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 23, 2019 As I lay here in my tent, Mr. Buddy heater on low, 6" of snow surrounding us, camp 75% packed up....well...what can I say. Taylor is a badas$. We packed up Tuesday night and headed to Kaibab Wednesday morning. Rained the first 4 hours of the drive until we hit The Gap. We were ready for a 12 day mule deer marathon. Taylor was so excited to finaly be on the road.... The rain held off just long enough for us to set up camp, then started snowing. We tried to get some scouting in, but it started snowing hard enough we couldn't see 50 yards. So we headed back to camp for some dinner and a good night's sleep. Thursday morning, snowing up top, raining down low. Scouted down low, saw a couple "end of season" bucks tending does. Went up top in the afternoon, and battled the snow. Saw 3 more "end of season" bucks, but a lot of deer. Lots of smaller bucks too. With 2 minutes of "legal light" left as we were heading out...we saw an "opening day" buck. Only about 26" wide, but really tall, good forks, good mass, and a nice 6" sticker on his left antler off the G3. He would be our goal on opening morning....or so we thought. Opening morning showed clear skies, 19°, and snow covered hills above 7000'....and fog. Made glassing more than 100-200 yards impossible. So, we left the location we had seen the big buck for later, and went to a spot that has produced for us in the past. Got there just as the sun was breaking, and glassed up one of our "end of season" bucks and passed on him. I walked out on a point to glass some canyons and started picking deer out, from 200 to 2000+ yards away. Found a decent 4x4 @ 1575 yards, but across 7 or 8 canyons....no thanks. Found a 1 antlered 3 point, and I swear I saw 2 lions hightailing it. Couldn't get a good look, but definitely not deer running like that, and light tan. So back to the truck,and fog had burned off by 8:00. Decided to drive back and look for the big buck. On the way out, I was glassing every finger and cut....at 8:40...."there are some does.....ooh. And a buck. You might want to get out for this one....and grab the rifle....yeah, grab the rifle for sure." I range him, "430...dial 1.5MIL. He is moving....454, dial 1.7MIL. He is quartering away...he stopped...put one in him." BOOM! "He is down! Great shot!" We watched him for 10 minutes without so much as an ear twitch. Got landmarks, grabbed the packs, crossed two canyons, and definitely no ground shrinkage when we got to him. 5 hours of exhausting pack out. At the check station, they measured him at 31" inside spread, 33.25" outside. Taylor made short work of the late season, getting her buck about 1.5 hours into the hunt. And topping my biggest buck I have ever taken too. I am so proud of her, for the hard work she puts in shooting, for the positive attitude, for wanting to spend time with me, and her being such a great kid. I thank my wife too, for putting up with the time and money I put into hunting. And most of all, I thank God for allowing me my health, my wonderful family, and the beauty and the creatures he put on this earth. 53 1 9 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adicted Report post Posted November 23, 2019 U guys both are bad as$. Happy for u lance. Thx for the early pic. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted November 23, 2019 WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Huge congrats to you and Taylor. Absolutely incredible what she and you have been able to pull off the last few years! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Whopper buck! Nice write up. Congrats to you two. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Love the bladed eye guard! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Giant!!! Congrats Taylor and Lance. Jealous!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25-06 Report post Posted November 23, 2019 You are truly blessed my friend. Tell Taylor big congrats from me. There's definitely a special bond you too share to get er done in a big way. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Lance your daughter is a straight up killer. When your smile is bigger than hers, it tells me that girl is all business! Great job man, you have taught her well! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 23, 2019 I actually got choked.up right after the shot. It seems like I always do when my kids get a game animal. Taking a life is serious business. I respect the game a lot. And to put it in the freezer is important. Almost as important as the time I get to spend with my kids. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed_az_88 Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Holy smokes. That is fantastic! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spot Report post Posted November 23, 2019 The smile on your face says it all....Congrats to you and your daughter! The Kaibab is such a special place. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Awesome! Christmas picture there with the snow. Great Buck, Congrats 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RackTracker Report post Posted November 23, 2019 That’s a beautiful buck! Congrats to both of you.......and what a great shot by Taylor. Safe travels home tomorrow ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yotebuster Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Ho. Lee. Phug. That buck is insane!! 31” INSIDE!!! Unreal! What a perfect incredible buck and perfect incredible hunt!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted November 23, 2019 You two are unbelievable, Lance!!!! Awesome!!! Continued blessed times!!! 👍🏻🙏🏼 S. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
