thegoosano
WKR
Finally had success after 5yrs of grinding trying to get a high country buck with my bow!
I got into the area 3 full days before the season opened, about 12mi hike in to this remote spot. I had hunted the same basins 2yrs ago in 2023 and saw some monsters so I had a good feeling they would be back.
I spotted this buck 1.5 days before opening morning and watched him and 2 other good bucks to pattern them. He was the tallest buck by far with the most mass and matching kickers off his G2s. Opening morning came and I watched him bed on the far edge of the basin around 9am. He was with the other bucks and some does so there were some eyes to watch out for.
I decided his position was good enough that I wanted to make a move. I always get nervous making a big play too soon in the hunt at the risk of blowing out the basin for days, but I decided to roll the dice.
After a 1.5mi-2mi stalk hiking up and around the jagged ridge above the basin, I came out behind a rock bluff, leaning out to see him about 190yds below. There was one buck with him but, but shortly after getting to the bluff he got up and casually fed off into some willows out of sight. I took off my pack & boots, slipped on a homemade pair of stalking shoes, grabbed my bow and headed in.
After a slow careful stalk with fortunately good footing, I was about to get to some small boulders and trees 49yds from him, still bedded down. I nicked an arrow, clipped on my release, and waited for him to stand up.
While waiting I decided to remove my tight spot quiver to prevent any wind shake. A slight squeak of the dovetail attachment made the buck stand up. I quickly pulled off the quiver, drew my bow while laying down on my back, and stood up at full draw. Putting the 50yd pin square in his vitals I let an arrow go, shortly followed by the assuring sound of a “thwack”. He stumbled down about 75yds to some willows, where I was able to sneak on a bit more and get two more arrows in.
5yrs of training, research, prep, practice, and obsessing over high country mule deer I never imagined I would be able to get a deer like this. Beyond grateful for all the experiences that have led up to this point and all the hard work. Still pinching myself. 189” gross!!
Shameless plug, I posted one of these over on the mule deer photo contest thread, if you like it give it a thumbs up!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I got into the area 3 full days before the season opened, about 12mi hike in to this remote spot. I had hunted the same basins 2yrs ago in 2023 and saw some monsters so I had a good feeling they would be back.
I spotted this buck 1.5 days before opening morning and watched him and 2 other good bucks to pattern them. He was the tallest buck by far with the most mass and matching kickers off his G2s. Opening morning came and I watched him bed on the far edge of the basin around 9am. He was with the other bucks and some does so there were some eyes to watch out for.
I decided his position was good enough that I wanted to make a move. I always get nervous making a big play too soon in the hunt at the risk of blowing out the basin for days, but I decided to roll the dice.
After a 1.5mi-2mi stalk hiking up and around the jagged ridge above the basin, I came out behind a rock bluff, leaning out to see him about 190yds below. There was one buck with him but, but shortly after getting to the bluff he got up and casually fed off into some willows out of sight. I took off my pack & boots, slipped on a homemade pair of stalking shoes, grabbed my bow and headed in.
After a slow careful stalk with fortunately good footing, I was about to get to some small boulders and trees 49yds from him, still bedded down. I nicked an arrow, clipped on my release, and waited for him to stand up.
While waiting I decided to remove my tight spot quiver to prevent any wind shake. A slight squeak of the dovetail attachment made the buck stand up. I quickly pulled off the quiver, drew my bow while laying down on my back, and stood up at full draw. Putting the 50yd pin square in his vitals I let an arrow go, shortly followed by the assuring sound of a “thwack”. He stumbled down about 75yds to some willows, where I was able to sneak on a bit more and get two more arrows in.
5yrs of training, research, prep, practice, and obsessing over high country mule deer I never imagined I would be able to get a deer like this. Beyond grateful for all the experiences that have led up to this point and all the hard work. Still pinching myself. 189” gross!!
Shameless plug, I posted one of these over on the mule deer photo contest thread, if you like it give it a thumbs up!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
