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Elkaddict

A dream mule deer buck.

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The 2014 draw results were out and I got drawn for mule deer unit 5, it's where my cabin is and an area I could spend a lot of time looking for a good buck.

 

The problem with this area has been that when I glass a big buck, and I will see 1 or 2 throughout the summer, I will never see him again.

 

I wasn't going to shoot anything but big. My hunting partner Dusty and I were lucky to spot a great buck 10 days before the season and was able to find him 3-4 times before the season.

 

Opening morning I glassed him at 6:15, 1 mile away. Believe me 6:15 is still dark! We put the spotting scope on him ,and when it gathered enough light , confirmed it was the one. We watched the buck go into some trees and to our amazement bedded at 6:30AM.

 

We formulated a plan and by 7:00 I was on my way over to set up for a shot. I got to a spot where the wind would be good and I would have shooting opportunities of 450 to 500 yds. Shooting a 300 Win Mag which has been shot out to a 1000yds with amazing accuracy. So I was comfortable.

 

I say comfortable, I guess that's relative. After I had been there for an hour I decided to do an inventory of my pack. I found I had no water and several packages of granola bars for food. Dry granola for the long run is not the best.

 

Several times during the day Dusty would give me a radio check and tell me things like "he got up and turned around and laid back down" or "he got up and moved to the next tree". It was a long day.

 

After the sun went down I finally saw him come out walking directly towards me. He turned broadside and I checked the range at 480 yards. A final adjustment on the reticule and I was ready.

 

When I shot I got back in the scope and didn't see him. Dusty radioed and said I hit him and he walked behind the tree we had been using as a landmark throughout the day.

 

Light was fading so I took off to look for blood. When I got to where I could see the tree he busted out. I had just enough time to go to the tree and with my flashlight found blood.

 

I made it down with a light and not knowing what kind of hit I had decided to get on the blood trail in the morning. Found him within 100 yds.

 

Had him boned out and ready to pack by 9:00.

 

I have several nice to great coues but this was my first really good mule deer. Gross scored with a little trash at 181" w/ a 27" inside spread. Couldn't be happier.

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Really great buck and good recap of your hunt. Congratulations on your first big mulie!

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Real nice Buck! Congrats.

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Great buck! Congrats!

 

In that first picture, is your buck bedded somewhere you can point out?

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Great buck! Congrats!

In that first picture, is your buck bedded somewhere you can point out?

He is back in this area.

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Cool. Always like to see the perspective from the shooters point of view. Thanks for sharing.

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