Rifle Gallery
Patrick Benitez 2007
Nov 9, 2007
Unit 36B, AZ
This is Patrick’s first buck and his Dad is very proud! Here is what his father said about the hunt:
On the first day of the hunt we encountered 3 bucks spotting them over 800 yards away up a long canyon. My brother later had spooked the deer out of the canyon in which the deer headed in our direction. Thinking that they could eventually get in range, I watched how they used the trees to conceal there movement and watched them scan the area before heading into any openings. Once they were in the canyon before me I waited for the deer to appear through the oaks which would put them within 200 yards and trying to keeps the 2 boys still I waited but nothing happened. Thinking the deer stopped in the trees I scanned the area that I last saw them enter and there I spotted a buck watching us intently in the grass lying down and looking at the size of the deer I knew this was an opportunity for my son Patrick who is 12. I ranged the distance at 360 yards and looking through the spotting scope I saw he was quartering towards us. I helped Patrick spot the buck and he soon settled in lying on a good steady rest. I guided him on how to place the bullet as all he could see was the head. I waited watching through the spotting scope and I saw the bullet strike the chest. The deer quickly left my field of view and I went to my binoculars picking up another buck leaving the area and soon saw the buck rolling down the hill. Patrick was confident he hit it as he came up questioning where the buck was and I was proud as ever as my 12 year old had got his first deer.
