rogeti Report post Posted January 4, 2013 With nursing school in full swing and unable to take any time away from it, I was only able to put in for December hunts. I have been wanting to take a deer with a muzzleloader. My dad is my hunting partner so he put in with me. I wanted to try and get a nice mule deer. I have taken a couple of nice Coues deer but not a mule deer. We waited for the first weekend to get over before we moved in and stayed for 4 days. In those 4 days we only saw Mule deer and whitetail does. There was a small 4x3 mule deer buck that was in full rut, but he just wasn't what we were looking for. He kept tempting me though. My dad left early due to the storms that were hitting one after another. I saw a couple of small mule bucks the last day I was there. I went back the day after Christmas and made it out there late that afternoon due to working all Christmas night and then blowing a tire on the way down. That evening only resulted in some javelina. That night I had a couple of friends come down and my brother show up to help me hunt for a day or two until my dad to come back down. That morning we left camp and headed for a place that was holding a nice mule deer buck. On the way we saw a nice 4x4 mule deer buck that was hanging out in a no hunting area. We showed up to the spot only to find 2 pickups parked glassing the area. After a bit they left and we decided to walk into the areas that couldn't be seen from the road. We quickly found the herd of mule deer. There were around 12 does and the buck. He was a nice 3x4. I decided that he was the one I was going to take. We made our way to 120 yards, then we were busted by 1 doe that just would not let us go, in which kept the buck up with her. Finally he made his way to us and presented me a shot. I took a deep breath in and was about to let it out and a doe turned in the way. They stood like this for maybe a minute, then it was all over they all busted us and were off. They ran over the top of the ridge with us following. Before we got to the top my brother says to me " Be ready they will be standing 20 yards over the top of the ridge", with that we topped over and there they were standing a group. I could see the antlers of the buck just couldn't tell which deer they belonged to. They began to run again and made their way down the ridge. They split up and the does went out into the grassy valley and they buck went off the end of the ridge. We knew the buck wouldn't stay away from them. We went up onto the ridge he crossed onto and I began walking up the ridge hoping to catch him crossing back over to the does. I walked a couple hundred yards and came around a tree and there he was 50 yards broad side walking. I pulled my gun up and was shaking pretty bad a shot. He turned and went back into the trees. I reload fast but unable to get the primer out. There is standing at 60 yards now watching me and I work to get the primer out. He eventually runs off and with no harm done. I had missed!!!!!! No blood or anything. I finally get the primer free and head back to the truck. There was my chance for a mule deer. We went back to camp, then out to a spot and we only saw a few whitetail does. Same story for the next morning as well only see mule deer does with no bucks though. Back to camp at noon. I waited there alone until my dad got there at 3. We set up his camp trailer and were headed back out at 430 or so. We only had a couple of hours so we were gonna go look for a place to go in the morning. Now here comes the story of the deer and how it happens for me every year. It never happens the "RIGHT" way, and by that I mean walking and glassing for miles and hours. I walked 25 miles last year hunting mule deer in Unit 27. My dad wanted to go down by the border and see what it was like. So I took him down to the border and we saw an area that looked like it had whitetail in it. We wanted to see how to get there and so we followed the border fence. Along the way we saw a truck backed up to the border fence loading what appeared to be wood. we watched them for a bit then headed on our way. We followed the road until it dead ended. We turned around and headed back to camp so we could finish setting up. We were about 300 yards north of the border and about 100 yards from where we stopped to watch the guys in Mexico. I looked up and standing under an oak tree was this buck. I told my dad "Deer. Buck. BIG buck." I ranged him and he was at 184 yards. I got a rest on a branch but I just couldn't get steady. After about 3-4 min, and my dad telling me to hurry and shoot before he runs, he took a small step and i felt ready and shot. He reared up and then took off into a few big oak trees. We watched for a bit then there was movement of him rolling out of the trees down the hill. I reloaded and made my way up to him not knowing exactly how big he was. I had him scored and he is 115 1/2". Now the fun part begins.... taxidermy!! I now have him and my sisters buck to work on in class. I had a great time this hunt and am still waiting for my Mule deer. I also learned a valuable lesson in life as well....... ENTER the local big buck contest!!!!!!! Missed my chance on a new rifle!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaffer62 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Wow! Great buck!! Congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sundevils79 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Didn't even mention the gun you used......THE DEER KILLER!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Awesome read and super sweet buck! Congratulations big time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Man what a STUD!!! Congrats on another nice buck!!! Too bad your doing your own taxidermy!!! HAHA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Great buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHALE Report post Posted January 5, 2013 Great looking buck congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 5, 2013 Fantastic buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted January 5, 2013 you paid your dues and were given a chance, all we can ask for as hunters. Nice buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted January 5, 2013 That is a superb buck. WAy to get it done with Dad in camp with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted January 5, 2013 Congratulations on a great buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhornhunter Report post Posted January 5, 2013 Wow what's a nice looking buck. Nothing like have your father there when you knock something down. Congratulations Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted January 5, 2013 That is a stud of a buck! Great job Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randyolson Report post Posted January 7, 2013 That's a great buck! Congratulations! What a story thanks! Good luck on nursing school. My daughter just finished nursing school at GCU. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
out2hunt Report post Posted November 11, 2013 Congrats on a goregous Buck! He will look great on the wall Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
