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fletch
Guest
Any word from Garrett or his Dad?
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Bearhunter
Guest
I was wondering the same thing, hopeing that they killed that whopper they are looking for. Come on Garrett your killing us...... Lets here the storys
M
Muleyslyr
Guest
December 31st.
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LEMONDOG
Guest
Where the heck is he???? Can't stand the suspense. They have the whole place to themselves and I bet no-one knows the area there hunting better!
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
Garrett and Mike are busy; don't bother them. They have reported seeing some good bucks but Mike has not pulled the trigger yet. His trigger finger must be getting pretty itchy. Don't worry, Garrett won't let him settle for anyting but a Monster Muley. Mike has taken some really great bucks in past years.
M
muleracks2
Guest
Come on Garrett. You and your Dad can't be spending all of your time on the buck's trail. Let us know how it is going. Look at the calendar; its about time to squeeze off a round. Take an old dry doe and leave the buck for me in 07.
ridgerunner
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,957
Where's the buck? Or at least some play by play action of how things are going over there, time is running out......
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Bearhunter
Guest
Im guessing that if they have time to be on the computer, they might as well be out hunting. Hopefully they connect soon, I cant wait to here the story.
B
boneaddict
Guest
It gets dark pretty early around here, there should be some time for some computer action.......I hope we aren't talking tag soup. There should be some dandy bucks down with this last big snow dump.
M
Muleyslyr
Guest
Was it last year or the year before they waited until the Dec. 30th and ended up with a big ol' nasty buck. Don't know if I would have the knads to wait that long. Hope they end up with something. At least pics......
M
Mule_Deer_Crazy
Guest
It was the year before last! And it wasn't that I had the "knads" to hold out that long, I was pretty sure I'd screwed up a gimme on a solid 180 buck by looking for one a little bigger, but...? I guess it ain't over til it's over!
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
Back to Garrett's effort to guide his Dad to a monster Raffle buck. They are still working at it. There just aren't that many 180+ bucks out there this season. We suspect that the normal winter of 05-06 did not leave the bucks with extra reserves to put into massive antler growth. The buck to doe ratio is great 39 to 100 does and nearly 50% of the bucks are mature (Chelan County) but the antler growth may be down a little. Good Luck Mike; three more days.
S
Shane
Guest
Hey Dale,
Did you get those numbers from Beau? Just curious. I was wondering if he has categorized the deer yet. Probably figured he should before they start dropping.
Shane
Did you get those numbers from Beau? Just curious. I was wondering if he has categorized the deer yet. Probably figured he should before they start dropping.
Shane
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WAmuleyHunter
Guest
Hey boys!!!! Haha, here i am. and well.......no buck yet!! to be honest, the hunting is not that good at all!!! can i say to much snow??? i have hunted everyday of december and well i saw bigger bucks the first week, than we are now.
so i will give ya a little update.
First week of december, with all the archery guys out and about we saw bigger bucks, we had gotten that big snow and they started to move, that bunch that had moved down to their mid range wintering area a lot of those came on over, to well the east side of mud, and on over to oklahoma and that area. lots of nice big 3's and 2 points! and some nice fours, all in that 22 to 24 range, with a lot, alot smaller. And then that next week, we kind of let it calm down in a couple areas, after the archery guys, and looked at some other places. No dice.
Around the 13 or so we went back up to a "honey" hole, no body had been, and there he was, right there, on the ridge, and gorgeous 26 inch buck, pretty tall, good forks, and mass, we figure right around 180!!! yes finally they are starting to show.... well so we thought
he is still to today the 2nd or 3rd biggest buck we have seen. Not good at all. But we thought alright 3 weeks to go,and if it stays like this so we can get around, and the deer slowly come in, we will be set.
We hunt, dad and me, or im up there by myself, or me and a buddy looking, like i said everyday, same areas, making sure we dont miss a thing. So then here comes the snow!!! and more snow and more snow. Deer start coming out of everywhere, but they are really spooky, staying up high on ridges in chest deep snow. But still now monsters, lots of 4x4s but either big big backs and little crab claw fronts, or vice versa. Also have seen a couple 3's that would go 28 inches with big long tines!! really cool to see.
Also lots of big big 2 points i have pictures of one that is over 30 inches for sure. and YES i will post, but after the hunt.
The end of that 3rd week, its snowmobile only. Sam in the area where we hunted and you took yours. 3 1/2 to 4 feet of snow there!! well we hunted that all day, made the loop. and bamn right bright and early, gorgeous 24 inch 4x4 with really tall horns. perfect we think... again all by himself, chest deep snow. out in the open. We keep going, and all we see for 4 hrs, just tiny little 2 1/2 3 year old deer. wouldnt shoot any of these deer with a regular late tag.
then we come around the corner and bam up in the black timber, a giant giant buck!! oh wait... no dad. no tag, no gun. so after about an hour or a little more, we meet him, get him on a sled. and get back up there. Well almost dark, in the worst place in the world. You guys no the entiat. 3 feet plus of snow, he is way up on the ridge, we try to get to him, no dice, we back out going for him the next morning. 12 more inches of snow, all fogged out. No deer.
See how this hunt is going?? haha its getting very very devasting. oh this buck would gross in the upper 190's typical. yes i know thats really big, but i havent seen one like this in washington for a while.
Again then we hit all the lower stuff, the breaks, trying to find if these bucks are all down, cause all signs, and trails, and the amount of snow and how few deer we are seeing up "high" should mean they are down. Well there is hunreds of does, bucks, and stuff. but no big boys, and none of the ones we had been seeing. How and also after those big snows, deer were piling out. groups of 20, 30 all in a line, with always a buck. but never the big one. something was always just not right.
So really here we are, we have checked all of our orchards, we have hunted the mission, swakane and mostly the entiat. today we saw a buck that would go 170 ish maybe a little more. that is the biggest complete buck we have seen for about a week and a half. Also do have one big whitey picked out if things to pick up haha.
Talked with the mule deer counters, bio's, locals, and the Gov tag guys crew. Pretty much seeing the same things, and seeing the same problem.
But do not worry, we are not done, we set our bar, we are still optimistic, and now you cant shoot the big one if you already tagged the little one. But this hunt is by no means the way we thought it was. And also we are very very concerned about our mule deer herd in the state it is in now, considering trophy quality. There are plenty of deer, just not quality. And they deer are already showing signs of stress with all the snow.
Oh and another worrysome thing, they are already shedding their antlers!!! No good. and not good if the shed hunters are going to be out earlier looking and pushing deer.
So thats my update. its really long, but you guys deserve it. hopefully by sunday i will have some pictures of a gorgeous deer. And some more stories.
Thank you guys for caring and all of you that have helped. And hey if one of you guys see's a monster... get a hold of me plese!!!
happy holidays!!
Garrett
so i will give ya a little update.
First week of december, with all the archery guys out and about we saw bigger bucks, we had gotten that big snow and they started to move, that bunch that had moved down to their mid range wintering area a lot of those came on over, to well the east side of mud, and on over to oklahoma and that area. lots of nice big 3's and 2 points! and some nice fours, all in that 22 to 24 range, with a lot, alot smaller. And then that next week, we kind of let it calm down in a couple areas, after the archery guys, and looked at some other places. No dice.
Around the 13 or so we went back up to a "honey" hole, no body had been, and there he was, right there, on the ridge, and gorgeous 26 inch buck, pretty tall, good forks, and mass, we figure right around 180!!! yes finally they are starting to show.... well so we thought
he is still to today the 2nd or 3rd biggest buck we have seen. Not good at all. But we thought alright 3 weeks to go,and if it stays like this so we can get around, and the deer slowly come in, we will be set.
We hunt, dad and me, or im up there by myself, or me and a buddy looking, like i said everyday, same areas, making sure we dont miss a thing. So then here comes the snow!!! and more snow and more snow. Deer start coming out of everywhere, but they are really spooky, staying up high on ridges in chest deep snow. But still now monsters, lots of 4x4s but either big big backs and little crab claw fronts, or vice versa. Also have seen a couple 3's that would go 28 inches with big long tines!! really cool to see.
Also lots of big big 2 points i have pictures of one that is over 30 inches for sure. and YES i will post, but after the hunt.
The end of that 3rd week, its snowmobile only. Sam in the area where we hunted and you took yours. 3 1/2 to 4 feet of snow there!! well we hunted that all day, made the loop. and bamn right bright and early, gorgeous 24 inch 4x4 with really tall horns. perfect we think... again all by himself, chest deep snow. out in the open. We keep going, and all we see for 4 hrs, just tiny little 2 1/2 3 year old deer. wouldnt shoot any of these deer with a regular late tag.
then we come around the corner and bam up in the black timber, a giant giant buck!! oh wait... no dad. no tag, no gun. so after about an hour or a little more, we meet him, get him on a sled. and get back up there. Well almost dark, in the worst place in the world. You guys no the entiat. 3 feet plus of snow, he is way up on the ridge, we try to get to him, no dice, we back out going for him the next morning. 12 more inches of snow, all fogged out. No deer.
See how this hunt is going?? haha its getting very very devasting. oh this buck would gross in the upper 190's typical. yes i know thats really big, but i havent seen one like this in washington for a while.
Again then we hit all the lower stuff, the breaks, trying to find if these bucks are all down, cause all signs, and trails, and the amount of snow and how few deer we are seeing up "high" should mean they are down. Well there is hunreds of does, bucks, and stuff. but no big boys, and none of the ones we had been seeing. How and also after those big snows, deer were piling out. groups of 20, 30 all in a line, with always a buck. but never the big one. something was always just not right.
So really here we are, we have checked all of our orchards, we have hunted the mission, swakane and mostly the entiat. today we saw a buck that would go 170 ish maybe a little more. that is the biggest complete buck we have seen for about a week and a half. Also do have one big whitey picked out if things to pick up haha.
Talked with the mule deer counters, bio's, locals, and the Gov tag guys crew. Pretty much seeing the same things, and seeing the same problem.
But do not worry, we are not done, we set our bar, we are still optimistic, and now you cant shoot the big one if you already tagged the little one. But this hunt is by no means the way we thought it was. And also we are very very concerned about our mule deer herd in the state it is in now, considering trophy quality. There are plenty of deer, just not quality. And they deer are already showing signs of stress with all the snow.
Oh and another worrysome thing, they are already shedding their antlers!!! No good. and not good if the shed hunters are going to be out earlier looking and pushing deer.
So thats my update. its really long, but you guys deserve it. hopefully by sunday i will have some pictures of a gorgeous deer. And some more stories.
Thank you guys for caring and all of you that have helped. And hey if one of you guys see's a monster... get a hold of me plese!!!
happy holidays!!
Garrett
W
WAmuleyHunter
Guest
He is still hunting as well. he is going to the bitter end also!! He is the gentleman that took the really nice big buck a few years ago up there. there is a picture at it in the coopers store, 2003 i believe. it goes right around 200 inches.
And it is a blast. Dad and I are having a ball for the most part. Once in a life time!!!
And it is a blast. Dad and I are having a ball for the most part. Once in a life time!!!
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
Hello Shane, The source was wdfw biologist Beau Patterson. Their composition survey is not completed yet. The most recent numbers are actually 32 bucks to 100 and 59% of the bucks are identified as "adults". They are still collecting data.
ridgerunner
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,957
Thanks for the update, best of luck, still 3 more days to go! Can't wait to see the pics.....
H
hopefulhunter
Guest
Thanks for the update and i wish u all the luck in the next couple days!
Good luck man! Wish I could get out there to help but I'm snowmobile-less... haha
Oh ya BTW, IcicleOutfitters, I sent you a PM and an Email. Hope you recieved them.
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
Oh ya BTW, IcicleOutfitters, I sent you a PM and an Email. Hope you recieved them.
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
S
Shane
Guest
I was wondering how Jim Cook was doing with the governors tag. He paid 14 or 14,500 for the tag at the WAFNAWS convention last year. Would be ugly to eat that tag but he doesn't seem to mind. How many guys does he have helping him? I talked to him last year and he said the Pearrygin was just as good or better really late if we had a lot of snow so I would imagine he is spending some time up there also. I think he has guys in the field looking every day in multiple spots for him. I would like to retire to 3 months of hunting also. I am jealous. Well good luck on your remaining days.
Shane
Shane
S
slider
Guest
NEVER give up!!! Hope you find what you are looking for!!! I hope I never draw that tag. It's to much pressure. You should enjoy the hunt and not have to worry about how big of a Buck you get!!!I would hold out to the bitter end and have a blast doing it!!! Good Luck
M
Muleyslyr
Guest
Mule_Deer_Crazy.....it definately worked out well for ya in the end though. That was a great buck! Have you ever posted any pics of the mount yet? Assuming you got it mounted and it's back.
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boneaddict
Guest
Good luck Garrett! I wish I had some time to help you out. This has just been a bad year, and this IS a bad year to have THAT tag. Good job for making the best of it.
M
Mule_Deer_Crazy
Guest
No I never posted any mount photos, figured the field shots would be more interesting? The really bad thing about that tag is you're completely at the mercy of Mother Nature! The year I had the tag there was no snow and it was tough, this year there's too much and it's tough - go figure! It was intersting that I killed my buck in about 4 inches of snow on the 30th and Garret said there's almost 4 feet right now where I shot mine.
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
Sam, That was a great buck; 32" non-typical like that don't come along every day. Sam Kolb's buck was also a great buck taken with the Raffle Permit on the 29th of December; also a great typical. We hope that Mike has simialar luck at the end of the season. We don't expect it to come from as high on Steliko as you were but lower Morical Canyon or the Columbia Breaks are a good bet. We are looking forward to seeing what Mike and Garrett post in the next couple days. The thrill of the hunt should be their reward but I know they are really hoping to make the "book".
M
MrClyde
Guest
Hope things turn for the better for you guys. The effort that you and your dad will pay off in the end. Hope to see a pig down real soon. You got us all biting our nails!!!
Clyde
Clyde
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Triple_Shock
Guest
good luck man, be safe on those nasty roads up there! btw, im headin out to the desert unit in the mornin to do some yote huntin' if i see a hog i'll tie em down for ya!
C
crabcreekhunter
Guest
Hope the last couple of days will turn up a dandy. I can't imagine the pressure there is right now, but I know how fun it is being able to hunt with your dad. good luck to you for the last couple days.
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boneaddict
Guest
GET HER DONE today boys, the clocks tickin' and the ball is about to drop. GOOD LUCK!
Just got back from Chelan lastnight. We saw lots of deer and some decent bucks but nothing huge. The bad news is the snow is really deep in areas where the deer winter hopefully it warms up and melts soon. If this is the beginning of winter and it doesn't let up we are going to have a huge winter kill. I also found a fresh shed with blood on it and saw another 4 point missing his left side. It seems way to soon for the deer to start shedding unless the weather is stressing them so they are shedding early? I guess global warming is only happening in the Arctic cause it's darn cold in eastern Washington.
L
LEMONDOG
Guest
Today is the day! I hope you all enjoyed the hunt reguardless of how it comes out. It is really hard to kill a 190"+ buck no matter what tag you have. We will be waiting to see how it turns out!!!
Success! I guess Garret and his Dad just got a 4x5 about 3 miles from my house about an hour ago! Actually if the info I got is correct, the buck was shot on my buddies uncle's property. He was running with a 30" 4x4 with a drop tine and is supposedly around 190".
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
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boneaddict
Guest
Its definitely winter here. I hope the shedders contain themselves for awhile and don't get too excited with the news of early drops.
couesbitten
Active Member
- Messages
- 649
Great to hear of their success, I can't wait to see the pics. Congrats to Garret and his dad. Scott
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LEMONDOG
Guest
That would be about a perfect hunt! Can't wait for the pic's and story. Way to stick with it!
LAST EDITED ON Jan-01-07 AT 04:43PM (MST)[p]I haven't seen the buck yet, but I believe the buck ended up breaking the 200" mark... Pics!
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
W
WAmuleyHunter
Guest
Hey guys, well it went to the last day, and the last hour. But we got it done. I am a little tired today haha, i never new this tag would be this exhuasting!!!
I will post the pictures tonight or tomarrow.
And to put things to rest it wasnt with Will. And i was hoping to keep names out of the post and the exact location.
But dont worry there will be a full story. We couldnt be happier, it was an amazing experience, and was topped off with a tremendous buck of a lifetime.
The buck is 29 inches wide, heavy, deep forks with an inline. He has a main frame 197 and gross score of 203. An absolutely gorgeous animal!!
Dad and i thank everyone that helped us through out the whole hunt. And especially the last couple of days. You guys know who you are!!! Here is the night vision photo of the buck once we got off the mountain and our two "Deer Angels" we thank you for all your help!!
I will post the pictures tonight or tomarrow.
And to put things to rest it wasnt with Will. And i was hoping to keep names out of the post and the exact location.
But dont worry there will be a full story. We couldnt be happier, it was an amazing experience, and was topped off with a tremendous buck of a lifetime.
The buck is 29 inches wide, heavy, deep forks with an inline. He has a main frame 197 and gross score of 203. An absolutely gorgeous animal!!
Dad and i thank everyone that helped us through out the whole hunt. And especially the last couple of days. You guys know who you are!!! Here is the night vision photo of the buck once we got off the mountain and our two "Deer Angels" we thank you for all your help!!
LAST EDITED ON Jan-01-07 AT 04:44PM (MST)[p]Great deer man, congrats, though my buddies were hoping to grab those sheds this year!
And I know that man on the right, my Dad has worked with him and he's shot some GREAT deer too. He also scored my Bear Skull for me.
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
And I know that man on the right, my Dad has worked with him and he's shot some GREAT deer too. He also scored my Bear Skull for me.
Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces
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HC
Guest
Good God! Congratulations! Way to be persistant. You guys are my new hero's!
Mike
Mike
M
missinMT
Guest
Absolutely a smoker buck. Major kudos for sticking with it and taking such a marvelous buck. It was cool to go along for the ride.
L
LEMONDOG
Guest
Unbelivable! I wish I could have come over and helped. That is one dang nice buck.....anywhere! Can't wait to hear the story. Way to go guys! And my hats off to all you fellas that helped them.
B
boneaddict
Guest
INCREDIBLE buck Garrett! Incredible buck anywhere, but especially Washington. Way to do the tag justice. Kudos to your Dad and you. EXCELLENT!
W
wabuckmaster
Guest
What a buck of a lifetime. Good luck beating that one in Wa. Couldnt wait to see what you guys would come up with. Its nice to see Wa. Still has bucks like this around. congats.
ridgerunner
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,957
Beautiful buck, glad to see that it all worked out in the end......what a dandy........
S
slider
Guest
WOW SUPER BUCK!!!Lets Get him on the MM home page!!! Congrats!!! Good Luck
M
MrClyde
Guest
Many congrats to your father Garrett on a smoker buck for sure!! Thanks for the ride and can't wait to hear details!!
Clyde
Clyde
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boneaddict
Guest
NICE...did I say that already.....welll I just looked again, NICE! Talk about down to the wire. One more time. CONGRATS!
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wamuledeer
Guest
Congrats to you and your Dad on the awesome buck and the experience you've had. This is one well deserved buck.
F
fletch
Guest
Very Nice...Great Buck...Great Story...Congrats on a fun year!
H
Hornseeker
Guest
Wow...you got the most of that tag! I think we all know who we'll be calling if we ever pull it!
Congrats,
HS
Congrats,
HS
Tuffbucker
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,036
Wow! Awesome buck and awesome story! Congrats to you and your dad!
M
Muleyslyr
Guest
Incredible!! So glad your Dad ended up with a buck like that. You guys without a doubt deserve it. Thanks for keepin' us updated and taking the pictures. I definately look forward to seeing more. Congratulations!!
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
CONGRATULATIONS and thanks for posting these great photos. Hope you and your Dad enjoyed the long chase as well as finally bagging the trophy.
W
widetrackjack
Guest
Awesome buck! Thats a toad!
M
muleracks2
Guest
What a season; You made the 06 Hunting Pamphlet with your Swakane buck, to a great Opening Day buck and then your Dad's hunt. You made your Dad work for this one. Must be as sweet as that Boise State last second win yesterday. Cheers to a wonderful 2006 and the 07 to come.
B
Bearhunter
Guest
Garrett,
I knew you and your dad would pull through and finishing the season off with a bang. The last evening and last hour is oh so bitter sweet, it makes the hole hunt all that much more earned and memorable. A huge congrats to you and your father and will be looking forward to seeing you guys mug shots in next years hunting pamphlet again, way to go. Now its a long long wait until next year but never to early to start planning and honing geark, awesome story.
James
I knew you and your dad would pull through and finishing the season off with a bang. The last evening and last hour is oh so bitter sweet, it makes the hole hunt all that much more earned and memorable. A huge congrats to you and your father and will be looking forward to seeing you guys mug shots in next years hunting pamphlet again, way to go. Now its a long long wait until next year but never to early to start planning and honing geark, awesome story.
James
W
WAmuleyHunter
Guest
Alright guys, im back, and ready to start telling the story!! There isnt much left to tell from my post about the hunt about a week ago to the little tid bit i said earlier.
Dad and I hunted parts of november...(inbetween our Montana trips) and all of December. I looked/scouted/hunted everyday of December. no joke. We hunted in all various ways, hiking, driving, snowmobiles.
My eye balls still hurt from all the glassing!!! haha. I definitly have a greater apprecation for these animals, i didnt think it could get much higher, but it has. From being able to hunt the full migration, in adverse weather conditions down the back stretch from the rut to post rut, i definitly feel like i am one with these herd of animals. Especially after seeing a lot of the deer several times... I am sure they are glad i am not sitting there staring at them anymore also!! We started out the end of november and early december on cloud nine, with all the deer that we saw and nice bucks, the biggest being a low 180's gross 4x4. Lots of smaller bucks, and a few big 2 points and 3x3's Then we got the snow.... and more snow.... a big wave of deer came down, during this time middle on december on a couple days, we saw strings of muleys coming out, fawns, does and smaller bucks, with usually a decent buck. But nothing monsterous. For a couple days, there were deer moving in the night and day. But this year they didnt stop for long, they kept on going and going. a herd would clear a drainage in be in the next in a matter of minutes sometimes, and would rarely be there longer than a day or two. During this time we had a few 22-24 inche 4x4's spotted, with one being extremely tall and heavy with big forks, high 170's low 180's deer. Also had a monster old timer 3x4 spotted, but never saw again. Then we got the big snow. No more driving anywhere, not even with chains. So we tryed rounding up some snowmobiles to get around. So dad and i checked the lower stuff for about 4 days or so straight, around the our orchards, and others, the breaks on the columbia and entiat. chased a few rumors, and sightings of the "big one". During this time found a couple decent deer, but the only one to stand out was a monster old 2 points, and a gorgeous whitetail.
so a buddy and i went up high on snowmobiles. 3 1/2 to 4 feet of snow. And this is the prime wintering area, not suppose to be this much snow here. found around 60 deer up there, with a nice tall four and then a big boy. The big boy was a shooter, but didnt have a shooter with us, and by the time we got dad out of work and up there on the sleds, the buck had moved high and in the dark stuff. not much us little two legged boys could do. Never saw him again. Now the rest of the days we kept getting more and more depressed, less deer, small bucks, no new ones, the other hunter not having an success, or seeing anything over 185. So now we are almost in the last minute what are we going to do. Find one around the orchards, go home with tag soup....
Well we get a call from a "deer angel" Things get setup over night and we are meeting the next morning to take a look at "the" buck. On the last moring after a couple hours of glassing he finally shows himself, just the frame in the bitterbrush. a sneaky old buck for sure. We watch him for an hour to see where he is going to move to. He gets up but doesnt do much. We make the decision to go get some lunch and meet back a little later to make a move. So we get back there and spend an hour trying to find him again. And we do, well he moved higher. So we get up and make a plan. Dad and I hike across a couple finger ridges to get to a main ridge. taking our time, trying to keep the ole man calm and not to get "buck fever". its around 345 or so now. time to make the last move and see what we got. so i crawl in the snow behind some brush on the ridge.... can see him, see some deer but not him. i get back off the ridge and tell dad i cant see him. I get back up there and nothing... crap where did this guy go!!! i roll on my side and the OH MY GOD must have been mouthed on my lips. Dad said...DO ya see him!!! and i said shut up and get your ##### ready!!! haha, i throw my pack in the snow, for a rest and tell him you got 20 seconds from start to finish to make it happen or he is gonna bust. 1 breath 1 shot. so he crawls up lays the 270 wby mag down on the pack. and sure enough, BANG!!! a solid hit!! he runs just a bit and we find him in the little ravine!! To find out later the bullet went right through the middle of the heart!! The whole time hiking over to find the down deer, dad is stumbling, smiling, sweating, falling... i stop and go,, hey man, you got to pull it together, the fun is just begining!!! haha, so after a shake, and high fives. we pay the respects to the magnificant animal, and take care of business with the cleaning and picture taking. Then our deer angels show up on the ridge and out we go. More pictures at the truck, back at the shop, were the buck was the new years eve guest of honor i believe.
Dad and I again thank the man for the call, and all the help that day morning to night. And to his family for our intrusion. And all the other very important people that made it happen. From start to finish, this has been the best experience for Dad and I. And would have been also if we still had the tag in our pocket.....but its even more special, to have a once in a lifetime tag, and to fill it with a once in a lifetime buck!!
I hope you guys have had as much fun as we have. and thanks for all the help, and the positive minds, and for sitting here and reading all of this. And thank you for all the awesome comments so far. and i will try to comment back on them, just not in this post haha, its already a book!!!
Dad and I hunted parts of november...(inbetween our Montana trips) and all of December. I looked/scouted/hunted everyday of December. no joke. We hunted in all various ways, hiking, driving, snowmobiles.
My eye balls still hurt from all the glassing!!! haha. I definitly have a greater apprecation for these animals, i didnt think it could get much higher, but it has. From being able to hunt the full migration, in adverse weather conditions down the back stretch from the rut to post rut, i definitly feel like i am one with these herd of animals. Especially after seeing a lot of the deer several times... I am sure they are glad i am not sitting there staring at them anymore also!! We started out the end of november and early december on cloud nine, with all the deer that we saw and nice bucks, the biggest being a low 180's gross 4x4. Lots of smaller bucks, and a few big 2 points and 3x3's Then we got the snow.... and more snow.... a big wave of deer came down, during this time middle on december on a couple days, we saw strings of muleys coming out, fawns, does and smaller bucks, with usually a decent buck. But nothing monsterous. For a couple days, there were deer moving in the night and day. But this year they didnt stop for long, they kept on going and going. a herd would clear a drainage in be in the next in a matter of minutes sometimes, and would rarely be there longer than a day or two. During this time we had a few 22-24 inche 4x4's spotted, with one being extremely tall and heavy with big forks, high 170's low 180's deer. Also had a monster old timer 3x4 spotted, but never saw again. Then we got the big snow. No more driving anywhere, not even with chains. So we tryed rounding up some snowmobiles to get around. So dad and i checked the lower stuff for about 4 days or so straight, around the our orchards, and others, the breaks on the columbia and entiat. chased a few rumors, and sightings of the "big one". During this time found a couple decent deer, but the only one to stand out was a monster old 2 points, and a gorgeous whitetail.
so a buddy and i went up high on snowmobiles. 3 1/2 to 4 feet of snow. And this is the prime wintering area, not suppose to be this much snow here. found around 60 deer up there, with a nice tall four and then a big boy. The big boy was a shooter, but didnt have a shooter with us, and by the time we got dad out of work and up there on the sleds, the buck had moved high and in the dark stuff. not much us little two legged boys could do. Never saw him again. Now the rest of the days we kept getting more and more depressed, less deer, small bucks, no new ones, the other hunter not having an success, or seeing anything over 185. So now we are almost in the last minute what are we going to do. Find one around the orchards, go home with tag soup....
Well we get a call from a "deer angel" Things get setup over night and we are meeting the next morning to take a look at "the" buck. On the last moring after a couple hours of glassing he finally shows himself, just the frame in the bitterbrush. a sneaky old buck for sure. We watch him for an hour to see where he is going to move to. He gets up but doesnt do much. We make the decision to go get some lunch and meet back a little later to make a move. So we get back there and spend an hour trying to find him again. And we do, well he moved higher. So we get up and make a plan. Dad and I hike across a couple finger ridges to get to a main ridge. taking our time, trying to keep the ole man calm and not to get "buck fever". its around 345 or so now. time to make the last move and see what we got. so i crawl in the snow behind some brush on the ridge.... can see him, see some deer but not him. i get back off the ridge and tell dad i cant see him. I get back up there and nothing... crap where did this guy go!!! i roll on my side and the OH MY GOD must have been mouthed on my lips. Dad said...DO ya see him!!! and i said shut up and get your ##### ready!!! haha, i throw my pack in the snow, for a rest and tell him you got 20 seconds from start to finish to make it happen or he is gonna bust. 1 breath 1 shot. so he crawls up lays the 270 wby mag down on the pack. and sure enough, BANG!!! a solid hit!! he runs just a bit and we find him in the little ravine!! To find out later the bullet went right through the middle of the heart!! The whole time hiking over to find the down deer, dad is stumbling, smiling, sweating, falling... i stop and go,, hey man, you got to pull it together, the fun is just begining!!! haha, so after a shake, and high fives. we pay the respects to the magnificant animal, and take care of business with the cleaning and picture taking. Then our deer angels show up on the ridge and out we go. More pictures at the truck, back at the shop, were the buck was the new years eve guest of honor i believe.
Dad and I again thank the man for the call, and all the help that day morning to night. And to his family for our intrusion. And all the other very important people that made it happen. From start to finish, this has been the best experience for Dad and I. And would have been also if we still had the tag in our pocket.....but its even more special, to have a once in a lifetime tag, and to fill it with a once in a lifetime buck!!
I hope you guys have had as much fun as we have. and thanks for all the help, and the positive minds, and for sitting here and reading all of this. And thank you for all the awesome comments so far. and i will try to comment back on them, just not in this post haha, its already a book!!!
W
WAmuleyHunter
Guest
He is just under 29. he is 24 tall. have good mass, good forks. 197 main frame, and goes 203 gross. Oh and yes i got pics of the two point. i will post up some scenary pics and other stuff like that tonight maybe!! on a new thread.
Thank you guys for all the comments!!! we are so excited, and really happy you guys enjoy!!!
Garrett
Thank you guys for all the comments!!! we are so excited, and really happy you guys enjoy!!!
Garrett
M
missinMT
Guest
I will say it again, that is a smoker. Awesome photos and a great story to boot. Felt like I was there.
L
LEMONDOG
Guest
AWASOME! Garrett, I would love to chat with you when things settle down a bit.....
W
WAmuleyHunter
Guest
Oh you guys were, the whole time. and Lemon any time man.
M
muleracks2
Guest
Garrett, I hope you and your father visit the Puyallup Show in a couple weeks and enter the rack in the Big Horn competition. The Chelan bucks always walk away with nearly all of the awards. Why should this year be any different? Grab that rack back from your taxidermist.
B
Bearhunter
Guest
Are you going to submit to any magazines? Hopefully we can drool over it at the Puyallup Sportsmans show as said above. That buck would look awesome on the front of eastmans journal!!!
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
Garrett, The Washington Sportsman's Show at Puyallup is January 24-28. The Big Horns Comp. is at the Northeast corner of the fairgrounds where the outfitters' booths are located. This thing is not over until you make the shows (Evergreen at Monroe on Feb. 21-25) and get that story published.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!!
M
Muleyslyr
Guest
Hey Dale.....when I stop by your booth this time maybe you'll be there instead of out gettin' a hot dog like last year. I would like to pick your brain a little since I really didn't get the chance over there at 49er days in Winthrop.
Garrett....I want to see it at the show too!!!
I would like to pick your brain a little since I really didn't get the chance over there at 49er days in Winthrop.Garrett....I want to see it at the show too!!!
D
Dmanmastertracker
Guest
Garrett, your dad's wall has to be getting crowded, way to go. Like to see guys that work hard come away a winner. Just share some of that "tag magic" with us lowlifes huh??
-D
-D
I
Icicleoutfitters
Guest
It was good to bump into you Winthrop. I will be at Puyallup working the WA Outfitters & Guides Assoc. booth on Sunday. I will be around at Monroe as well. Hope to see you. Dale
