N
nwbucknbullchaser
Guest
Folks,
Thought I would share my success in Nevada this year. First off, a very big thanks to all the MM members who provided insight to my hunt. I really appreciate it!!!
I was very fortunate to draw a Nevada, late Muley tag this year. 1 of 2 non-resident, non-guided tags (no offense to the Outfitting/Guiding industry as I know they provide a very valuable resource to our craft, I just prefer to go it alone). Since this was the only tag I drew this year I planned on hunting it for the whole season. My goal? 180+ or burn the tag!
Not knowing the country, I made an opportunity to look it over around the first of September for a few days. Wow, this is some thick country!!!
October 22nd, arrived for the hunt and located a central area to camp. Temps were rather high and although the first couple days I was finding deer they were bedding down within the first half hour of daylight.
October 24th, checked voicemail on my way to look over a different area (how there was cell coverage way out there is beyond me but I promised I'd try to check in once in awhile). Unfortunately, I discovered my father went into the hospital for emergency surgery. Long story short, he made it through but just barely. Kinda throws your mindset all outta whack any day, let alone on a hunt. Anyhow, after being assured there was no reason to pull camp and beat feet, I settled back into locating does thinking a big buck would surely have to show sooner or later.
October 25th, located some does on the edge of a burn and found that a 4x4 had joined the group. Thought, hmmm... maybe the ruts starting to kick in (right side of first photo. The buck on the left was not there or I didn't see him that particular morning). I apologize for the photos, as I was hand holding the digital camera taking pictures thru the spotting scope, both at max zoom.
October 26th, looked a different area over and located a few smaller bucks but nothing worth chasing.
October 27th, went back to check on the group and discovered the buck on the left joined them. Problem was he never would give a good straight on view to judge him with. I knew his G3 was short but I thought it kind of gave him some character.
Now, I know they always look big going away but this kinda got me thinking he might be my shooter.... glassed him for maybe 10 minutes as they were making there way back to their beds.
Looking this bedding area over I could not figure out how I was going to get close enough for a fair shot given the dry conditions, wind direction, lay of the land, etc. Keep in mind there were 16 does in this group which is ALOT of eyes, ears and noses to contend with. So I thought rather than risk blowing them out, as I have plenty more days to get this job done, I'll just come back in the afternoon and see what happens. Well, I came back about 1:00 and set up for some glassing. Around 3:00 the does started to come out and about 4:30 the two bucks decided to show. The larger buck fortunately decided to feed down towards me off the side of a finger ridge and I told myself either now or never. Make your move!!! Backed down off the saddle and over into the draw. Worked my way up the side... wind was good as long as there weren't any does hiding in the bottom to bust me... wupps.... five does on top... drop off a little and just go right at him... drop the pack real easy... slide up to that burnt tree... good rest... maybe 200 yards... soon as he clears that burnt tree.... boom, down he goes.......
Well after all the does scattered and staying on him for a minute or so I hustled over to him. As light was fading fast it was a bit of a scramble to punch the tag, take a few pics/vids (barely got that done as the battery on my camera ran out). Needless to say I was finishing up dressing him out with the headlamp on.
Did I settle? Maybe, but I felt this deer was close to my goal and felt honored to have an opportunity to kill him.
Another big thanks to the NDOW for the opportunity. You truly have an awesome resource!!!
Life is short. Enjoy it the best you can.
Thanks for letting me share.
Todd
Thought I would share my success in Nevada this year. First off, a very big thanks to all the MM members who provided insight to my hunt. I really appreciate it!!!
I was very fortunate to draw a Nevada, late Muley tag this year. 1 of 2 non-resident, non-guided tags (no offense to the Outfitting/Guiding industry as I know they provide a very valuable resource to our craft, I just prefer to go it alone). Since this was the only tag I drew this year I planned on hunting it for the whole season. My goal? 180+ or burn the tag!
Not knowing the country, I made an opportunity to look it over around the first of September for a few days. Wow, this is some thick country!!!
October 22nd, arrived for the hunt and located a central area to camp. Temps were rather high and although the first couple days I was finding deer they were bedding down within the first half hour of daylight.
October 24th, checked voicemail on my way to look over a different area (how there was cell coverage way out there is beyond me but I promised I'd try to check in once in awhile). Unfortunately, I discovered my father went into the hospital for emergency surgery. Long story short, he made it through but just barely. Kinda throws your mindset all outta whack any day, let alone on a hunt. Anyhow, after being assured there was no reason to pull camp and beat feet, I settled back into locating does thinking a big buck would surely have to show sooner or later.
October 25th, located some does on the edge of a burn and found that a 4x4 had joined the group. Thought, hmmm... maybe the ruts starting to kick in (right side of first photo. The buck on the left was not there or I didn't see him that particular morning). I apologize for the photos, as I was hand holding the digital camera taking pictures thru the spotting scope, both at max zoom.
October 26th, looked a different area over and located a few smaller bucks but nothing worth chasing.
October 27th, went back to check on the group and discovered the buck on the left joined them. Problem was he never would give a good straight on view to judge him with. I knew his G3 was short but I thought it kind of gave him some character.
Now, I know they always look big going away but this kinda got me thinking he might be my shooter.... glassed him for maybe 10 minutes as they were making there way back to their beds.
Looking this bedding area over I could not figure out how I was going to get close enough for a fair shot given the dry conditions, wind direction, lay of the land, etc. Keep in mind there were 16 does in this group which is ALOT of eyes, ears and noses to contend with. So I thought rather than risk blowing them out, as I have plenty more days to get this job done, I'll just come back in the afternoon and see what happens. Well, I came back about 1:00 and set up for some glassing. Around 3:00 the does started to come out and about 4:30 the two bucks decided to show. The larger buck fortunately decided to feed down towards me off the side of a finger ridge and I told myself either now or never. Make your move!!! Backed down off the saddle and over into the draw. Worked my way up the side... wind was good as long as there weren't any does hiding in the bottom to bust me... wupps.... five does on top... drop off a little and just go right at him... drop the pack real easy... slide up to that burnt tree... good rest... maybe 200 yards... soon as he clears that burnt tree.... boom, down he goes.......
Well after all the does scattered and staying on him for a minute or so I hustled over to him. As light was fading fast it was a bit of a scramble to punch the tag, take a few pics/vids (barely got that done as the battery on my camera ran out). Needless to say I was finishing up dressing him out with the headlamp on.
Did I settle? Maybe, but I felt this deer was close to my goal and felt honored to have an opportunity to kill him.
Another big thanks to the NDOW for the opportunity. You truly have an awesome resource!!!
Life is short. Enjoy it the best you can.
Thanks for letting me share.
Todd
