Dad Got A Big Buck!!! (Pics & Video!)

[Founder]

Luck shined on us again!!!! This time dad was packing the rifle. It was a tough hunt, not many deer, only one taker buck seen, and like everywhere I go, LOTS OF HUNTERS!

Anyway, we hunted hard and on Thursday evening I found this bad boy. On Friday morning, dad let lead fly....ended up being lots of lead! After 3 shots, the buck disappeared into the timber. We found small amounts of blood within 40 yards of where he was shot, but then the blood was no more. We tracked the buck for about 3/4 a mile and dad decided that no way the buck was hurt bad enough for us to catch him. I didn't agree and decided to stay on the tracks for a while and see what it turned up. Dad and I split up and I followed the tracks straight down off the mountain. After another 1/2 mile of so, I found blood and called dad on the radio and told him to sit tight.

I continued down the mountain where I continued finding more blood, so back up the mountain I went to get dad. Then, back down we went following the buck. After another mile or so track, we caught up to the buck and finished him off.

It was quite the days adventure!!!!!!! Watch the video clip folks. Here it is:
http://www.monsterhuntclips.com/view_video.php?viewkey=eee1462c82c6964087ff

My son, Devan, and step brother, Troy, were also along on the hunt. After 8 days of hard searching, we were VERY thrilled to have gotten this big ole' buck for dad (Grandpa). It is his 2nd biggest buck ever.

The photos don't do the buck justice.....IT'S A STUD!!!! Heavy, and long, dark....awesome buck!!!

The big buck on Thursday evening when I first found him.

Devan & Troy enjoying the backcountry furnace.

Cool highcountry sunrise.

A couple "if" bucks....IF only they were bigger.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[tabbyhntr]

AGAIN! Are you serious? You lucky son of a gun! J/k I know you bust your butt for those deer. Is it to early to call dibs on you for next year? Lol

 

[peakfreak]

Nice...way to go again...still waiting for your book to come out.

 

[Optima]

Founder....I don't know how you do it, but I now know who to befriend as a new hunting buddy. Congrats once again to both of you!!

 

[nvguy2]

What an awesome story.I had to reply to this because your story is so awesome about how you kept going after this buck and ended up finding him.This is a perfect example of not giving up when you know your still on blood or tracks.I regret a couple tracks I have been on and I know this story will probably come back in my mind some day when I am in that boat again.Stories like this is just proof that sometimes when we are down,frustrated,exhausted,etc.,etc.,etc. to not give up.I think alot of us sometimes cave to this.Glad you pushed hard when in doubt.Congrats to your dad.That is a good buck.Thanks for the story and pics.

 

[Gator]

Nice Buck Bud, it's a good thing you had Brian along the lucky charm, Man that buck got some of everything "trash, heavy,extras,width,height," Very nice buck.

 

[browtine]

I never had any doubts!!!!!! Congrats!!!!

Brian, you got one more good luck trip in ya for Adam? I hope so!!!

Later, Brandon

 

[bucktaxi]

Nice buck Bud!!!

 

[Foothills12]

Do you mind telling us what bullets your dad was using? Did the bullets even penetrate the skin or just blow up makin a flesh wound?

 

[Founder]

The bullet did go all the way through the deer and came out the other side. We believe it went through the liver. Those bullets need to go in the trash. That is two years in a row the bullets didn't do their job. The first hit should have killed the deer. I think the bullets are either not expanding or coming apart completely....?????

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[eelgrass]

Brian, we need a "ditto" feature on this site just for you and your dad!

From the video, your dad described the first shot as being a little high? I have seen bucks hit high in the shoulder that went a long ways! Not high enough to hit the spine, but above the lungs. There is a small "no mans land". It puts the hurt on them but they can live a long time. We even found one alive and mobile the next day!

Anyway, great job on sticking with it! And congrats, AGAIN!!!!

Eel

 

[AZbowhntr]

Congrats to your dad. And good job on staying with it and tracking the buck down.

 

[ICHABOD]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-09-08 AT 10:32AM (MST)[p]Sweet buck!
Brian, What bullet was your dad shooting?
------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah, I'll shoot him"

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Nice buck I would also like to know what bullets your Dad was using.I am sure you don't want to rip on a bullet company but if these bullets are not doing a good job others should know about this maybe deer are laying all over the mountain without being found.What a great season you have had Congrats.

 

[rmanwill]

Wow what a stud!!! Love the mass. Congrats to your father. Hunting with your father makes that buck even that much better. Way to go. Happy hunting

 

[crazeymaez]

Way to track him down.And finish the job

 

[Dub]

What an awesome story and great buck. I hope I still have the drive when I'm your dads age. Congrats.

Dub

 

[HighWidenHandsome]

You're right on! Eel I've been shooting 150 gr Nosler
solid base base bullets loaded by Federal in 7mm Weatherby.
The shot did in fact hit high just behind the shoulder blade
and some how exited down through the paunch very low! I'm
embarrassed to admit I had given up on the buck, but we had
followed him at least a quater mile all the while jumping full
length strides and leaping deadfall without leaving a drop of
blood! Lucky there was plenty of snow and few deer to confuse
the tracks, as well as a determined tracker! Hats off to
Brian!
Troy and I skinned the buck today and still can't figure
how the bullet got from the point of impact to the other side
of the animal and the exit hole! After all was counted the
buck had been hit 4 times, 2 were just grazes as the deer
jumped and ran at close range! And of course the finish shot
breaking the shoulder at short range as well!
Next year, (if I continue hunting) I'll either have a
different bullet or a different rifle (maybe it's time)
after all the ole sidekick is 34 yrs old! I feel like I'm
hunting with an antic! You guys all have newer stuff than
me! Guns, cars,trucks, even newer wives! LOL
Thanks to all you guys! And appreciate your advice on new
bulets!

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Is there a perfect bullet?Just when something has been working great for you tragedy can and will happen and does happen.You most likely have harvested many animals with your set up.Angles what the bullet does after a hit can be so different with each animal harvested and it can happen to anyone there is no magic bullet out there IMHO.How Brian tracked this buck until it started to show signs of blood should be a lesson to all if us be it archery Muzz or rifle stay after it until you are sure there is no way to recover.The great news is you did recover this buck I know I would be sick if I lost a buck like that.
Sure wish my Dad still had the hunting interest it's all fishing now well until he draws his Utah elk tag I will hog tie him and make him go when he draws then maybe let him hang it up.Ha

 

[bucktaxi]

C'mon Bud, you'll be hunting CO again next year. You don't need a new gun, maybe a new scope but I don't know what you're using now. Put some 140grain accubonds through that 7mm and you'll be fine. Keep up the good work, Steve

 

[swbuckmaster]

First off Great deer!

I am glad you stuck with it. You got what you were after and saved a condor in the process from dieing of lead poising. Congrats all the way around.



Archery is a year round commitment!!

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

Holy Crap Brian1 Don't tell me the whole mule deer thing in your family is genetics!


It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

 

[Founder]

JIM - This mule deer obsession thing might be genetics. My little boy is already talking about how big of a buck he will get next year. He was tossing some pretty lofty numbers out there....30-inches, long-tined 27 inchers.
This year was the first year he tagged along, and on both trips a whopper buck was taken. He has a screwed up view of reality. I guess he'll just have to learn how hard it really is most of the time.
I am excited to take him next year....if he still wants to go.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com