K
kodipak
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-09 AT 10:55AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-09 AT 10:28?AM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-09 AT 10:24?AM (MST)
Here is a magnificent 32" buck that my friend Isaac Aleman took yesterday on the front.
He had been hunting-hard and going solo last week in the area and spotted the buck the day before but it never was in a position to move on it. So, yesterday, the two of us decided we would go back up and see what a joint effort could muster.
After the gruelling hike through snow and ice to 10,000 ft. we glassed the drainage that had held bucks the previous day. We continued glassing and saw deer but nothing that interested us. With the morning nearing an end we decided we would continue to the next canyon and get in position for the afternoon hunt. As we headed down the trail, we entered a dense, snowcovered patch of pines that was loaded with sign. Walking carefully, we rounded a corner and spotted some does and two good bucks deer working their way across the trail and up the steep hill about 80 yards in front of us. Immediately Isaac and I hit our knees, grabbed our bows and armed them for a shot. The snow was soft, the wind was perfect, and the deer didn't have a clue we were there. The problem was, they were headed up hill and if we didn't do something soon, we would lose this opportuntiy. I motioned to Isaac to open my pack and hand me my rattling sheds. Hoping to raise some curiosity, I employed some whitetail-hunting inspired finesse and hit a short but aggressive sequence of smashing horn. It worked! The curious bucks immediately doubled back as if bewildered that anyone would even think of intruding on their ladies. As they circled down wind to investigate the commotion, I almost had a 25 yard shot of the first buck but a single bush 5 yards in front of me prevented a shot. Knowing there was another buck, I sounded another sequence of rattles. The second buck came in. This time, Isaac had the shot and took it... With a mild arc, and a little luck, the FMJ hit home! A short 100 yd. recovery later, our hunt was over!
Isaac had been busting his butt all year, logging more than 20 days on the mountain since the season started in August. Needless to say, he put is his time and it paid off. I am just glad to have had a part of it. A big thanks also goes out to all who helped in the pack out. It sure made what would have been a difficult chore quite manageable.
LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-09 AT 10:24?AM (MST)
Here is a magnificent 32" buck that my friend Isaac Aleman took yesterday on the front.
He had been hunting-hard and going solo last week in the area and spotted the buck the day before but it never was in a position to move on it. So, yesterday, the two of us decided we would go back up and see what a joint effort could muster.
After the gruelling hike through snow and ice to 10,000 ft. we glassed the drainage that had held bucks the previous day. We continued glassing and saw deer but nothing that interested us. With the morning nearing an end we decided we would continue to the next canyon and get in position for the afternoon hunt. As we headed down the trail, we entered a dense, snowcovered patch of pines that was loaded with sign. Walking carefully, we rounded a corner and spotted some does and two good bucks deer working their way across the trail and up the steep hill about 80 yards in front of us. Immediately Isaac and I hit our knees, grabbed our bows and armed them for a shot. The snow was soft, the wind was perfect, and the deer didn't have a clue we were there. The problem was, they were headed up hill and if we didn't do something soon, we would lose this opportuntiy. I motioned to Isaac to open my pack and hand me my rattling sheds. Hoping to raise some curiosity, I employed some whitetail-hunting inspired finesse and hit a short but aggressive sequence of smashing horn. It worked! The curious bucks immediately doubled back as if bewildered that anyone would even think of intruding on their ladies. As they circled down wind to investigate the commotion, I almost had a 25 yard shot of the first buck but a single bush 5 yards in front of me prevented a shot. Knowing there was another buck, I sounded another sequence of rattles. The second buck came in. This time, Isaac had the shot and took it... With a mild arc, and a little luck, the FMJ hit home! A short 100 yd. recovery later, our hunt was over!
Isaac had been busting his butt all year, logging more than 20 days on the mountain since the season started in August. Needless to say, he put is his time and it paid off. I am just glad to have had a part of it. A big thanks also goes out to all who helped in the pack out. It sure made what would have been a difficult chore quite manageable.
