Intro / 69 buck tag

ifgator · Oct 5, 2017

Sorry it's long.
My brother in law aka onelegwonder introduced me to this site. Here?s my story. I've been putting in for controlled hunts in Idaho since 2000 and never drawn a single tag.
Well at the beginning of the year I was having all these weird numbness issues on different parts of my body and left leg not working type stuff. Long story short I had some significant actual spinal cord issues and not just disc issues. I've had 2 major operations and one of those included a surgery that required cutting me from about spine to under my armpit along the ribs and collapse a lung etc.
Anyway knowing this in advance I put in for hunts I wouldn't draw like the late 69 buck hunt.
The night after my big surgery I found out the draw results finally came out. Hours before I told my wife that I think I'm going to draw this deer tag and then we laughed. Anyway later I was drugged as hell and could only use my left hand and had difficulty entering my license number. Took 30 minutes no lie. Well I couldn't believe my eyes but I drew the tag of a lifetime for me!!!
It honestly has been one of a few things helping me get through pure hell. I've had a lot of setbacks and complications and just last week had my weight restriction lifted from 10 to 50 lbs. Then today I found out I'll probably need a 3rd surgery because my left leg isn't working well again.
I'm not looking for sympathy but merely sharing my story. I have been telling people that even though it's been a miserable year that I plan on finishing in style with a big buck even though my physical issues may make it difficult.
So I will keep people updated as I go and hopefully we can celebrate my deer!!

RedPostBullSlayer · Oct 5, 2017

Your perseverance is awesome! I tip my hat to you sir and wish I had some knowledge of the unit and the hunt to share with you. I really hope someone on here can step up and help you out. It sounds like you've got the mindset of a warrior, good luck on your hunt my friend and godspeed!

"The problem with society
today, is that we no
longer
drink from the skulls of
our enemies."

ifgator · Oct 6, 2017

Thank you for the kind words.
My big concern is this is a tag of a lifetime. Odds are I won't ever draw again. I really want to do this tag and hunt the service it deserves but unfortunately physically I will only be able to do my best. I pray that we will have optimal weather, hot rut, good friends to help with physical aspect, and find a bruiser with a bunch of does.
I've hunted 69 general season for several years and by no means an expert on the area. In fact to be honest I'm a lousy hunter. Some people are naturally talented at certain things but that's not the case for me and hunting. Doesn?t mean I don't love it, just it is what it is.
Recently when I've been able to get on some buttes with the help of a sidebyside and onelegwonder, at that moment in time that I'm glassing and watching some muley?s, it makes me feel normal again.
I hope others have a lot of success with their hunts and we get to read the reports!!

Onelegwonder · Oct 7, 2017

Let's get out there and look for some more!!

kalielkslayer · Oct 8, 2017

Good luck to you guys.

I don't know the unit either so no info here but hope you do well and post a big ole buck on here!

ifgator · Nov 9, 2017

Update: It's been a whirl wind. So I mailed in my tag trying to get a rain check because the Thursday before opening of the General season, it was thought I needed another surgery. So I jumped through all the hoops. Then I consulted with the surgeon again and we decided to hold off a bit.
So I drove as fast as I could to the fish and game and explained my situation and they were cool and gave me my tag back.
So I am trying as hard as I can at this point in the season to find a 190+ deer. I have about a 170-175 inch muley now.
The other thing that is well documented is I'm in rough shape. I went Wednesday and afterwards I could barely stand up straight and it would take several minutes just to get there and my leg was giving me hell. However I saw an awesome buck and passed it. My friends unanimously decided I am an idiot.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2017/522235dfb6b6fac2e49cbb756843fa458c7f0.jpeg

ifgator · Nov 9, 2017

I couldn't get the zoomed in screenshot of this photo to load for some reason. Anyway let me know what you think. I have till end of November and things are heating up.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2017/15525bf948a5e83c74f14b7151591b389eb94.jpeg

headshot05 · Nov 9, 2017

That deer is a dandy! However with a rut tag you can do better, I think he's 185ish kinda willowy and short brows. Best of luck on your hunt and your health!

IdahoHntr · Nov 11, 2017

I shot a similar lookin buck a few years ago and he ended up going just over 190 gross. He didn't have eye guards and had about a 9 inch inline on one side, so in comparing him to this buck I would guess this buck would score low to mid 180s.

That area can hold some real monsters, but this buck would be a real tough pass for me, especially if I had limited mobility.

HalfAce · Nov 11, 2017

Man, that's a nice buck! Yeah you have a rut tag, but last years winter was brutal. You may not see a bigger one. But you still have quite a bit of time to try. I hope you get a big one. Good luck

twsnow18 · Nov 11, 2017

Wow, you have some huevos.

No way I would have passed on the buck, even with young lungs and legs! Hopefully you find a monster.

ifgator · Nov 11, 2017

So last night I couldn't sleep as I was so dang excited to get after it this morning. We made arrangements for the kiddos to spend the night at grannies house so my wife could come with me as she loves to hunt and be in the mountains. As we were making our way up to our spot I was getting even more excited as there was a little fresh snow. The higher we climbed then the more nervous I got. We got to our spot to wait for the sun to come up and sure enough...we were completely socked in. Couldn?t see a blasted thing. Not to be dramatic but man I was so hyped up to see that previous buck or possibly even a monster I've been dreaming about. Oh well, we checked several places and moved to lower zones but alas it wasn?t in the cards. The awesome thing about my wife is she is able to stay positive and make me smile and realize it's all part of the adventure.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2017/26117e9d237ebc72244b793bedc090d0bd163.jpeg

ifgator · Nov 11, 2017

Thanks for the replies as well. I really appreciate the input and it's fun to have others join in on the experience. I've been wondering if I punched a gift horse in the mouth. However that's why before the hunt I made decisions on how I would approach this hunt so it would be a little easier in the field. Mule deer hunting is just so much fun.

Onelegwonder · Nov 11, 2017

It's been a lot of fun going up there with you it's a blast glassing up mule deer. Let's go again next week and find a big one!

ifgator · Nov 11, 2017

So my wife finally broke the news to me as to why she was laughing when I agreed to make that face for the picture. After posting it to an almost exclusive dude website I guess it's a face girls make for selfies

Homer · Nov 12, 2017

yeah....that face from a dude will keep me as far away as possible.....

ifgator · Nov 13, 2017

>yeah....that face from a dude will
>keep me as far away
>as possible.....
>
>

I'm glad to here that. I definitely got duped by wife, however I highly doubt I'm the only guy that's been duped by a woman.

Sparky1088 · Nov 14, 2017

How is the rutting activity up there? We are down in 73a and our hunt starts Thursday. Praying they are active when we get there. Best of luck,

5K · Nov 28, 2017

How is the hunt going or have you tagged out already?

ifgator · Dec 2, 2017

Well I ended up finding another big buck. He was bigger than pics I posted of the deer above. I got to chase him and play the game. It was awesome. Quality time with my brother in law. Two cripples getting after it. Ended up with tag soup in the end.

idsharp · Dec 2, 2017

Sorry you didn't get the bigger buck but I'm glad you enjoyed your hunt.

ifgator · Dec 3, 2017

>Sorry you didn't get the bigger
>buck but I'm glad you
>enjoyed your hunt.

At the end of the day that is what matters. I have been able to bring home more critters than I probably deserve. Like I said atleast I got to play the game with a big buck.

Onelegwonder · Dec 3, 2017

Great hunt, lots of fun, I wish this snow would have been a week earlier. Oh well.
I'd like to share a pic of the buck but I'm struggling. It just shows a black screen when I try to load it