Ground shrinkage and 6 year olds

bonepicker · Oct 5, 2011

I posted up in the Oregon forum that I had been watching a buck on Monday the 3rd and I was flip flopping on wheather to take him or not. He looked like a clean 4x4 with eyeguards, great front forks and fair height but weaker back forks. He was about the same width as his ears so I was giving him a 22" spread. My best guess was that he was a 145" buck. Decent, but I was really looking for a mature buck, not just a willow-horned 4 point. So I passed on him Monday, thinking I'd wait for a bigger one. On Tuesday, even though I knew the temptation would be pretty strong, I took my boys out (aged 5 and 6 & 1/2) and we went back to the same ridge, hoping that maybe another bigger buck had joined him. No such luck, the buck was still there, very clearly the same buck. They really wanted me to take him. I glassed him a little more and thought maybe he was a little bigger than I thought on Monday, I noticed that he was still only as wide as his ears though, as hard as I tried to make him wider, so probably only a 22" spread. I was thinking now that he might be close to 150" (though I realized that it might be buck fever, so I tried to think rationally) He went to the top of the opposite ridge (a much easier pack out) so I finally decided to do the deed. He really started looking bigger now, I was sure that I was totally fevered up and I almost backed out again but my boys still really wanted me to go for it. So I got set up prone with a hunk of sage as my rest. I ranged him up: 285 yards, I decided on a 130 grain load for my 270. I held 6" above his back, took a breath and let it fly. He never even took a step, he was done.
We started the long hike over to him, down the rim and back up to the top of the other side. Here's what I walked up on.

Let me tell you there was no ground shrinkage on this guy! I was a little surprised to say the least, but surprised in the best kind of way. Here are a few more pics of him (and my boys).

Here are a few more pics at my house.

The final stats: Score 165" gross, 26" outside spread (yes his ears were 26.5" tip to tip! Crazy.) 18.5" tall, and a huge, 210 pound body. He may not be much compared to the bad boys from Utah, Colorado, etc but for Oregon, I'm very pleased. He's everything I was looking for, can't believe I let him go on Monday and almost let him walk again! Apparently I need to practice my field judging. But, my boys kept me on track, never doubt the instincts of a 6 year old

BeanMan · Oct 5, 2011

Very cool! I'm taking my 12 year old nephew out deer hunting Colorado's third season (he's not hunting, just going to watch). He's never hunted or seen hunting before and is super psyched for it. I've only got two days with him so it will be a any legal buck scenario. I hope he is as happy as your boys look.

HuntinFool · Oct 5, 2011

Nice job on the deer and for taking your kids out hunting! I love to see little kids out hunting.

bonepicker · Oct 5, 2011

Good luck to you! Getting a buck is great but getting a buck (of any size) with a kid is way more fun! They were stoked, my older son (a real storyteller) kept telling people it was a "160 mile shot" (when we got to it I had told him I thought it scored 160") and the buck was "a 285"

He more than makes up for my underestimating.

Deerlove · Oct 5, 2011

Good job, kids love anything dead.

Roy · Oct 5, 2011

Awesome!! Now you got those two boys hooked for life. Aren't you glad you listened to them. You HAVE to put that buck on the wall, even if you just do a euro mount. Those two will remember that for the rest of their lives! Just look at those smiles -totally worth it even if he was a 130 buck!

Congrats on a great surprise.

HOOK 'EM!

eldorado · Oct 5, 2011

Great buck. Love the pics with your boys. Golden memories right there.

Eldorado

bonepicker · Oct 5, 2011

Yep, definitely going on the wall. I would get it done up if only for the great memories with them. The three of us now have to convince my wife that it should go in the house instead of the shop.

foundation · Oct 5, 2011

Those pictures of your boys and their big ol smiles are priceless . That is very cool you where able to share that with them . Congrats .

gb22 · Oct 5, 2011

Ground shrinkage or not....matters not. Your boys loved it and that makes it a GREAT trophy. Ask your kids whose the best hunter in the world...will make that deer even better!

My (now 8 yr) son will be going on his 10th deer-trip in the morning; best trips, hunts, pictures, memories and anything else you can name.

He used to tell everyone his daddy was the best deer hunter in the world. He now answers, "ME...and my daddy".

Within the shadows, go quietly.

Gator · Oct 5, 2011

That is a great family buck,Because it took all 3 of you to get it done. He will be looking nice on the wall.Good job Kids keep your pops straight is a full time job.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
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beavis14 · Oct 6, 2011

fine buck !

PaleHorse · Oct 6, 2011

Great buck and pics! The one of the Boys is an all time classic!

kingfish · Oct 6, 2011

Great buck!!! Just a suggestion? sight your 270 in at 3 inches high at 100 yards and you won't need to guess out to 325. I shoot a 270 also and 0 to 325 I hold on the shoulder. Nicely done.

Government doesn't fix anything and has spent trillions proving it!!!
Let's face it...After Monday and Tuesday, even the calender says WTF!

Longun · Oct 6, 2011

Congrats!!! One thing about it the boys will remember that for the rest of their lives..

nripepi · Oct 6, 2011

Awesome story and congrats. I agree with Kingfish, no reason to be holding 6 inches over an animal at that range...even 2.5 inches high at 100 should get it done.

Velvetcrazy · Oct 6, 2011

Having your boy's there is what it's all about.

rutnelk · Oct 6, 2011

Love the kids pics. Congratulations on a nice buck.

bonepicker · Oct 6, 2011

Thanks for the tips. I the area that I hunt is usually pretty close in. I rarely get shots over 100 yards. Because of that, I sighted in this gun to be right on at 100 yards. On this occasion, I happend to be looking from rim to rim so I could see alot farther. This is the third deer I've shot with this gun and all three have dropped in their tracks. But if I were to bring it 3 inches high at 100 yards, you're right, it would still be a kill shot and it would limit the guessing at 200 or 300 yards. Thanks!