I was fortunate enough to take my first mule deer yesterday morning on the last day of my hunt. I am used to hunting blacktail and this hunt was in much bigger country. It was a very physically demanding hunt and I have lost about 8 pounds (about 5% of my body weight). We didn't see too much the first few days of the hunt and we passed on a few smaller bucks. We got some weather and colder temperatures the last few days and we started to see more deer. The day before I jumped this buck from his bed near a saddle and missed him as he trotted down the hill. We made a plan to hunt the area he ran toward the next day, we saw several nice bucks and the drive worked out perfectly as the same buck I missed the day before came about 200 yards under the rock I was positioned on. A well placed head shot dropped him instantly and the rest is history. I am very happy with him. One side is a little weaker, but his mass is very impressive and he has some great tines. Once again I thank God for the opportunity to take this terrific buck and enjoy his creation. I also thank my uncles and cousins for helping with the drive and all the hard work packing meat.
