Headed in to the Wyoming high country. 2 of us hunting. 2 up and comers and 1 seasoned vet along for the ride as well with 8 fine mountain horses.
I love that Wyoming starts their hunts on calendar dates every year, doesn't matter what day of the week it is, seems to help with the crowds on mid week openers. This year it was a Monday opener, yet still some competition. I located this buck about 8am and kept my eye glued to the scope until he bedded at 10am. We made a play, buddy from the bottom, me from the top. Luck fell my way that day. I've never even seen a drop tine buck alive on the hoof. With that drop tine and a few extras I just couldn't pass him up. Not the biggest we saw, but I could care less, never been a big score guy anyway. I was thrilled to watch him, put together a plan and take a great trophy.
One down, one to go.
Spent all of Thursday hunting of horse back. These two little wranglers were impressive little riders and sure to be the next generation of big buck hunters!
Covered a lot of country that day, saw a few bucks, nothing great, but enjoyed a perfect sunrise accented with bugling elk. Does it get much better? I say not!
Tuesday evening, we put a play on a pretty decent 4x5. Unfortunately, they slipped out and disappeared as my pard'nr was cutting off yardage. We glassed hard the rest of that evening, but couldn't turn him up or another shooter.
Wednesday morning we awoke to much too close lightning and thunder. You know the kind?flash-boom-jump kind of a thunderstorm. But this was our last morning so we made it count. He took on the steep face, I glassed from the opposite side, and sure enough, we turned up a heavy OLD brute. I get just as much enjoyment in watching a stalk and kill go down as I do chasing a buck myself. Mission accomplished.
My friend, his son and his dad. Memories made!
Two great bucks, beautiful Wyoming backcountry, the adventures, long rides and time with good friends and family. It's what I look forward to every year.
I love that Wyoming starts their hunts on calendar dates every year, doesn't matter what day of the week it is, seems to help with the crowds on mid week openers. This year it was a Monday opener, yet still some competition. I located this buck about 8am and kept my eye glued to the scope until he bedded at 10am. We made a play, buddy from the bottom, me from the top. Luck fell my way that day. I've never even seen a drop tine buck alive on the hoof. With that drop tine and a few extras I just couldn't pass him up. Not the biggest we saw, but I could care less, never been a big score guy anyway. I was thrilled to watch him, put together a plan and take a great trophy.
One down, one to go.
Spent all of Thursday hunting of horse back. These two little wranglers were impressive little riders and sure to be the next generation of big buck hunters!
Covered a lot of country that day, saw a few bucks, nothing great, but enjoyed a perfect sunrise accented with bugling elk. Does it get much better? I say not!
Tuesday evening, we put a play on a pretty decent 4x5. Unfortunately, they slipped out and disappeared as my pard'nr was cutting off yardage. We glassed hard the rest of that evening, but couldn't turn him up or another shooter.
Wednesday morning we awoke to much too close lightning and thunder. You know the kind?flash-boom-jump kind of a thunderstorm. But this was our last morning so we made it count. He took on the steep face, I glassed from the opposite side, and sure enough, we turned up a heavy OLD brute. I get just as much enjoyment in watching a stalk and kill go down as I do chasing a buck myself. Mission accomplished.
My friend, his son and his dad. Memories made!
Two great bucks, beautiful Wyoming backcountry, the adventures, long rides and time with good friends and family. It's what I look forward to every year.
