Was fortunate to draw a muzzy tag in Idaho. I spend most of the hunt grinding against a full moon, cold nights with little morning activity and warmer than average days. Its a low density deer area anyways with lots of open country. I saw on average only 2 bucks a day (November tag) but did see a couple really good deer. I passed up some ok deer, and had a close encounter with a great buck.
With only 3 days left in the season I made what felt like the 10th drive to my hunting area, about 45 minutes from my house. I hunted most of the morning, seeing 2 small bucks and a couple does. While sneaking in a juniper patch I jumped some does, but didn't get a good look at all of them. I was a bit dejected, but went ahead and cut the wind and kept still hunting.
I made it about 100 yards and peaked around a tree to see this guy standing there at about 50 yards. With open sights, lead bullets, loose powder and other western muzzleloader rules I was happy to have the chip shot.
He measures just under 29" at the widest. We believe he is a whitetail hybrid based on the antlers and his tail has no black tip like muleys should. There are white tail deer in the area.
Public land, DIY, muzzle loader buck
With only 3 days left in the season I made what felt like the 10th drive to my hunting area, about 45 minutes from my house. I hunted most of the morning, seeing 2 small bucks and a couple does. While sneaking in a juniper patch I jumped some does, but didn't get a good look at all of them. I was a bit dejected, but went ahead and cut the wind and kept still hunting.
I made it about 100 yards and peaked around a tree to see this guy standing there at about 50 yards. With open sights, lead bullets, loose powder and other western muzzleloader rules I was happy to have the chip shot.
He measures just under 29" at the widest. We believe he is a whitetail hybrid based on the antlers and his tail has no black tip like muleys should. There are white tail deer in the area.
Public land, DIY, muzzle loader buck
