Jim
I drew that a few years ago. I was new to muzzleloader hunting and it was my 1st time applying for that hunt. I knew nothing about it and my mistake was NOT asking questions on a hunting forum. I knew nothing of the antler class potential. All I knew was what the DFG big game digest shows, % 's.
I spent a week scouting prior to the opener. During that entire week I only saw the typical meat bucks. I got discouraged and lonely ( camping solo ) and it was freezing weather, record snowfall on top and temps in the teens down below. Perfect migration weather.
Having not seen anything big for the week prior, on opener I put the stalk on a small 3x3 to get a closer look. Well, once I put myself into hunt mode I couldn't turn it off and I punched a hole through that dink's boiler room. I walked up to him and said to myself " why did I do that "
I was in the right spot for sure, I just got impatient, discouraged and lonely. Of all my hunting regrets, my M3 tag is by far at the top of the list. How I'd love to get that tag again ! slim chance now since I burned my bonus points. But I still apply anyways, even if there are only 2 random draw tags issued. I drew an East Park Reservoir Bull tag in '06, so I'm a believer.
I know that I was hunting the right spot because when I was breaking camp I had some hunters ask me where I got my buck, they'd seen nothing that day. I took them to the spot and I gave them my card so that they could send me a pic of their bucks if they got any. WOW ! I got their pic and it has tormented me ever since. They both got 2 bruisers the next day right where I led them, and their buddy got a beauty in another spot.
In the past I was able to post pics here but something changed on this site and I've been unable to. I'll email you the pic of those bucks along with the location.
SHOOT a PIG ! don't waste that tag like I did.
On other hunts I've passed on deer that I wish I had shot, but it's by far more painful to shoot something you shouldn't have.