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NVMULEYHNTR
Guest
My NV 5x4 Muley
Here is a picture of a nice 5x4 muley I took this year while hunting in NV. This hunt was anything but easy as we packed in all of our gear for a 6 day hunt. After a long, tough 10 mile pack in (on foot) we set up a small makeshift camp to provide some shelter from the snowstorm that was moving in. Fortunately, the cold weather and snow had the deer moving around on opening morning (Saturday) and we saw great bucks all day. Early on it was tough not to take one of the several bucks that we spotted, but I knew the caliber of buck that I was looking for and decided I would hold out until the last couple of days for him. Late in the first day we spotted a huge 5x5 that would have easily gone over 30? but had broken off his back 3 on the right side at the main beams, so he was actually a wide 5x2. We decided to pass and leave him for next year. Sunday was another solid day with big bucks. We spotted this buck from about 1000 yards but were unable to get close enough for a shot. I passed on several others including a dark, symmetrical 4x4 and a heavy, crazy looking 3x4 that were not quite what I was looking for. The evening hunt was rather slow due to increasing temperatures and wild horses that were active in the area. Monday, like previous days, brought more big bucks. I spotted a solid buck with serious mass from about 1000 yards and began to close in on him. However, once we (my buddy and I) got to where we thought he was, he was nowhere to be seen. I stayed and set up in the first layer of trees for a shot while my friend went back to the spotting scope to try to find him again. While he was gone this buck walked up through the draw and came within about 250 yards. The rest of the story is history! The buck is a 5x4 with a 27? spread and carries pretty decent mass.
The pack out was a story in itself, as we had already put in 5 hard days of hunting/scouting and our legs were about ready to quit. To say the least, our packs were beyond heavy when you consider all the gear we took in, plus the head/cape and all the meat. Fortunately, having a rack hanging from the pack helps the motivation. We saw a decent little cat stalking a few does as we were getting close to the truck, but couldn't get a gun out fast enough to get a shot on him. It would have made for a cool looking mount with the deer, but then again 2 animals at the taxidermist isn't exactly cheap! Hunting in the high country on foot really makes you respect the animal that you harvest. Those of you who have done it know it's a lot different and more memorable experience than those guys on t.v. who jump out of their trucks and whack some deer @ 100yds that's sitting in a pasture.
I would like to extend a special thanks to my best friend, hunting buddy, and MonsterMuleys frequent, Dayton Ponder. Without him this hunt would have been impossible. There is not a better feeling in this world than going into the field with a friend that has seen/experienced almost every possible situation in the outdoors and has insight into every situation.
Here is a picture of a nice 5x4 muley I took this year while hunting in NV. This hunt was anything but easy as we packed in all of our gear for a 6 day hunt. After a long, tough 10 mile pack in (on foot) we set up a small makeshift camp to provide some shelter from the snowstorm that was moving in. Fortunately, the cold weather and snow had the deer moving around on opening morning (Saturday) and we saw great bucks all day. Early on it was tough not to take one of the several bucks that we spotted, but I knew the caliber of buck that I was looking for and decided I would hold out until the last couple of days for him. Late in the first day we spotted a huge 5x5 that would have easily gone over 30? but had broken off his back 3 on the right side at the main beams, so he was actually a wide 5x2. We decided to pass and leave him for next year. Sunday was another solid day with big bucks. We spotted this buck from about 1000 yards but were unable to get close enough for a shot. I passed on several others including a dark, symmetrical 4x4 and a heavy, crazy looking 3x4 that were not quite what I was looking for. The evening hunt was rather slow due to increasing temperatures and wild horses that were active in the area. Monday, like previous days, brought more big bucks. I spotted a solid buck with serious mass from about 1000 yards and began to close in on him. However, once we (my buddy and I) got to where we thought he was, he was nowhere to be seen. I stayed and set up in the first layer of trees for a shot while my friend went back to the spotting scope to try to find him again. While he was gone this buck walked up through the draw and came within about 250 yards. The rest of the story is history! The buck is a 5x4 with a 27? spread and carries pretty decent mass.
The pack out was a story in itself, as we had already put in 5 hard days of hunting/scouting and our legs were about ready to quit. To say the least, our packs were beyond heavy when you consider all the gear we took in, plus the head/cape and all the meat. Fortunately, having a rack hanging from the pack helps the motivation. We saw a decent little cat stalking a few does as we were getting close to the truck, but couldn't get a gun out fast enough to get a shot on him. It would have made for a cool looking mount with the deer, but then again 2 animals at the taxidermist isn't exactly cheap! Hunting in the high country on foot really makes you respect the animal that you harvest. Those of you who have done it know it's a lot different and more memorable experience than those guys on t.v. who jump out of their trucks and whack some deer @ 100yds that's sitting in a pasture.
I would like to extend a special thanks to my best friend, hunting buddy, and MonsterMuleys frequent, Dayton Ponder. Without him this hunt would have been impossible. There is not a better feeling in this world than going into the field with a friend that has seen/experienced almost every possible situation in the outdoors and has insight into every situation.