I guess i'll make my yearly post about our region "H" hunt a few years ago. My pard and i got a horseback ride up to 10,000ft where we set up all our own camping gear and settled in for a 3 week hunt. We got there 3 days before the opener and it took some getting used to the altitude, at least for me, and we scouted every morning and evening for shooter bucks. Come opening day, i saw a couple non-shooter bucks and several other hunters, some a horseback, some a foot.
Making a move from my daylight glassing location and taking a break from the move, i noticed a deer moving way up on a green patch on a very steep and rugged slide area. Through my glasses i could see that he was a young 4X4 with antlers well inside his ears, a non-shooter for sure. I ranged that little buck at 360 yds and then watched him thru my scope. As i was proned out steadying my cross hairs and hypothetically figuring where i'd have to hold for the shot, a much nicer shooter buck stepped out in the open right behind him. I only had to move the crosshairs up a bit and took the shot nailing the nice 28" buck. My tag filled.
My Pard continued to hunt hard for over two more weeks. He saw bucks every day but most were younger and not up to his standards. After passing on maybe a couple dozen bucks, he took a nice youngster that though big of body, was small and twisted of rack. Nontypical above is correct. There was far more hunters on that mountain-ridge the opening weekend than any other time. It took near a full week for the deer to come out and feed the evenings. After i shot my buck opening day it seemed as if hunters appeared from everywhere!!!
We had us a great time and i'd recommend those that have wanted to do that kind of hunt, do it. It's very rugged country. My health has failed me big time, i figure that i'm about done. I'm glad though that i was able to make that trip. That high, rugged country, my long-time best hunting partner, plenty to eat, and a nice camp. A man could not require much more in the hunting world that that.
A couple pic's! Been on here before but for the newer guys...
Joey
