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We had to move very quickly (run) through the high stuff to the vehicle we left on the trail, drive around 1/2 mile behind the canyon (my guide was a very recently removed Strong Safety/Linebacker for OU, who had moved to KC, but came back home to help his dad guide- I was 47yo and so far out of shape as to not be recognizable from my days his age). Once situated down wind sufficiently far, we had to move fast in a crouched position because we didn't know how far down in the canyon he was (where we caught him slipping in around 8am). About 200 yards from the rim, we duck-walked maybe half the distance, then low-crawled to the rim. These are terms military guys will know... Let me tell you, I did not know there was cactus growing in Kansas... I found out on that crawl! You guys who live there or hunt there can laugh uncontrollably now! By the time we got to the edge (and he had to wait on me to close the gap), I was so exhausted that my lungs went into an exercise-induced asthmatic attack. That's a real medical term if you want to check it out. What that means is I couldn't breathe without wheezing and COUGHING uncontrollably! COUGHING at the rim of the canyon holding the largest deer (well, 2nd largest) I've ever seen on the hoof. I tried to shove my face in my fanny pack (full of powder, bullets, lube, etc. That would double as a rifle rest). The guide was visibly upset with me, but was trying to be as understanding as possible after busting his rear end to get a guy in perfect position on the deer of a lifetime. I fought it for 10 minutes or so and finally edged up to the canyon rim tasting blood in the very thin liquid pooring out of my mouth and down my throat. Fortunately for me, the deer was bedded at the bottom of the canyon on the opposite side and there was a good 40 - 50mph quartering headwind blowing between us that rattled the sage sufficiently at the 110yd measured distance to muffle my coughs and attempts to suck air. I got my pack under my rifle and was able to lie there and recuperate for most of an hour before the big boy stood up. I went over my shot placement with my guide. He asked me again where I was going to place the crosshair. We had discussed it earlier. I reiterated I was sighted in 6" high @100yds. (expecting a 300yd shot.) I was loaded hot at over 2400 ft/s on the chronograph over several shots back home. I recalled missing the B&C giant in OK a couple years prior. This was the same exact set up. Steep downward angle shot into near gale-force winds, sighted in high right around 100 yards. I shot over the OK deer. Twice. I didn't know it at the time. I explained again to the guide I was going to aim for the hairline underneath the deer. He cringed at this and asked if I was sure. I replied, "Yep." When the deer stood, he took his time turning around for a broadside shot. When he did, he offered his left side. Since the wind was pretty much 90 degrees to my bullet path (Point of Aim, anyway), I aimed center mass and dropped the crosshair just underneath his belly on the hairline. When the smoke cleared, the guide was ecstatic. He reported the deer dropped like a lightening bolt hit him, but... he wasn't finished. I had to reload and go finish the job. That was another sprint. Mostly downhill, but over some rough and very uneven terrain. When I finished the big boy off, we found that my decision on the elevation of the aiming point was spot on. I hit the deer in the spine. ANY higher, and I would have shot right over him just like before. However, the decision to aim farther back instead of under the chest was costly. The wind didn't seem to push the bullet any at all. I guess at 110 yards traveling over 2400ft/s, that Barnes 250gr slug had enough BC not to move much. It may have been shielded from much of the wind as it entered the canyon, also.
GOT A 175+ LAST YEAR JUST NORTH OF THERE WITH MY MUZZLELOADER. I AM A KANSAS RESIDENT SO CAN HUNT EITHER SPECIES EVERY YEAR OVER THE COUNTER. BEST BET IN SEPTEMBER IF WATER SHORT AND WE HAVE BEEN IN A DROUGHT YOU SEVERAL YEARS IS WATERHOLES - EVEN STOCK TANKS ESPECIALLY FOR MUZZLELOADERS. MULEY ROAM A LARGE TERRITORY HERE IN WESTERN KANSAS AND LUCK IS NEEDED TO BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. I ENDED UP GETTING MINE IN THE REGULAR RIFLE SEASON IN DECEMBER. IN KANSAS YOU CAN HUNT BOTH SEASONS IF YOU HAVE A MUZZLELOADER PERMIT.
90s TO 100s + LAST YEAR HERE IN NORTHWEST KANSAS AND WINDY
90s TO 100s + LAST YEAR HERE IN NORTHWEST KANSAS AND WINDY
