hunter67wa
Well-Known Member
Are you old enough to remember this on TV! The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Yesterday the son and I went deer hunting in the Bighorns. We had to get over a 10,000 foot mountain. Left the truck 19 degrees. We struggled to get to the top on sxs on a road as wind was drifting snow. Got to top a pick-up was stuck and trying to get out from the night before been digging since 0100. Road drifted in. Winds 12mph gusting to 20. They had help coming so we started to hike. We were about 3 miles from deer hunting spot. Ran into another truck they asked how was the road I said drifted in and 10-15 inches new snow tonight. They had horses and trailer. Maybe the only saving grace for these guys is that loggers were coming to get equipment on Monday and will plow road out.
Ok finally on ridge we want. Elk and deer sign also a very large lion track. We split up and met at end of ridge nothing. Glassed hillside for an hour nothing. Well time to head back. We moved back to top of ridge less snow easier walking. Luke wanted to look back over other side. He was looking and I was removing clothing as I was getting warm. I looked to top of ridge and thought that looks like a deer. Geovids confirmed branched buck. I went prone 311 yards. I looked at Luke he hadn't noticed me going prone. I put scope on him 4x4 strong fronts week backs no brows. Luke is now looking at me wondering why Im chilling in the snow. I pointed he came to me and got on the pack also. We debated if he wanted to shoot him. Maybe 22 inches wide not what we are here for but tall. So we talked about it for about 5 minutes and watched the buck enjoy the sun out of the wind.
The next thing my eye picked up was movement to the right of him from behind a tree. I put Geovids up and that was what we were looking for 26-28 inches wide and tall 3x4 long points will be the largest buck for Luke. I said kill that buck. Luke is on the 270. We are waiting for a clear shot now. He moves out broadside but other buck is behind him so we wait. Small bucks moves we are clear. I say send it. At that moment buck spins and walks back into timber. Crap Luke said he had 2 pounds of pressure on the trigger another second and he would have shot. We are in the open not really able to move so we wait 15 minutes no sign. We make a stalk and they seen us. Last time we seen them was going over another ridge. Well long walk back. Get to sxs and 3 pickups trying to pull the one out we offered coffee and food. Guys were thankful. Wind drifting road in like we had never came up. I told Luke time to leave. On the way down sxs stuck of the road helped them get out. We were glad to get to the truck still 27 degrees out and we were beat.
Even though we didn't get the buck it still felt like a successful hunt. The more successful part was just getting through the weather conditions. Once home wife says I wasn't expecting you till dark but by the look of your windburned faces I get it. Dinner and the Scotch hit the spot and reliving a great hunt.
Yesterday the son and I went deer hunting in the Bighorns. We had to get over a 10,000 foot mountain. Left the truck 19 degrees. We struggled to get to the top on sxs on a road as wind was drifting snow. Got to top a pick-up was stuck and trying to get out from the night before been digging since 0100. Road drifted in. Winds 12mph gusting to 20. They had help coming so we started to hike. We were about 3 miles from deer hunting spot. Ran into another truck they asked how was the road I said drifted in and 10-15 inches new snow tonight. They had horses and trailer. Maybe the only saving grace for these guys is that loggers were coming to get equipment on Monday and will plow road out.
Ok finally on ridge we want. Elk and deer sign also a very large lion track. We split up and met at end of ridge nothing. Glassed hillside for an hour nothing. Well time to head back. We moved back to top of ridge less snow easier walking. Luke wanted to look back over other side. He was looking and I was removing clothing as I was getting warm. I looked to top of ridge and thought that looks like a deer. Geovids confirmed branched buck. I went prone 311 yards. I looked at Luke he hadn't noticed me going prone. I put scope on him 4x4 strong fronts week backs no brows. Luke is now looking at me wondering why Im chilling in the snow. I pointed he came to me and got on the pack also. We debated if he wanted to shoot him. Maybe 22 inches wide not what we are here for but tall. So we talked about it for about 5 minutes and watched the buck enjoy the sun out of the wind.
The next thing my eye picked up was movement to the right of him from behind a tree. I put Geovids up and that was what we were looking for 26-28 inches wide and tall 3x4 long points will be the largest buck for Luke. I said kill that buck. Luke is on the 270. We are waiting for a clear shot now. He moves out broadside but other buck is behind him so we wait. Small bucks moves we are clear. I say send it. At that moment buck spins and walks back into timber. Crap Luke said he had 2 pounds of pressure on the trigger another second and he would have shot. We are in the open not really able to move so we wait 15 minutes no sign. We make a stalk and they seen us. Last time we seen them was going over another ridge. Well long walk back. Get to sxs and 3 pickups trying to pull the one out we offered coffee and food. Guys were thankful. Wind drifting road in like we had never came up. I told Luke time to leave. On the way down sxs stuck of the road helped them get out. We were glad to get to the truck still 27 degrees out and we were beat.
Even though we didn't get the buck it still felt like a successful hunt. The more successful part was just getting through the weather conditions. Once home wife says I wasn't expecting you till dark but by the look of your windburned faces I get it. Dinner and the Scotch hit the spot and reliving a great hunt.
