A couple months ago, Schlaggerman posted that he and I had drawn deer tags for Wyoming. This would be my third time to hunt in the Bighorns, and the sixth such adventure for Dale. Having a bit of previous working knowledge of the area made a difference for us, as the number of animals seen was down considerably from other seasons.
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The area is somewhat an open mix of trees and sage, with small rock outcroppings thrown in for asthetic appeal. Seeing deer feeding out in the sage is what gives a hunter hope. You always THINK you have a chance at them, but this openness also works against you. Still, the possibility for success does exist. Or as the late Jay Massey wrote many years ago, "when you're hunting with the bow and arrow, a possibility is all you need. With the bow, the probability of failure is so ever-present that you become obsessed with that faint hope of success...that small possibility."
The first task on the agenda was setting up camp. We were fortunate to find our preferred campsite still available, so a couple hours later, our home for the next week and a half was completed.
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This is the Schlaggerman getting his bow and arrows ready for the hunt. The vestibule is a nice addition to his tent, providing lots of additional storage for gear, though it also was an invitation for a camp-raiding mouse to pilage Dale's supplies.
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:campfire:
We used the remaining day and a half glassing the sage flats and checking out the known travel chutes through the rock ledges.
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Looking good so far.
You guys are from a good state too.
Looking good Gary. I have been waiting for this update. I am glad you made Dale put a respectable hat on for the close up of him.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Looking good so far.
Yup...looking real good!
This is my new Crow Creek Black Feather making its maiden voyage on this trip. On a previous post back in April, I showed it off with an explanation of the upgrade our kids surprised me with from what I had originally ordered. A gift like that just HAS TO make a bow special.
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:campfire: :coffee:
This is gonna be a good thread...
Here's the Schlaggster taking aim during a practice session. At first glance, he appears to be shooting at his ATV, but in reality the intended target is the "Milhouse the mulie" cardboard silhouette in the background. For those of you that have never seen him shoot, Dale is an exceptional shot at both targets and animals. Shooting with him is both enjoyable and humbling at the same time.
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Actually Greg, any close up of Dale SHOULD include a hat!
A couple more broad views of the area. Being the first week of September, everything looked green and lush from the exceptionally heavy winter snowfalls. But looking closely, Fall was just starting to breathe a hint of color onto the landscape.
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wow! thanks for sharing.....
Opening day arrived cloaked in fog,a shroud that eliminated glassing for deer completely. It did, however, make for silent sneaking through the woods, an unproductive yet enjoyable way to spend that afternoon. By nine o'clock that night, a star-filled sky appeared overhead and the temperature plummeted to below freezing. We broke out the wool clothes the next morning and enjoyed the reprieve from the past few months of summer's heat. It felt awesome!
That evening, opportunity knocked for the Schlaggerman when this beautiful buck turned broadhead at 18 yards. The heart-shot mulie made a short dash downhill before crashing, leaving an ample bloodtrail for Dale to follow. With that, his hunt came to an unexpectedly early end.
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With his tag filled, Dale was able to capture this impressive photo while glassing for deer. The soft evening light really makes the landscape glow.
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Congradulations-Hap
While the Schlaggerman was off glassing, scouting and playing photographer, I was being taunted by a hard-horned 3x3 and a velvet-covered 4x4 that I caught traveling downslope after an evening of feeding. By the time they'd made their get-away a half-hour later, I was a wreck. It was one of those cases where they were teasingly close,yet not close enough, for a prolonged period of time. The encounter had me so pumped up with "jet fuel quality" adrenaline that it's just as well I didn't get a shot opportunity. I was shaking so badly that I almost crossed the line from having a bad case of the frog-leg, to near convulsions.For whatever reason, my extremities were totally out of control and there was nothing I could do about it! If anyone else had witnessed it, it would have been embarrassing, but in a hilarious kind-of-way.
great thread even better pics
But that encounter had closed the circle on the 3x3, as I'd now seen him three straight days traveling through the same area. Hopefully, it would only be a matter of time before we met again.
As the two bucks meandered back uphill that very evening, I was there waiting for them. I couldn't have written it up any better, with this velvet-antlered buck leading the way.
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Gary, congrats to both you and dale on fine animals, the story and pics were great! How far was your shot?
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
What a buck!!!! Love the velvet too!
Congrats to you both for on a great hunt!
Great stuff Gary! Congrats to both you and Dale - I'd been wondering how you did. Looks like you had a heck of a trip!
Dale's hat does help, but can't cover up those white socks and loafers! :eek: :scared:
After I'd shot this buck, I decided to leave him overnight because I thought the hit was a bit low and back. It turns out we found him right where I had seen him last as evening light faded away.
I think I got maybe three hours of sleep that night worrying about and re-playing the shot over and over. While laying there, this thought occurred to me. "People that make good shots sleep better at night." Most of us have been there at one time or another, and things generally work out the way they're meant to. But in the lonely darkness on a sleepless night, that's of little consolation.
The tag-punching, photography and packing out were accomplished the next morning, with only a brief overnight visit from the coyotes.
Thanks to all for tagging along.
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Thanks for the compliments and congratulations,everyone.
Rafael, the buck walked right into me. The shot was 14 or 15 yards and he went about 80 yards after the hit.
Awesome, nice work guys
thats awesome!! way to go brother.
Congrats
Awesome, nice work guys
Excellent hunt thanks for sharing!
Very well to you both congrats. I am bummed I could not stop by and see you both.
congrats to you both GOOD JOB !
Wow, congrats to both of you. I hope Dale was up every morning making you breakfast and had a nice hot dinner for you when you got back to camp.
Congrats, beautiful animals.
Very nice,congrats and thank for sharing.
good stuff indeed, thanks for the story & photos.
Very nice, great hunt.
Great hunting! Congrats on the hunt!
Wow what a hunt. You guys did very well. Congrats to you both. Two mulies from the ground is no small feat.
Congrats, beautiful animals both... great job.
Congrats to both on a special hunt! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by knobby:
e. The encounter had me so pumped up with "jet fuel quality" adrenaline that it's just as well I didn't get a shot opportunity. I was shaking so badly that I almost crossed the line from having a bad case of the frog-leg, to near convusions.For whatever reason, my extremities were totally out of control and there was nothing I could do about it! If anyone else had witnessed it, it would have been embarrassing, but in a hilarious kind-of-way.
Congrats guys! Looks like a great time, and memories that will last a lifetime! Gary, I know that feeling all to well! It's the main reason I miss. Great story, looking foward go seeing you ounce again my friend. :thumbsup:
Congratulations on a super mule deer, to both of you. Great story and pictures, I really enjoyed following along. Thanks for sharing, TRW.
Great story and pictures! It's hard to beat the Bighorns for beauty. Thanks for sharing your hunt! Good luck in Wisconsin with the bucks starting this Saturday.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Good Stuff! Thanks for sharing a great hunt with us!
Beautiful pictures of some awesome country and animals! Congratulations to you guys! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
WAY TO GO :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats! A couple of great bucks :thumbsup:
Great hunt and pictures, congrats and thanks for sharing!
Well done! Terry R., his son Tyler and I leave for the great state of Wyoming next week, I can't wait.
that looked like alot of fun
Hey Joe, Those aren't loafers I'm wearing, what an insult. Those are my mountain slippers! Any seasoned outdoorsman should be able to tell the difference! But I'll forgive you this time. :) We had a great time and it ended way too soon. I'll be posting my pics and story on Stickbow in the next day or two, watch for it. I might add there will probably be more comments about hats in my version.
Congrates to both you guys. Great story and nice pics Knobby. Speaking of hats,rumor has it that Knobby golfed 18 holes shortly after finding his buck! :laughing:
:thumbsup: Congrats on a great hunt! Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations & thanks for the great story! :thumbsup: :campfire:
Well done, men. What a great hunt, great pics and great story!!!!!
Knobby, Great Pics and Tread. Glad you both scored, nice bucks.
Fantastic. thanks for sharing and congrats to both on fine animals and a great adventure
Double O, whether in the woods or on the golf course, a guy can't help but look good in a hat like that one.
Real nice guys! Love those pics.
Awesome hunt! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. Steve
Congratulations:)
Thanks for sharing a wonderful scenery!
Ya done good, and made it look easy. Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats. Don't let him give you any grief about the hat. If it's got MOJO, then go for it.
Good job and great pics. Enjoyed it all.RC
Great pictures! I love Mulie Country, especially the Bighorns!
Hi is that road red grade? And if you don't mind what is the general location east or west slope
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Great story and pics!!! Congrats on the deer!!
Congrats Gary. Boy you sure know how to put the pressure on me. Looking forward to our elk hunt next week. Hope we can be just as successful. Take lots of photos, makes a nice story.
Yahoo for the fellow cheeseheads. Great job - very nice pix - I am truly jealous!
CONGRATS!!!...and thanks for sharing!
Knobby....where'd ya get the hat???
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Thats my question also Terry. But first..
Way to go guys, two great deer and such a great camp. thank you for sharing the pics.Congratulations to the both of you. Now, Mr.Knobby sir,where'd ya get that hat? Please.
CTT :)
Thanks for the congrats, plus the compliments on the hat. I wanted a warm weather hat with a short brim on it,and prefer not to wear a baseball cap backwards.
I don't recall which discount store I found it in, but it's one of those flat caps that you see golfers occassionally wear. It was a light tan in color, which was fine, so I soaked the front and back in green RIT dye, leaving some tan in the middle for contrast. A heavy, black magic marker was used to add the black lines to match my green Predator camo. Simple as that.
I have, through the years, had some signatures added to it. The first was my son signing and dating it when he killed his first whitetail at age twelve. I've since added some of the more familiar names as I've met the individuals, such as the Wensels, Fred Asbell, Jim Dougherty, etc.. Kind of a nice item to be handed back to my son, someday.
There you have it; simple and stylish.
The hat is going to have some holes in it next week from my broadheads!!!! You better not be hollering "FORE" before you shoot next week.
As for the deer, at least wipe off the milk mustache before taking the photo. Ha
See ya on Sat. THINK ELK