(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0145-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0145-1.jpg.html)
bear with me guys! I should have started this one a while back, its my 2nd favorite (behind elk hunting) time of year.... the muley rut. im halfway through a two week vacation, and its been crazy. ill get ya up to speed and hopefully the story has a great ending.
but first the beginning....
I can't wait..... :coffee: ........
this started last fall actually, as im hunting many of the same deer that I failed miserably to score on last year. about a month ago now, I found a hidden water hole. great tracks all around so I hiked a ground blind in and set up shop. set a camera up as well. I LOVE trail cameras! while I think they can certainly be abused, I get very amused trying to take an animal with my bow that I have on trail cam.
I haven't pulled that feat off yet. oh yeah, last year my deer in Ohio, my buddy found out later he had a pic but im screaming that doesn't count!
anyway, here are a couple from my early pics. looks promising....
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0117-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0117-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0075.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0075.jpg.html)
.... sorta. that last pic, that's black and whitish, that buck didn't make it. my dad (who shoots wheels got him exactly one week after not having his arrow nocked properly on the same buck and the arrow falling to the ground at half draw. amusing, and honestly, I wouldn't have shot him anyway, because...
... as crazy as this sounds, neither of these two bucks are near big enough.
now, im certainly no trophy hunter, but I have learned a great muley spot, and after last fall seeing what survived, I knew I was in for a good hunt.
it hasn't disappointed.
in my scouting in arguably the hottest rut zone for muleys ive ever stepped foot in, I found a hidden, spring fed pond. these babies don't grow on trees around here! I set up a ground blind there as well, and a camera (which ive moved to different angles a few times now). I knew none of the big guys from the area were taken last year, so I sorta knew what to expect....
last year, with all of the does and subordinate bucks, there were three kings. and I do mean KINGS! number 3 in line was a nice typical. number 2 a bit bigger but with an extra point or two, and number 1 the typical of my dreams. I KNEW these bucks were around still, in fact the kicker buck had been seen by a couple people I know. and, I happened to get ol' number 1 on camera.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/MDGC0079.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/MDGC0079.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/MDGC0125.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/MDGC0125.jpg.html)
oh yeah, and look at this freak. he is even more impressive on the hoof. I got a couple of him too.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/MDGC0124.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/MDGC0124.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/MDGC0037.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/MDGC0037.jpg.html)
Looks like a great story is about to unfold.
ok, all of this pretty much brings you up to the start of my vacation. I still have one more honeyhole I hunt a lot, but I don't set cameras in there. any pics of that will be from my regular camera.
so my time off started a tad slow. bucks were still switching from nocturnal to daytime mode. in fact, my first time setting the blind in the "rut zone", were completely fruitless. then things started to pick up. I was/have been hunting the rut zone evenings, and my other honey hole in the mornings with a few changes along the way. my favorite spot is actually not the rut zone I keep speaking of, and a few mornings back, I hit it hard.
now, this spot is traditionally one that holds a LOT of deer. more than anywhere Ive ever hunted. driving into the area in the dark, I saw a couple dandies in the headlights. nothing like being pointed in the right direction! I went to my usual parking spot and hiked in. its a gorgeous spot..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0126.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0126.jpg.html)
but that morning was not to be. while I saw a total of 5 mature bucks, other than one I was within 50 yards of walking in in the dark, I got close to nothing.
that night I was back in the area where dad got his, but I wasn't sitting the blind, I was exploring! talk about a neat spot, this is some intense country. but, I wasn't seeing much besides that pretty country, and a dandy sunset..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0095.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0095.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0086.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0086.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0078.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0078.jpg.html)
Looks good so far....!..... :coffee:
the next morning (were up to about 3 days ago), I was going to hunt the blind. however, in the near full moonlight I could see a herd of elk all around the blind, and figuring id run the hell out of them and scare off everything in the process, I hurridly drove back to my other spot.
this turned out to be a fun one. driving in, I spotted two DANDIES!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0113-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0113-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0098-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0098-1.jpg.html)
a little about these two studs. they were together, and while I couldn't get em in the same pic, they were with a good group of does and one smallish forky. these pics don't accurately tell the tale, the dark, heavy buck that's only a 3 point on one side DWARFS the big typical. its not even close.
and, to make it better, the big heavy guy I was hunting last year! I got close a time or two but no shot. last year he was an even 3. this year he grew a crab claw 4th. would he make P&Y as a 3 point? I don't know, but he is enormous.....
now, I was pretty sure I knew whereabouts these two would bed up, and a almost running mile put me right in their path. I thought...
I couldn't tell if they were going to come over the top like usual, or skirt the rim as they had the day before when they gave me the slip. I hunted the rim around, and basically saw nothing. and, I saw nothing on top. I knew they were moving slow, but could they not be this far yet? didn't seem likely..
finally, I was in a spot on the rim looking below me and I heard something behind me. a doe at 20 yards! I knelt and nocked up, waiting for a shot. 15 minutes later, I was in the same position. I had lost sight of the doe 14 minutes before, and heard nothing moving. finally losing patience, I stood up to no deer anywhere. checking over the rim, however, I noticed a couple does back closer to where I started my rim peaking, and alone about 300 yards away in the bottom this guy...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0123.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0123.jpg.html)
I really wish this guy didn't have crab claw points on the fronts, so I could say this was the biggest forkhorn id ever laid eyes on. holy crap! and he had a huge body! tongue sticking out told me he had been chasing does, but he was alone taking out frustrations on various trees for now.
my two target bucks, however, were nowhere to be seen. time for plan B.
behind me in the flat on top, was a lone spruce. the buck brush the deer love was within 20 yards of it, so I moved in behind it to try calling. the ol can call produced nothing (its a go to muley call for me), but rattling did! 4 does ran straight at me from down below. I was ready, as I knew the bucks would follow, but still no bucks. finally the does had enough and dropped down below the rim, and I knew they were going to make a move just below me. hoping the bucks were in tow, I eased over to the edge of the cliff, but 5 does in range were the only deer to be seen. I wonder where they went??? back to them another time, im headed home to recharge and get ready for an evening hunt..
sat the blind that night. it was windy. and quiet. until the last half hour that is. id seen some does and glassed a small buck in the distance from the blind, when I heard something walking close. a buck. a NICE buck. but not a BIG buck... what to do, what to do....
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0130.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0130.jpg.html)
and what I did was pass this guy at 21 yards....
I cant believe it myself.
but these bigger deer, the fact that I have plenty of time left, and just how much fun im having... I just couldn't do it.
believe you me, ive thought about how this might NOT go my way lol.
the next morning (yesterday) I was back in the blind. and I was thinking about it. and I was glassing, and noticed this one spot that ive seen deer in the distance everytime ive been in the blind, a group with a nice buck was working though.
excuse the blurry pic, its digital zoom at quite a distance..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0140-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0140-1.jpg.html)
there were a total of 3 bucks, with a bunch of does but this guy was clearly running the show. looks good but not huge.
sometime during all of this I heard walking right outside the blind, and another 4 point was coming in, but this one didn't tempt me at all, even at 14 yards...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0136.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0136.jpg.html)
are we having fun yet?
I pondered what to do a lot, but decided to sit the blind again last night. might as well stick with it, I want that big guy..
speaking of the big guy, my dad was out glassing for something to do the night I went on the scenic hike, and the big guy was by my blind in the daylight. damn the luck.
anyway, last night I was at it again I had a bunch of does come in, but no buck. the does were looking intently at something up the draw a bit from me though, and I kept a watchful eye. after they left I could see em. three deer. the bucks that I could see in the distance this morning! im not sure where all of their does went, but I got a good look at em. it was the bigger buck in the blurry pic, the heavy, freak buck from the trail cam earlier, and a heavy 2 point. the only one that came in was the two point, and it was almost dark. the other two had drifted off the other way.
now this posed a problem. with this full moon, I know deer can see. it is fairly open across to where I park. so I waited a bit longer until the 2 point was long gone and eased out. the moonlight was really bright, and when I got out a bit I actually could see my shadow. figured id glass to see where the two bigger bucks went but was unable to find them. in fact, I could only see one deer in the distance, and he wasn't that far away. maybe 150 yards.
it was my big guy. the one Im looking for.
I knew he could hear and see something but figured I had nothing to lose than to get out of there. when I got to my ride and drove off, he was still standing out there in the distance.
I knew where I had to be in the morning (today).
Fun, fun fun......love the pictures and story. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to reading more.
ok were FINALLY about caught up...
this morning was another bright one. I got out there and started slowly going to my blind in the dark, and in the distance I could see a big deer. is it him? he was a LONG ways out but moving toward the water/my blind. better hurry!!!
big, big mistake!
my water hole sits in a slight depression, and in that depression was a drinking herd of elk. my biggest passion in life did me in, as they thundered off the buck became very wary. I was in the blind and the last few minutes before legal shooting light he stood out at 100 yards before nervously going the other way. and yes, it was HIM.
later in the morning a smallish 4x3 and a doe came in. he was even smaller than the last buck I showed you all so I wont bother but I did get to see "my" buck again, in the exact spot where the distant, blurry buck was. where ive seen deer every morning ive sat out here.. seeing the pattern? im a tad slow but im figuring it out... its where I need to be in the morning.
this evening I was going to sit the blind but a BUNCH of black angus moved in. so, I used the time to do some looking. all of the deer stayed further up the draw, so sitting would have been fruitless. however, just up from where I intend on being in the morning I observed a buck ive only heard about. he has a couple trash points, and he bedded just across the fence. you know that fence. the one that you can not hunt the other side of. I was close just before dark but could do nothing with him...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0155.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0155.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0152-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0152-1.jpg.html)
aint he a beaut, clark???
so, you are all officially caught up now. ill keep the updates more live. where that buck is, id say I have a great chance at him tomorrow morning.
Great hunt Brad! Good luck with those big bucks! Looks like fun!
Very nice, obviously a great place to be during the rut. Love hunting the muley.
Great thread, hope you get a chance a "your buck"! I really need to go out west to do some hunting!!!
Great thread! Can't wait to hear how it turns out!
Great hunt, looking forward to the rest of it.
David
Unreal......must be nice to hunt where there is abundant game. Thanks for the tour...... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Good luck!
Bisch
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0157.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0157.jpg.html)
this morning broke warm, calm, and beautiful. well, beautiful minus about 2,855,430 cows all over creation. dang things. anyway, at first light I saw three deer in the distance go into a spur canyon. one looked to be big. setting in my little spot, I was starting to think nothing was around when I heard footsteps. three deer came in, but all does. this was to be a trend this morning. a total of 7 deer came through the area but not a buck to be seen. climbing higher, I watched 6 more does go right in amongst the cows and drink in from of my vacant blind. down the draw further, a so/so buck was running a couple does around.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0164.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0164.jpg.html)
but that was pretty much it. and, with all of the cows around I figured it was just a matter of time before they got past my logs and destroyed my blind, so I pulled it. the deer aren't rutting hard at all, so I might put it back up later (especially if the cows leave). I pulled the camera too but was pleasantly surprised to see that last night a lot of the bucks ive been seeing came in. at least theyre still around....
:campfire: Lovin this thread! Have you ever heard of the Heads Up Decoy? I've used the Mule Deer Doe the past couple years with great success. You can have somebody working tandem or you can mount them on your bow if your a solo hunter. Anyways, GOOD LUCK!!!
Good luck...and great pics! The countryside is beautiful!!
Great story Brad! Keep after the big guy and he will be yours! Good luck and I really enjoy you taking us along! Thanks.
Kenny :bigsmyl:
Wow Good luck to you .
May life's simplest things bring you the greatest pleasures !!!!
boy, today was not my day I guess.
covered some good country tonight and deer were up and moving. the problem was, they were all does. the extreme wind certainly wasn't helping matters any.
wish I had more to report tonight but honestly it was a slow evening.
Good luck and keep us posted! :thumbsup:
I think a gusty strong wind might limit their senses of hearing and smell and get them to move to a protected area on the lee side of a ridge. Great pictures, thanks for taking us along.
talk about a beautiful morning in the fog...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0175.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0175.jpg.html)
but as pretty as it was, I got skunked. that's not a total surprise however, as setting up a blind in the dark does make a bit of noise. I even thought I heard a deer blow in the distance, but not certain. either way, the blind that shouldn't have come out in the first place is back in, and I think I did enough that the cows wont mess with it.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0176.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0176.jpg.html)
I gotta tell ya, there is a big branch coming off that tree right behind the blind, and I smacked it good. just about rendered myself unconscious. so, considering the blind is in, logs and barb wire around it, and I kept conscious through the whole ordeal Im calling the whole ordeal a win.
heres an interesting note I forgot the other day. check this out...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0127.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0127.jpg.html)
the area I hunt is REALLY not a salamander type of place. that morning was 21 degrees when I started hunting and 33 when I got back on the road. what was this little guy doing besides freezing?? he was moving.... kinda....
This is a GREAT tale so far. It is almost like I am there...I had to rub my head from an old turkey hunting blind in the dark incident! :D
Awesome hunt so far, thanks for sharing!!
Steve
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0177.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0177.jpg.html)
hunted the blind my dad got his buck from tonight. the other night when I was in there, right at dark I spooked something I never saw but was alone and sounded big. took a chance on it. knew before I got in there that it could pan out. there is a HUGE buck track going in. so, in the blind for the night I went. checked the trail cam, here he is. looks like a bruiser.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0015.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0015.jpg.html)
however, the night was slow. in fact, it was pretty much dead. a few birds kept me company, including this robin who is probably NOT ready for what the weather is going to do tomorrow night..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0178.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0178.jpg.html)
tell you what, I think I might make a play tomorrow on this buck midday. we have a big storm coming tomorrow night so he should be moving, and while I haven't been in there this year, there is a basin just "over the hill and around the corner" from here that is a muley hidel hole. most years in there I find several fresh rubs, and lots of tracks in the snow when im not seeing the deer that made em. In the morning im gonna go set my blind in the rut zone, as those big guys are there and I know that's gonna hit soon (as in maybe right before a storm) then maybe midday try this.
a pretty evening for sure...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0179.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0179.jpg.html)
started the morning setting the rut zone blind. right at daybreak, 5 does came in. no bucks followed. I waited around for an hour or so and the moo cows started their daily migration, so I went for a hike. saw a small buck and some does in the funnel I hunted the other day...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0182.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0182.jpg.html)
also, I spooked that heavy, freak buck from the trail cams earlier but no shot or pictures. he was alone, which is interesting. he hasn't been that way yet, either In trail cams or the couple times ive actually seen him. seemed strange.
a little further down the rim the canyon forks. just across I saw a dandy forkhorn bothering a doe. not a shooter but still neat to see.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0183.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0183.jpg.html)
but otherwise not much was moving. I got up pretty high and glassed a bunch and just not finding what im looking for. think ill give this spot a break for a bit and look around elsewhere, as they simply are not rutting yet at all.
what hunt could possibly be complete without a "selfie" (to use the parlance of our times)...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0185.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0185.jpg.html)
I did manage to find one heck of a unique shed. check this baby out..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0187.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0187.jpg.html)
after all of this I drove to the spot I was talking about last night. figured id hike that canyon, look for sign, and do come calling. its a gorgeous spot, actually one of my favorites and there were fresh droppings all over but I didn't see any deer.
I did cut a big buck track though, so you can bet ill be back in there. love these red berries. make a nice photo...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0190.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0190.jpg.html)
Brad, keep on 'em. I'm thinking the whitetails might get a pass early tomorrow with the weather forecast, but when the snow stops (tomorrow afternoon?) things might get interesting.
That is a weird looking shed, by the way.
Keep up the updates. Great thread so Far. Good luck, its only a matter of time.
glad you all are enjoying this as much as I am..
tonight was pretty cool.
actually, it was warm. almost 60 degrees warm. heck driving home I still had 55 degrees after dark. tough to imagine that were gonna be sub zero in two days.....
but for now lets talk about today.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0200.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0200.jpg.html)
lots of deer moving around tonight. the problem was, the big guys weren't playing fair. in fact, the only mature buck I was even close to was that giant 3 point that I have a pic of on here a while back, that I wish was a two. was around him all night but so were a bunch of does and trying to get in range was fruitless. lots of deer in the distance, in almost every direction however. look at this guy!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0197.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0197.jpg.html)
as for where I was at, I just kept having smaller bucks running interference.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0202.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0202.jpg.html)
but I was slowly gaining on the big forkie thing until I found the "horn of doom"
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0201.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0201.jpg.html)
yes, I realize that's an antler instead of a horn, but I think horn sounds more intimidating. I have no idea why this is, but everytime I find a shed antler, my hunt is basically over. something invariably goes wrong. im 100% on this one, and if I were a more intelligent man, id just stop hunting and get out of the woods whenever I trip on a shed.
but then again, what fun would that be?
I played with these deer until I finally pushed em off for good, and started working my way out. saw a herd in the distance that had a decent buck running does. actually I believe its the short tined, heavy 5 x 5 I saw the other day at daybreak. and, I saw probably my favorite deer in this particular area right at dark. its a typical spot for him, and I would have hunted it tonight but there were too many deer in the way. if its not raining in the morning ill give him a go. I wouldn't mind a little snow. rain is a no go. either way, I probably have one more day for the next week, as its going to be bitter, bitter cold here starting Tuesday and im a weenie. MAYBE ill sneak in a quick hunt somewhere but that's not for certain.
a gorgeous sunset said good bye to probably the last real warm weather we will have this year...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0213.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0213.jpg.html)
Thanks for sharing! I can't wait until I am able to go on a mule deer hunt!
ugg. it didn't snow. just starting to. what we ended up with was freezing rain and a good amount of wind. not looking good for me getting to hunt today
Stand by, it's headed your way, and it ain't pretty!
I heard you guys got hammered. we aren't supposed to get a lot but a little might help the hunting. its going to be bitter cold for a few though, so...
At least your seeing them Brad. I was out Sat at 9500 ft. No snow and deer movement after 8 am was nonexistent due to the warm weather and full moon, I believe. We're getting weather today too. Good luck, really enjoyed the thread.
Great hunting blog, thread, story.....
:campfire:
not a bit of hunting for me today. was going to go tonight, but had to do bank stuff for the new ride, so nice dice. that one was a sacrifice I was willing to make!
tomorrow is probably out, have to be out of town. if that falls through ill give it a go tomroow night, and if not wednesday will be my next try. anyway, my hunting landscape has changed. should look a lot like this next time I see it.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/Untitled-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/Untitled-1.jpg.html)
Cool stuff..... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Good stuff Brad!! being a white tail guy those Mule Bucks bodies are huge!! Big and Blocky!! thanks for sharing
The arrival of the Arctic cold front and snow will change the scenery. Deer might be conserving energy, traveling less. Stay warm, hunt safe. Good Luck.
no hunting to do today, had business to do out of town. however driving home tonight we came by my hunting spots and did a little extra driving and glassing. not a ton moving, but some nice bucks around....
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_4424.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_4424.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_5467.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_5467.jpg.html)
I love the necks on those muley bucks! Hunting a good one during the rut is still a goal of mine. Loving this thread!
Love muleys. He's looking pretty healthy.
Bradley, been out anymore I look at this thread every day thanks for taking us along
no I didn't go this morning. its about -10 here, and im just not man enough to hunt in that. high today is between 7-10 but im gonna try to go this evening anyway. im dying to get out there. vacation ends Friday night but its a long season, and the big guys are just starting to move. i think next week were back in the 30s, that and it being this time in November should be perfect
Much appreciation for taking us along on this fine and memorable adventure.
in an effort to show you how dedicated I am to hunting in the cold, heres a buck from this morning...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_8660.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_8660.jpg.html)
never mind the fact that hes running does around my neighborhood and this was out my kitchen window..
what a great thread, thank you for taking us along with you!
Just LOOK at that neck
:campfire: I wished it looked like that here! It's been so warm this fall. Good luck
a balmy 6 degrees for my evening hunt. I don't care, its been two days, im feeling cabin fever coming on! leaving my house, it was good to see the neighborhood bruiser chasing does here at home. hoped it would be a taste of whats to come..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_5585.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_5585.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0470.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0470.jpg.html)
ya know, I have to say, it was much warmer once I got to walking than I though it would be. of course I was REALLY bundled up...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0215.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0215.jpg.html)
and at first I thought my little plan might work. was going to a small saddle in a hill that bucks seem to move though, to do some rattling.
tracks were everywhere..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0217-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0217-1.jpg.html)
but I just couldn't find what made em. to be honest, I only saw one track that I was certain was a buck. everything else looked like does and fawns. I covered a lot of country too. and saw exactly nothing.
as for the rattling, apparently a guy has to have the rattle bag with him to do any rattling! once I got home I saw where it had fallen out of my pack on my deck. I never heard it in the soft snow.
id say it was a frustrating evening, but it was just so calm and beautiful. I mean, really, how could this NOT have been enjoyable..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0216.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0216.jpg.html)
maybe tomorrow..
:thumbsup: KEEP IT COMIN :campfire:
Great story so far, thanks for letting us tag along.. :campfire:
Looks like you are having a great season so far Brad. Shoot straight and true when your chance comes knocking.
Thanks for the updates Brad :thumbsup:
Keep at it! For our sake at least...
Great looking country and deer. Smile on those selfies.
sorry I had nothing this morning, it was -14 when I got up. guess I don't want it that bad..
these geese must, however. wonder if they wish they were a week further south right about now?
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0223-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0223-1.jpg.html)
hunted my favorite spot tonight. it usually is just rocking in the snow. by the look of all the tracks, id say in the last three days rocking would be the proper word.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0219.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0219.jpg.html)
the snow just makes this country gorgeous. deer stand out in it as well. however, even when there aren't any in sight, I just love being here...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0220-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0220-1.jpg.html)
crazy, however, while there were tracks everywhere, there were deer nowhere. actually I could see in numerous places in the distance, but close enough for a picture or stalk was just not happening. there was a spot I was actually aiming to get to, and the tracks were just thick in there. deer had been going in all directions! I decided to do a rattling session. it attracted some attention.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0221.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0221.jpg.html)
there were four does in the group, and they came on the run. not all the way in, they finally settled and started feeding just over 100 yards away, but watching em run in from so far was cool. problem is, there wasn't a buck with em. I must not be a very good rattler. seems I get does coming in often enough but the bucks just don't respond. who knows.
I didn't even get close to a buck tonight. I did find what I think is a mule deer scrape. there were tracks going everywhere from this. what do you think?
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0224-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0224-1.jpg.html)
pretty cool I thought. and the tracks. there were old tracks (snows only three days so no older than that). there were fresh tracks. fresh and old beds. I could tell that deer had been all over but just not tonight.
driving out in the dark, that heavy 4x3 (one of my target bucks) was down below with a couple does. could see em in the snow even in the dark, actually my rattling was just over the crest from him. kind of surprised he didn't come take a peak, he didn't seem to be THAT involved with any of his female companions.
pretty night, fruitless as it was. unfortunately this blog is going to slow down for a few days. vacations over, I start night shifts tomorrow night. I wont keep ya hanging though, any hunting I get done, youll know about it. I bet this bitter cold and better weather coming (highs mid 30s to 40 next week) gets this rut thing a rolling. late November is the typical magical time here. better days are on the horizon.
I am Loving all the great pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Enjoying the hunt :campfire: :coffee:
Thanks for taking us along bud. Good luck if you get back out!
I love the look of those mulie bucks in the rut. Good luck and stay warm. Thanks for the story and pics.
Brad, maybe the weather is improved in Newcastle, but I fear that it is all too similar to what it is in Buffalo. 'Bout froze my nards off yesterday, and it is worse this morning, with tomorrow promising 30 mph wind. Are you giving the mulies a pass this morning? The whitetails are being given a comp day over here in Johnson Co. Now I remember why I go to Arizona in January.
Nice shirt in the first "selfy".In the winter photo you are doing the Mike Mitten two hat too cold selfy.YOU have some patience wow!!
all of em get a free pass this weekend. darn night shifts. but the weather is supposed to get much better by Tuesday, and ill be off for three. theyre in for it!
yeah, Tuesday should actually get above freezing! Looking forward to that.
Best of luck Brad. Cold and snowy here in the Yooper. Too darn early to be down in the single digits. Glad I was able to kill a nice buck before the cold moved in on us.
ahh, were finally coming out of the deep freeze, and this crazy wind is supposed to subside. I have one more night shift to go, and its game one.
Good luck buddy get out there and get it done
Love the read along. Someday I have to get after some Muleys!!!
Good stuff...
Entertaining read.
warmed up today. finally out of the deep freeze. damn, it felt good to be getting back out....
ok, so I know in the morning I want to hunt my favorite spot of all. its not the "rut zone" but its just my spot. anyway, tonight I decided id see if my blind survived the heavy snow and howling wind in the rut zone itself and if so sit the blind. when I got there I feared the worst, but once I popped the roof back up and a ton of snow fell off, I could see the blind was fine.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0225.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0225.jpg.html)
of course the cows are still in here thick. maybe worse than before. looking around before the hunt, I only saw a couple sets of deer tracks. the wind really picked up about a half hour before dark, and I was covered up in cows so I figured id go do some glassing to prepare for tomorrow. the one saddle I can see in the distance from the blind had a couple does in it, and in my actual spot for tomorrow there were a LOT of deer moving around. check this guy out, not a shooter but nice.. (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0230.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0230.jpg.html)
right at dark I spotted the buck im calling "hightower". its that giant forkie with crab clawed fronts that I keep seeing. hes so tal and I just always say that name to myself when I see him. I think I can get on him tomorrow, him or that big heavy 4x3 which is probably my favorite buck of all of the shooters ive seen. tomorrow is supposed to be warm and calm, and I bet I do well.
should get some great pics too.
did I mention just how good it felt to be back out hunting again?
BEST OF LUCK brad awesome thread so far hope it ends up with a big Muley on the ground!
Good luck Brad! Great read so far. Muleys are such a challenge and so fun to hunt.
:campfire:
You are surely in a good spot if that is not a shooter! Keep after em. This is good!
Wow!! Keep it coming. May your arrow fly true. Great being able to see this, haven't been able to get out to hunt this year. Way too cool.
talk about a neat morning. felt great to be out!! ill let the pics show the sun turning a foreboding landscape into a gorgeous wintry day...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0244.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0244.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0238.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0238.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0237.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0237.jpg.html)
and I went for quite a hike. found a few nice rubs...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0250-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0250-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0233.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0233.jpg.html)
the hard wind after the snow made for some interesting walking. lots of the snow was soft and easy to traverse. some was blown in quite hard.
in some places, these two things met up within inches. heres an 8 inch sink, then lookie there im hovering!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0241.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0241.jpg.html)
as for the hunting, I bumped three does shortly after I got to walking. still pretty dark but no bucks around. shortly after I located 5 does and figured there was a buck and snuck in. not an antler to be found. that ended up being a trend this morning im afraid. I just kept finding bedded does with no male escorts. some of these deer can be hard to spot...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0240.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0240.jpg.html)
I finally did locate a couple bucks, while I was working the rimrock along a big canyon. a smallish 3x3 and a spike were cruising the bottom. no pics, sorry.
pretty disappointing day for buck action. I did go back in to where dad got his buck to rescue/pull the blind if it was in one piece. working that area, there were tracks EVERYWHERE! buck tracks too, and they looked fresh. the blind was collapsed in the snow but in one piece so I brought it out. I did still have that camera in there and here are a couple of the frequent visitors to the area. tonight im gonna work the ridgetops in there, and do some spotting and rattling..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0021.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0021.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0030.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0030.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/PRMS0036-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/PRMS0036-1.jpg.html)
Good luck Brad! Some good bucks still out and about.
"over on the mountain,
thunder magic spoke.
Let the people know my wisdom,
fill the land with smoke"
listening to a little CCR on the way to the woods tonight. my Fogerty impression isn't exactly spot on, wonder if ill be better at deer hunting..
the answer was a resounding no. hunted in the general vicinity of where those cam pics are, and drew a blank. saw one so/so 4x4 hounding a doe but he got away before a shot or pic. plenty of tracks and sign around, just no buck tonight.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/Untitled-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/Untitled-1.jpg.html)
driving out, was able to kind of glass near where I was this morning (even in the dark a deer can be seen in the snow). deer everywhere. where did they come from? I think ill try to find out in the morning....
Good luck Brad...this is a great thread. Thanks for taking us along! Keep your nose into the wind! Lol
Kenny :bigsmyl:
Sooner or later you will be in the right place at the right time.
Brad, sounds like your mulie hunt is mirroring my whitetail hunt. Let's hope we both get it done soon.
I hope we do soon as well, Pat..
just getting ready to leave. its cold outside. good lord. the first hour or two of this might not be much fun.
for those that like music, todays choice was a little Corb Lund. "The Truck Got Stuck" is a longtime fave, and everytime I listen to that before an elk hunt I seem to do well. figured id try it with deer.
the heat yesterday softening the snow up plus the cold last night equaled really, really crunchy snow. pretty much impossible to sneak on much. early on however, I spotted my big, heavy 4x3 hounding a doe. of all of my prospective bucks this year, hes my fave. ive seen him standing by a buck that would outscore him by at least 20 inches, but he 4x3 just dwarfs him in body size. that plus me hunting and getting close to him last year makes him my fave. anyway...
I watched him from a couple hundred yards hounding this doe. there was one more with em, but he wasn't paying her much mind.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0261.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0261.jpg.html)
anyway, they were working out on this peninsula that I happen to know very well, and I felt that even with the crunchy snow I might have a chance at him... this is a spot they typically drop off the top and work around the rim rock, maybe I could make the quarter mile in time to basically treestand him from that point. \\
it was not to be.
just after they crossed over a point and I could move and gain some ground, I spotted a couple does sort of behind me. and they saw me...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0254.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0254.jpg.html)
now I have no idea why, but instead of running away, the three of em (I know you can only see one in the pic, but trust me there were three) ran in a big, 3 or 4 hundred yard half circle around me and ran right into my buck. damn it! I moved as close as I could, but instead of doing what I was hoping they crossed the big canyon, and I was out of chances for this morning.
my little pocket camera takes great pics. this is from a LONGGGGG ways away...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0257.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0257.jpg.html)
I actually watched him badger this doe for a bit, before I left. with the loud walking, I felt I had no chance of doing anything but running deer this morning, plus where he went I feel I have a great ambush spot for this evening. its a good long hike and ill want to be in kind of early, but honestly, this one might work...
Very good !! :thumbsup:
Go get 'em this afternoon! Same situation here, crunchy snow that made it impossible to move quietly. Saw bucks chasing, but couldn't move on them. A balmy 12 here this morning; I'm betting Newcastle was just as toasty.
it was. I think I left the house at 15 degrees. gonna push 40 today though, actually its pretty nice already. should be a great afternoon for it. I start "hell week" after today, so after tonight, other than Monday, it will be after thanksgiving before I go again.
ok, tonight was frustrating...
went where I was planning, getting into the bottom of the big canyon where I left the big guy this morning. its a hell of an area, there is this old "road" going in, although there aren't any roads around here. neat trail.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0264.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0264.jpg.html)
just before this pic, I bumped a very small 3x3. ive seen him a few times, hes nowhere near a shooter. that was to be about all I saw except sign. I got into the bottom of the canyon, and down to where I wanted to be. glassing in all directions, there were no deer to be seen, which I felt was a good thing. if I didn't spook em, surely they would be coming in. tracks like this are everywhere here, lots of deer around somewhere.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0265.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0265.jpg.html)
the problem is, there were no deer in these tracks. no deer entered the canyon all night. usually, this baby is loaded with em. I had a good wind, and don't think I was busted coming in. maybe they weren't moving all that well tonight?
I did find something interesting. I think two bucks fought here. this one place was just tore up.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0269.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0269.jpg.html)
never found anything like that.
anyway, right at dark I started the long hike out. this is a pretty good jaunt from where I park. anyway, crossing the top even though it was dark I spotted movement in the snow ahead of me and glassed three does moving slowly, feeding as they went. always fun to mess with em, id walk a bit then theyd look and Id stop. im in buckbrush territory and wearing snow camo. they just couldn't pick me out. I played with em for a bit then decided I better just get out of dodge so started moving a bit, and that's when the buck joined em. I was 100 yards away at least and it was well past shooting light, but I still had to take a look. now, I cant be sure, but he had a huge dark body and rack, and im almost certain this was the buck I was after to begin with tonight. too dark to see his rack clear enough to verify it, but ive been around this deer plenty, and I really think it was him. and if it was, sometime during the day they had to have crossed the biggest, gnarliest canyon in the area, and their look to get to here would have been well over a mile. possibly closer to two. I guess in the rut anything is possible, but while I don't know for sure, I might have been hunting a mile from the buck I thought I had bedded.
lol, im not very good at this....
on a sad note, I start whats called "hell week" at work now, so other than maybe Monday I wont be back out until after thanksgiving. kind of sad, im enjoying this all so much..
Great blog. Looking forward to the rest of the story. :campfire:
:thumbsup: :coffee:
I hate working hell week. you just know the bucks are running amok and youre slaving away. what do ya do...
off today though, so gave it another whirl.
dawn broke a wintry, blustery morning.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0270.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0270.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0276.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0276.jpg.html)
figured id hunt the one peninsula with the rimrock that I like to frequent. last week that's where my big guy was and he likes that spot so I made the long, cold trek in.
pretty interesting in there as well. the snow melted quite a bit over the weekend, so it was very spotty. and very loud. the game was to try to step on dry spots but of course that wasn't always possible. I did make good progress, though, and got to about where I wanted to be. some does crested the ridge in front of me, kind of working my way. a couple yearling bucks were in the mix as well when I spotted a slightly larger body coming up behind em. this is what he looked like.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0274.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0274.jpg.html)
not a shooter.
but there were so many does around. this guy was minding one of them pretty close, and a yearling fork horn was on another. finally though the trees, I saw a MUCH bigger deer hounding a doe. however, I was pinned down as any movement the close forky and doe would spot me. so I waited.
over a half hour later, I was standing in the same place. so were all of the other deer, minus the big buck and his doe. they had drifted into a little stand of timber. I never got a good luck at him in all that time. being approximately the same distance from them as i was the little buck i showed ya a second ago, i can tell you the big guy had an old roman nose, and his body looked years bigger than this guy. that is all i can tell you. i got glimpses of a large rack over his head in the trees but that was it. considering where i was, and whats been running in there lately, my best guess is that buck i call hightower or that big heavy 4x3. but, i cannot verify that. anyway, i tried to make a long move around the end to get in front of and closer to the big guy but walked right into a lone doe that was bedded a couple hundred yards from all these deer. ill give ya one guess as to which way she ran. the domino effect took place and i was busted.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0278-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0278-1.jpg.html)
these deer all worked into the bottom and up the big canyon below me. the young bucks as well. however, i never saw the big guy and his doe again. i believe they were held up in a small nook with some thick timber, but i had a bad wind for it so couldn't approach. after all of this i saw a couple more distant herds of does but nothing mature for bucks.
i believe were in what you eastern fellas commonly refer to as "lockdown" where the mature bucks are sticking close to their one hot doe. tough time to hunt. i don't know if ill hunt deer tonight, have a couple things to do and might go try for some ducks. tomorrow morning though, im going into that one saddle by the rut zone. i bet a buck is held up in there.
Way to stay with it!
Good luck on that saddle. Thanks for the pics, great looking country.
Love the pic with all the does! Stay at it brother....great read along! :thumbsup:
Man this has been a great read!! Thanks for taking us along! So do you think the Muley rut is generally a little later than the whitetail rut? I hunt Mulies in the Sandhills of Nebraska and generally they seem to get a little more fired up around Thanksgiving. The Whitetails in the area I live are usually on the tail end of breeding by then.
Steve
I agree, I think we should still have a good week or two of all the fun on the muleys. the whitetails should be winding down by then. I cant wait for Friday now. get this "hell week" over so I can hunt for a couple. guess were gonna be back over 50 degrees too.
hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving. were going to celebrate sunday as everyone can be here. I worked nights all week.
speaking of nights, let me tell you about tonights hunt. wow!!!
hiked into my favorite spot, but didn't make it in very far. deer everywhere! I almost walked in to three feeding does at about 100 yards. just beyond them was this guy.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0291.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0291.jpg.html)
I could actually see herds of deer scattered everywhere at this point, but this guy was close hounding a doe, and I had a plan. I ducked into a small ravine and half circled him while getting some concealment. figured id rattle him in. long story short, he didnt appear. tracks would show they went the other direction. don't know why it scared him? anyway, I noticed another herd of deer moving through, with this guy and about 8 or 9 does. they weren't close enough for a shot but got a pic or two.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0297.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0297.jpg.html)
they ended up busting me and leaving, however. I made a move toward my favorite rim rock. it seemed there were does everywhere tonight! I just kept wandering into feeding deer but no mature bucks around.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0300.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0300.jpg.html)
the rimrock tactic worked. completely. almost...
I could have shot deer easily, but not an antler to be seen. where had the big guys gone? still locked down maybe? either way, I want to be done this weekend if possible but packing a deer from that canyon is quite an undertaking. so, I passed all the does and kept hunting. I made a long circle and was within about 500 yards of where I took the first buck pics. it was getting dark, and there were deer everywhere up there. I could see one buck hounding does, but body wise he looked small, and I was too far to see his antlers. it didnt help they were in and out of that buck brush. suddenly, a BIG buck appeared about halfway between me and these deer, and he was marching their way. not much I could do, I was quite a ways out. I eased along as fast as possible, but wasn't gaining much ground. finally he really postured up and pranced in at something behind a small hill. I knew some distant does would see me, but it was getting dark and this was my chance to make some ground.
then I heard something really crazy.
this buck was within about 100 yards of where id set up and rattled earlier, and I could hear a full fledge buck fight start up! hot damn! I covered country as fast as possible to see the action, but missed the fight. I had one mound to get over and im guessing I was still 150 yards out when I quit hearing the commotion. getting to the small crest, I could see the big 4 point I was following. he had three does right there, and one of em must have been hot. I take it he was the fight winner, though there was blood around his nose area. he looked pretty tattered but he did have the does and I never saw what he was fighting. was within 55 yards or so at this point. thought maybe hed drift my way a bit if I called, so I whipped out the can call but none of the deer even acknowledged it. so, I ducked down real low, and got the rattling antlers...
and I went to work! I was punching the ground and slammin' the antlers and I looked up through the brush and saw a deer bearing down on me at a full charge at about 30 yards. HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! throwing down the antlers I grabbed my bow and got ready, and...
IT WAS A LITTLE FORKHORN!
the big guy was still in the same place. he was intently looking but hadn't come in. the little forkhron ran right up to spitting distance but no was was he a shooter. dammit!
the hot doe finally was moving off and the big guy followed her, so little forky be damned, I got up and pursued when they got behind the next little hill, but it was nearly completely dark and while I saw em again in the distance, I had no chance on catching em. a frustrating end to the greatest night of deer hunting of my life. I realize this is the condensed version but it was just incredible there were SOO many deer. I don't think I saw 100 different deer, but I cant guarantee it. 3 shooters. deer everywhere. first buck ive ever rattled in. heart doing the bugaloo.. that's why im out there.
here is the little forky at about 40 yards. this was after he had been close for a while, but I was too busy studying the situation on the big guy. and sadly, I don't have a pic of him at all but what a night. might be a great weekend...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0301-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0301-1.jpg.html)
Great report, as usual. Sounds like it was a lot of fun, although I'm sure it was frustrating to have TOO MANY deer around you, making it impossible to get close to the deer you wanted.
Do you think the big bucks are laying low, or what? In areas I have hunted, the migration from summer to winter can vary a few weeks. Do you have any dark timber close, to see if the big ones are hiding out?
Hud, I think a lot of the big guys are in that lockdown mode, hang with a hot doe. just my guess.
wow, just when I thought last night was the greatest deer hunt ever, this morning had to happen.
this is why im a terrible bowhunter, and this is why i love bowhunting.
im still wound up.
I started this morning hunting one particular saddle near my "rut zone". the cows seem to all be gone, and I know there are still some big guys around. was a pretty sunrise for sure, 30 degrees and not cold...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0302-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0302-1.jpg.html)
however, the snow was VERY crunchy. this particular saddle is right on a bedding area I see a lot of does use, figured maybe a buck would come by. however, after a couple hours, id only seen 2 deer off in another part of the world, not even close to where I was hunting. was getting pretty frustrated, just nothing moving. finally, glassing across the big canyon in the brush country on the other side, I saw some deer. looked like 8 or 9 deer, and I saw briefly the sun hit antler on top of one of em. these deer were between 1/2 and 3/4 of a mile away, but hey, I knew there was a buck there and there was nothing where I was. what did I have to lose?
it took me a while to get across the big canyon and over to where id seen these deer. now I knew this one might be hard. the snow was really crunchy, so there was no way to sneak up close enough for a shot. plus, there was a big, open field between us, them going just over a brushy ridge beyond the field. also between us was a fence, and they were on private property. so, I got near the edge of the field, glassed everything, and seeing nothing decided id try a little rattling.
this is where **** got real!
I hadn't been beating the rattle bag for long when I saw "him" coming. actually all I could see was he was a couple hundred yards away right where the deer had been, and he was coming on a full run. I used one hand to grind on the rattle bag, the other to raise my binos. OMG!!!!! this guy was between 27 and 30 inches wide, decent forks, and did I mention RUNNING at me! at 50ish, I put down the rattle bag and got the ol bow ready. I was on my knees tucked in beside a buckbrush, and the buck was going to walk right past me. in fact, he got to about 21 yards or so, and was literally just a couple steps from being broadside at under 20, in the open, and without a clue I was there. I just needed a couple more steps to clear the brush I was knelt by.
then he did the worst thing he could have done.
he turned and came right at me.
and I do mean RIGHT at me.
all the way up to just a few feet. and of course, that damn bush was between us. I was snow camo'd up pretty well so I blended in but he did finally notice something there. personally, I think he heard my heart beating. we had the ol staredown for a little bit and he turned to go. I stood up, made a couple loud noises to stop him, and gripped the string.
and he did stop....
and he did turn broadside....
and even though he was a little further than id like, I tried my shot. what can I say, I was wound up to beat hell. I remember picking a spot, and I remember tearing my string back until my middle finger was trying to rip my mouth open through my right cheek (not sure if I still was looking at a spot), and I turned it loose. not even remotely a controlled shot, but it didn't matter, just as I shot the buck took off. my arrow was a complete airball. now, I have to tell ya. im an elk hunter. they are my passion. yet, I have NEVER been that excited on an elk, or at anything else in my life. a half hour later I was still shaking, hard.
I got a couple pics of him going away after that. he only looks so/so in the pic, but that is because you cant see how wide he is. he was one of those that really layed out before hooking up. my best deer ever had an outside spread of 26 inches, and this one was visably wider. somewhere in that 27-30 range anyway.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0307-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0307-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0306-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0306-1.jpg.html)
man I am having one hell of a great season. if I don't get one, it wont be for lack of trying or lack of big bucks. this has been just epic! last night and this morning, the two greatest deer hunts of my life. can we just not let this season end??
Brad that is why we all hunt. Too me you have had a great season so far. Best of luck if you get another chance to get out there.
Brad, you will find another tomorrow, try a different location with better cover and try again. Maybe give the old boy a rest before going back. Good luck.
Hud, I have eyes on quite a few big ones actually, this one only has so/so forks, so even with the beam length and width he wouldn't be the highest scoring. now to me that doesn't matter, but to some..
no hunting for me tonight. went and gave the ducks some hell. going to be wayyy cold tomorrow (was 57 here today, high of 8 tomorrow), then back to warm for next week. I work mon-thur so no hunting then, but then I have a week off, and ill be giving em hell. celebrating thanksgiving tomorrow so maybe an evening hunt but its unlikely.
I'm just catching up on this one again and loving the play by play! Those rid up muleys look like a blast to hunt!
I'm still pulling for a grip and grin pic at the end of this thread!
Man, that sounds like fun. Great story and the telling.
Whip got it right, I look forward to your posts, keep at it!
well, no hunting for me today. did thanksgiving with the family. now I work four days so I wont be able to hunt until Friday.
this was in my yard when I got home. Im deer hunting even when im not.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0308.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0308.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0319.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0319.jpg.html)
got an extra day off, and its nice out. hunted this morning.
hold on to your hats for this one.
nice and calm at daybreak...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0325.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0325.jpg.html)
right away I noticed plenty of coyote tracks around, and even saw one at a great distance, but no deer were around. I was in this spot as a buddy of mine had viewed one of the big typicals Im after in here just a day or two ago, and I figured with all of the does around, they wouldn't go far.
they didn't.
I ended up hiking in a ways, along a deer canyon. no deer were in the bottom, but finally I got to a place where I could see a couple does on the top where I was, about 80 yards away from me. and, they were obviously looking at more deer. seeing as I had the typical really loud snow, I held tight in what cover I had, and watched another doe walk out with a buck on her tail. a BIG buck. I tried to call him to me, but there was no way he was leaving this doe. in this pic, hes not looking at me, hes looking FOR me. in my other hand is my can call, behind my back. I took a few as he moved his head around looking for this other doe but this is the best of em.
about 60 yards out here. once again, I really don't like loud snow..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0326.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0326.jpg.html)
after a while, one of the other does got downwind enough to get me and they moved off, though not as fast as you would think. they dropped into the next large canyon, and I thought if I hustled around the top of the canyon maybe I could set up and rattle him in. so away I went.
while not the same deer, obviously im not as sneaky as I think.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0336-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0336-1.jpg.html)
it took me a while to get around on these deer and they kept moving. I lost them for a good while but did eventually find them again further up the hill. this was over a mile from where I was on em first.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0348.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0348.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0347-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0347-1.jpg.html)
however, I could get no closer than 150 or so at this point. between the open country and that wonderful loud snow, there was just no way. I was helpless until they fed over the top.
someone want to tell this little guy that its winter?
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0337-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0337-1.jpg.html)
when they moved over the top, that's when this hunt got REAL interesting. I half circled to try to not go straight at them, more get the wind right and have a better angle. I crested the small top, and hadn't went very far when I spotted the buck about 70 yards out, with his nose on the ground. ahh, I have a chance here! I quickly knelt and rattled, and the big guy raised his head and started moving my way at a somewhat steady pace. I readied for the shot, but failed to see a small forkhorn that had also come in to just under 20 yards on my right, and he blew the whole thing. dammit!! I quickly stood up to see if I could get a shot but my big guy was already 50 yards out and hustling back toward the does.
then something unexpected happened.
as the buck was nearing a small tree by all of these dang does, I saw a giant, heavy antler swing out from behind the tree, and the big wide buck moved off a little. there was another buck! I don't know where he came from, but it was obvious that the big wide guy wanted nothing to do with this tall, narrow, heavy kicker guy.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0356-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0356-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0360.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0360.jpg.html)
the pics don't do this guy justice. he kept the wide buck at bay the whole time. I took almost 40 pics, but not a one turned out very good. it seemed I was always a second late with the camera. of course, I was watching and hunting while trying to do this. the herd finally moved off into a spot where I couldn't get to quietly (yet again dang snow), and I knew theyd been pushed a good bit so I left em. will probably give them a day or three to settle down (and get closer to a road. i hiked just shy of 10 miles today on this hunt) but i will return. i couldn't believe that big wide buck was playing second fiddle, but he was. just two big, big muley bucks. and i was this close....
a parting shot.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0390-1.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0390-1.jpg.html)
Wow... :campfire:
Must be nice to get into that many deer on a single hunt. Great stuff......thanks for update.
Thinking about those big muleys is habit forming.
Great Updates. Good luck next outing!
tonight was fun, but not like this morning...
hunted my old standby, my favorite spot. hiking in, it was 50 degrees and the snow is melting fast. deer were moving everywhere!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0391.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0391.jpg.html)
but I wasn't seeing any bucks. well, scratch that. I wasn't seeing any mature bucks. I had a predetermined spot I wanted to sit, and honestly it ended up being as far as I was going to get before I had deer in every direction, albeit nothing even remotely close to me. finally, my favorite buck in that area, the big, heavy 4x3 made an appearance. however, he was a ways away and going the wrong direction. just ended up being an observer tonight.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0404.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0404.jpg.html)
was a nice moonrise however, and I think ill be back in here in the morning.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0395.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0395.jpg.html)
Good luck Brad! Think I'd of already shot a small buck :)
Really enjoying this thread. You got some great hunting there! Best of luck, thanks for taking us along.
early setting moon this morning. neat watching the few clouds cover bits and pieces. this is from my driveway..
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0406.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0406.jpg.html)
hunted where I did last night. the thought was I might get a good crack at that 4x3 while leaving the two big guys from yesterday morning alone for a day. tonight im on em again!
right at first light I saw a small top fork three point and a couple does moving along. I had a predetermined spot I was going to sit, but another herd in the distance swayed my opinion. 10 or 11 deer were mingling, with a big bodied one right in the middle. still pretty dark but I moved in as close as I could get and took a look.
all does.
dang it....
the sunrise was making some crazy colors.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0407.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0407.jpg.html)
my good buck was nowhere to be seen, so I made the trek to my favorite peninsula over a big canyon. this is where this particular buck seems to call home. on the way, I spotted a large, mature buck hounding a couple does in the distance. figured id keep that in mind for future reference.
out on the peninsula, there were a couple does moving around and a baby forkhorn but that was all I could see. so from the spot I took my buck a couple years ago, I set up and rattled. FOUND HIM!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0412.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0412.jpg.html)
the problem is, he was 300 yards out and had a couple gals with him. one of which he was very much interested in. I watched for a while, but seeing that he wasn't moving to me at all and there was no sure way to get close, I snuck away. don't want to push him out of the area. I ended up making the long trek to where the other mature buck was, and never did find him. hmm....
not the most eventful morning, but a pretty one at that. tonight im back after the two monsters.
ahh the magic of google earth...
I might have just found something here. a new way into where I was yesterday that is MUCH shorter. might be a steep climb involved but those don't frighten me at all. going to try it tonight. I really hope I have a good night, the next two days my deer hunting is going to be limited. tomorrow I have to be out of town in the morning (might get an evening hunt), and sunday I believe a few of us are going pheasant hunting..
Thanks for the update, stay after them.
Good Luck tonight..!
Man, what a rush to read this. Hope you have enough time to get one of the big boys. Best of luck.
wowsa. this new spot was a tad rugged!!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0435.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0435.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0436.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0436.jpg.html)
wasn't a quick hike in but well worth it. I think I mighta found something here! there were animals everywhere.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0427.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0427.jpg.html)
and there were deer as well. lots of them. in fact, I never did get to where I was trying to go as I just kept tripping over deer. saw possibly the most impressive deer ive ever seen, a giant forkhorn. baseball bat barrel thickness and just huge. no pic though.
in all of this deer everywhere business, I did find a good herd on the ridge I was on. two dandy bucks running it as well. being about 300 yards away from all of em, I set up to rattle.
nothing noticed.
they wouldn't even look.
so, I made a sneak across the open field toward em, using a terrain break for cover. and it almost worked. heres the small buck at about 100 yards.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0439.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0439.jpg.html)
but I just couldn't get close enough. a doe picked me up and alerted the troops. the big guy was a dandy! deep forks all around and a bonus kicker on his left side. pics of him weren't the best though, but you can see his body size compared to the buck in the past pic.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0440.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0440.jpg.html)
that is as close as I got to a buck however. what gorgeous country! what I was mainly hoping to be an in season scouting trip turned into a killer hunt. gorgeous night too.
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0446.jpg
no hunting for me in the morning, but tomorrow night ill be back at it..
I hunted near Greybull WY. years ago, same look to it as your new spot. Great looking country, I'm jealous.
Greybull area is neat. were you after deer, elk, or both?
I was on a gun hunt......Mule deer back in 1990. Really loved the area and had a great time. I also hunted antelope near Sundance on a private ranch. Then whitetails on the border of S.D. in the Black Hills.
Thanks for sharing. It's been raining pretty much all week here in PA, so this makes for a great Saturday afternoon read.
Good luck tonight! Looking forward to your next post...
last nights hunt was eventful, yet not much happened...
dad went with me on this one. wanted to see some of these deer. anyway, we hiked into where I got the pics a couple mornings back. walked right into a group of 5 or 6 does, and three bucks. a so/so fork, a smallish 4 point, and this guy. while only a mainframe fork, hes just a neat deer.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0453.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0453.jpg.html)
however, getting close wasn't an option, and he would do nothing more than give me this look at any call I threw out. we never got closer than about 100 yards, and a gorgeous sunset ended up being our reward.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0447.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0447.jpg.html)
today im going pheasant hunting, so no deer for me. Monday ill be back at it, going to put up a ground blind on a food source in there and see how it goes.
No hunting for me today and I just caught up on my FAV thread.
Brad What a great season you are having. Those big Mulie bucks are amazing!! Good luck in the morning!!
Your photo's are awesome!
Great thread, you have seen more deer on one outing than I have seen in three months of hunting, just don't have the numbers of white tails in my location of CT.
Good stuff Brad! Thanks for all the updates!
Kenny
Brad you are so lucky to be hunting still and in such beautiful country. Sure hope you get one of the big boys soon. Give them hell.
anxious for morning now. of course no deer hunting today as we were chasing (and limiting out on) pheasants. but I certainly thought about it plenty. bring on the daylight!
Really enjoying this!
dear tradgang community,
dear tradgang community
I hope Monday is treating you well. let me tell you about mine.
this morning I hiked in to where I could see the spot im going to put that ground blind this afternoon. there was a herd there with three bucks running around. one tall, heavy horned but narrow one was in charge. a shooter for sure. I tried to parallel them and get in front of them before they went to bed, but no dice. so, I started looking around.
then I found him.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0467.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0467.jpg.html)
this big guy was bedded alone over a quarter mile away. I made a LONG sneak down and round to get near the buck. about 300 yards out, I came to a spot where I had to cross some of that dang loud snow. man I hate that crap! anyway, I did the best I could, but when I got out of that hole I could see my buck was nowhere to be found. have I mentioned hating loud snow? anyway, I figured id move up to where he was and try to figure out what direction he had went. my original plan was to get within 100 yards and do some light rattling, see if hed get curious. and if not, lose the boots and sneak in. of course that is all moot now.
so, I started up to the spot, and what in the heck is that? why its the big buck that was there all along standing up, and running away quickly. there wasn't even time for a pic from the 70 or 80 yards that separated us. I AM SUCH A MORON! been a long time since I felt so stupid. I quit looking for deer, turned around, and hiked out of the woods. I have no idea how many cuss words I muttered, but it was a few.
anyway, in closing, I truly hope this is a good Monday and starts a great, cuss word free week for you. DONT BE ME!
regards
Brad Jones
AKA the genius
Brad, loving this article and your honesty!! I have felt exactly as you just described on whitetail many times!!
Keep it coming, Again appreciate your telling the whole story!
"dear tradgang community"... Oh, Oh that has a "dear john" sound to it.
A boot in the arse is all you're allowed to give yourself. We're still with you on this.
I don't know how you guys hunt that open country, you're doing great. What deer you're getting into.
You're getting close.
I certainly have been close. tonight is a prime example.
I went in early to set up the ol ground blind. got a hot food source! as I was finishing the set up, from the direction I typically see the deer come into this field from I see a BIG buck chasing a doe. let me rephrase. I see a doe leaving because of me and a hapless buck following her. on a good note though, I was only in the blind a few minutes when 2 does came in. they hung around for most of the evening, though certainly not the whole time in range of me. finally, just before dark, I see this coming my way.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0472.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0472.jpg.html)
he marched right in in front of me, but id put the camera away to get ready to shoot. had 4 on one side and 3 on the other (5x4 if you count brows). nice buck. anyway, this is unbelievable. with about 20 minutes to go before dark, he ends up about 14 yards from me, feeding, head on. over the next 15 minutes, he moves NOWHERE! I mean, yeah, he dodged around a big, but was straight at me or quartering too the whole time. I could hear another big deer behind the blind but it was dead calm so I didn't dare take a look. finally, the buck sees something that interests him and turns to go. I stop him as im drawing but I guess he saw the movement at that range and trotted off. FOR THE LOVE OF PETE! ive had a day of it lol. he ended up working down to the other end of the field as he wasn't really very scared. hiking out in the dark, he was in sight feeding back toward the blind.
luck is NOT my middle name..
Have you tried rattlin' them in? I've done it with blacktails but haven't tried muleys. Keep after them. I know what you mean about that crusting loud snow...hate it! Worse than a non-stop chattering of a pine squirrel.
Just seeing that many of that quality is pretty darn cool......... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
I'm starting to think this Brad fella kinda likes spending his days hunting mulies even more than he lets on..he's been out there for more than a month in the most challenging conditions trying to sneak up on the one or two he's got his heart set on instead of just shooting the first one he gets close to. He seems to be pretty handy with a DSLR, too. :thumbsup:
I know the feeling of getting close and still not being able to get a shot. Usually its the head on problem like you describe.
When will these guys follow the script???? :dunno:
Good Luck. It seems you get closer every time you venture out!
That buck was one lucky dude for sure. Brad your break seems to be right around the corner. Good luck and shoot straight as my brother always says to me.
no hunt this morning. tried the ol duck hunting thing again. anyway, thought id have a pretty good shot at taking a buck tonight from the blind, so hunted there. really nice out today, so I went in early. call it a hunch? anyway, this guy was out feeding aways in front of the blind when I got there.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0475.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0475.jpg.html)
anyway, he heard me coming and moved off. so I got set up. in no time, I could see deer moving out on the hill in front of me. look at this monster!
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0477.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0477.jpg.html)
these deer joined up with a few more and fed out. one more buck joined em, about the same as the guy in the pic. so, I had deer around me most of the afternoon. even could have shot one of the little bucks, but of course didn't. I just knew that one of the good bucks was going to come out before dark, but no dice.
did stumble into this guy walking out. I actually left a tad early, could see far enough after the first herd fed away that nothing was going to make it before dark, so I thought maybe id still hunt some spots on the way out. again, not a shooter but this one is better.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0482.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0482.jpg.html)
at least the evening wasn't boring.
I've been meaning to read this thread for sometime... just read all 11 pages! Great read! Beautiful country and your pics are awesome. That mule deer hunting is tough! I look forward to the next chapter... I have a feeling it's going to come together for you!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Aaargh! This suspense is killing me... I keep expecting to see a burly boss buck lying in his deathbed.
This thread is great!!! I am going wild with antisipation!! Man you have been hunting some great land and some great deer. How much longer do you have?
I've been away for a week and you're still going strong Brad! With all of your close encounters one of them is bound to go your way eventually. Even if it never happens you have had a season for the ages!
I tell you what. if close only counted....
went in way early this morning to get in the blind. in what moonlight there was, I could see 9 or 10 deer milling around in the field in the distance. none of em looked big.
in the blind, it was slow. all of the action was behind me. finally after an hour and a half or so, this guy wandered by...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0484.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0484.jpg.html)
but no deer. I could see nothing from the blind. finally after a total of a couple hours, I figured that all the deer were on in from feeding, and I was going to hike some rimrocks and look for bedded bucks. anyway, getting out of the back of the blind (quietly), I could see a couple deer on down the field a ways. a doe and a buck. a BIG buck. actually ive seen him before. just a couple days ago in fact right in this very field. not wide, but very tall and extremely heavy. and, having not noticed me it appeared he was working my way. I quickly ducked back into the blind, checked out a back window once to make sure he was still coming. and I waited.
and I waited.
still waiting.
I have no idea where he went! this field borders a rimrock style canyon, so where my blind is the deer have to go out in front of me where I can see em. or maybe not, as I didn't see this guy go by. as still as I was holding, I assume he crossed lower in the field and went to bed without ever knowing I was around. dang.
I did work the rimrock around the field on the way out but to no avail. saw this group in the distance, but hes not a shooter anyway.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0489.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0489.jpg.html)
so, im back at it in the morning. have to be out of town this afternoon. im telling ya, that buck is a toad! wish id have taken a pic instead of trying to get hid.
I love catching up with this post, keep her going, all the time you are putting in is going to pay off... but I feel you get a lot of satisfaction just by being out there and seeing all those deer.
hey guys, sorry for the delays! ive only got to hunt a couple times the last few days around work, and haven't had time to post. anyway. been hunting the blind but the bucks have been avoiding it. I see em everytime just not close. pulled the blind this morning after the hunt, its supposed to snow and with the blind being out in a field with no cover, I was afraid it would get destroyed. I should get to hunt again Tuesday night, or if not then Wednesday for sure.
Awesome story and beautiful pics
I'm jealous
The deer pics are very cool
Just gettin' caught up on this MOST-AWESOME mulie hunt!
Keep it comin' Brad!
Nothin' like hunting the late season for ruttin' mules!
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
forgot the pics! here are a couple from the blind this morning, and a couple from another long hike a couple mornings ago. still seeing dandies, just haven't shot one.
we are supposed to get an inch of snow in the next day or so. that would be great, snow camo is killer as long as the snow doesn't crust over loud.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0515.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0515.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0511.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0511.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0504.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0504.jpg.html)
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0492.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0492.jpg.html)
I just started from the top and read this thread all the way thru. I feel like I have actually been Mule deer hunting. Thanks so much for posting. Hang in there I think this thread is gonna end with a bloody arrow.
I like the looks of this one.....
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0515.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0515.jpg.html)
Thanks for sharin' the pics Brad!
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
How did I just now find this thread!!!??? Thanks so much for bringing us all with you hunting big muleys! You do an excellent job of telling the story! I hope to see the story of you dropping a big one soon!!!
WOW!!! :scared: :scared: :scared:
The second pic with the buck way out in the brush.... WOW!!!
Thank you so much Brad, for taking us with you and taking the time to post all of your pictures and great stories. I did not get out mulie hunting this year and it has helped immensely to follow with you on your hunt this year. I have enjoyed every encounter and hunt you have written about and will be staying with you till the conclusion of this hunt. :thumbsup:
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0520.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0520.jpg.html)
uh oh! the story has a conclusion! ill get the pics and story as soon as I get home and get a second!
:campfire:
I've been waiting for this! Way to go!!
Jake
:campfire:
Pull up a log
Oh Yeah!!!!!
My guess is that Brad didnt give in to late-season desparation and nail a forkhorn :clapper: :clapper:
Wow!!!
:campfire:
Congrats!!!! can't wait to read this and see some pics been following this since it started
Are you home? Do you got a second?.....
:coffee:
Its been good but is about to get better!
sorry to keep you waiting! ok, no im not. that Lamb fella does it all the time.
hiked in tonight along one of my favorite canyons. ahead several hundred yards I was able to spot some deer with a couple bucks. moving in I about blew it, dang those unseen does...
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0521.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0521.jpg.html)
however, for once they actually drifted off the right direction. hmm. unseen does going the right way. quiet walking for once. this just might come together. and, on up a ways, I could see a buck that would do. ive seen him before and while hes narrow, hes a dandy.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0522.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0522.jpg.html)
he stared at me a while while I was taking this before deciding I was nothing. not his best move...
I eased in low and quiet. the heavy frost this morning had melted into a nice, quiet approach, and some of that buckbrush that I live to cuss helped conceal my movements. while it seemed like it took forever to get close, it actually happened fairly quick.
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h333/huntnmuleys/IMG_0533.jpg) (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/huntnmuleys/media/IMG_0533.jpg.html)
I took many, many pictures of this buck, this one being my favorite. But one thing kept me from ever shooting an arrow at him.
That thing is, my bow was at home.
Ya see guys, a short while back I was getting into my freezer and noticed how much meat I have. I don't need to shoot a deer. Just can't justify tarnishing the grandest hunt ever by shooting something just for a rack on the wall. So, I punched my tag without pulling a bow string. And while this buck isn't the biggest one I saw this fall, he is certainly bigger than anything I've ever taken with a traditional bow. Ahh, but killing a deer wasn't what this quest was all about to begin with.
It's no secret around the west mule deer numbers are down. The animals just haven't adapted like other species to all of the changes out there, and its common knowledge the "good old days" of mule deer and the hunting of them are long gone. However, I found something in those hills. I found deer like I've only read about. Both in numbers and buck size. I've shown you all a few pics from this fall. I've taken several hundred. And while I'm not certain I will ever see anything like this again, I got to see it once. That's not something to take lightly.
And lightly is not how I've taken it.
These deer have been an obsession for the last couple months. I've lost sleep. Weight. Missed work. Missed functions. Passed potential dates (for a guy who is FINALLY looking to settle down, how smart is that?). Been late to numerous obligations. Passed up day trips with friends. Basically my world has revolved around these deer. Hell, I bought my dream pick up and It is still halfway across the country, as I just couldn't pry myself away to go get it. But I've seen deer in numbers and quality that I doubt any hunter in the nation has seen. I've been so cold the shivering wouldn't stop. I've been so hot my clothes could be wrung out. I've had the most exciting morning of my life when I rattled that buck in. I had the most terrifying night of my life with the scream. I've hiked many miles in deep snow over rough terrain. I've sat cold mornings in a tiny blind. And through it all, this old elk hunter has had the most amazing, beautiful, life enriching experience of my near 40 years of being the outdoors. A rack on the wall is but a pittance to that...
Long live conservation, a full freezer, hunting, hunters dollars and efforts leading the way in protecting our wildlife, and the knowledge to do the right things out there for the right reasons.
hope you all enjoyed this thread. easily, this last two months chasing these mule deer has been the most epic hunt of my life. I likely will never top this. thanks for following along!
:thumbsup: :archer:
Awesome tale........a huge thanks for letting us tag along...... :notworthy:
Class all the way!!! Good job and thank you. :thumbsup:
Cool....not sure I could refrain like that since my year was so slim on hunting. Would you adopt me next year?
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Wow Brad, my hat is off to you! Epic simple epic. Thanks. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Best hero shot of the year, hands down. Well done. Without trying to be technical about it, my guess is you put over 200 miles on your boots in the past 45 days and carried us all along with you each step. Who could have guessed at the ending to such a journey. :thumbsup:
:bigsmyl: From all the deer you are seeing, it wouldn't appear numbers are down but I am here and you are there so I believe you.
Congrats. You have had an incredible season.
Good on ya, man.
Thanks for taking the time to share everything with us. No regrets on an unfilled tag is a notch above in my books.
:clapper:
:clapper:
I truly enjoyed that. Thank you.
Now that's about the best hunting story I've read in a long,long time. Thanks for taking us along. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great thread! :clapper: :clapper:
double post
Very cool!
Brad,
That was an amazing ride you took us all on I enjoyed every minute of it. Hope to see you again in the near future.
Jim
Good read and it was indeed very nice of you to let us follow along. Love the photos.
:campfire:
A great thread! I enjoyed it a lot, and your pictures are top notch! Thanks for taking us along. :clapper:
Bernie
Great ending to to a great story :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Wow. Great hunt. Great tale. And the end...didn't see that coming. Well played.
Rare things happen in a most unusual way sometimes. This is one of those times.
Outstanding hunting story. Would have never guessed it would have ended this way! You totally got me! Lol. The Trad Gang site never ceases to amaze me as I get surprised all the time. This was absolutely beautiful, Brad. Congratulations on being so grounded! Some never find this kind of peace! Thanks again.
Kenny :clapper: :clapper:
Wow didn't see that coming!!! Great story and happy I followed it to the end. I firmly believe a lot of hunters could learn from your example. Killing to kill isn't what this is about IMO thanks for sharing
Enjoyed the hunt to the end, or conclusion. Great pics. thought you were hunting in WY with the pic of the buck in the yard, until you showed the tag, nice, real nice.
Thanks for the entertainment Brad, that was a great season watching and learning about mule deer. Fine story and pics ...
doing it next year ?? :campfire:
Only you could tell that tale so well my friend. A great hunt it was and will always be.
That was WAY cool Brad! Thanks for takin' us along for the ride!!
I enjoyed it too. Thanks for taking time to share the story and all the pics.