A few does and two point bucks were spotted over 5 days spent hunting daylight to dusk but no sign of the big buck. On day 10 of the hunt (I had hunted 6 of the days) my dad suggested I get a different angle further away from where I had originally spotted the buck. I had nothing to lose so I laced up the boots and climbed up the mountain to the east the next morning. It started raining before daylight but I was headed home that night so I sloshed up the trail and found a big pine to sit under. The rain finally let up around 11am and I started glassing up deer mostly does but I found a little buck and I thought this is a good opportunity to get some practice. I emptied the bullets from my gun and settled in to dry fire on the little buck. My cross hairs moved just slightly so I cycled the bolt and settled in to dry fire again. I couldn't believe my eyes, a big buck was in my cross hairs standing next to the two point! I set up my spotting scope and it was easy to see that I had finally relocated my big buck. Thanks Dad!
I had a lot of ground to cover but I quickly noted some good land marks and planned a stalk. I had a big pine tree picked out that I thought would put me within 300 yards of the buck and I really slowed my approach as I neared the big pine. Well I sat down and started glassing the near by aspen trees and within a few minutes I heard the sound of a deer bounding away and it sounded close. I ran a few feet to my left and I saw the two point buck running up the hill and the big buck right on his tail. I shoulderd my rifle and all I could see was his butt and big wide rack running straight away from me about 75 yards away. Well from his body language I didn't think he was going to be giving me a second chance so I took the shot I had (Texas Heart Shot). He was dead on his feet but I put another shot in him as he turned broadside to go downhill.
He's my widest buck to date 33" with good mass and color. I sure feel fortunate to have the opportunity to hunt these animals. Already looking forward to next year.
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