Henry Mountains

ElmerFudd

Very Active Member
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My 28 points was worth a nonresident Henry Mountains ALW buck tag this year. I realize that the deer numbers are not what they once were, but I was stoked to actually have a tag! I arrived almost three weeks early rather than make multiple short trips. I enjoy exploring and hiking so the plan was to see as much of the deer country as my old body can handle. Seems like those in the know mostly glass from the roads, but it is about enjoying what I enjoy to me. OpeningDay was very helpful in coming up with places to look that are off the radar of most. He even volunteered himself to come help after the season started.

The country is really steep and rocky and it took me a few days to figure out the right boot and sock combination. My feet still are blistered and cut up. I had to run to town twice to get tires patched on my quad too... Rough country on feet and tires!

First hunt morning I encountered a tree the hurricane force wind dropped on the road....

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I saw what I think was the best buck I saw on day one. Problem with that one is that everyone seemed to know about it. It was a cool 6x7 with stickers. Mossback got their hunter to it first morning. I never saw one of the super monsters i dream about, but did see some really nice bucks.

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OpeningDay made it day 2. I actually didn't know what he looked like as we met on the road. He saw a pretty good buck below where I was Sunday morning, with a big three point. I chose not to look at that side as another hunter was camped in the area and we decided that canyon was his and I would keep moving up. He got a nice buck that morning and was leaving the area. We decided to hit that area on the next morning as we would have it to ourselves.

The big three point was there, we figured we would hike up a bit higher to look lower. Sure enough, the 4x4 was there. With a bit of encouragement, I decided to take the shot. They were moving so I ranged him at 334 yards and held for the top of his back and a bit into the wind. Hit him right behind the shoulder.

One of my most enjoyable hunts and awesome place! I have a good chance to hunt it for bison if they ever offer a second nonresident tag. I would go back just to see the country again after I retire and have more time.

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Great buck and sounds like you had an awesome time on the mountain.
Not that it matters but Just curious if you measured him?
 
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Great buck and sounds like you had an awesome time on the mountain.
Not that it matters but Just curious if you measured him?
I didn't put a tape on his antlers before dropping them and the cape off at the taxidermist. It was warm here and I was tired.

I'm not sure how cold it was, but it suddenly turned cold, windy and snowed just before the season after an exceptionally warm fall. It was well below freezing in the mornings for the start of the hunt.
 
OpeningDay made it day 2. I actually didn't know what he looked like as we met on the road. He saw a pretty good buck below where I was Sunday morning, with a big three point. I chose not to look at that side as another hunter was camped in the area and we decided that canyon was his and I would keep moving up. He got a nice buck that morning and was leaving the area. We decided to hit that area on the next morning as we would have it to ourselves.

The big three point was there, we figured we would hike up a bit higher to look lower. Sure enough, the 4x4 was there. With a bit of encouragement, I decided to take the shot. They were moving so I ranged him at 334 yards and held for the top of his back and a bit into the wind. Hit him right behind the shoulder.

One of my most enjoyable hunts and awesome place! I have a good chance to hunt it for bison if they ever offer a second nonresident tag. I would go back just to see the country again after I retire and have more time.

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Thanks Eric! It was great meeting you on the mountain for this once in a lifetime hunt at one of the greatest places on the planet!! Definitely my favorite. When Eric and I talked about his upcoming hunt, after learning he was going to go at it solo, I all but invited myself. Haha. As far as the hunt, it all unfolded just like he said. I had located the buck on Sunday morning after driving all night to get there. I knew it was a good looking buck. After talking at camp that night, we decided to get up to a spot in the morning and see if we could get a better look at the buck. It didn’t take long to find the big 3 point. We knew the big buck had to be close. After re positioning to get a better position on the bucks, the big buck came out into the open. Deep fork, Good width and huge backs. The decision was easy. Eric made a great shot into a strong wind. The rest is history! I can’t wait to see how good this buck looks on the wall!! Thanks again Eric for letting me tag along!
 

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