Finally, a buck! A spiker. Estatic to get my first big game animal.

[unclevarda]

First of all a big thanks to everyone on here, I learned a ton on these forums. Starting this year from square one, and not growing up with hunters around me, there was a huge practical and informational hurdle to overcome on the way to this first deer. This forum is a great resource for the new, and old I'm sure, hunter.

The spot where I got him, around Osoyoos, was gifted to me by a guy I met at the archery range who, as it turns out, is a long time poster on here. I owe this man a drink!

Drove up there on Friday, parked the Delica near the entrance to the trail. Out early Saturday morning, saw 20+ does as was usual for this spot. Hadn't yet seen a buck. 8am or so spot one, first buck I've ever seen on a hunting trip. Then there are two of them, butting heads 100 yards away on the other side of gully. Put my sights on the bigger of the two spikers. Steady my aim, heart pounding, steady, steady, pull the trigger - Click. What? Reload the round - Click. Again, Click, Click, Click. WTF??? Damn gun, how is this happening to me on my fist buck?? Buck is starting to head up the hill and over. Take out the magazine, reload the ammo, click BANG. Buck jumps up and over the hill. Did I hit him? Was the shot good? Excitement, but slight feeling of dread at messing it up. Wait half an hour. Walk up over the hill, find him 50 yards away. Elating. I can breath out freely. But what with the gun? Took out the bolt, looked fine, looked at the safety mechanism, looked fine. Then looked at my ammo. My $51 a box Barnes Vortx ammo. Buy the good stuff I was told. A dud. That round was a dud. This might have been obviously to all of your immediately, but in the fever of a buck and with my lack of experience I just didn't think about it. I almost lost him due to that round. Jesus.

Anyways, here he is. Even though a spiker I'm super stoked, and I know I must post a pic!

Thanks so much guys, good luck out there!

http://i.imgur.com/CNY5vLr.jpg (http://imgur.com/CNY5vLr)

[canada]

congratulations on your deer.
something you will never forget

[325]

Congratulations!

[Rackem]

Congratulations!!!!

[BiG Boar]

congrats on getting it done. I also didn't grow up in a hunting family, so I know its a long hard challenge to figure it out for yourself sometimes. Glad you popped your cherry! Now get back out there and do it again!

[hare_assassin]

Way to go!

[s0ylentgreen]

good job man - good eats!

[drum_boy101]

Nice spiker. I need one of those.

[Ovis17]

Congrats on your first buck!! Should be good eats there.

[Redneck Rocket]

Congratulations!!! I'm in exactly the same boat as you, didn't grow up hunting and still looking for my first. Live in OK Falls BTW, if you're ever looking for some company!

[Stéphane]

Congrats! If it were mine, I would call it a trophy.

[f350ps]

Wow, good on you!!! That'll be tasty buck for sure. K

[nature girl]

Nice deer you shot.
Congradulations.

[bone]

Great job! I need to get out this weekend.

[DLP]

same goes for me! trying hard and hoping for this year...well done!!

[Hurtlocker]

First palmated spiker I've ever seen. Looks like he was trying to be a two point. Nice feeling eh! nothing like the first. Good on ya for doing it on your own.!!!!

[BimmerBob]

Congrats on your first, many more to come by the sounds of it, you have caught the bug!

[Mishka]

Congrats! I too come from a non-hunting family. Awesome that you did this on your own. There's more to come.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Congrats on getting your first deer ! Pretty exciting Hey ! :-D RJ

[sapper]

Fantastic. Your first deer and a buck to boot. I too don't have any hunters in the family to mentor me but did have a good friend who kept encouraging me to get out there and who assisted on my first hunt.
It's also good to know that there is one less whitetail in mule-deer territory, thanks to you. ;-)

[markt308]

Huge congrats to you man. And No, that was not obvious to me when reading your story. Faulty ammo is terrible! That's why a lot of guys hand load. I don't, but if that ever happens to me I will probly start haha. Congrats and thanks for posting your story and pictures

[Taurusguy]

Gratz man! My first one was a one pointer and it was non typical because the tine on the left side was pointing towards its eye.

Gunna be some good eating!

[xtrail]

Congrats, not a bad deer.

[ru rancher]

Fantastic. Your first deer and a buck to boot. I too don't have any hunters in the family to mentor me but did have a good friend who kept encouraging me to get out there and who assisted on my first hunt.
It's also good to know that there is one less whitetail in mule-deer territory, thanks to you. ;-)
ummm thats a mule deer he shot not a whitetail

[carnivore]

Congratulations on losing your hunting virginity!

[jrjonesy]

Congrats on your first! Good job and good shootin.

[Rob Chipman]

Good job, and that is a neat looking spike on the one side. Great story too!

[PointMan]

Awesome job! Can't beat the rush!

[Sleep Robber]

It's also good to know that there is one less whitetail in mule-deer territory, thanks to you. ;-)

Lets all just hope this is dyslexic typing on his part.:mrgreen:

to the OP,,,,,,, well done on your first of many deer, I bet your thrilled !!

[1/2 slam]

Well done. Congratulations

[Wrayzer]

I enjoyed the enthusiasm. Awesome

Like many already stated and you as well, I didn't come from an Outdoors family, but had a old family friend as a mentor who passed away a couple seasons ago, the elated joy of the first kill is something you won't forget.

Hopefully this is the first of a great hunting "career".

[sapper]

To ru rancher and Sleep Robber: baited and hooked. :grin:
I thought it might be rather amusing given all the recent posts about excited hunters taking shots at the wrong species to see whom I might attract with my comment. Most caught on to me though with my ;-)
I don't want to detract from the OP though. Again, congrats on your first deer. I too drive a RHD diesel, a Hilux Surf.

[HarryToolips]

Congrats on poppin ur big game cherry, feels awesome eh I didn't have any hunters in the family as well, good job gettin past the dud ammo and waitin the half hour..gotta give em time to die sometimes without gettin their adrenaline goin good job..

[buck nash]

Way to go. A lot of guys would get rattled by the dud ammo but it sounds like you kept your eye on the prize and got it done.

Nice to have one under your belt. The only downside is you can only have one first. The next one will still be exciting but it won't be your first.

[albravo2]

Way to go! Nice looking buck, must have been a thrill.

[Surrey Boy]

Nice buck, congratulations!

[Jelvis]

Nice lil muley for sure in excellent looking shape too. Way to go and getting it done, that lousy bullet woodn't work and you dint lose it, which shows concentration and focus. Well done hunter, you are now a successful hunter at last.
Jelly in Kamloops BC -- unclevarda

[Sako 75]

Congratulation on first deer! I think I bump in to you guys at Osoyoos Husky Gas station when I was filling up diesel. My hunting buddy was the one talking to you guys.

[Big Buck Killer]

awesome story!! Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing

[Captainkf]

Congratulations and well done.

[Islandeer]

nice,plain and simple.

[5 spike]

Congrats a fine buck.

[buckguy]

Congrats on your first deer. Looks very similar to my first deer, best tasting I ever ate.