A Giant Falls

[Ourea]

I killed a very special MD buck a few years ago, a true giant. I wish to share the story.

Firstly, I am an elk hunter thru and thru and as a result I have walked on some pretty special bucks over the years while in elk country.

http://i.imgur.com/1VtC57b.jpg
I have no interest in killing a decent MD for the sake of another bit of bone and I generally don’t need the meat as elk usually fills my freezer.
I am a guy that does not like to hunt blind. Through the use of numerous trail cams and endless scouting, as a result, I generally spend my seasons after a specific animal, a target.
We were onto a typical MD buck that was a heart stopper. One of his drops scored 93” with a beam length of an insane 30”. He was seen a couple times by us while out scouting. The deer, in velvet, looked like a cartoon character with his over developed headgear. Spent two years holding out for him. I had the safety off several occasions on some awfully nice deer but stayed true. I agree 100% with Dana’s philosophy on trophy MD……”if you want to kill a true giant you have to be willing to pass on big bucks and be prepared to eat your tag up until the light fades on the last day of the season”.
Most guys that are serious generally have a “hit list”, deer they have prescouted. We are no different. The big typical was definitely on the top of our list……however, that all changed when “HE”showed up one summer. By HE, I mean a buck that caused me to shake my head in disbelief. HBC member Elk-Aholic picked him up on one of his cams in the area we hunt. This buck was not picked up on any of my cams despite having 8 cams close by. The buck was well over 30”, had junk in spades and tremendous mass. In velvet he was one impressive looking buck, a true “Giant”.............

[Ourea]

To say we were looking forward to the up coming season, knowing there were to two world class bucks running around, was an understatement. Having the luxury of time, I was on the mountain 3 to 4 days a week with a camp on my back. After never seeing the big typical in 2 years during the season, I knew the amount of effort required to get a glimpse of either of these bucks would be significant. I don’t believe in luck.
The days and miles were long. Elk-Aholic was all in with his efforts as well. Daylight was finding him sitting high and handsome dissecting the high county with his spotter as only he can. He too was mobile with a camp on his back glassing the various canyons and hidden finger ridges. To this day I admire his dedication and drive once a special animal is found. He is relentless.

The weeks passed.

After 5 weeks of pounding this extensive area we had zero sightings of either buck. Granted, we saw some tremendous bucks in our quest but we both accepted the fact that neither of these giants would fall if we compromised with any other deer.

[longwalk]

Do continue please, this has all the hallmarks .....

[coach]

Oh my... This is gonna be good!

[spear]

Been waiting for a thread like this...

[Ourea]

Going to back it up a few years…..
Our group had killed a handful of solid bucks leading up to discovering the two giants. Here is an example of one of the earlier bucks. A very respectable Boone typical that carries his mass right to the end of his tines. He’s just a great representation of a mature mule deer. Like Dana said, you will need to learn to walk on bucks like this if you want a true giant.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/193.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/193.jpg.html)

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/and%20hes%20tall%20too%202_zps4nlq8oyc.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/and%20hes%20tall%20too%202_zps4nlq8oyc.jpg.html)

This is another hell of a buck that was busted up a bit. Note the beam length.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/Dandy_zpsxbjxyxmm.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/Dandy_zpsxbjxyxmm.jpg.html)

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Take your time......:smile:. We're not going any where.

[Nimrod]

Guess that first case of Miller went down pretty fast after that buck got loaded up.
Love when they carry mass like that.
wondering if the buck we're waiting for is in the biggest buck tread.

[kennyj]

Saaweeeet!!!
kenny

[LeverActionJunkie]

Am I the only one who's refreshed this thread about a thousand times today?

[BCJaeger]

I'm a very patient guy. But that was before this thread started. ;-) Keep it coming.

[358mag]

Just wait was a extended lunch break

[LeverActionJunkie]

Oh we'll wait, we have no choice :)

[guest]

Knowing about said Giant ....... This delay, is worth the weight ....... In bone :mrgreen:

CT

[LeverActionJunkie]

Given the teaser that's been shown. I'll gladly wait as long as it takes to see said "bone".

:)

[Seeker]

I have always been curious about this ...."Giant". Should be a gooder!

[walkingthewoods]

Wow the MD in that picture is so nice, too bad it was only mature :lol:. Can't wait for the rest of the story!

[Ourea]

Fast forward......

It was late October and still no encounters. I was becoming mentally drained and physically worn out. Elk-Aholic was sticking to the high country where he got the nontyp on cam. Man he passed up some dandies staying true to his goal. As for me, I was going to change things up. Experience has taught me that bigger bucks will“go for a walk” in the pre-rut. I have encountered big bucks during Oct 26-28’ish up and about in the middle of the day covering ground. In this area it lasts a day or 2 and then things go quiet until the rut really get’s going a few weeks later.
With that understanding, I was going to target mid elevation keying on a couple pinchpoints. If any buck wants to cross a major canyon from the high country there were a couple locations that serve as pretty good funnels.
It was Oct26th and was packing out after an unsuccessful 3 day hunt. I was beat and needed to replen. I got home late afternoon, reloaded my pack and tucked in for an early night in a comfortable bed for a change. The alarm went off at 3:30 am and I struggled to open my eyes. I was trying to talk myself into sleeping in and taking the day off. Man alive I am glad I didn’t!!

[Ourea]

A brisk 2 hr hike had me into the area I wanted to spend my next couple days.
It was going to be hrs of sitting on my butt working the glass. This coupled with a little still hunting on some isolated trails.

I had picked up on 2 bucks that morning, they were out and about covering ground. Tough part in these scenarios is that the bucks are moving and hard to intercept if they are not coming towards you. This was a good sign bucks were moving though!

I started slowly hiking down off my glassing knob still hunting my way to the next vantage point. I was maybe 15 mins into my stroll when I pick up some movement……buck, and a good one! I was getting glimpses at his left beam thru the timber at 200 yards. He was travelling at about a 45 degree angle towards me. I had yet to get a solid look at his right side….. he may be crab clawed on the one side so I really wanted a good look. It started to creep into my consciousness that this might be the giant typical but I needed a good look at his right side to confirm. His beam length was supporting that possibility. I had my Ziess 10x42’s trained on him as I caught glimpses here and there. At 120 yrds he turned his head my way and I got the look I needed…..IT’S HIM!!!

[ditch donkey]

as if i was having a hard enough time trying not to dream about big mulies all day and then this story pops up

[Shikari300WSM]

as if i was having a hard enough time trying not to dream about big mulies all day and then this story pops up

Haha I was literally thinking the exact same thing. The big boy I missed in November is haunting me as I read this. Keep em coming!

[Ourea]

I dropped the binos and chambered quickly as the buck went back on the move.
No shot opportunity as he disappeared down into the draw. I knew exactly the route he was on so I sprinted about 100yards to my left. This would give me a vantage point looking down on the draw with excellent visibility. I poked my nose over the ridge and there he was. I marveled at the size of this buck as I began putting the crosshairs on him. The buck was locked up at 70 yards staring across the draw. It was an easy broadside shot. I was extremely pleased that my play had worked out as we all know things seldom do in a rushed decision.

I was just about to squeeze......... an internal voice sounded…..”aren’t you curious what he is transfixed on”?.
"What is he staring at"?

[landphil]

Heart rate is up, buck fever setting in...

[adriaticum]

Great share, thanks Ourea!

[Husky7mm]

Was it the heavenly sultry voice of an angle that said that? What was he staring at? Epic

[Weatherby Fan]

I'm curious if this whopper is from area 4 where no Mule Deer exist !

Captivating read so far ............

[BCBear]

maybe the famous wallichin buck?

[Ourea]

I looked in the direction of his stare………holly shit!!!
There, 150 yrds away, is the giant nontypical. These two bucks were locked up in a Mexican stand off just staring at each other!!! The typical had a more impressive frame.....more of a V shape so his beam length was really emphasized. He was just a dream buck, but........
I LOVE my junk.

Without hesitation I drew on the nontypical and let the lead fly.
Not my prettiest kill as I had to free hand.

I looked over at the brush he fallen into ensuring he was down for good.
I knew what I had just done.

A giant had fallen.

[Dannybuoy]

maybe the famous wallichin buck?

wasn't that one hit by a train ?:?

[Dannybuoy]

I looked in the direction of hisstare………holly shit!!!
There, 150 yrds away, is the giantnontypical. These two bucks were locked up in a Mexican stand off just staring at each other!!! The typical had a more impressive frame.....more of a V shape so his beam length was really emphasized. He was just a dream buck, but........
I LOVE my junk.
Withouthesitation I drew on the nontypical and let the lead fly.
Not my prettiest kill as I had to free hand.

I looked over at the brush he fallen into ensuring he was down for good.
I knew what I had just done.
A giant had fallen.


No !! You didn't take a non typical over a typical !!

[landphil]

Nice! Pics or it didn't happen though. ;)

[Ourea]

I grabbed my brass, got organized,and headed over to the buck. I remember walking up to him and staring at this incredible deer. I didn’t touch him. I took off my pack and sat down a few yards away in silence. There was not any hooting or hollering. I just admired him, every inch of him. How many battles did he have? Was he a warrior? How did he live in this area and remain under the radar. I sat there for a good 45mins imprinting the experience into my brain so I would remember every detail of the last hr for the years to come. I reflected on the amount of time and effort invested, the nights and days endured in poor weather conditions. If ever I had earned an animal it was this one.

It is difficult for me to explain my emotions at that time.
Excitement.
Respect.
Contentment.
Reflection.
Privileged.

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Great storytelling and quite the display of big animals with bigger antlers... Privileged indeed and a story well told!

[HighCountryBC]

More than a few jaws about to hit the floor.

[landphil]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, it would have to be one heck of a picture to equal that finely told story. Thanks for posting!

[leadpillproductions]

Lol i just want more pics of the elk WOW

[swampthing]

A giant indeed! Nice work in finding him and great job on getting the job done. Nothing better than a grand ol muley!

[NChunter]

Great story. Just to clear things up there's not a chance I'll be passing on a buck like in the first pic!

[Ourea]

I will never forget that day. It is without a doubt the most memorable day in the field (and I have had many). The odds of getting a glimpse or chance at one of these bucks was slim. To see two giant mule deer in your life time is something. To see two in one season, on the same day, at the same time…..absolutely incredible.
I stuck true to my plan and didn’t quit and I am extremely gratified as a result.
As he lay.


http://i.imgur.com/0rqHmUj.jpg


A better pic.

http://i.imgur.com/O7qdYgc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hIfLsX9.jpg

[Rayne]

What a behemoth what did he score ?

[landphil]

Pics = the story, both are top shelf! Amazing buck, thank you again for taking the time to post.

[LeverActionJunkie]

Christ all mighty what a stud. Very well written story and well deserved buck. Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing with us and taking us along. Well worth the wait any day.

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

WoooOOOooooHoooo!!!! *whistles*

That's a real show, right outta control for a Muley!

Incredible and really, indescribable. A rare beast indeed. I've seen plenty big bodied Mulies but this type of non-typical antler development is not something I have seen in person.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Top shelf as expected from you, Ourea!

Thanks for taking the time to re-tell your tale.

Getting HBC back to its former glory one post at a time.

SSS

[Whonnock Boy]

Dedication, perseverance, and determination pays off. Top shelf....

[one-shot-wonder]

Glad you pulled this one out of the cellar to share with us. I'll raise my glass to that, really enjoyed reading the details of a story I already knew!

That there folks is a mule deer......

[Ourea]

I didn't take many field photos.
The ones I took did not do him justice.

This pic does.
http://i.imgur.com/u73h4yC.jpg


Just under 33" wide and scores 240"

[Rayne]

Amazing read congrats on your jaw dropping harvest. Good luck finding one to top him

[showtimebc]

thanks for sharing! great read and impressive deer to say the least

[Husky7mm]

I will never forget that day. It iswithout a doubt the most memorable day in the field (and I have had many). Theodds of getting a glimpse or chance at one of these bucks was slim. To see twogiant mule deer in your life time is something. To see two in one season, onthe same day, at the same time…..absolutely incredible.
I stuck true to my plan and didn’tquit and I am extremely gratified as a result.
As he lay.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/md2_zps6pz3ikln.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/md2_zps6pz3ikln.jpg.html)



A better pic.




I love the way you said that. Hunting is not everything to me but it is near that, to be rewarded with an old warrior worth the effort of all those long hard days, is priceless!! To have it go down the way you shared is , speechless, is there a word...I might have had the big one?

[LeverActionJunkie]

Man that's a great buck. Can't stop Checking them pictures out. Thanks again for sharing. Buck of a lifetime to me wow.

[BigBanger]

Oh my, that's an incredible deer. Great story, thank you for sharing.

[BCBear]

great story all around and a beauty!

[Ourea]

Here is 358mag as we pulled the skull out of the boiling pot.
Few spirits were had that evening.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/240.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/240.jpg.html)

[Whonnock Boy]

Did it's nose get chewed off for the Euro?

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Hahaha wtf man, did 358mag pass out at the party or what?!

[~T-BONE~]

Get a cape on that pig! Wow!!!

[IronNoggin]

... A giant had fallen.

Indeed he had, and a True Giant at that!!


...
Excitement.
Respect.
Contentment.
Reflection.
Privileged.


All of that and MORE! http://bigshotsbc.ca/images/smilies/Pozitive.gif

Felt right there with you all the way.
Incredible Buck, and came with one hell of a fine story!

Congratulations & Many Thanks for the Share!!

Cheers,
Nog

[Ourea]

Did it's nose get chewed off for the Euro?


The nose was broken off from being dropped a few times.

[Ourea]

I don't like showing my mug much but this pic shows his mass off well.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/Antlers023.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/Antlers023.jpg.html)

[Kootenaykid85]

great buck, great story.

[BCrams]

Incredible story! I never thought I'd see the day when this great buck and your tale would be told!!

[goatdancer]

Awesome story. Double awesome buck. Congratulations.

[bearvalley]

Awesome buck and a great story!

[Brian011]

Incredible buck! Great story! Love giant non-typical bucks, I hope I can find one like that one day!

[charlie_horse]

Awesome buck and awesome story it felt like i was there the entire way!

[HarryToolips]

Very well written story and incredible animals there Ourea, congrats!

[Husky7mm]

The nose was broken off from being dropped a few times.

Too heavy? Weak friends?

Dont blame u on not wrapping it up and mounting up on the wall, can't hold and fondell when ever you got the urge!


That was a great story and one of the reasons I joined HBC (a few ) years back. Its inspiring and motivating..... I am green in the kindest regard.

[coach]

That was a great story and one of the reasons I joined HBC (a few ) years back. Its inspiring and motivating..... I am green in the kindest regard.

Bingo!! Very well said!

Thank you, Ourea, for getting this site back on track! Never thought I'd ever see this story shared. So glad you did!

[nazarow]

Inspiring story. I echo the comments regarding the reasons on joining hbc.

Thanks for for taking the time to share!

[yama49]

Wow congrats, your hard work payed off big time!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thx for sharing

[Bugle M In]

Nice stuff!!!....

okay...now, how about the "elk story"!!!

[walks with deer]

Awesome read awesome buck.

[Shikari300WSM]

Holy crap what a tank and what a story. Thanks for sharing man. I could die happy with a buck like that

[BC Cruiser]

Amazing story, thanks for sharing.

[RiverOtter]

Speechless here, other than WOW and THANKS for sharing...

[j270wsm]

Awesome story for an amazing buck.

[RiverOtter]

P.S.

Any trail cam pics of the luckiest typical mulie of 2016....?:wink:

[Spy]

Thats an awesome buck great story, thanks for sharing with us. Your sharing could just prompt others on HBC to share their bucks ;-) Congrats on a great buck. :-)

[guest]

Great share..... Great story, pics and WoW what a Dandy ! Love the NON-Tippy

Your hard work, dedication, perserverance and out and out hard core give ER attitude has rewarded you with this true Giant.

Congrats Ourea! Tough one to ever match ........ But I bet your keeping a close eye on the inventory.

Thanks for posting.
CT

[J-F]

Hohlly Shyte!!! What a buck!

You screwed up my day at the office with your interupted story, but well worth it. Congrats! and all the stuff with it. A buck of a lifetime.

I wouldn't mind taking the other one you let walk...

J-F

[leadpillproductions]

Id love to see pic of the clean buck

P.S.

Any trail cam pics of the luckiest typical mulie of 2016....?:wink:

[JDR]

Amazing buck!! Thanks for sharing your great story and photos. Unreal, how it looks like one rack inside of another from head on. Hope you get that mounted some day, would love to see it again if ever you do.

[Rattler]

Simply awesome buck. Great story...example of sheer dedication and percerverance. Thanks for sharing Ourea!

[Brambles]

Thats what keep me going out day after day....your luck can change in an instant.....when that time comes, do you really wanna be sitting on the couch...

Nice work Dave, a pretty special buck for sure.

[coach]

P.S.

Any trail cam pics of the luckiest typical mulie of 2016....?:wink:

Neither were 2016 bucks. That big typical is likely gone by now.

[604redneck]

Neither were 2016 bucks. That big typical is likely gone by now.
I was gonna guess 5-10 years ago

[RiverOtter]

Neither were 2016 bucks. That big typical is likely gone by now.

Had I not skimmed the first sentence and jumped into the story, I might have picked up that tidbit. Haha.

[ghost]

great buck you earned it.

[btridge]

Inspiring!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I've heard a couple teasers over the years and have even seen a blurry picture or two...but it sure was a pleasure to read the entire story with pics!

Thanks for taking the time to post up!

SSS

[Squamch]

Wow. That's the kinda deer dreams are made of!

[RE1960]

Great buck great story thanks so much for posting

[kennyj]

Amazing buck, and excellent story. Thanks for sharing your epic tale.
Buy the way, your mug isn't that bad.
kenny

[MattB]

Great tale and great photos! Thanks for sharing the pictures and story with us! Well earned!

[GoatGuy]

Didn't ever think I would see it online.

358, you look like you were blind-sided by a freight train in that pic.

[bang flop]

Wow. Impressive to say the least. Thank you for the share. For most that is just a dream... but can also be inspiring.

[Getbent]

Talk about dedication to the sport...can't even imagine the feeling of the culmination of all of the work and effort.
Well deserved.
I tip my hat to you sir....

[paraschost]

Oh my!.. that is one impressive animal. A true giant. Congrats!

[tufferthandug]

Unreal... Perseverance.

[Seeker]

You have illustrated your obsession for hunting to the readers of HBC on many occasions. I too, did not ever think you would share the story of your buck. Thank you for doing so. Thank you for helping keep HBC true to its creation; a place to share our obsession. Damn that's a big deer!

[lovemywinchester]

Here is 358mag as we pulled the skull out of the boiling pot.
Few spirits were had that evening.
What a great buck and story. This photo has been floating around for a while so its great to see the story behind it. Thanks for posting.


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/240.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/240.jpg.html)

................................What a great buck and story. This photo has been floating around for a while so its great to see the story behind it. Thanks for posting.

[markt308]

one of the most enjoyable threads in ages. thanks for taking us along, and congrats on the deer of a lifetime - or several lifetimes!

[leadpillproductions]

Great thread , prob the best one ive read on hbc in a long while , this is why i joined the site. Nice to see a thread where no one is bitchin lol

[Arctic Lake]

Very well written and that buck is a giant !
Arctic Lake

[untilthelastbeat]

What an amazing hunt. Hard to imagine the satisfaction from an adventure like that. Thanks so much for sharing

[Knute]

Ourea, my hat is off to you sir!

I will echo what others have said. Great thread, an enjoyable read with an outstanding buck.

[Weatherby Fan]

Captivating story of the best kind, hunting Mule Deer !
Wow what a cranker, congrats on a dandy buck and thanks for taking us along with a well written story.
WF

[rocksteady]

Nice story. Nice buck

[horshur]

truly is a giant...nice!

[Linksman313]

Thanks Ourea for another great story and pics on a giant. Every time you post up here I learn something new, whether about the game we chase, the territory their in, or the effort and dedication needed to catch up with these monsters. Congrats on another once in a lifetimer MD!!

[358mag]

Didn't ever think I would see it online.

358, you look like you were blind-sided by a freight train in that pic.
No freight train just a rough crew around road side camp fire

[325]

That buck is simply unbelievable!! Thanks for sharing!!

[GoatGuy]

No freight train just a rough crew around road side camp fire

Hahaha

Never noticed your neck tattoo either...

[358mag]

Hahaha

Never noticed your neck tattoo either...
That cause you passed out first ......

[Sitkaspruce]

That was a great story and one of the reasons I joined HBC (a few ) years back. Its inspiring and motivating..... I am green in the kindest regard.


Bingo!! Very well said!

Thank you, Ourea, for getting this site back on track! Never thought I'd ever see this story shared. So glad you did!

Thanks Ourea for bring this buck up to the recognition it deserves!! And to you for bring up one of the true reasons why we hunt!!

Great story, amazing buck and thanks to you (and a few others) HBC is slowly getting back to its roots!!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Cheers

SS

[Jack Russell]

Super buck! Thanks for the great story and motivation! Always good to hear stories of persistence (and pain) paying off.

[Gateholio]

Incredible, a very special buck and a very special part of your life!

[srupp]

Hmmm mm very nice indeed, while being a fan of the typical even clean symmetrical ..there is no doubt about this impressive chunk of mass..tremendous. .
Cheers
Steven

[1980skywalker]

A true giant is exactly what you found, a buck of this caliber only exists in most hunters dreams!!! Congrats for showing us that it can be done, your hard work and willingness to share does not go unnoticed, thanks Ourea, great story and great share!

[uraarchr]

Thanks for the story and pics.thats a whopper of a buck!!!

[longwalk]

Fantastic thread. Ourea, any idea what the typical might have scored?

[Buckmeister]

Amazing! I have had people say that it would never happen to have a world class typical and non-typical buck standing in front of you at the same time. What do they know huh? Way to go, and thanks for sharing.

[Sako 75]

Good story. Sure got got excited for coming 2017 GOS.

[Wood butcher]

Wow!.........
It truly was a giant.
Fantastic writing. A great share.
It would have been so awesome to have just been there and watch it all unfold. To be rewarded with the choice of either, after all that effort. It's almost surreal.
Congrats to you, on a great share and a most impressive buck.

[Ourea]

Amazing! I have had people say that it would never happen to have a world class typical and non-typical buck standing in front of you at the same time. What do they know huh? Way to go, and thanks for sharing.

Agreed, the actual odds of such an encounter are unrealistic if you are random hunter. (Don't know the bucks in a given area, just hoping for a crack at a good buck)

Both these bucks were known to us.
They were in the same general area.
The specific location where the experience played out was strategic.
I called out the "funnel" aspect where bucks heading down from higher grounds would need to pass thru based on the topography. Same to be said about bucks traveling up to higher grounds.


The trail is well known to us.
The typ was on his way down.
The nontyp was on his way up from what I gauged.

I hope most are picking up on the information being shared with this "story".

[horshur]

ourea what elevation is highcountry? what is mid? ....I ask only because young guys have literal minds. It is a mindmess when a young strong guy would do best low,near homes, in the sage, not having bagged the crap out of there truck ect.

[Whonnock Boy]

I wonder what would have happened with the two bucks encounter had you not intervened? Given the time of year, a muley buck fight for the ages? A brief, uneventful encounter? A size up for later when things get serious? A quick chase, and quick retreat by the unknown submissive buck? One of those things that one might always wonder given the circumstances.....

[Ourea]

ourea what elevation is highcountry? what is mid? ....I ask only because young guys have literal minds. It is a mindmess when a young strong guy would do best low,near homes, in the sage, not having bagged the crap out of there truck ect.

High country as defined in this area would be 4500-5000 ft
Mid was 3500ft.

Other areas we hunt the play and definition of high country is different.
Don't read to much into the numbers.

[Timbow]

Wow, thanks for sharing your story to an amazing buck. I am curious on the extent of time you spent to get at that moment when you pulled the trigger?

I can foresee this post being resurrected before hunting season.
Did you share your story on that massive elk here? 8-)

[albravo2]

Hat's off to you Ourea. Great share. Thank you.

Very humbling and inspiring at the same time.

[pg83]

That was an incredible read and the pics are pretty good to boot!
I'm sincerely thankful to you for sharing with us.

[Wrayzer]

Great read Ourea, phenomenal buck.

Glad to see some incredible buck pics and stories back on here.

[tomahawk]

Many thanks for the story and pictures. I'm so pleased to read "hunting" threads that share tips and knowledge and in this story there are many. I joined HBC close to 10 yrs ago to share and read stories and pictures of hunts, after all that is the common factor that ties us all together. Ourea this thread encompasses every thing that I hoped this site would provide for myself and all hunters that come this way, many thanks for sharing your epic adventure. That's a stud of a mulie and your a tremendous hunter.

[twoSevenO]

this is one of the best stories i've read on here .... and probably the biggest mule deer i've seen from BC. There are very few 200"+ bucks in BC that make it to the internet for the average hunter like me to drool over. Extraordinary buck. Just unbelievable.

You obviously spend a lot of time in the bush. Were you lucky enough to be raised in an area that was close to where you hunt, or did your strong passion for hunting make you move to be closer to your hunting grounds?

[Ourea]

this is one of the best stories i've read on here .... and probably the biggest mule deer i've seen from BC. There are very few 200"+ bucks in BC that make it to the internet for the average hunter like me to drool over. Extraordinary buck. Just unbelievable.

You obviously spend a lot of time in the bush. Were you lucky enough to be raised in an area that was close to where you hunt, or did your strong passion for hunting make you move to be closer to your hunting grounds?

I have numerous areas in Reg 8 and Reg 4
Some spots can be day hunted depending on the species.

[SaintSix]

Great Buck and Story, I'm glad you went with the Non-typical. I love my junk too and was hoping to see those pics lol next on my list is anything with drop times.

[Ourea]

This is what I saw sticking up out of the brush as I approached.

http://i.imgur.com/V3j7dpS.jpg

Easy 200+ typ

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/typ_zpsjb8bstt2.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/typ_zpsjb8bstt2.jpg.html)

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/typ1_zpsebtbwvpe.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/typ1_zpsebtbwvpe.jpg.html)

[Salty]

Unreal Ourea just bloody unreal huge thanks for sharing this here we're lucky we've got you ;) That buck is just insane I still can't believe what I'm seeing Great write up and as always some excellent advice for those that want to listen. cheers and keep on keepin on..

[fozzy]

Thanks for sharing your story and pics of this hunt and the great buck you got, well done!
I've only had my eyes on one such Mule deer (in Saskatchewan) and have eaten many tags since then holding out for another like it..

[Chopper]

Best hunting story ive ever heard, im pretty much speachless ... i didnt even know mule deer like that still exsisted in B.C

speachless ....

[.264winmag]

Giant? More like a mammoth! Great story, thanks for sharing. Not sure I'll say the same missing an oppurtuntity on a stud buck cause I will be wondering 'what the heck is he staring at?' Just to see a fat doe staring at me while he slips away HA. Sets the bar higher than I thought possible fer round here...

[Wolfkrieg]

Awesome thanks for the read. One can only aspire that the day will come when something of that magnitude can be found. I hope the constant grinding and trying to learn as much as possible while being out allows me to capture a few opportunities at creatures of that caliber in my lifetime. Stories like this and books from true backwood/high country hunters are what fuel the fire for me!

Wolf

[backstrap]

Wow! You're all class man, I could feel the respect held for that animal. Thats an overwhelming feeling to sit there with a true giant. What a buck and a great read too!

[Hunting/addict]

A very well written story and that buck is incredible...thanks for posting...I will always be glad to have been part of a friends hunt for a 242 inch mule deer...a day I never will forget....thanks again

[twoSevenO]

I will always be glad to have been part of a friends hunt for a 242 inch mule deer...a day I never will forget....thanks again

Also in BC? Pics?

[180grainer]

Pretty awesome pics. Thanks for posting them up....

[curt]

that was an awesome read thanks for that!!!

[twoSevenO]

Came here for some antler porn again and all the pics are gone ..... Photobucket has literally ruined millions of threads in forums across the world >:-(

[Ourea]

Came here for some antler porn again and all the pics are gone ..... Photobucket has literally ruined millions of threads in forums across the world >:-(

I will reload most of the pics using a new hosting site at some point in the near future.

[upongrassy]

Really hoping the pics from this thread go back up. Just read the story. Thanks for sharing

[Ourea]

I updated some of the pictures replacing the old photobucket blanks.
They are now back on the earlier pages of this thread.

For those that are ADD (like most these days when it comes to the internet) here's a few pics of my buck.

http://i.imgur.com/0rqHmUj.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/O7qdYgc.jpg

Just under 33" wide and scores 240"

http://i.imgur.com/u73h4yC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hIfLsX9.jpg

[Harvest the Land]

Awesome - thanks for the update. What an old timer. Buck of a lifetime for sure. Congrats!

[boxhitch]

......I hope most are picking up on the information being shared with this "story".dated, but still good

[REMINGTON JIM]

YUP ! Good one there For SURE ! RJ

[Bugle M In]

Nice buck buddy.
A little jealous to be honest.
I keep waiting (searching) for a buck like that, a once in a lifetime is suppose for me and many others.
I am having serious doubts about ever seeing one like that, let alone, get the rifle up with that in the sights.
Nice job, thanks for posting.
Keeps one wanting to get out there and keep trying!

[Ourea]

Just a reminder about the upcoming window of opportunity prerut I called out in this thread. Experience has taught me some of the bigger bucks will do a walk about in later October then go back into hiding until the rut kicks in. I have seen this several times, bucks on the move during the course of a day or 2 only for things to go quiet again.

Just an FYI

[Getbent]

Just a reminder about the upcoming window of opportunity prerut I called out in this thread. Experience has taught me some of the bigger bucks will do a walk about in later October then go back into hiding until the rut kicks in. I have seen this several times, bucks on the move during the course of a day or 2 only for things to go quiet again.

Just an FYI
Thanks for bringing this to life again. Just incredible to have that happen with both in the same draw.
Awesome story and an incredible achievement. I’m pumped to give it that extra boost of effort over the next couple of days.
Thanks again for sharing this experience with us.

[Arctic Lake]

Holy hell that’s an impressive buck !
Arctic Lake
I updated some of the pictures replacing the old photobucket blanks.
They are now back on the earlier pages of this thread.

For those that are ADD (like most these days when it comes to the internet) here's a few pics of my buck.

http://i.imgur.com/0rqHmUj.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/O7qdYgc.jpg

Just under 33" wide and scores 240"

http://i.imgur.com/u73h4yC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hIfLsX9.jpg

[Deer_Slayer]

Meanwhile...back at the ranch little Johnny just graduated from college........yawn.:cool:

[Ourea]

Meanwhile...back at the ranch little Johnny just graduated from college........yawn.:cool:

^^^^^^^^^^

Yet another example of why HBC is in the tank and most hunters bailed from this site.
Hunters that used to share their knowledge and stories left yrs ago. Always a keyboard cowboy sniping folks that are trying to help others and promote our sport.

Pathetic.

[eatram]

Just a reminder about the upcoming window of opportunity prerut I called out in this thread. Experience has taught me some of the bigger bucks will do a walk about in later October then go back into hiding until the rut kicks in. I have seen this several times, bucks on the move during the course of a day or 2 only for things to go quiet again.

Just an FYI

Interesting observation Ourea. Hadn't heard of that before. I'll file it away in the ol' cabinet.

[Getbent]

^^^^^^^^^^

Yet another example of why HBC is in the tank and most hunters bailed from this site.
Hunters that used to share their knowledge and stories left yrs ago. Always a keyboard cowboy sniping folks that are trying to help others and promote our sport.

Pathetic.
100% agree. It is really a shame

[TheObserver]

^^^^^^^^^^

Yet another example of why HBC is in the tank and most hunters bailed from this site.
Hunters that used to share their knowledge and stories left yrs ago. Always a keyboard cowboy sniping folks that are trying to help others and promote our sport.

Pathetic.

Just a heads up i'm pretty sure that Deer_Slayer guy is re**rded, from the comments i've seen anyhow.

First year using cams last year, left 1 out in Mulie country to soak all year and had a pretty big guy come on it for 1 day October 27th then vanished again, lines up with what you say. This Buck will be a monster as time goes on if he makes it be interesting to see if he shows up this year again when I go check the cam in the spring

[Islandeer]

Meanwhile...back at the ranch little Johnny just graduated from college........yawn.:cool:
WtF does your statement even mean?
If there is a hidden meaning please share.

[Islandeer]

Bang on Ourea, bucks do a little wander right now, with this cold front it is a good time to be out.
And your buck is still the one !!

[TheObserver]

Blacktails been moving quite a bit this month I find earlier than last year (for lower elevation Deer anyways) have a nice size 4X3 doing the flehmen gesture right infront of one of the cams on Oct 4th, this weekend I will start rattling all out with the big antlers, got 12 days straight in the first two weeks of Nov to try and get an opportunity on a mature Buck. Feel good about this year after last years f**k up. Temps starting to drop, some snow on the mountains looks like it was ~3000 feet. I think this is going to be a good year, hoping for more snow over the next 2 weeks.

Blacktail rut is my favourite, every fibre in my body wants to be in them mountains right now

[oddsix]

Just re-read the entire story. Thanks for sharing, wish there were more stories like these these days.

Did you or your friends ever see the big typical again?

[TheObserver]

Bang on Ourea, bucks do a little wander right now, with this cold front it is a good time to be out.
And your buck is still the one !!

This morning where I am at would have been real good, major wind storm night before + snow fall + pre rut. Wish I didn't have work

[IronNoggin]

Thanks for revisiting this one Ourea!
Still get all damn tingly when reading it, even for the fourteenth time!

Ignore the Idjuts Buddy.
They are as you described - Pathetic to the extreme.
Jealousy does strange things to emotionally frail little boys it seems.

Once again, BEAUTY Buck and one hell of a fine tale to go with!
Congrats indeed!

Cheers,
Matt

[Ourea]

Just re-read the entire story. Thanks for sharing, wish there were more stories like these these days.

Did you or your friends ever see the big typical again?

Yes. Long distance and on the move never to be seen again. I posted one of his drops in this thread.
Average hunters have no idea what survival instincts monarchs have, especially WT.

[Husky7mm]

Yes. Long distance and on the move never to be seen again. I posted one of his drops in this thread.
Average hunters have no idea what survival instincts monarchs have, especially WT.

GPS collar studies from the states on wt show the bucks are there, they just use the terrain differently. There are small areas they spend the majority of their time and some areas they simply do not go. I found that quite interesting, granted that is the states so probably non migrating deer.
A few years back I had a record book deer on cam at a lick that was also in a pinch point and intersection. As the season went on and especially after the season I didn’t get any pictures of him. I moved my camera to a trail not 50m away and somewhat routinely had pictures of him again… for a while I thought he must have left for the season or was cat scat.

I am a big believer that big animals are as lucky as they are smart, they are often among us and near us, they just don’t often run into a hunter willing to put in that extra, extra effort. A quick read of big buck magazine or a hunting forum confirms many monarchs have been harvested by blind ass luck.

You mentioned a while back while on an elusive big bull or buck that he was better at hiding than you were at finding him. Perhaps you just didn’t have that kind of time that year? I know I sure haven’t, and don’t.
I remember back in the day watching Jim Shockey videos, and he literally would sit for near a month sometimes for his target buck…… often a booner….
Well, who has the free time for that, retired people and professional hunters I guess? The rest of us have a job to go to or a business to run. I put in a heavy effort every year and sometimes it comes easy and sometimes it doesn’t come at all. The big buck simply got lucky my schedule didnt put him on a collision course with me. 1 day early or later would have made all the difference. My cams, patterning tracks, and activities have shown me this repeatedly.
At the end of the day WE have the bigger brain, we just need to know how to use it. Of course you know this. But the thread is for everyone. Meeting, and conversating with a big variety of personalities over the years has really been valuable for life, and of course hunting.

[HarryToolips]

Amazing the mass on those giants Ourea... I'm assuming the mulie and possibly the elk would make the BC B&C records?

[Ourea]

Amazing the mass on those giants Ourea... I'm assuming the mulie and possibly the elk would make the BC B&C records?

They are B&C animals. Will never officially enter them. The MD is one of the best this province has produced. My satisfaction will always be walking up to an animal that I dedicated countless hours in the back country pursuing. They won more than I did...and I am pretty darn good at my craft. Average hunter has no idea the commitment it takes to find and kill a giant. It can take yrs chasing just one.

[HarryToolips]

They are B&C animals. Will never officially enter them. The MD is one of the best this province has produced. My satisfaction will always be walking up to an animal that I dedicated countless hours in the back country pursuing. They won more than I did...and I am pretty darn good at my craft. Average hunter has no idea the commitment it takes to find and kill a giant. It can take yrs chasing just one.

Indeed, that MD has gotta be one of the biggest ever from here for sure... totally understand what you're saying about the commitment- it would take a lot of self control to eat your tag year after year, passing on other nice bucks..

[Darksith]

GPS collar studies from the states on wt show the bucks are there, they just use the terrain differently. There are small areas they spend the majority of their time and some areas they simply do not go. I found that quite interesting, granted that is the states so probably non migrating deer.
A few years back I had a record book deer on cam at a lick that was also in a pinch point and intersection. As the season went on and especially after the season I didn’t get any pictures of him. I moved my camera to a trail not 50m away and somewhat routinely had pictures of him again… for a while I thought he must have left for the season or was cat scat.

I am a big believer that big animals are as lucky as they are smart, they are often among us and near us, they just don’t often run into a hunter willing to put in that extra, extra effort. A quick read of big buck magazine or a hunting forum confirms many monarchs have been harvested by blind ass luck.

You mentioned a while back while on an elusive big bull or buck that he was better at hiding than you were at finding him. Perhaps you just didn’t have that kind of time that year? I know I sure haven’t, and don’t.
I remember back in the day watching Jim Shockey videos, and he literally would sit for near a month sometimes for his target buck…… often a booner….
Well, who has the free time for that, retired people and professional hunters I guess? The rest of us have a job to go to or a business to run. I put in a heavy effort every year and sometimes it comes easy and sometimes it doesn’t come at all. The big buck simply got lucky my schedule didnt put him on a collision course with me. 1 day early or later would have made all the difference. My cams, patterning tracks, and activities have shown me this repeatedly.
At the end of the day WE have the bigger brain, we just need to know how to use it. Of course you know this. But the thread is for everyone. Meeting, and conversating with a big variety of personalities over the years has really been valuable for life, and of course hunting.

I honestly think deer aren't that smart, they just have tendencies and learned behaviour. The ones that have those that keep them away from roads, operating in remote or thick pockets, or nocturnal are the ones that grow old. The ones that have the opposite get blasted or eaten by a predator. They are hunted their whole lives by all predators, so when they find that safe spot and stick to it bc of tendencies they have opportunity to become what we desire. Anyway, not looking for a debate, the old ones are crafty for whatever reason, finding those hard to reach or overlooked pockets knowing that maybe they don't move as much as we thought might be a key to success, Im certainly no expert but as I move away from hunts abroad I am excited to give chasing mule deer more of my time and figure out where these spots might be. The more I learn the more Im seeing that they have a home base and we as hunters just need to find it and it needs to be where no one else is looking in an area that allows them to also escape the other predators on the landscape.