2020 Mule Deer Hunting

[Weatherby Fan]

Well I put in a few days in area 8 and did see some nice buck but we never got in on them for a shot, and quite a few days in area 3-30 for Mule Deer, 2 weeks in Oct and 2 weeks in November and a week in Dec,

I seen a pile of smaller bucks spikes, 2 points and 3 points, and very few 4 points and the ones I did see were very small rack wise,

I was a little disappointed as my great Nephew came hunting with me in mid Oct and I figured it would be a shoe in for a small buck but I/we never even seen a legal buck with him in four days of hunting ? we did see a lot of does with two and sometimes 3 fawns which was great to see.
Any bucks we did see were behind fences or after shooting light

I hunted the first two weeks of November and did see lots of rut activity but again only small bucks chasing does, fast forward to early December and on the morning of Dec 4th driving into my parking spot I see a 4 pt with 3 does and he limping badly so I take a cpl pictures of him park and go off hunting for the morning, thinking that poor bugger isn't going to live the night !

http://i.imgur.com/fM4wAaK.jpg (https://imgur.com/fM4wAaK)

soon as I started walking I was seeing deer, a few small bucks, lots of movement so I sit down with a great vantage point and sure enough small bucks walking every which way. things quiet down about 10am so I walk out to the truck and just as I get to the road I see a truck stopped so I unload my rifle and walk towards him.

Its a CO Bob Butcher from Lilooet, we bs for a bit he checks me for tags, hell of a nice guy and I tell him about the 4 pt with a limp and he raises an eyebrow at me and says why didn't you shoot it ?....it probably won't live the night he says, wasn't what Im looking for........but I start to think he's probably right maybe I should have shot it.....

Ok off to town for lunch this day...Chinese Food and fuel up and head back to my fav spot for the evening,

I get out of the truck and walk for a bit and come across 3 bedded does, they look familiar so I stand and watch as they slowly get up and start to walk away up a knoll.....they keep stopping and looking back so I chamber a shell and watch sure enough out stumbles the Gimpy 4 point from this morning, he has a terrible limp and start to hobble after the doe's and they stood waiting for him, he stands there looking up the hill at the doe's...............he's 130 yards away and one shot through the heart with the 160gr AB out of the new 280AI and it drops in his tracks.

I give him a cpl minutes and he doesn't move so I walk over to him and cut my tag and take a few pictures as he lays, the poor bugger is in terrible shape, his left front leg/shoulder bones are poking out through his hide, his right leg has been broken and healed straight and doesn't bend at the knee, I dress him and his heart is blown to pieces, the 160gr Accubond went in and out.

http://i.imgur.com/IWwTsKJ.jpg (https://imgur.com/IWwTsKJ)

When I skin him out his left shoulder blade was broken and somewhat healed on top of itself, the whole left shoulder was green and pussy, he didn't have an ounce of fat on him,

Its amazing how tough these things are, Im surprised he lived as long as he did, it appears that he was hit by a car/truck as his front end was busted up really bad.

I had a cpl steaks the next day for lunch and he was pretty tangy !



http://i.imgur.com/VCbBRBS.jpg (https://imgur.com/VCbBRBS)

http://i.imgur.com/G0Jr6HB.jpg (https://imgur.com/G0Jr6HB)

http://i.imgur.com/1OIOHnh.jpg (https://imgur.com/1OIOHnh)

[xlcc]

That is a good thing you shot him.Mercy kill.

[porthunter]

Awesome, well done on taking out that buck before the preds did, congrats!

I've found for strong meats that sometimes sitting it in water/pepper/vinegar over night can help get rid of that flavour.

[Weatherby Fan]

Awesome, well done on taking out that buck before the preds did, congrats!

I've found for strong meats that sometimes sitting it in water/pepper/vinegar over night can help get rid of that flavour.

I tried a cpl more for dinner and it was still pretty tinny, probably from the trauma the poor bugger went through,

http://i.imgur.com/xMkFePL.jpg (https://imgur.com/xMkFePL)

View from the front deck of our cabin,

http://i.imgur.com/VWQjXIT.jpg (https://imgur.com/VWQjXIT)

My great Nephew out for a stroll with me

http://i.imgur.com/vbklzGh.jpg (https://imgur.com/vbklzGh)

We came across this odd looking rock after glassing six bedded does.

http://i.imgur.com/spJyfic.jpg (https://imgur.com/spJyfic)

http://i.imgur.com/JTMtGD0.jpg (https://imgur.com/JTMtGD0)

[stoneramhunter]

Great story I very much enjoyed reading it. The fact that you were able to harvest a deer and it happens the be the deer that was suffering was memorable. Im a pilot as well owned several bushplanes but currently flying a comanche 260 not for long though miss flying up north to go sheep hunting. Going to sell the plane and get back into a bush plane. have a great day and be safe.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Great writeup WF ! ;-) By the way I Hollowed out that rock years ago as for a shelter in a BAD snow storm while hunting your area when i lived up at Bridge Lake ! :lol: RJ

[db]

That’s a cool looking rock. A little strange that it’s hollow.

[REMINGTON JIM]

That’s a cool looking rock. A little strange that it’s hollow.

No its Not ! I Chipped out all that rock ! :wink: RJ

[Weatherby Fan]

the spot on this buck where the bones were through the hide

http://i.imgur.com/jupTLaB.jpg (https://imgur.com/jupTLaB)

A frosty cpl of days in November

http://i.imgur.com/orKfeMA.jpg (https://imgur.com/orKfeMA)

http://i.imgur.com/FMfHb8w.jpg (https://imgur.com/FMfHb8w)


A few more small bucks
http://i.imgur.com/IDxcPwZ.jpg (https://imgur.com/IDxcPwZ)

http://i.imgur.com/CdgcBp1.jpg (https://imgur.com/CdgcBp1)

[Weatherby Fan]

That’s a cool looking rock. A little strange that it’s hollow.

Not only that it was smooth on the inside like it was polished or sanded, really strange for sure, Im going with meteorite !!!

[Weatherby Fan]

Great story I very much enjoyed reading it. The fact that you were able to harvest a deer and it happens the be the deer that was suffering was memorable. Im a pilot as well owned several bushplanes but currently flying a comanche 260 not for long though miss flying up north to go sheep hunting. Going to sell the plane and get back into a bush plane. have a great day and be safe.

Thank you, We better go for coffee and talk sheep hunting if your in Maple Ridge

[Weatherby Fan]

I had to take the 6.5 PRC for a hunt it was getting jealous of the new 280AI

http://i.imgur.com/HktF3Vv.jpg (https://imgur.com/HktF3Vv)

We have pterodactyls in BC !

http://i.imgur.com/a7SNNQ3.jpg (https://imgur.com/a7SNNQ3)

http://i.imgur.com/YS8aSQy.jpg (https://imgur.com/YS8aSQy)

My brother Leif and I checking out some new area.....

http://i.imgur.com/0DCHxfD.jpg (https://imgur.com/0DCHxfD)

Have to add in a few sheep picture during the rut....notice the ewe has a bloody spot on her right side where the ram stabbed her with his Horn.

http://i.imgur.com/I4wr3tt.jpg (https://imgur.com/I4wr3tt)

[db]

Nice job , that would have warmed you up on that cold snowy day:smile:

[db]

Not only that it was smooth on the inside like it was polished or sanded, really strange for sure, Im going with meteorite !!!
That’s the first thing I thought. Pretty unusual looking.

[huntingfamily]

Great story. Nice job putting that buck out of his misery!

[Jack Russell]

Thanks for the story - and the mercy shot. I noted many small bucks this year as well in Region 3. Any 4 points that I saw were small framed or had a marginal 4th point. Good to hear about the promising fawn recruitment. Cheers.

[Arctic Lake]

Great story WF ! Yep you put that poor bugger out of his misery ! Just can’t believe that rock maybe show it to someone in the know of such things .
Arctic Lake

[twoSevenO]

Great pics and a nice buck!
Well done! Congrats!!

[Ride Red]

No its Not ! I Chipped out all that rock ! :wink: RJ


Not only that it was smooth on the inside like it was polished or sanded, really strange for sure, Im going with meteorite !!!

That must have been some lonely nights polishing your rock Jim :)

That was the right thing to do WF, poor ******* in agony and trying to chase tail up a hill. We were heading back from moose hunting one fall and a big buck bounded out from a field and was hit by a truck two ahead of us. Broken legs and ribs showing and still trying to get up. A cop showed up in the line and didn’t want to discharge his gun; I offered to do it for him but he wasn’t having it. So the poor bugger suffered on the pavement as they waited for a Co.

[Ride Red]

http://i.imgur.com/I4wr3tt.jpg (https://imgur.com/I4wr3tt)[/QUOTE]

Looks like Spences Bridge. I got some pics and video of them this fall.

[jimzuk]

Great story glad you put that deer out of its misery. That rock is very funky. Good find

[HarryToolips]

Really glad you decided to take that buck, he was in great pain by the look of it...due to the taste of the meat have you thought of running it through the grinder and mixing it with pork and seasoning or making sausage?

[3than]

Incredible how tough those things are. Nice job!

[GEF]

I believe the hunting gods will shine on you next year for harvesting that poor bugger.
That rock is really amazing.Have you shown that to Ed H.

[Weatherby Fan]

I believe the hunting gods will shine on you next year for harvesting that poor bugger.
That rock is really amazing.Have you shown that to Ed H.

I sure hope we can find one of those big buggers next year Gary, no I didn't show Ed yet but chances are old legs has probably seen it since he was born and raised in that area.

one more picture of the rock

http://i.imgur.com/FmH69L2.jpg (https://imgur.com/FmH69L2)

[Kos]

Awesome pics and great buck!

[boxhitch]

tfs
Interesting erratic, looks like something volcanic maybe

[RICKADY]

Great story, nice pic's,
RJ if you hollowed that rock,
i got a job for you

[lovemywinchester]

Just a theory here but maybe the meat tasted poorly because of all those brussel sprouts!! Blech.... :frown:

[Weatherby Fan]

Just a theory here but maybe the meat tasted poorly because of all those brussel sprouts!! Blech.... :frown:

LMFFAO.....well here's a pic of my great Nephew eating dinner at the cabin....the new age hunters dinner.....he said share this picture in case his wife seen what he was really eating !!


http://i.imgur.com/2r1YG1H.jpg (https://imgur.com/2r1YG1H)

[mpotzold]

Awesome, well done on taking out that buck before the preds did, congrats!

I've found for strong meats that sometimes sitting it in water/pepper/vinegar over night can help get rid of that flavour.

Agree!:)
Remember a grizz killing an elk 3 month ago that had a leg problem. Posted this before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzo2Ie7B7CI&app=desktop

Remember shooting a buck from less than a hundred yards with my 300 Win mag near Gaspard Creek. He ran for quite a ways down the hill before succumbing. Knew he was hit because his run was noisy.
Like the photo shows it was also a heart shot. He was watching me before I shot him so the adrenaline prevented an instant drop.

Also Eve's aunt uses buttermilk to get rid the strong taste from deer & sometimes moose.

[Vini]

Nice job WF.

Mind sharing the make and model of that there pee shooter of yours?

[Weatherby Fan]

Nice job WF.

Mind sharing the make and model of that there pee shooter of yours?

The Blue/grey one that I shot the deer with is a 280 Ackley, built by Gary Flach, Defiance Anti Action, 23 inch #1 contour Fluted 1-9 twist Benchmark barrel, Wildcat CF Ultralight Stock with palm swell and high comb added, Triggertech Trigger, Alloy bottom metal, Talleys and VX3 4.5-14x40 30mm cds scope 6lbs 4oz scoped,

The second one beige in colour is a 6.5 PRC also built by Gary Flach, Kimber Montana 8400 (wsm donor rifle) 23 inch #1 contour fluted Benchmark 1-8 twist barrel, Montana Stock has had a palm swell added to it, Talleys and Zeiss V4 4-16x44 scope.

[Drillbit]

A buddy of mine in williams lake has a rock just like that in his yard. I thought it was pretty cool till I saw a 120v outlet in it!

Interesting to see a real one. Curious how they are formed now, must've been eroded in a river, then plucked and carried there by glacier?

[decker9]

Great read and photos WF!! Good on you for taking the right animal!! And great to see the new rifle bringin in the table fare!!

[Getbent]

I tried a cpl more for dinner and it was still pretty tinny, probably from the trauma the poor bugger went through,

http://i.imgur.com/xMkFePL.jpg (https://imgur.com/xMkFePL)

View from the front deck of our cabin,

http://i.imgur.com/VWQjXIT.jpg (https://imgur.com/VWQjXIT)

My great Nephew out for a stroll with me

http://i.imgur.com/vbklzGh.jpg (https://imgur.com/vbklzGh)

We came across this odd looking rock after glassing six bedded does.

http://i.imgur.com/spJyfic.jpg (https://imgur.com/spJyfic)

http://i.imgur.com/JTMtGD0.jpg (https://imgur.com/JTMtGD0)
Such a great mule deer area...still some decent genetics up there...good on yah for taking that guy out.

[Weatherby Fan]

Such a great mule deer area...still some decent genetics up there...good on yah for taking that guy out.

Im going to respectfully disagree with "still some decent genetics up there"

Ive hunted that area for almost 40 years and the class of Antlers is very disappointing as of late, I rarely shoot a deer as Im looking for something big that takes your breath away, and Im just not seeing them....

three years ago I passed up a very clean typical that would have scored 160 and thats the biggest buck Ive seen in several years in this area, maybe Im getting old but any four points Im seeing are very young deer and small basket four points, the 4 pt from this thread is the biggest one I seen during legal hunting time this year and I probably hunted about 5 weeks between Oct/Nov/Dec, I did see a bigger one on the road at night...... a bit disappointing as far as antlers go.......but I still love hunting for them.

[twoSevenO]

But are you seeing mature bucks, to blame their lack of antler on genetics?

Maybe just arent reaching 4-5+ years of age to grow into their potential

[Weatherby Fan]

But are you seeing mature bucks, to blame their lack of antler on genetics?

Maybe just arent reaching 4-5+ years of age to grow into their potential

Yes this is exactly what Im thinking theyre not making it in age to grow antlers to their potential, in the end it doesn’t matter as long as does are being bred and fawn recruitment is good and we have good buck to doe ratios it’s not an issue only a personal dilemma !!!

[twoSevenO]

Yes this is exactly what Im thinking theyre not making it in age to grow antlers to their potential, in the end it doesn’t matter as long as does are being bred and fawn recruitment is good and we have good buck to doe ratios it’s not an issue only a personal dilemma !!!

But then it isnt necessarily an issue of genetics? The genetics might still be there.

[Vini]

The Blue/grey one that I shot the deer with is a 280 Ackley, built by Gary Flach, Defiance Anti Action, 23 inch #1 contour Fluted 1-9 twist Benchmark barrel, Wildcat CF Ultralight Stock with palm swell and high comb added, Triggertech Trigger, Alloy bottom metal, Talleys and VX3 4.5-14x40 30mm cds scope 6lbs 4oz scoped,

The second one beige in colour is a 6.5 PRC also built by Gary Flach, Kimber Montana 8400 (wsm donor rifle) 23 inch #1 contour fluted Benchmark 1-8 twist barrel, Montana Stock has had a palm swell added to it, Talleys and Zeiss V4 4-16x44 scope.


uumm thanks? I was expecting a few words and not this very detailed descriptions. Much apprecaited. The .280AI has caught my eye as of late. A very quick search shows that the there are not many mainstream manufacturers creating this calibre. What would you estimate a setup like your would run?

[Weatherby Fan]

uumm thanks? I was expecting a few words and not this very detailed descriptions. Much apprecaited. The .280AI has caught my eye as of late. A very quick search shows that the there are not many mainstream manufacturers creating this calibre. What would you estimate a setup like your would run?

Your welcome, Lots of rifle companies chamber rifles in this cartridge, Savage, Kimber, Weatherby, Fierce, Cooper, you have Hornady, Nosler and Federal making factory ammo, now Peterson making excellent brass.

IIRC $4500.00 used scope included for the total build including labour

[Vini]

Your welcome, Lots of rifle companies chamber rifles in this cartridge, Savage, Kimber, Weatherby, Fierce, Cooper, you have Hornady, Nosler and Federal making factory ammo, now Peterson making excellent brass.

IIRC $4500.00 used scope included for the total build including labour


Hmmm That might be bit steep for my budget but may give a look at some of the other manufacturers. As I said, I did take a brief look so may have missed them.

[Weatherby Fan]

Hmmm That might be bit steep for my budget but may give a look at some of the other manufacturers. As I said, I did take a brief look so may have missed them.

From what I’m seeing the factory offered 6.5 PRC rifles have been extremely accurate.

Sauer, Howa, Bergara are some other factory rifles

[Bugle M In]

Good stuff, thanks...and Congrats.