1 hour in reg. 3

[mark]

So here I sat in region 8....moose are closed, mulies are closed, the whitey tag cut....enough firewood stacked for 2 years....
Its Nov. 18, snowing all over the province, and the first cold snap of the year?????
I load enough crap in the truck for a 2 week trip to the north pole and back, get up at 4:00 am, kiss the wife and dog goodbye, and hit the road!

Visions of "giant muleys in the snow, prancing about the fir ridges Ive been hunting for over 20 years" were sizzling in the back of my mind!!!!

With fresh snow, -16 I decided to road hunt for an hour, to get an idea of the local deer activity...It certainly wasnt loaded, but there was a decent amount of sign to get my hopes up!

I bundled up, and headed for one of my favorite ridges of all time...numerous groups of tracks going this way and that way...then finally a "BIG TOE DRAGGER".... on my knees for inspection...not a flake of snow in these track (lightly snowing) and he's headed right where I wanted to go!
Not 200 yards and I find he's done a HUGE RUB not a flake of snow on the shavings!
Now I know he's a cranker, heart is pounding, adrenaline rushing, I know he's right in front of me!
Everything is absolutely perfect! This is precisely what I dream about all year long to a T!!!!!!!!!!

With the amount of fresh tracks in the area, I knew it wouldnt be far till he catch's up to a doe....
I didnt walk another 300 yards, and there he was, 75 yards staring right at me.
With missile lock established, I sized him up....tallest buck ever, dark, thick, chunky, bladed antlers???? Dam he's looking good, then he turned his head to the left to check out a doe and I saw this.....

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/2010_bucks_026_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=21204&size=big&cat=500)
The rest is a blurr, as soon as my brain says that's a shooter, the gun just goes bang, the deer falls down, and Im thinking $hit, Im done already???

Heres the front view!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/2010_bucks_025_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=21203&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
I got real lucky with this one, I managed to get my quad right to him which was great, I didnt feel like deboning and packing this one out at -16!
I realize I sold myself a bit short on my 200+ dream buck, but Im a real sucker for big, heavy, charactor bucks and Im very happy with him!

6 scoreable points on both sides!
Heres a rear view pic that really shows how tall he is!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/2010_bucks_028_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=21201&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
If I had but 1 regret with this hunt, its that I didnt get to check out all my other sweet spots, I was back home by 3:00 in the afternoon!

[snareman1234]

Awesome mark! what a great buck! cool you snow tracked him! I've been trying it the past few days.

whats he score?

[husky30-06]

is that horse shoe that comfortable????? NICE ONE!!!!!!!!

[porcupine]

Great buck! Congrattulations!

[luckynuts]

Gotta love it when it all comes together like that eh? Congrats on a nice buck. how heavy do you think he weighed? He's got a huge neck on him, do you think he was on the down side? Anyway you look at it he's a great buck and you did work hard for him.... All those years you put into the area just made life a little easier this day. You never seem to disappoint us Mark :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Next year I am chasing Mulies for myself. 14 days no if's and or buts !!!!!



W.

[Prowler]

I would have let him go.......:-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amg64MTtlo8

[SteadyGirl]

Another great buck Mark, love the style. You consistantly take great animals:mrgreen:, and thats just the way it is! again love the style, and consistancy of your hunting

[Kitimat Killer]

great buck way to go love the hight on him

kk

["skma"]

awesome buck!

[wildthing]

very nice buck congratts :)

[frenchbar]

Good stuff Mark ...another GREAT buck for ya ..congratz! i came close to pullin the pin yesterday as well..bucks were moving all right.

[JCVD]

I like that rack, looks like a reverse WT antler form the side. The neck on that guy is huge too, def lookin' for some lovin'.

[Bighorn hunter]

wicked old buck,, nice to have a easy hunt every now and then.

Congrats
BH

[M.Dean]

Thats one wild looking set of horns! Congrats on a great Mulie!!!

[kennyj]

Thats a great buck! Pretty hard not to shoot that one.
kenny

[grizzlydown]

Very well done Mark!! Again there was no disappointment to the anticipation of waiting for these pics!! Beauty Height, thick dark antlers and great character! I getting stoked for my trip south!

[dino]

Do you give lessons?

[mark]

Do you give lessons?

Nope, only advise...but some choose not to believe me :roll:

Have you seen me on the river much this year??? :smile:

[Fisher-Dude]

Nice character buck Mark! http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[whitetail2009]

Great job!

[Husq]

damn he's been around for a while and he sure is a cool looker, like he's crossed with an elk.... Nice work on getting him.

how high up were you? not to much snow on the ground.

[Blainer]

snow is a great thing.
Great job on a Great buck

[Brian011]

nice buck! looks like an old guy, looks like you've had a great season! you should leave some big bucks for the rest of us though jk good job

[dino]

Nope, only advise...but some choose not to believe me :roll:

Have you seen me on the river much this year??? :smile:

Havent been there since I saw you last but I will go back in acouple of years it should be good then. I did talk to you in person this year in region 8 but you didnt recognize me and I didnt recognize you until you posted a pic of yourself with a clean face. I will say this, you do drive far sometimes for a day trip. Nice deer by the way was the snow quiet.

[guest]

Nice Buck Mark,
Look at the neck on that BIG DUMMY.

Congrats to you, got to love hunting the Rut.

CT

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Another dandy buck, Mark!:cool:

Too bad it happenned so quick:wink:.

What's next?? Reg 5 old stopping grounds ....or wait until archery muley season around here.....or actually rest for a couple of days:-D.

SSS

[d6dan]

Beauty buck Mark!..Nice and tall and like you said, (character) buck..Congrats on tagging out...Now go and cut some firewood.:mrgreen:.

[cinnabear]

nice buck, good on ya

[birch]

nice buck mark - lots of character and mass

[bruin]

Great looking buck Mark, love the age and character.

[Jelvis]

Way to go Mark, awesome region 3 mule.
Jel .. Your a great hunter bud.

[Island Idiots]

Nice one! :-D

[BigfishCanada]

Mark thats an awesome buck, congratulations on what I consider a trophy for sure.

Congrats again!

PS> RED LAKE IS OFFICIALLY FROZEN, Let the hardwater events sget going.

[Brambles]

Way to go there Mark, you did well. Sure is nice looking timber, looks more like a park then bush. The crap we have to hunt over here makes that place look like the moon.

Congrats.

[Gunner Staal]

That a beauty for sure man. Good season

[coach]

Another phenomenal buck, Mark! Congratulations. You sure are consistent. I can't wait to see what you shoot in bow season.

[BCrams]

Congrats on a cool character buck! The mass is awsome on the side!!

[anytail]

What took so long? Nice buck. Who took the pictures.

[KB90]

Congrats on another sweet buck mark!



If I had but 1 regret with this hunt, its that I didnt get to check out all my other sweet spots, I was back home by 3:00 in the afternoon!

I've got next weekend free, I would love to check them out for you.

[kwasky]

thays a cool looking buck! congrats on another fine buck

[Rattler]

Way to go Mark! Your having a great season...

[troutseeker]

Hey Mark you driving a brownish GMC pickup with a quad in the back? If so I saw you and the missus heading out hunting this afternoon. Of course, my lips are sealed...

[showtimebc]

when the brain says "SHOOTER," the rest is usually a blur for me too lol

great buck!

[butthead]

the big boys have come out to play
nice one mark

[husky30-06]

I would have let him go.......:-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amg64MTtlo8


HAHAHAHAHA awsome!!!!!! pansy hunters!!!!!

[yiorgo3]

Nice buck!! way to go!

[deer nut]

I think I hate you......seriously CONGRATS! That is a beauty buck. Just what I was dreaming of but hunted too early!

[Caveman]

Nice Job Mark! Great buck, well deserved, well maybe not this one considering you only put in an hour! LOL!! Great Season Buddy!!

[Mr. Dean]

Yup; Just FINE!!!

C'grats.

[calvin L]

Dam do you need kids ! LOL again great buck Mark . I am glad you will be taking a couple of day's to heal up for the bow season . Your back must be all out of wack :mrgreen:

calvin L

[2x4x16]

Man what a buck. I'm going to have to start stalking you and find some of your spots. You continually nail quality bucks - good job. You're going to run out of wall space soon.

[mark]

damn he's been around for a while and he sure is a cool looker, like he's crossed with an elk.... Nice work on getting him.

how high up were you? not to much snow on the ground.

About 3500' about 2 " of snow


Another dandy buck, Mark!:cool:

Too bad it happenned so quick:wink:.

What's next?? Reg 5 old stopping grounds ....or wait until archery muley season around here.....or actually rest for a couple of days:-D.

SSS

Im gonna leave region 5 alone for another year, grow em nice and big before I burn the gas to go back there! :wink:


Hey Mark you driving a brownish GMC pickup with a quad in the back? If so I saw you and the missus heading out hunting this afternoon. Of course, my lips are sealed...

Nope, no GM for me???


Man what a buck. I'm going to have to start stalking you and find some of your spots.

Its been thought of before, I always watch my tail! :twisted:

[shantz]

Awesome buck Mark! Congrats

[Mr. Dean]

Ahhh Dude!!!! You 'settled'.

I'm soooo disappointed.
You're booker was just on the other side of the ridge. :sad:

[birch]

Its been thought of before, I always watch my tail! :twisted:

Solution: http://www.neroglobal.com/fleettracking-aquicktour.htm

[cariboobill]

MARK:

Looks like a good one. Did you age him? I still have not found anything above 170 inches around here, although I heard of one scoring in the 180's was shot early this year.

Great looking character in the rack.

CB

[mark]

MARK:

Looks like a good one. Did you age him? I still have not found anything above 170 inches around here, although I heard of one scoring in the 180's was shot early this year.

Great looking character in the rack.

CB


Hey Bill.... I just shot him the other day, got to send a tooth away, takes about 2 months.
He's just shy of 180", to bad he broke a big chunk off his mainbeam. :(

[Ourea]

MARK:

Looks like a good one. Did you age him? I still have not found anything above 170 inches around here, although I heard of one scoring in the 180's was shot early this year.

Great looking character in the rack.

CB


I know of a 202 1/8" and a 239 4/8" shot this season. They're definitely out there.

[Wild Images]

Great buck Mark
Did you save the cape on him ? Hate to see those big late season capes get cut up

[cariboobill]

Hey Bill.... I just shot him the other day, got to send a tooth away, takes about 2 months.
He's just shy of 180", to bad he broke a big chunk off his mainbeam. :(
Hey Mark ;

I am hunting more and more out of my region to get my trophy deer each year. The ranch has been good for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 year old deer, which I hunt in October for great meat quality, although we did get one around 165 inches this year again. Shed hunting around the area has been good, but no width to the animals, lots of mass etc., just no spread, just like I see when hunting. The typical rack around here seems to morph around 4 1/2 years old to non-typical/bladed etc.

Great to see your hunting late season, what now? I have one tag left for the big one once the freeze breaks. Deer should be out and about, on the ridges soaking up the sun.

I chased a good one around for 10 days at 5000 feet and above, but he was a little too smart and was faster than me. Saw lots of smaller 4 points, nothing bigger than what I have hanging already. I almost took an immature moose on the last day standing broad side at 40 yards, but I really did not need all that meat. Getting that itchy feeling to get out, but at -28 this am forget it. I still have not shot a B and C and I am getting older each year.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Sheep meeting, if you are going this year.

CB