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Brambles
11-11-2011, 12:02 AM
I took yesteday off hunting cause I helped a friend pack out his LEH moose, I was a little sore this AM but planned for a nice mellow hunt. I was gonna go after the "trapline buck". He was a buck that had a very defined area and always checked his rubs, unfortunaltly normally at night.

After sitting and waiting for the buck to make an appearance I started to get cold, so I went for a hike. The hike took me up to the top of the ridge, I had always wanted to check out some basins on the back side.

Lots of various big game sign was on the ridge much more then I expected.

As I look at the drainage below I snap some pictures for future reference.

I'm just about to call it a day and head back to the "trapline" Which is now 4 kilometes away when I look on a finger ridge below me and I spot a mulie, turns out to be a doe. I watch her for a few minutes, getting ready to start heading back....Let out a couple grunts....hey there's a second deer making its way into the open. Not sure if its a coincidence or because of my grunting.

My binoculars reviel a buck, hard to tell at that distance with bino's, and Im looking straight down at him, sure wish I brought my spotter on the hike. i can make out good G4's, backs look good too, also possibly and extra point... I think I should take him.
Gotta make a decision soon, he's not gonna stay put forever and it will be dark in 2.5 hours and its gonna be a LONG pack.

I set up for the shot, take aim and down he goes, tumbling backwards.

One positive thing is I had cell service being on top of a mountain at 6800 ft, I call a buddy and ask him if he can come pick me up on the nearest FSR cause I was gonna have to drag him down.

I head down after the buck and found he was much smaller than i had originally thought and he landed in a narrow creek draw:evil:. Oh well chock it up to a lesson learned, bring spotting scope always.

It was dark by the time I reached the bottom, some 2000 verticle feet of alder creek draw and blowdown, my buddy arrives just as I reach the bottom and gives me a hand with the last 150 yards of uphill pulling to get it up to the road. Dead animals don't drag worth a shit uphill, I was happy to see him, he also played taxi and drove me around so i could pickup my gear I left up on the mountain, saved me another 12m hike. Thanks buddy:mrgreen:




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Brambles77/IMG_0664.jpg


That Short G2 was a shocker, thats for sure.

Gateholio
11-11-2011, 12:08 AM
Cool looking buck, congrats! :)

coach
11-11-2011, 12:08 AM
Looks like an old buck, Brambles. Did he still have teeth? Congrats on a successful hunt and thanks for posting. Sounds like you worked pretty damn hard for this one.

5 spike
11-11-2011, 04:18 AM
nice buck brambles congats.

5 spike
11-11-2011, 04:20 AM
sorry missed a key, congrats to you brambles.

Rattler
11-11-2011, 01:53 PM
Nice work Jeff! Happens to everyone when faced with a quick decision, especially timber hunting. At least you won't have tag soup this year...

mcrae
11-11-2011, 02:13 PM
Nice buck buddy. You worked for him.

I bought a battery today:-D

fearnodeer
11-11-2011, 02:19 PM
Great looking buck, sounds like you had fun getting him out.

adamgarbett
11-11-2011, 02:53 PM
i wouldnt complain,Nice buck forshure!

spear
11-11-2011, 04:07 PM
Still a great buck, long g4 on the right and an exrta point with some character, well done

spear
11-11-2011, 04:12 PM
What rifle did you shoot him with?

Brambles
11-11-2011, 05:20 PM
Sako A7 270 WSM, 3.5-10 leupy w/ B&C reticle
Shooting 130 TTSX @ 3250 fps

dana
11-11-2011, 05:41 PM
Ground shrinkage has happened to all us over the years. No biggie, still next year and the year after and the year after till we're old and grey and only have our memories to enjoy.

bearass
11-11-2011, 06:38 PM
Not Bad Brambles. I like how he branches up top. Good job!!

tuffteddyb
11-11-2011, 06:48 PM
nice buck!
i would be totally estatic with one like that!

moose2
11-11-2011, 07:19 PM
Still a great looking buck it sounds like you earned him. Congratulations
Mike

.308win
11-11-2011, 07:28 PM
Cool looking buck!...Congrats!

perry

tomahawk
11-11-2011, 08:38 PM
Nice buck...........

calvin L
11-12-2011, 10:01 AM
I wish I could have that ground shrinkage problem as I have only been out twice . With the kids and work changing things up thay have cooked all my plans this year . I am also glad your buddy showed up as you new truck (chevy ) ma not have started up that high . you know the poor gas milage and all . LOL

krazy
11-12-2011, 10:29 AM
Nice buck Brambles!

meathunter
11-12-2011, 10:30 AM
Great looking buck. I would love to shoot that!

little moose
11-12-2011, 10:35 AM
i have avoided ground shrinkage so far this year , holding out for a big boy! i feel your pain but there is allways next year

BearSniper
11-12-2011, 08:20 PM
Nice Buck

cainer
11-12-2011, 09:41 PM
Yep that's some serious shrinkage alright;). Jokin. That's a good looking buck. Probably taste pretty good too.

WKCotts
11-13-2011, 10:34 AM
Nice WK Mulie

mark
11-13-2011, 10:49 AM
Dont feel bad, I always hope the bucks are bigger than I thought when I walk up on them.....it rarely happens!

Brambles
11-13-2011, 05:24 PM
Dont feel bad, I always hope the bucks are bigger than I thought when I walk up on them.....it rarely happens!

Yeah, I just chock it up to a lesson learned. No real regrets cause If I didn't shoot him I'd be be second guessing, thinking I'd passed up on a big buck. Looking straight down on him from above all I could see was his big front end and the back of the larger 5 point side. Some points must have been crossing over cause I didn't see his short G2, infact I thought he was better balanced, real hard to judge with bino's at that distance, I'm use to picking them apart with a spotter at that distance, which I neglected to bring on that one hike. On a positive note I learned a new technique to hunting that area that we can now pull out of our playbook to get things done in the future. Pack out was on the side of brutal solo, but managable, Be pretty good with a partner.

Rattler
11-13-2011, 05:33 PM
Sorry bud...next year I will be there as long as my back is doing better, which come hell or high water it is going to be...

Brambles
11-14-2011, 11:40 AM
Sorry bud...next year I will be there as long as my back is doing better, which come hell or high water it is going to be...

No sweat, shit happens, you just gotta roll with it.