Finally after 12yrs I got one

[Vossie]

I can easily describe myself as the unluckiest deer hunter I know. And I can easily say that deer hunting has been the biggest waste of time of anything I have done, and believe me at one time I played a lot of PC games.

It’s been 12 years since I last harvested a deer and I was starting to wonder if I am doing the right thing. It didn’t help that for the last 5 years I started going in the 4 point season only, I saw some bucks but never a 4 point.



I chuckle when I read “do your time” and “go the extra mile” and you will get your deer. I have never truck hunted and I always try to bush hunt, walk or climb to get where no one has gone before kind of mentality. To put it in perspective I have seen more rams during mule-deer trips than 4 point bucks, I have harvested more elk and moose than deer combined although I have put in more time for deer. Mostly long weekends but some years for a week at a time. Places like Princeton, Arrowstone, Bonaparte, Beaverdell, Empire Valley, Gold Bridge, Schraeder lake were hunted multiple times in a year at some point. With no luck.


But finally this year it happened. There is no dramatic story with this buck, I saw him, he’s legal and I harvested him.



For newbie hunters I have no advice to give on deer hunting, I will leave that to the gods of HBC, but I will give you some advice on hunting; make good friends, at least one, so that you will enjoy the trip each year even if nothing gets harvested, and secondly, NEVER EVER give up and stay positive.


As usual I am looking forward to next year.


http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q774/vossie2/IMG_3066.jpg

[Junorr500]

"He's legal" Bit of a understatement there.

[Steelpulse]

well one hell of a buck to end the drought, nice

[heybert]

Very nice buck!

[coach]

Awesome buck! Love the story. Good on you for persevering. Your attitude is very refreshing. Kudos!

[hunter1993ap]

nice buck, prety cool front end on the right side. its nice when everything comes together.

[jjsachmoe]

wow, I am jealous!!! Congrats on the big guy, it was a long wait. :-D

[OutWest]

Nice buck. Way to stick with it. Come on, there's got to be a bit of a story!

[scoutlt1]

Nice buck!

Great story, and good on you for sticking with it, especially on how you like to hunt.

Congrats!!

[moosinaround]

Eh it's ok!! Just Joking!!!!!! Nice buck!! It's bonus when you can take something home, especially a hog like that!!! Moosin

[The Dude]

What a helluva way to break your cherry! :D
Great buck and attitude!

[monasheemountainman]

dont you think you were settling a little bit when you shot him? jk man great buck!

[pnbrock]

well deserved aswell a great buck!!!congratulations

[landphil]

I've been hunting for longer than 12 years and haven't yet dropped a deer anywhere close to that, nice work, your efforts finally paid off.

[deer nut]

A fine buck and sound advice! Way to go!

[Spy]

That is a very nice buck ! Well done for keeping at it ! If that is an Ok deer for you I dont want to see your moose & Elk ! Nice buck !

[Looking_4_Jerky]

Nice buck, Vossie!

I have not much advice to offer new hunters or hunters going through a drought, except for:
If you think your drought is going to end by going home early, or sitting at your house instead of getting out there in the first place, you are on track for some more dry spell...

Whenever your confidence is waning remember that not everyone shoots a cranker every year (in fact, very, very few do) and no matter how bleak, being out there is inherently better than not being out there if you're looking for deer.

[BlacktailStalker]

That's a beauty buck, good to hear your persistance paid off... In a big way too, be hard to top that !

[Brambles]

Good lookin frame on that character buck, nice work stickin with it.

[lovemywinchester]

Beauty buck!! Thats like not getting laid for 12 years then banging Pam Anderson to end the drought!

[hunter1947]

I like your story more so then the buck you got ,,you hit the nail dead center with your story very true wording,,good advice for all members ,,O by the way that is a dandy mule deer you got ,,congrats to you..

[guest]

Thats a Cranker !!!

Congrats to you on that Dandy !

CT

[Brian011]

I'd say he was worth the wait! Beauty buck!

[5 spike]

awesome buck you were just saving up for that pig.Congrats.

[tomahawk]

lots of steaks, roasts and burger and a wall hanger to boot!

[Philcott]

Can't add much to what has already been said except congrats on a fine looking deer. I imagine your heart was pumping a bit faster than normal when you spotted that big guy.

[HarryToolips]

Right on buddy good job one heck of a buck..My season has been the opposite, got 2 bucks a year the last 2 seasons, but notin this year..

[fearnodeer]

Thats one hell of a way to break the drought. Congrats on a beauty.

[Kudu]

Dis n' meneer Vossie - Biltong?

Geluk swaar - ek wens ek kan so n' bok in my "sights" kry!

[tuffteddyb]

Cool!! If that the reward for waiting 12 years,I only got 9 more to go!
It would be worth the wait!

[Buffalo Bills]

How much were you shaking when you shot him? That is one hell of a buck.....congrats!

[markt308]

Beauty buck!! Thats like not getting laid for 12 years then banging Pam Anderson to end the drought!

haha ya maybe if this was 1992!! Awesome buck dude and like others have said way to keep at it even in the hard times. and you are right great friends make for awesome trips no matter what kind of "success" is had

[biggyun68]

I admire you all the best!

[The Dawg]

Beauty buck!! Thats like not getting laid for 12 years then banging Pam Anderson to end the drought!

Only you don't end up with hepatitis

[canadianyoda]

congrats, you earned it! time in and then some.

[Jelvis]

Holy cow, now that's a muley buck Vos, wow a beauty, You finally been rewarded for all that time and effort.
Jel .. HBC can really help a hunter to break one eh. hbc rocks.

[bruin]

He's a stud dude! Congrats!

[Rodd]

Congrats! Hell of a buck! Now to duplicate it in 2013... Definately hunting in the right spot this year.. Good Luck.

[Deeboe]

Legal.... Lol hell of a buck. Well done.

[guywitha270]

Congratulations! One hell of a first buck!

[sapper]

Dis n' meneer Vossie - Biltong?

Geluk swaar - ek wens ek kan so n' bok in my "sights" kry!
I thought Vossie was a fellow Sprinbok and that confirms it.
Nice work on a great buck and some good advice. I'd be pretty happy if I'd not been successful on my deer hunts but came home with elk or deer. That'd be like not getting...never mind. ;-)

[cavebear]

great buck congrats :)

[knightcc]

Great story. Love the perseverance. A buck to be proud of.

[butthead]

thats worth 12 years

[kennyj]

Nice!!! My mule deer hunting history sounds a lot like yours. I agree, staying positive and having fun are the most important things. Those big mule deer bucks are just plain hard to find.
Good work out there!
kenny

[Mtn Man]

Nice buck, But i hate you for having set the bar that high, Bigger elk, bigger mule deer, whats next whitetail? Good on you vossie, Let me know when that biltong is ready.

[sawmill]

Great way to end a dry spell!Beauty and congrats!The smile on your face says it all,good on ya bud!

[trapman]

great buck way to go and hanging in there

[M.Dean]

I'd say that Buck was worth the wait! You watch, next year at hunting camp you'll have guys pouring you drinks and making sure your steaks the first one off the fire, just to hear that story one more time!!! Congrats on one fine looking animal and the strength to keep going, even in the bad times!!! It paid off ten fold!!!

[GrandA]

good story - i was expecting a 2 point. monster congrats.

[Pioneerman]

What a beautiful animal, way to go !!

[jsheff]

Holy Moses! looks like your luck has changed! awesome buck

[wighty]

I hope you mount that sucker... You deserve it man! Nice buck!!

[Darksith]

thats a dandy...gotta like that one. Well worth the wait

[Jonas111]

Great story and thanks for sharing.

I feel very much like you felt. I have yet to shoot a deer in BC and lived here for 6.5 years now. To be honest I haven't even seen a buck, just a few spikes.

Your story is so true about enjoying the company and time because most of all that's what I enjoy the most.

[trapperRick]

That's a nice Buck, good on you

[rred]

What???? Jeez... Nice deer, I'm thoroughly jealous!!!

[MOUNTAIN MAN - TOYOTA/ATV]

Nice buck. Good work!

[deer nut]

Hope you don't have to wait as long for the next one!

[ravensfoot]

I hate to say it but that buck is worth waiting 12 years for. It's all down hill now

[Striksfromabove]

Now that's what I call persistence! Hunting can be frustrating at times that is for sure but I totally agree with you about never giving up! Awesome buck btw, definitely a stomper!!!

[Vossie]

Thanks Guys, responses are overwhelming.

No I didn't mount him, working towards that 175 threshold, will only take me another 175yrs to get there.

Good luck to ya all next year.

Ja boere in ses dae was die biltong reg, in tyd vir Kersfees.

[avadad]

Congrats on a beauty! Way back when I first started hunting I waited 7 years to get my first whitetail...never even occurred to me to quit during that time as I have always loved being out in the hills with my Dad, uncles, cousins and friends.

[HIGHRPM]

I know people that have hunted their whole lives and have never taken such a nice deer, congrats !! Enjoy the moment, there is nothing better than the smile on your face !

[BCKyle]

Beauty buck!! Thats like not getting laid for 12 years then banging Pam Anderson to end the drought!

...except with this trophy the bone will last longer. Nice buck he's a beast!

[SPILTZ]

Boom!!!! what a monster! beauty buck and thanks for sharing!!

[Ourea]

Zero to sixty in one second!
Vossie, good on ya.
The next few will come easier.

[d6dan]

Solid buck Vossie..He's a beauty..

[dogger]

"GO BIG OR GO HOME" Nice to see you went big. What a way to end a drought! sheeesh:-D

[Kudu]

Thanks Guys, responses are overwhelming.

No I didn't mount him, working towards that 175 threshold, will only take me another 175yrs to get there.

Good luck to ya all next year.

Ja boere in ses dae was die biltong reg, in tyd vir Kersfees.

Bliksem - dis nou n' kersfees present neh!