After pushing further back multiple basins to get away from the road pressure, I found a thin line of pines that deer liked to feed in early mornings. After seeing multiple bucks on this same pattern I made a plan to get as close to that group of pines as possible by walking up a deep drainage.
Mid morning, I get a call from Cade who was a few ridges over glassing the pines and basin. He could see me, and he also saw a couple of good 4 points within 100 yards of me over the next drainage. Playing my wind right, he walked me directly over the edge, on top of the two bucks. I ranged them at 68 yards. Settled the pin and pulled through the shot. With the wind gusting 35 I held on the bucks front shoulder. The arrow drifted and hit the buck in the liver/guts.
He ran 20 yards and hunched over, immediately indicating I hit the guts. He stood there for 15 minutes. All the while, I was relocating into position to try and get a second arrow in the buck.
Once I got back within 80 the buck started working his way up the mountain. He walked behind a large boulder and when he did, I took off running to close the distance. I knew he wouldn’t hear me due to the wind speed. I waited behind the rock hoping he’d come out for a 20 yard shot, but never did. I got a text from Cade saying he bedded down 5 yards behind the rock in tall grass.
I could have backed out, knowing the buck would expire in that bed, but due to the amount of pressure from outside hunters, I didn’t want anyone to glass the buck and make a play, potentially bumping the buck from his bed.
With the morning thermals heating up, the wind was shifting up the canyon towards the buck. I made a decision to shift my position around the rock so the wind would blow by the buck and not towards him. While doing that I caught his antlers in the tall grass. I knew he was close, but after a quick range, he was only 16 yards away. I waited in that position for 45 minutes. The buck was alert and swiveling his head in all directions. I drew back at least 7 times thinking he was going to stand, but never did.
Eventually the buck started putting his head down for short stints, signaling he was near death.
After seeing that multiple times, I felt it was best to get another arrow in him to quickly end the bucks fight. The last time he put his head down I drew back, and slowly approached the buck until his vitals were showing. Anchored my release, and placed an arrow in both lungs. What an experience and hunt. And even more so fulfilling to know that Cade watched the entire thing go down through his spotting scope.
Written by Ryan Haines
