sexy as a 3x3 can ever get, so I completely agreed we should try for him the next morning. Back at camp, we chowed down the Mountain House and hit our bags early. Upon arriving at our vantage point the next morning the sky was dark and filled with thunderheads. The wind was blowing 30-35 mph and gusting uphill. The temperature had dropped below 30 degrees and the bucks were about a thousand vertical feet below where we left them the prior night. Already bedded in the thick willows at gray light, we devised a plan. Within 30 minutes of first light on the second day Chad was on his stalk! He rapidly traversed a class 3 shale slide, descending into the gut of the giant basin that was gobbled up into 4,000 ft. of dark timber. The wind was still howling but the bucks were all bunched up tight in the willows just outside the timber. Chad was in position within 35 minutes, arrow nocked and waiting for the giant 3x3 to stand. Chad did not have a shot at the deer. The surrounding willows only allowed for visibility of the tips of their antlers. After only 20 minutes the wind swirled and sent the bucks scrambling for timber. We glassed to see if they would come back out that evening, but they did not.
That night back at camp we discussed our options. I felt strongly we should take a look into another basin a couple miles away. I told him it would give the bucks a little time to settle back in and possibly allow us to find something better! The next morning we literally had not arrived at our glassing spot when we saw a bachelor group of bucks feeding uphill 300 yards away! We dropped to our knees and in oxygen deprived breaths stammered out words like, “that’s a big buck!” We carefully peered above a small outcropping and watched as all seven bucks fed along the edge of the cliff at 12,900 ft. They were ridiculously easy to approach since the wind was already moving uphill. All we had to do was move our position uphill 200 yards to get above them. I must admit, it almost sounded too perfect! This buck was easily 30+” wide and carried great forks with awesome mass. He was a no brainer; just one of those bucks you look at and don’t need to say anything. Within 15 minutes, Chad was screaming out over the basin like a Spartan warrior claiming victory! Crazed, excited, and emotionally charged, Chad yelled that the buck was down! I couldn’t believe it! No matter how much I relive the moment in my head, no matter how many times I reflect back on the story, it’s still one of the most incredible moments of my high country journal. Two best friends preparing to face odds, challenges, and obstacles yet achieving immense success through determination, attitude and ability.
I will forever be in awe of that hunt. Chad’s buck was 32” wide and green grossed 191 as well! Can you say not one but two 190 class bucks over thirty inches wide, with archery equipment on a high country DIY hunt within three days? I’d never think it possible and I doubt it will ever be repeated in that fashion. However, I’m certain we are up for the challenge, with perhaps a few more days next time! While this hunt exceeded our expectations, I know Chad as well as I know myself and the bar has certainly been elevated. We’re going for double two hundreds now! I’m not going to hold my breath for that one anytime soon though!
breaths stammered out words like, “that’s a big buck!” We carefully peered above a small outcropping and watched as all seven bucks fed along the edge of the cliff at 12,900 ft. They were ridiculously easy to approach since the wind was already moving uphill. All we had to do was move our position uphill 200 yards to get above them. I must admit, it almost sounded too perfect! This buck was easily 30+” wide and carried great forks with awesome mass. He was a no brainer; just one of those bucks you look at and don’t need to say anything. Within 15 minutes, Chad was screaming out over the basin like a Spartan warrior claiming victory! Crazed, excited, and emotionally charged, Chad yelled that the buck was down! I couldn’t believe it! No matter how much I relive the moment in my head, no matter how many times I reflect back on the story, it’s still one of the most incredible moments of my high country journal. Two best friends preparing to face odds, challenges, and obstacles yet achieving immense success through determination, attitude and ability.
I will forever be in awe of that hunt. Chad’s buck was 32” wide and green grossed 191 as well! Can you say not one but two 190 class bucks over thirty inches wide, with archery equipment on a high country DIY hunt within three days? I’d never think it possible and I doubt it will ever be repeated in that fashion. However, I’m certain we are up for the challenge. with perhaps a few more days next time! While this hunt exceeded our expectations, I know Chad as well as I know myself and the bar has certainly been elevated. We’re going for double two hundreds now! I’m not going to hold my breath for that one anytime soon though!