Deer 2012

I think this was the shortest deer hunt I've ever done.  The first time I saw this deer was during the general rifle elk season with my friend Tony trying to fill a cow elk tag in the mountains above Logan.  His cow hunt is a whole other story, the gist of it being he didn't fill his tag.  He had the chance, but didnt' take the shot.  Like I said, a whole other story.

A few days before the last day of Tony's cow elk hunt we find ourselves on a nice ridge overlooking a nice sidehill in a huge canyon.  We've been here many times before.  It's our favorite spot when hunting elk above Logan, and have taken many a critter when hunting here. 

In the late morning hours Tony has decided that nothing is on the sidehill, or in the area for that matter, so we decide to pick up and move on.  Hiking off the ridge I have the urge to glace back to the sidehill, that's when I see the antlered deer walking on that sidehill.  It doesn't surprise me that we didn't see him earlier in the morning.  It's a pretty thick sidehill.  The distance from us to the buck is pretty far, but we can tell he's definitely a shooter for a general deer tag.  Lucky for us, we both have general deer tags and they happen to be for this same area.  My mind instantly starts thinking about returning here in one week for the opener of the deer hunt.  The deer hunt is really close, we're on a ridge that doesn't get pressure.  There is lots of cover, food and water.  This buck isn't going anywhere.  We have to come back on the opener. 

Initially Tony and I had plans for hunting the last half of the deer hunt.  Now, upon seeing this buck, have decided that a trip is required to Logan on opening day. 

From my house to our ridge is about 75 miles.  I know this unit can be a madhouse on opening day, because of all the hunters.  (which is why we initally opted to hunt the later half of the hunt).  We decide that we need to be on our ridge a good hour before shooting time.  Thus hopefully securing our spot in the event that other hunters have the same idea we have. 

Driving up Logan canyon we're all ready seeing outfits with the same goal in mind, getting on point before the sun comes up.  Right now I'm not terribly worries, there are a lot of areas people can go to fill a deer tag.  Getting a little close to where we're dumping the truck and hoping on the ATV the auto congestion is getting a little too thick for my liking.  In fact, I'm getting rather nervous that someone might get to the ridge before me.  There are a lot of people out and about. 

On the ATV, taking the turn that will eventually get us to our ridge, there is dust in the air............there is a machine ahead of us.  Boarderline freaking now, we press on.  There is one thing we have going for us, we know a shortcut for getting on the ridge.  We have a "self proclaimed" parking spot for the ATV.  By not going to the end of the trail we can cut off a decent chunk of hiking to the ridge.  I seriously doubt anybody else does this.  This is the only thing keeping me from a full on panic attack. 

We drop the ATV.  Tony decides to circle the draw wide, coming down on top of a watering hole and putting himself on the hillside we plan to shoot this deer.  This is done because of the length of shot.  He's having issues with the possibility that he may have to make a 500 yard shot.  It's not in him, so he's taking the short shot option.  I have no problem with 500 yards, I'm taking the ridge. 

Walking down the ridge, to almost where I want to set up, sweet, not a soul in sight on this ridge.  To the North I can see a headlamp on an opposing ridge heading down the ridge.  That'd be the other hunters.  This is excellent, they're not going to be anywhere near me.  If this buck is still here, we're going to get him. 

Tony and I have the Garmin 530 GPS radios.  They rock by the way.  As I'm sitting at my post I can see, on my GPS, exactly where Tony is.  He needs to be pretty far to the South to come down the hillside at the right spot.  He's too far to the East and dropping lower in elevation.  With a quick radio call I send him in the right direction, but we're a little too late.  I can hear animals mulling around in the canyon below.  There is a wind, I think they can smell Tony.  The mulling around is pretty loud, I'm betting elk. 

It's really close to shooting time.  With Tony more in line with the proper spot for him we are ready. 

These elk that Tony agitated didn't ever settle down.  A little after official shooting time the elk decided they are done and it's time to bust out of the canyon.  All heck is breaking loose down there.  They are being neither slow nor quite and they run right out the bottom of the canyon, past the spot where out buck should be.  I made mention to Tony that this would be a very stalwart buck if those elk didn't agitate him.  My bet is that he's a little on edge now and things will be going down quickly so he better stay alert.  My bet is that he is going up to Tony because of all the ruccus down in the bottom.  My bet was wrong.

A couple minutes pass and I can see a deer walking through the trees.  425yards.  It's heading down for the thick pines. It's not running or bounding, but it isn't grazing as it goes either.  Glassing the deer I can tell it's a buck, but it's not looking to be as big as what I thought I saw a week ago.  I'm having a mental problem now about shooting this buck.  Could there be two in there?  That's not uncommon.  This one is a good 4pt, but I was looking for bigger.  Frantic with what little time I have I start picking the hillside apart.  Maybe a bigger buck did bust out to Tony and he didn't see it.  Maybe this is the buck.  As all this is playing out in my head, I'm also conversing with Tony on the radio about what to do.  I figure I have seconds before I loose this deer in the thick pines.  Then Tony says the magic phrase.  "Mike, nothing has come out up top.  That deer is on the same hillside, in the same location as the buck we saw last week.  It's got to be him".  Okay, this deer is a gonner.

The deer was almost broadside, and a bit downslope.  Crosshair should be right on him because of less gravitational influence on the bullet.  Settling the crosshair on top of his front right shoulder, BOOM!  That was a good squeeze I told myself.  After the recoil I get my eye back in the scope and look at the hillside.  WTH!?! the deer is still standing there.  Oh this isn't good!  There's no way I could have missed that deer.  Quickly another shell is jacked into the chamber.  The deer is in the crosshair and I'm starting to squeeze.  WAIT!  The deer is starting to sway.  The deer then proceeds to topple head over butt 20-30 yards down the hillside.  That was super cool to watch!  "Tony, deer is down". 

This is actually a pretty steep hillside.  Can't quite tell from this photo, but getting him out of the brush was a bit of a struggle.  Tony and I attempted to work the camera timer, so we could both get in the photo.  There is one here where I didn't quite make it back in time before the camera went off.  I call this one the deers final poke.  If you can see down to the leg I'm looking at, in an attempt to get close to the deer I got a little too close.  When placing my foot it caused the deers head to turn, which then scraped the crap out of my leg. 

Here's a better one. 

Honestly, for a general season buck.  This one is pretty good for the Utah Cache unit.  He's not big enough to taxidermy as a full on head mount, but I think this one will look really nice as a European mount.  Much cheaper as well so that's a plus.  He's been a pretty tasty deer.  I did loose some of the front right shoulder from hydrostatic shock, but most of the meat was recovered. 

Getting up and out of this canyon to our ATV turned out to be a good hike.  Like I said, it's pretty steep in here.

There hasn't been many times I've been able to fill my tag in the first hour of the hunt.  Let alone, be one of the fist gunshots going off in the area.  That was a real treat. 

This year had turned out to be quite the downer for Tony.  This is how his deer hunt played out, as you see we still had the entire season to fill his tag.
Downer #1.  The elk Tony missed last week were still in the area.  One of the cows that busted out of the canyon could have easily been shot, had this still been elk season.
Downer #2.  A couple days after shooting this buck the weather turned to winter and feet of snow dropped in this area making access really hard.
Downer #3.  Tony and I decided to head to the Bear Lake area to fill his tag.  We stayed at the Worldmark and each morning in their grounds there was a nice 2pt buck milling around with some does.  Can't shoot them there!
Downer #4.  We saw more cow elk that Tony couldn't shoot.
Downer #5.  There were a couple more bucks found in Garden City, can't shoot in city limits.
Downer #6.  Tonly had tag soup.  His tag went unfilled for 2012.  Sorry dude!

Cow elk 2013

Now this was an interesting hunt.  First off, the tag is typically drawn every other year.  My luck wasn't that good, I had to miss two years before getting the tag.  Mental note, don't take Mike to Vegas.  This being my third year I figured I was guaranteed to get the tag.  Low and behold, I got the tag.

Knowing I'd be hunting cows I started to form my posse.  This proved to be difficult as nobody else, that I knew, drew the tag and they were hesitant to sign on.

Three weeks before the hunt it was appearing that I would be flying solo for this hunt (blah), that is, until I thought of a newby hunter friend, Danny, who might be willing to purchase a spike tag.  Lower odds of success, but decent enough that he might go for it.  Plus we'd be able to hunt the same area.  Well, he went for it so we started making plans to hunt elk in October.

Snow was in the forecast for the week we wanted to hunt.  Both good and bad, my thoughts were mainly drawn to the sleeping in a tent at 8000 feet and getting snowed on.  I didn't really have the funds to grab a room at the bottom of the canyon, so I prepared for the possibility of a cold white hunt.  Snow did come, but luckily we were below the snow line, giving us a little rain, but I was prepared for that.

These clouds took their time creeping over the mountains.  I thought we'd get socked in for sure, but that wasn't the case.  They ended up skirting around us to the North.  It was really cool to watch.

Danny couldn't start hunting until later Thursday.  I went up early Wednesday to set up camp and do some looking around.  After camp was established I went to my favorite ridge to see what was happening.

(I've shot many an elk off this hillside.  It's an excellent location)

I thought about dropping low to a watering hole, to see if something would come in to water.  Thinking of me vs. big dead heavy elk on the ground, being way down in that canyon I decided to not make the hike.  Big mistake.  I heard shots ringing through the air in the vicinity of the watering hole.  CRAP.  Keeping a sharp eye for running elk................I saw nothing.  One things for sure, this is a huge canyon with lots of good spots for elk to hide.  Chances are low they ran up and over.  I'll come back tomorrow.

(one of the many holes I like to hunt in this canyon)

Now Thursday I decided to drop down past the watering hole.  As mentioned before, it's an excellent canyon so I had high hopes of seeing something.  In the late hours of the morning I hear some shooting going on.  Oddly enough it's coming from up higher, as if up on the ridges.  CRAP.  Again, I'm in the right canyon, but in the wrong spot.  I hunted the canyon hard but found nothing that day.  Rain was coming in, Danny was probably getting close to being there...........time to regroup for a game plan on Friday.

Friday we still think they are in the canyon.  It's been a pretty dry year, we decide to initially sit on some water.  I really hate this technique.  Sitting and waiting isn't my style.  I like to be up and moving.  We endured some grueling, boring hours, never to hear a shot.

Friday afternoon, this isn't working.  We bail on that part of the canyon.  With the amount of hunters in the area, and the shooting going on, we're figuring the elk are moving to steep, dark hillsides, so we're off to scout another hillside. It's in there a ways.  I'd love to see an elk, but then hate to as well............because we're in there a ways.  Walking the ridge line I see elk sign that is only hours old.  SWEET! they are in here.  FRIK! they are in here.  Walking the ridge line a little more I can start to smell them, oh buddy we are close.  Now the dilemma.  Shoot one at night, and cut it up until the wee hours of the mourning, or come back in the morning and catch them moving around.  We opt to come back in the morning.

Saturday morning we're close to where we want to be.  Danny takes the knoll with the easier, closer shots.  I take the knoll with the possibility with a pretty long shot (almost 600 yards).  No sooner did I put my pack down, that I see an elk butt on the far hillside (almost 600 yards away).  Small herd, maybe 6 cows, no spikes that I can see.  I can't reach Danny on the radio but need to hurry because they are moving to the timber.

Getting a good rest, prone, I pick out the cow I want.  She's feeding side hill, then turns and starts to feed downhill.  This is it, I tell myself.  Knowing their backs are almost 6' long, and my bullet will be dropping about 4', I put the cross-hair on the top of her butt and made a good squeeze.  Acquiring the cow in the scope I see her sliding down the mountain.  Now the work begins.

Deer 2013

The 2013 deer season had the makings to start out rocky.  Early in the year plans were made with Steve to get the Ogden tag, get in good shape for tackling the steep long mountains above Ogden, then hunt for big bucks. 

Application time, I get the tag, Steve does not.  First problem that comes to mind is that Steve knows a little more areas than me. Time to pick his brain.  Second problem that comes to mind is that I'll most likely be flying solo, that'll make the woman happy. 

I hit the maps, learning the trails and getting an idea for the terrain.  Early in the year I did good for getting into decent shape.  I was doing lots of swimming, did some triathlons, and put almost 600 miles on my bike.  Then I hit burnout in Late July.  I really didn't do much after that. 

After some late August archery hunting I realized I wasn't going to be ready for the steep, long terrain and started making alternate plans for a way to fill my tag.  Years past I had dome some hunting below Mt. Ogden, on both the East and West side so I had some ideas on where to go. 

My deer season was pretty busy, with non hunting busyness.  I wasn't able to get out until the Thursday before the final hunting day (Saturday).  I opted for the West side below Mt. Ogden.  I did some rough math, estimating how long it would take me to make the 3mile hike in to where I wanted to go.  My estimation was off and I got there later than I wanted.  A couple times on the hike in I had though to just pack up and call it a bust.

Because of the steepness of the trail, and the distance, with some breaks, I was only able to average a little over 1mph.  I was hoping for 1.6mph.  (yeah I know both speeds are really slow, cut me some slack, I'm old and getting pudgy). 

Finally making it to the rock I like to post on, I start glassing the sidehills.  It's really a pretty good view.  A shot at a deer could range anywhere from 200yards to 500yards.  All very makable. 

It really is a pretty view.  A panoramic camera would do this photo more justice. 

After a couple hours of glassing I recall a time where Tony and I were at this spot and saw some deer behind us in the oak brush.  Glancing over my right shoulder I notice a deer butt walking through the oakbrush.  First words I though of and said were "Holy Freak there's a deer there".  Range finder says 326yards, very makable.  The deers head is down so I can't see antlers, then they appear and the first words I thought of and said were "Holy Freak there's a big deer there".  If I shoot this deer, Rusty will have a friend.  (that'll make Kathleen happy). 

I got a decent rest, the buck is now quartering away from me in the oakbrush, put the pin just in front of his front shoulder (because he's walking) and squeeze the trigger.  Expecting to seem him rolling down the mountain, I re-acquire him in the scope to see him bounding off.  It's very likely I missed this buck.  Gotta make sure though, so I trek through the nasty oakbrush to start looking for blood.  There's none to be found.  Disheartened I make my way back to the rock.

More glassing, nothing to be seen.  I'm thinking my shot cleared all big critters out the canyon.  There is a really nice canyon to the South, but that means going up the afore inserted picture and dropping over the back side.  After what I've just done I just don't have it in me.  A little more glassing, nothing happening, I'm outta here. 

On the way down the canyon I took a few more photo's.  Man it's gorgeous up there. 

Towards the end of the hike I'm phyically beat.  The hike down was killing my knees and my feet were really starting to ache.  time for new shoes? These are pretty old.  Something to keep in mind. I'm a little bit glad I missed that buck.  I'm not sure how things would have faired with another 100lbs on my back.

Now Saturday is upon me.  Last day of the hunt.  Friday was spent recouperating.  I'm with Nathan and we're hunting the East side of Mt. Ogden.  It's a much easier hike and I'm liking that.  We made it to the rocky overlook with a few minutes to spare before official shooting hours.  Setting down our packs we can hear deer walking through the trees below us, how fortunate.  There are multiple exit strategies that deer can take from this bottom, four of which I can get a shot off.  If they get agitated they typically take the quickest out, which happens to be really close to where we are sitting.  At least they've done this in the past.  Being the betting man that I am I grabbed a large rock and hucked it down into the trees below the deer. 

It's apparent they are aggitated because they start moving faster and good for us, they are taking the exit next to us.  As they near the top of a saddle they're picking up speed.  I can see where they'll come out.  It's a mere 30yards away.  Gun is in the ready position, shell in the chamber, now just waiting to see some antlers. 

First a doe comes out, then a set of antlers.  BOOM!  Deer is down with a 30yard head shot.  I'm elated for a quick kill as well as an early moring kill.  The days lately have been unusually warm.  I really didn't want to be dressing out a deer in the heat of the day.  The boy is elated because he has just witnessed his first big game kill.  After lots of high fives and some camera shots, it's time to dress out. 

He's a nice buck.  Nothing to put on the wall, but will be a good freezer filler none-the-less. 

And here's a pick of a boned out deer coming off the mountain.  I thought it good to put plastic around the deer bags to hide the blood.  Knowing the trail we were on would be loaded with hikers and bikers, I figured the less trauma they had to go through, the better for us hunters.

Boned out deer off the mountain before 12pm.  It was a great morning spent with the boy. 

Needless to say, he is extremely excited to do some hunting.  Now that he is 12 we can sign him up for hunters ed.  I figure it's time.  On the downside, it means I may have to start cleaning out twice as many animals.  Deer are okay, but elk take some work.  They are big critters!  :)