Which Way?, This Way, Wrong Way!
“Hey dad, what are your hunting goals?” That was the question my fifteen
year old son Connor asked me during this year's general season Utah elk hunt. I asked him what he meant and he said what size deer and elk do you want to hang on the wall. The date was October 12, 2019 and I have not thought about that question for a long
time. Now that I have kids that are hunting my priorities have changed and now I hunt to make sure they succeed.
I told Connor I remember when I was a young man, probably about his
age, I always dreamed about harvesting at least a 350 inch bull elk and a 200 inch mule deer. Now I have harvested some amazing animals and been on some unforgettable hunts, but I have never reached my goal. Connor asked if I thought I would ever reach my
goal? I said you know bud you just never know but honestly I think the 350 bull is easier than the 200 inch buck will probably never happen.
This year I drew out for a deer tag but was looking forward to the
kids hunting and my dad drew a 3rd season Colorado deer tag. The kids also drew out for antelope in Wyoming, which is always a blast. So my Utah deer tag took a back seat in my excited hunts list.
By the time all the kids hunts were done, which they were all successful
and we had an amazing time, I only had 4 days to hunt my deer tag before we left for Colorado. I have hunted this area before and in fact my dad had the tag last year and harvested a nice 4 point. I knew the area and know the area is not known for giant bucks.
I was looking for something in the 160-170 inch range or I would just warm up the stove and have some tag soup.
Unfortunately it was Monday morning and Connor had already missed enough
school from the other hunts and could not make the trip. So I loaded up the ol man, my dad Derk, and headed out. We were just hunting from home as the unit was only about an hour and a half from home. It was a very cold and windy morning.
As we unloaded the side by side in the cold and dark I considered getting
back in the truck and wait until the sun came up haha. I think we have all thought about that a time or two. We bundled up and embarked on the 45 minute ride to the top of the mountain. I had an idea of where I wanted to be right at daylight.
The ride was extra cold and seemed like it took forever. Once we arrived
at the place I wanted to be it was perfect. I could smell the cold mountain smell, and the hunting bug hit me hard. I just knew we were going to find a great buck. It just felt right. Well “felt right” quickly gave way to where in the heck are the deer?
We glassed this canyon where we have always seen deer and we could not dig up a single doe! Was it too late in the year? Did the deer already start to move to winter range? Did the hot dry summer change where they live? These are all the things running through
my mind.
Well the day went on and it did not get much better, or warmer. We
searched, glassed, froze, and glassed some more. We reminisced about hunting trips and all the fortunate hunts we have had the opportunity to go on together. Since I was just a small lad, my dad has taken me across this great country chasing everything and
teaching me how to be a responsible and humble outdoorsman.
As the short day was giving way to evening the sun was promptly starting
to head west and it appeared the bucks, or lack thereof were going to roam the mountain free from the worry of the human predator. One small group of does that we had seen twice throughout the day made their way out of the quakies and started feeding. I was
even hesitant to even look at them because I had looked them over so many times earlier and new as hard as I tried to put horns on them I just could not do it. Going against my better judgement I decided to check them out one last time for the day.
Ummmmmm dad, I believe that doe over there has horns and she has good
ones? Dad just laughed as he knew I was pulling his chain. I’m serious, that is a nice buck. Dad spotted the motionless deer staring right back at us in hopes that we did not see him if he did not blink. The buck was like a statue and would not move so we
could look at him real good. Finally after nearly 5 minutes he turned his head and I could see he was a beautiful four point buck probably in the 160 range. The decision was made that he was just not the one I wanted to hang my tag on.
With merely 30 minutes left of good shooting light we moved on. We
only had time to go one of two directions. I said lets go this way and check some sage flats that we have seen deer in the past. Dad agreed and thought that was a good idea. Literally at the last second, and I still have no idea why, I decided to go the opposite
direction. My dad was as puzzled as me and all I could say was I just think this way is going to be better.
We got to a place where we could glass and had seen deer in the past
and decided to watch until dark, which was only 15 minutes away. I had just pulled up the reliable old Vortex Razor HD’s when I saw something that looked like a crafty old buck sneaking through some sparse quakies. He had is nose nearly in the dirt taking
in the glorious smell of a doe in estrus. He appeared to not have a care in the world. I could not believe what I was seeing! It was one of those times that you just know without having to take a second look.
Scrambling to get my frozen hands on the ice cold stock of my favorite
deer rifle I was just waiting for the giant to realize he was in a bad spot and make a dash for the thick timber or the cliffs and ledges. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I was able to hold the Creedmoor to my shoulder.
I knew he was within 100 yards so I didn’t even waste the time to fire
up the Burris Eliminator 3. He was still just moving right to left ignoring the fact that I had practiced and shot many rounds in hopes of a time this exact scenario would play out. I excitedly, but confidently squeezed the trigger waiting for the picture
in my scope of him falling.
My smile and confidence came to a screeching halt when he continued
walking in the same direction without a worry in the world. Wait, WHAT!!! I did not just miss the easiest shot on a truly magnificent buck, did I? Now waiting for him to explode out of the country my heart and soul sunk. I quickly chambered another round
and tried to calmly wait for him to clear a couple of trees before I could have another shot.
What the heck was going on? He never lifted his head, he never ran,
and he looked like he had only one thing on his mind, and it wasn’t me! He cleared one last tree and I settled in and let the Hornady 140 gr. ELD-X bullet fly. This time the picture in my scope was finally the outcome I wanted as I watched the old warrior
fall.
Making the short walk over to him I didn’t know exactly what was waiting
for me, as I never took much time to analyze him on the hoof. I can officially say there was absolutely no ground shrinkage! He tipped the scales right at 219 and some change. I could not believe what I was seeing. The celebration with my dad is something
I cherish. We have been on so many adventures together and the true happiness and excitement we share together are better than anything.
This buck far exceeded anything I could imagine and I am grateful for
the opportunity of sharing the experience with my dad. He has taught me everything I know about hunting and has taken me and my brothers hunting since I was born, literally. I love taking my own kids now and sharing with them the love of the outdoors that
my dad showed me.
I would like to thank my wife, Sarah for knowing my love for hunting
and the outdoors and working extra hours to help pay for my taxidermy bill :). I have 4 awesome kids, Connor 15, Kadence 14, Kinlee 9, Matthew 8, who all love the outdoors. I am the Police Chief of a small town in Utah, which I love so much. We are a close
family and the outdoors and hunting is something we love to do together. I have been a member of Eastman’s for at least 15 years and my dad was before that. We love all the stories and the information in the MRS section. I have found several awesome hunts
based on the awesome info.
Gear List: Savage 6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady ELD-X bullets / Scope: Burris
Eliminator 3, Vortex Razor HD Binos, Swarovski spotting scope/ Kings Camo, Danner Boots/ Bog Pod Tripod
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