The Hog Blog

Well, I’m back.

It was an eventful couple of weeks at Coon Camp Springs… too eventful, in fact, for me to simply summarize the hunts in a single post. Instead, I’ve decided to write up each hunt separately (although there’s a great connection between the first two).

Click Here to view Part 1

Click Here to view Part 2

Here’s the final part, then… hope you enjoy it!

The waxing moon was the biggest concern for our next hunt.  David Brown would be arriving on November 1st, and the moon would be completely full on the 2nd.  Way up in that country, a full moon lights up the night like daytime, and the deer stay active all night long and then bed up during the day.  The only bright spot was my hope that the moon would also help kick off the rut.  Nolan’s buck had been chasing does three days earlier, and on the Saturday before David’s arrival I glassed up a really nice 4×4 leading a harem of does, so things were looking really positive on that front.  As long as the moon didn’t screw us up, I had hopes that we’d see a pretty good hunt.

I was in Reno when David arrived on Sunday, so Dave (Allen) would take him on the tour, and go over to the shooting bench to check out his rifle.  I thought they’d also go ahead and hit the field for a little while before I got back, but they decided just to relax in camp and wait for me.  The hunt would start Monday morning.

Over dinner, we talked about the last couple of hunts, and I told David about the big 4×4 I’d seen.   I described what I thought was the best strategy to get on him, just sitting on a glassing point and waiting as long as we could stand to sit there.  A lot of western hunters can’t sit still for hours, but with the deer moving consistently over the same area, the longer we could stay put, the better our odds of getting a shot on that buck.  David assured me he loved glassing and sitting, so the plan was made.  We had a great dinner of elk and pheasant, and headed off to bed with visions of big bucks dancing in our heads.

Monday morning’s hunt was a guide’s dream come true.  

We rolled out of camp after a quick breakfast.  It was just after shooting light when we left the truck, and quietly slipped down the hill toward my spot.  As always, I was watching the ground as we moved, and noticed a dark spot in the frosty grass.  A deer track was cut sharply through the frost and the dirt… a big one.  I pointed it out to David and he nodded.  More fresh tracks were scattered around the area, and all headed in the same direction as we were moving.  We slowed the pace, and crept along with our senses on high alert.

As we reached the point of the little finger ridge, I stopped to answer nature’s call before we left the cover of the trees.  I mentioned to David to be ready, because I bet the deer would already be down here feeding.  Just as I started to step behind a juniper to tend to “business”, David raised his glasses and immediately hissed, “Deer!”

Basic needs temporarily forgotten, I spun around and raised my Leicas.   Sure enough, there were a group of does coming off the edge of a ravine at about 500 yards.  As I watched, I saw antlers topping the rise.  They seemed to keep coming, until the rest of the buck came into view.  There was no question here, this was a shooter buck!  I estimated him at around 26 inches wide.  David looked at me, and I nodded.  We needed to get set up quickly.

In speaking with David earlier, he talked a lot about shooting on elk and antelope, and I was a little concerned he was going to push to take the 500 yard shot right away.  I would push back, but I hate having to do that.  As it turns out, though, he was way ahead of me.  “I really would like to get within 300 yards at least,” he whispered.  “That’s too far for a good shot.”

I nodded.  “Let’s sit tight and watch them to see what they do.  They usually feed up that ravine, which’ll put them right under us.” 

I’d no more said that than the big buck suddenly started bee-lining away from us, heading toward the neighbor’s fence.  “Crap,” I thought.  “So much for that!” 

Then he reappeared, pushing a small doe ahead of him and herding her back to the harem.  I breathed a sigh of relief, confident now that they’d at least stay in the area.  David slid down the hill to a spot beside a little pine tree where he had cover and a good rest.  I eased out onto a ledge with a big rock for cover.  We were a little further apart than I’d usually like to be, because it was hard to communicate, but at this point I had enough confidence in David’s hunting experience to trust him not to do something foolish.

For a while, the deer gave us a show equal to anything you’d ever see on the Outdoor Channel.  The buck worked the does, harassing them and checking each one to see if they were ready for breeding yet.  The rut was just starting, however, and of course none of the does was receptive, but that didn’t stop that buck from checking and re-checking.  The whole time, he kept the little herd close together and within his sight.  “I think he’s keeping them away from another buck,” I whispered, but David was oblivious…totally wrapped up in the show taking place below us.

Sure enough, as we watched another big 4×4 came slinking onto the scene.  He eased around upwind of the herd, but as soon as he saw the big buck, he trotted off over the hill, obviously intimidated.   I could tell David was enjoying this scenario as much as I was, but I was also feeling the stress of the long wait.  The buck was still hanging out at between 450 and 500 yards, and while some of the does had moved closer up the ravine, the rest were still mingling up and down the hillside.  I began to think about other ways to move up and get closer for a shot, but the risk of spooking some of the does and blowing the whole thing kept me from leaving our spot.  Patience pays, and everything was looking like the deer would come to us if we just waited long enough. 

As if the current level of excitement weren’t enough, I caught a glimpse of movement above the herd of deer.  That other 4×4 had come back.  The does were too enticing for him to resist, apparently.  He began to circle around the herd, but this time the other buck spotted him and stepped up to the challenge.   In all my years of deer hunting, I’ve yet to actually see bucks fight and it looked like this might be my chance. 

Both bucks were fairly equal in antler width.  The dominant buck had a much larger body, and appeared to be a 3×3, but the challenger had more of a classic four-point configuration.  Either would make an excellent trophy, and I was hoping that the scuffle would drive one or the other closer to us for a shot.  The face off continued, but the smaller buck would not get close to the bigger one.  I could hear the snort-wheeze and grunting from all the way across the meadow.  Finally, the smaller buck  moved off about fifty yards and bedded down in the sage.  His head and neck protruded, but at 452 yards, it wasn’t a shot David wanted to take, nor was it one I’d have recommended.  We’d wait.

The big buck drove his does further up the ravine.  The closed deer were now within 350 yards of us, but the buck stayed down in the bottom of the cleft, always just out of sight except his massive antlers.  The smaller buck stayed bedded as the herd moved away, but we kept an eye on him.  Sooner or later, we both knew temptation would get the better of him and he’d get up to follow those does.  If things went well, he’d circle around the edges, and walk right under our position. 

Finally, with several of the does now grazing to within 275 yards, the 4×4 stood up.  Unfortunately, instead of coming directly toward us, he followed the path of the herd of deer into the ravine.   As I watched him, David realized he had a decision to make.  “Which one should I take,” he whispered? 

That’s a tough one.  “The big one looks like a 3×3, but he’s got a much bigger body.  The other one is smaller in the body, but he has a beautiful rack.  Tough choice.”

David considered, then made up his mind.  “I’m gonna take the 4×4.” 
The buck crossed an open spot at 375 yards, and for a moment I thought David would take the shot.  He held off, and the buck disappeared again.  Meanwhile, the other buck had driven his does up onto the dirt road, following a cattle trail that would take them up onto the ridge and into a bedding area.  Once they crossed the road, they’d be out of sight.  I took a quick range on the road.  250 yards!  David could make that shot.  I turned again to look for the 4×4, and spotted him in a clearing about 275 yards away.  He was standing broadside, stretching out to get a whiff of the does… a perfect shot opportunity.  “There’s your shot, David,” I hissed, and noticed that he was already settling in behind the scope.

I held my breath for the shot, but it didn’t come.  I looked down to see David’s head up off the rifle, and he was adjusting his hat.  The buck was still posed on the hillside, still offering a perfect, unobstructed shot.  Why wasn’t he shooting?  “Kill it,” I whispered, my patience stretched to the breaking point. 

The buck moved again, into the brush, and then stepping out into the open once again, even closer.  I saw David drop down to the stock and steady the rifle against the pine tree.  “Here we go,” I thought, and studied the buck, ready to spot the shot.

The .300 Weatherby Magnum cracked, and I waited to see the impact on the buck.  There was nothing!  The deer’s head popped up, alert, but he stood steady.  “Shoot again,” I said.  “You missed him!”

I looked down at David, and he was grinning up at me, giving me the thumbs-up sign.  It took a moment for it all to click.  The other buck had been out of my line of sight, but David had a great angle on him and took it.  “You shot at the other one, huh?” I grinned.  “Did you hit him?”

“He went right down!” David said, jubilant.  “I think I drilled him perfectly!”

I stood and walked down toward him until I could see the deer, stretched out on the hillside.  “Nice job!”

After high fives, we decided that David would walk over to the buck, to make sure he was down, and then I’d go get the truck and bring it around.  The deer was down within yards of the road!  “Just keep your eye on him when you walk over,” I warned.  “A lot of times, when you knock them flat, they tend to jump up on you when you get close.” 

“I think he’s dead,” David said, assuredly as he started down the hill.  “He’s not getting up.” 

“Well, just be ready.”

As David came to within 25 yards or so of the buck, I saw its head come up.  “Kill it!” I shouted.  “Don’t let it run!”

I doubt that he heard me, but he knew what to do.  The buck clambered to his feet and turned to run, and David shouldered his rifle.  I saw the muzzle flash and the bullet impact before the report reached me, and the buck went down again… for good this time.  I watched until David reached the deer and waved at me, and then took off to get the truck. 

When I rolled up on the spot, David was grinning.  “He was a 4×4 after all,” he told me.  “And no ground shrinkage here!”

Sure enough, the buck had a nontypical conformation.  His G2 and G3 were normal, but then he had what appeared to be a G4 and a G5 on each main beam, neither of which forked.  A check with the tape showed him to be 26 ½ inches wide on the outside, which is pretty darned good for around these parts.  We did some pictures, more high fives, and then I got him dressed and loaded into the truck.   By 10:30 on the first day of the hunt, I had the buck caped and ready for the butcher. 

My work was done!   Three hunters, three bucks, and all three were great stories in their own right… the epic trailing job, the father/son moment, and the great display of rut behavior.  With a self-guided hunter taking the field for the end of the season, it was time for me to pack my gear, clean up the cabin, and head for home. 

As I write this, we have a self-guided hunter at the property trying to fill the last of our four PLM tags.  Dave (Allen) is up there with him right now, showing him around and getting him oriented.  I’ll provide an update on his hunt as soon as the word comes in. 

In the meantime, we’re going to start planning for the 2010 season.  I know it’s early now, but for anyone interested in a private land, late-season, guided and outfitted hunt in the X3A zone, we’ve got just the thing for ya at Coon Camp Springs.  Drop a line for more info, and we’ll give you as much info as we can.  

Stay tuned for the 2009 Coon Camp Springs Mule Deer Hunts wrap-up.

Related Articles:

• Coon Camp Springs 2009 Wrap-Up
• One More Note about Coon Camp Springs
• Coon Camp Springs Mule Deer Hunts – Part 2
• False starts?
• Back in One Week!
• Back in Two Weeks
• Back in Three Weeks!
• Family Time – Be Right Back!
• Coon Camp Springs Mule Deer Hunts – Part 1
• Outta here!