The clock rolls back to our 'opening day' - Oct.5,2009 - a blustery, mostly to partly cloudy affair. A cold rain had fallen for most of the previous day, and the way-in, pulling a trailor loaded with a pair of ATVs, proved somewhat 'Western' - even in 4WD, Matt was doubtful that we'd make it, but I kept after him to keep the power on and rely on the front wheels for the 'power steering' - no braking here . . "if it begins to slide, just ease into the throttle and steer out . . ." And that was on the county road! ;)
Typical of the prairie, by late afternoon, the rain having ceased during the previous night, the ATVs weren't even throwing mud as we putted along the two-track trails/roads, halting often, to glass for bucks. Late in the afternoon, we decided to do a walk-about in the NW pasture - this on an isolated, 'satelite' property of THE RANCH - not infrequently, at least one decent buck resides in those deep roughs. The plan called for Joe and Matt to secure vantage points at the mid-level points, while I shuffled through some badlands at the headers - when disturbed, the BIG boys usually prefer to head DOWN to the bottom and stay out of sight . . .
The first time I paused to glass, following our parting, I spied three bedded bucks - one of some interest . . so, the plan changed and the hunt was ON! I was able to get into the bottom of a draw and quickly cut the distance to something less than 500 yards, then more cautiously, reduce that span to 300 - well within range. But, from that vantage point, I could still not see ALL of the cuts underneath the three bedded bucks - they could have more pals! Some crawling got me to the 200 yard marker - the decision had been made to 'pass' on the better of these three bucks (he was a nice heavy, but short-tined 3x3, with less than a 18: inside spread) , so, in order to peruse the cut below the bedded trio, I risked getting to my knees. Nothing more showed - not even an antler-tip . . . so, I stood right up! The three bedded bucks remained thus, but now, had me made! And four more, previously undetected bucks were scrambling in as many directions - one smallish 4x4 bolted my direction and bounced past at a mere 15 yards, headed straight for thre ATVs . . . the remaing six, including the three I'd stalked, were now scattering on more, or, less, North/North Westerly courses . . .
Going over a ridge, at about 100 Yd., a nice looking set of antlers caught my attention - the best of the seven - but quickly, he vanished over the rim . . . as luck would have it, he decided to head back UP, rather than stay low, which proved a fatal mistake. By now, I was prone, Harris bi-pod deployed and settled into a decent looking lead - the buck was pogo-hopping up a shallow/short cut . . . when he slowed to a trot - "he's got good mass, decent spread" . . . and, as he slowed to a walk, " a STICKER" - BOOM! The SGR smithed, PacNor barreled, Nyhus stocked, .257 AcKley Imp. barrel launched a 110 Gr. BIB BT at a whopping 3333 FPS (Rl-17 load) - I saw the bullet impact - a perfect hit!
The buck bounded two hops up, then did a 160 and made two bounds down, whereupon, he collapsed and slid/tumbled to the bottom of the 75 foot deep ravine . . . my '09' deer hunt was over. I only caught a glimps of BIG MIKE, waving and smiling, approvingly from the ridge-line as he headed West . . .
Upon 'field-dressing/inspection, the bullet had struck the heart, nearly separating it from the aorta (a few days later, Matt's I-Mag would do just that, on his deer), and causing considerable damage to the lower lungs - excellent performance: the distance, ranged to the point of impact, was 207 yards . . . not the biggest buck in Wyoming, but another GREAT, vividly memorable hunt on THE RANCH ! :) Thus, pic #1 in this thread, was snapped from the rim, where, I peered over, to see what I shot! For most of the next ten days, I was free to shoot movies! ;) RG
