Montana Mule Deer Success
Taking a break from guiding to pick up slack on all my other work, I sat behind my computer in the back of the office. I hear my boss Donna say with excitement, “there’s some deer on the hill. I think one is a buck!” The tone in her voice gets higher as she confirms that it is indeed a buck. “Draya, you should go after it!” Donna informs me. “Are you serious Donna? You’re okay with that?” I ask her. “You either go get him yourself, or you save it for your client next week!” She answers.
Knowing my upcoming client had limited physical capabilities I quickly jumped on the offer to go after a buck close to the lodge.
Jumping into the truck I squeal down the dirt road to grab my gun, and gear. Within minuets I was back at the ranch and quickly pull up my binoculars to make sure the buck hadn’t gone anywhere. He was still feeding on the south facing slope, and so I started the trek up towards him.
My feet made quick work going up the snowy hillside. Without a pack on my back I felt light on my feet and traveled with ease. I used the landscape to cover my movements and knew I could get to the crest of a ridge line behind some shrubs to reassess the situation. The buck was still feeding but was too far for a shot with my .308 henry iron sites. I needed to get within one hundred yards in order to take an ethical shot.
Trying to be quick and quiet, I scramble up the steep hillside of loose rocks hidden by the freshly fallen snow. Just before I started to make my trek I watched the buck make his way back towards the timber. My guess was he went to lay down for a while. The challenge would be being stealthy enough to get in close without busting him from the dark timber. Bit by bit I crept up the hillside, scanning everything for movement, a set of antlers, a white butt, and any other signs of this buck.
Several big horn sheep were feeding in the bottom of the ravine and with that came many extra eyes, ears and noses. I knew I needed to be extra careful on my movements and overall disturbances I would create moving up the mountain. Several times the sheep saw me and were alerted. When doing so, I would find my place behind a tree and stay still until they went back to feeding.
As I scanned the timber and edges of the pocket meadows I thought for sure I would find the buck but would come up empty handed. Reading the landscape I thought to myself, if I was a deer where would I be bedded? Just up the hillside about 200 yards from me, I see a low spot in the landscape. A perfect place for a deer to hangout unseen by any by passers. The snow had started to fall and my body temperature was starting to drop drastically. I definitely under dressed and my fingers were starting to get stiff. When I took off from the ranch the skies were blue and the sun was out. Now it was dumping snow and I only had two layers on up top. “Just a little bit further” I encourage myself. “Get to the edge of the low spot and take a good look. If you don’t see him then its time to head back.” My intuition was telling me to not give up, and if I could push just a little further I would find success.
Taking a moment to scan once again I take a good look before starting the final push. No more than a few steps forward and I see the buck bedded at just 80 yards in front of me. He has me pinned down. It’s now or never I tell myself, and slowly raise my .308 henry to the tree. I take a deep breath, settle my gun into the tree, and line my iron sights up with his neck. I take the shot. The buck jumps up and I can tell he is seriously hurt, he turns broadside and I place my open sights right behind his shoulder and squeeze the trigger. He stumbles, falls and slides down the mountain. I rack another bullet into the action and quickly move through the scattered timber towards him. I can see the fear in his eyes as he takes his last breaths. Shaking his legs, he kicks the reaming life left in him and soon he is still.
To some of you this may seem inhumane, and evil. The reality of it is, no matter what meat you eat, it too goes through those last moments of life. Whether that happens in a factory farm or in the mountains of Montana. The connection I now have with this meat will also help carry through the year until I need to fill the freezer again. The lives of the animals we take as hunters are sacred and respected. The meat from this mule deer will bring sustenance to myself and those I share it with. After a delicious meal from this deer I feel energized and connected to something so much bigger.
Walking up to this beautiful mule deer buck I am filled with gratitude. This buck will give his life to me, and others I share it with. His beautiful hide is light in color and his rack is unique in a way I’ve never seen before. I also am filled with confidence as I am reminded of my skill that I have spent my entire life working on. To be able to hike up a mountain and get within one hundred yards of this beautiful creature is a big accomplishment in itself. I am filled with pride as I head down to the lodge to grab my coworkers, my friends to help drag the deer off the mountain.
Arriving back at the lodge, everyone is geared up and excited for the adventure ahead. High fives, hugs and big congratulations are given as orange vest are being put on and water bottles are bing filled. Even uncle Steve joins us in his jean overalls. Several of the women who join on the pack out are new hunters, eager to learn and gain experience. As we hike up we walk up on the big horn sheep just 40 yards away. They don’t run, rather they watch us with questioning eyes. The snow is still falling and the happy voices carry up the mountain and down into the valley.
These are the moments I live for. Here is where I worship and pray. These are the moments that ground me in my existence. This is my WILD. What is yours?