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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,286 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,286 Likes: 15 |
Not going to bore you guys with a long story, so here goes with the short details on this year's hunt. I probably looked at 15 (no kidding) 180 class bucks, looking for that very old, mature, true bruiser. A couple of days ago I climbed up into an old windmill, overlooking a stretch of low mesquites app 1.5 miles long. I could glass a few deer in the distance (half mile?) and noted one racked buck that had potential. The big problem is that when on flat ground in those mesquites, everything looks the same, and it's near impossible to find any kind of landmark. After cutting the distance down by 600 yds or so (I used a laser rangefinder to check how far I'd gotten from the windmill). I set up shop in the largest opening I could find, maybe a 2 acre opening. I sat down, crawled up next to a mesquite, and lets just say coaxed them to me. Very shortly I had at least 12 does come in, followed by a very nice buck. I looked him over and decided he was big enough for me. He was facing directly at me, at a whopping distance of 40 yds. Dropped him like 3rd period French class....... McWhorter 7mm08 Leupold VX3 CDS/B&C 140 Nosler Accubond Swaro 10x50 SV's ![[Linked Image]](http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/JGrimes_2007/2_zpsrhm8r8m1.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/JGrimes_2007/1_zpsgslcapna.jpg)
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
What a fugging beast. Oh MY
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,240 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,240 Likes: 14 |
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,809 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,809 Likes: 3 |
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,665 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,665 Likes: 6 |
I probably looked at 15 (no kidding) 180 class bucks I can see an honest-to-goodness hatred developing for you here.  Per always, well done JG!!!
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/X0n16mr.png) WWP53D
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Very cool beans Johnny!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,362 Likes: 9
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,362 Likes: 9 |
Nice job on the mule deer. Sounds like you had a great time. We don't mind the long version you know.
_______________________________________________________
An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,697
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,697 |
Beautiful buck. There's nothing like a large racked mule deer.
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,837 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,837 Likes: 1 |
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,023
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,023 |
Congrats on a great buck! Any more pictures? Maybe straight on. Looks wide!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,472 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,472 Likes: 2 |
Ya JG any more pics of that brute - congrats by the way that is a nice buck!! Even at 40 yards I'm surprised you where able to hit him using that lowly Leupold scope  Any other bucks hit the ground?? Always wait for this thread every year, you guys get some fine muleys!!
"Rather hunt Mule deer than anything else"
"Team 7MM-08"
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,906
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,906 |
Damnit man......!!!! Well done-what a bruiser! Thanks for the story and pics.
Golden............
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,973 Likes: 10
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,973 Likes: 10 |
lets just say coaxed them to me Predator call? Seems to really attract the does, and during the rut the bucks will follow. Typically though, they do not hang around long when they figure things out. Nice buck!
1Minute
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,282 Likes: 23
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,282 Likes: 23 |
Nice job. I luv' them big mulies.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,286 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,286 Likes: 15 |
With two knee replacements I can't squat down very well yet, especially the right one being only 4 months old, so I just rested on top of the darn thing......almost 29". ![[Linked Image]](http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/JGrimes_2007/3_zps03ff7pga.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/JGrimes_2007/4_zpsrpawufnf.jpg)
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,976 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,976 Likes: 1 |
I . . . . lets just say coaxed them to me. Raider: Please elaborate. KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
You sure shoot some fine animals with that 7mm08 and Accubonds. Congrats.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
Nice deer. I love the long story versions of hunts.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,423
Campfire Kahuna Emeritus & Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Kahuna Emeritus & Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,423 |
HELL YEAH !!!
If others won't beg, I surely will.
Congratulations, old friend, that is a fantastic buck and one of which to be proud.
Steve
"God Loves Each Of Us As If There Were Only One Of Us"
Saint Augustine of Hippo - AD 397
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
Someone ? ? said you don't shoot big game ! HUH, I say, The Proof of Puddin is in the Pic! DANDY ! Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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