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

What a fugging beast. Oh MY

Congrats!!

Wow. Nice work..

I can see an honest-to-goodness hatred developing for you here.

Per always, well done JG!!!

Very cool beans Johnny!

Nice job on the mule deer. Sounds like you had a great time. We don't mind the long version you know.

Beautiful buck. There's nothing like a large racked mule deer.

Nice one, congrats

Congrats on a great buck! Any more pictures? Maybe straight on. Looks wide!

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!!

Damnit man......!!!! Well done-what a bruiser! Thanks for the story and pics.

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!

Nice job. I luv' them big mulies.

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".

Raider:

Please elaborate.

KC

You sure shoot some fine animals with that 7mm08 and Accubonds. Congrats.

Nice deer. I love the long story versions of hunts.

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

Someone ? ? said you don't shoot big game ! HUH, I say, The Proof of Puddin is in the Pic!

DANDY !

Jerry

'tis nice!!

Awesome deer...well done!

Excellent!
A real hunter. I'd love to shake your hand.

Congrats Raider awesome buck.

Congrats bud!!!

Wow!

Damn nice deer!!!

Thanks fellas.

[quote=JGRaider]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".




Nice buck!

Super buck dude....

JG, awesome buck, and I've come to expect no less. Congrats, and forgive my envy.

Nice.

Oh yeah... That'll do.

Tanner

Dang JG, looks like you was in amongst 'em. What time of day was that? Were the deer rutting? Great ole buck. powdr

Nice!

Allright, JG. Ive been wondering if you found the monster. Nice job.

Very Nice!

Outstanding JG. How did you coax them in?

Damn! Fine work!! Another dandy mulie down by your crew. Count me in as one that wants to hear the long version.

damn fine buck! A little, no a LOT jealous here!

Wow Thats a Great old Buck!

Thanks for sharing. Great buck JG!

That'll horn a guy up! Nice mulie!!

Hell of a buck!

Congrats!

nice buck, a bit character on the one side of the rack.

Heck yeah. What a buck deer!

I don't buy it for a minute.

Everyone knows the 7mm-08 just bounces off big deer.






P

That's a nice one.

Looks a dandy ol' buck that had lived a full life.. Well done!

Missed this thread somehow--that's a great west Texas mule deer! Congratulations! You earned it.

Congrats, no Long Range Hunting there!

At least you did not hurt your wrist twisting turrets.

Congrats, super deer.

Congratulations

Congrats JG on a hell of a bruiser!

Hey Buddy, looks like you got yourself another great deer for your wall. Congratulations !!!
Deer like that, will put a big ol' grin on your face for a long time.

Merry Christmas.

Hell of a Mule deer especially if you got him in Texas. Congrats!
Big Mulies are my favorite trophy animals.

Very Nice JG ! You have maintained your reputation ! E

Fantastic critter!

Congrats! Great strategy also! I was fortunate to hunt near Van Horn several years ago. I saw some "outstanding" muley bucks...much bigger in body/antler than the majority of ours here in Utah...at least the ones I've seen here. I ended up taking a 3x3 at the last minute of a $2500 hunt...but I had previously missed ( twice!) a really huge 4x4 at 300yds. I shot over him, because he "looked like" he was 400yds! I had left my rangefinder in camp (natch) and across a big ravine, in the light he was in, he just looked far. The next day I ranged where he was standing...305yds! I was zeroed for 300, but no way could I hold on hair, ha. I grew up in East Texas ( Liberty Co) our little whitetail went around 90 pounds dressed. I killed two "big" bucks that weight 150, ha. Well Merry Christmas Tex!

That is a very nice deer. Congratulations.

That right there; you SUCK!!!

Seriously gorgeous buck sounds like an awesome hunt congratulations!!

Congrats on another fine buck.

Way to go JG, congrats on the big mulie.

Great buck, JG. I always enjoyed hunting those sandhills deer.

Congrats, JG, that is a TOAD in my book!

Fine looking buck right there!

Great buck JG, congratulations sir

Like third period French.......

Hah!

JG

I'm always impressed with your Mule deer. If I remember correctly, you've got a picture on here somewhere of several mounts on a big stone fireplace. That picture always makes my jaw drop and my heart beat a little faster. I saved it ans show my friends - "now this is what a Mule Deer can be!"

Another great buck sir!

Congrats on that buck, Raider. A bruiser