Not fly fishing but a few of you know what I've been up to lately on the weekends. Its been a great deer season with perfect weather at times. After passing on several legal but smaller variety of blacktails. My buddy Gary and I went back deep into the hills in search of the big ones that we knew were out there somewhere. We set out to check an area we hadn't been into yet this 3rd week of the season. With Gary on a stand on the other end of the hill I set out to hike through and see if I could flush something out to him. As i was walking the hill I decided to hit a small ridge. As soon as I headed up, there he was the elusive one. He was up out of his bed in an instant and on the run. Just about to get a bead on him and he disapears into the thick manaznita. I was way below him still so I had to walk up there, knowing he probably didnt run too far. Not sure where he went I checked the ridge and over the other side where I wasnt gonna go. Didnt see him. Went back to his bed and tried to track him. Got on the nearest deer trail going the way I'd hoped he went and noticed the fresh marks on the trail. I'm on him. Followed that trail for about 20 minutes looking and listening hard but no sign of him. As soon as I got into a clearing I heard something below me and there he was making his move to get out in front of me again. and again disapearing before I could get a bead on him. But now I was near the end of the hill and I got him going Gary's direction. 20 seconds after seeing him disappear. Boom. Made my way up there to see how big he really was. Oh yeah them some good eats. Now Gary owes me one. Still got 3 weeks but we usually try never to shoot one smaller than one that's been taken already, but that might be kinda hard.
now is that part of the white tail family or mule deer family, being from new york the only time i have seen antlers like that is on mule deer. and at first if you didnt say blacktail which i am still amazed by i would have thought it was more of a mule deer. awsome looking deer. and i am guessing by the sound of it that is a really good deer for this area. i used to hunt a lot in new york, havent yet since i have been out in call which is 8 yrs now, looks like i might have to hit it up next yr, and if that is the case, and i am still out here and on this forum, matt r mind if i join.
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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
One of the best lookin deer I have ever seen in california. What did ya shoot him with ? Man I havent hunted in 10 years, Makes me wanna get out the old ruger m77 mark II .243 win. and go for it. Bet those some good backstraps.
Brian that's a blacktail and yeah that's a real good one. You have to go farther north to get into mule deer. Cole I think I tied 6000 out of the last one. Captain my buddy shot him with a 30-06. Me I was gonna crack him with my lil 300 savage if I could of. and yeah these deer taste real good especially those backstraps oh than theres the tenderloin. Here's a couple more pics of deer. If you think that a good one check out this one that got taken 2 seasons ago. He was a beautiful brute. We let these little ones live a little before they classify as a shooter.
That's an Idaho buck,at least the antlers are. Way to go. How many deer hair caddis can you make from that sucker?
