D15 Love

[xjon]

Despite the 9 hours late start yesterday, I weathered the last of the rain and lightning storm to the hunt area. On way up saw a couple groups of does which was a great sign. At the spot I glassed from 3-5 without seeing anything move. 530pm decided to walk down ridge and finally saw a buck. It was getting dark and the buck was looking at me. Fairly easy shot, probably 80 yards. So I tried my luck shooting off hand. Of course the shot wasn't great but I knew it connected.

Sun has set. Pic was taken right after the shot.
So I couldn't wait that long when the buck jumped and bolted so I went to the area to look for any signs of hit. Couldn't really see any blood because it was getting dark. I walked to where I lost sight of him and he's standing looking at me and turned to bolt down. Took the kill shot where he tumbles down the steep part and me wishing he would soon stop!

Found him soon after. Sorry, I couldn't prop him for the picture but I was out of light.
The girlfriend hiked up to meet me back on trail at 930pm. She helped me carry him out and took this picture of me heading back to civilization.

Home by 11pm.
Thanks to all for the encouragement to get out there.

 

[ilovesprig]

Jon,

Totally awesome hunt and congrats......Damn happy for you.......

 

[Nicholas909]

Sweet good job

 

[Shmee22]

D15 is not an easy area to hunt. Thick terrain, houses all over and people dirt biking all around you. My favorite spot was Bedford canyon before it turned into a golf course... that's where I shot my first buck.

Congratulations man


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[nicapopolis]

Good job. Looks to be a great older buck.

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[Bowman]

Xjon glad you got it done Buddy. hell of story and great Buck Thanks for sharing.

 

[turkeyman 85]

Nicely done man. Looks like you were hunting a burn area? Also looks like one of the bucks I was watching but I'm sure it isn't.

 

[acestriker]

Congrats on the buck! and bigger congrats on finding a girlfriend who is willing to hike up in the dark to help you pack out your kill!

 

[xjon]

bigger congrats on finding a girlfriend who is willing to hike up in the dark to help you pack out your kill!

Agreed! I think if she didn't come up, I would have spent the night there instead of pushing it. Glad I did though. All the work is done including surprising the local sheriff station.

This is my first late evening kill. I didn't even have time to inspect the buck. I just got to work asap. It was hair raising hearing noises expecting mountain lion eyes looking at me. Nice that there were no bugs and flies to deal with. Also the cool temp was a benefit. Didn't get to see where my bullets hit and exited. All I know is one of the hind leg bones was shattered, crepitus (rice crispy bubbles) at chest, and buck was missing the lower jaw (no clue).

Again, thanks guys.
On to D12.

 

[invisible man]

Tough hunt. Way to get it done.

 

[Lungpopper]

Nice job xjon, congrats.

 

[Bonejour]

Great job Jon!


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[Sigalert2012]

Nice job!

 

[Revo2811]

Congrats d15 is not easy zone to hunt



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[NBK]

Awesome work xjon.

 

[Vermonster]

Nice Buck! Congrats!

 

[xjon]

Thanks for the love, guys...
Compared to last years D15...
note: the original tag started to smear including the sharpie that I used on it. So I strapped on the other half that got countersigned. Smearing was caused by insect killer/repellant for ticks.

 

[Muledeerhunter]

Nice, congrats.

 

[KingSlug]

Dude, great buck. How far did you hike in? I have been out 4 times so far in D15 near Txxxxxx Creek and RXX. I have seen bucks twice but does all 4 times, one was way too far away and the other slipped into darkness and rain (this buck had a broken antler). Going out to try again tomorrow.

On my way out the last time I saw some cougar sign (fur and a track or two) right on the trail head heading in/out of Rxxxxxxx Ranch, I often wonder if they find it easier to pick off the domestic dogs or cats than deer or people.

Oh yeah on the way to archery practice a park ranger at the Santiago Creek Nature Center down by me said someone reported a set of does in Santiago Creek bed in near Hart Park right behind my house. I take this as the deer are just taunting me.

Great job.

 

[xjon]

Thanks kingslug but you need to learn to pm instead of broadcasting your hunting area.
You should edit and take out all those names.