ShadowCamo Story: The Quest

The Quest
by Chris Gilbert

I had been greatly anticipating the 2006 archery mule deer season, as had my three hunting partners Ryan Jones, Marc Wahl and Jay Becker. We started scouting in mid-July, which gave us six weeks to prepare for the hunt of our lives. Ryan Jones, my good friend of sixteen years, was the one who first got me interested in hunting back in high school. Ryan is an accomplished bowhunter and has taken down two monster mulies over the 200-inch mark, one in 2004 and another in 2005. Ryan was determined that this was my year and he was ready to take the back seat in order for me to get my golden opportunity.

As the hunt approached, each day we went out scouting proved to be more exciting than the previous one. Giant buck after giant buck began coming out of the woodwork to feed in the canola fields. The anticipation of opening morning was almost too much to bear.

Finally, we located a buck that everyone agreed that I should pursue. My good friend and veteran deer hunter, Jay Becker, had spotted a giant buck and called me to come and have a look. Unfortunately, the buck left prior to my arrival. After four days of scouting, we finally relocated the buck two miles from where he was originally spotted. This deer was awesome! He was heavy with lots of junk which was complimented by a 190-typical frame. I estimated that he would score in the 210-class. The buck became #1 on our hit list as we looked him over on video back at home that night.

Before we knew it, opening morning was one week away and my good friend Nate Jacobson would soon be arriving. Nate was driving up from Utah with his family to prepare for his hunt for a mule deer. I met Nate while guiding three years ago and we have chased some pretty big bucks together but with no success. Nate’s knowledge has brought our mule deer hunting to a whole new level. He also introduced us to King’s camouflage. If you don’t have some, get it. Any serious bowhunter knows what I am talking about. King’s definitely has it figured out.

The first week of hunting was full of action, but with no success. Finally, Nate connected on a 205-inch typical that we had chased together the previous year. Two days later, Jay tagged a nice 180-inch and Marc, on his first bow hunt, tagged a 203-inch typical. I was beginning to wonder if Lady Luck would rub off on me. Could it be possible to harvest four great deer in one hunt? I kept thinking about that 210-inch buck and wondering where he was. Nate had chased him for the first four days of the hunt, but the buck was one step ahead of him each time. Pressure had the buck patterning us and soon he disappeared.

The following morning Ryan and I set up on the edge of a canola field to wait for the deer to filter by us to their bedding area. As I glassed the field at dusk, I spotted a group of bucks heading towards Ryan single-file. Dink, dink, good buck and, “Whoa!” There he was! The big non-typical had once again reappeared. I was excited that Ryan might have a chance at him but, because he was the last buck in the line-up, Ryan ended up being busted by the little guys in front. The group ran out into the field directly past me and then continued about 60 yards into the woods. Ryan and I decided that we would have to try again that night.

That evening, we set up a ground blind downwind from the trail the bucks escaped on earlier that morning. Ryan let me sit in the blind and I was filled with hopeful anticipation. A half hour before dusk, I heard the sound of deer making their way out of the woods. One by one the bucks came out on the trail just seventeen yards from me and began to feed. One was a giant 4×3 with a big kicker. He was heavy and all bladed up. Was this the opportunity I had been waiting for? Or, was the big non-typical going to show? The big 4×3 was in the 190-class, but he could use another year to grow. I decided to take a chance and to wait. It was definitely a good choice because moments later I heard a sudden noise behind me. Out walked the big guy. WHAP! The arrow zipped through his chest. I barely remember coming to full draw, it was so natural.

The shot felt good, but the arrow said otherwise – liver. Not bad, but not good either. The guys and I decided to leave the buck for an hour or so just to be sure. Walking up to this deer was incredible. I fought the tears with high-fives and realized that my sixteen-year quest had just been achieved. The buck officially grosses 215 3/8 and nets 207 2/8 non-typical.

I would like to thank my good friends Ryan Jones, Marc Wahl, Jay Becker and Nate Jacobson. They were all a big part of this hunt coming together. And, most of all, I would like to show my gratitude to my family, Kendra, Damon and Alex, for their patience and support - without it this hunt would not have been possible.

Xtended Info

Hunter: Chris Gilbert • Location: Alberta • Area: Private land • Guide: Self • Date: September 7, 2006 • Time: 7:30pm • Days scouted: 45 • Days hunted: 14 • Weather: Sunny & warm • Temperature: 70s • Moon: Full • Terrain: Open fields • Camouflage: King’s Desert Shadow • Bow: Matthews Switchback LD • Draw Weight: 70 lbs • Site: Cobra • Rest: Ripcord • Quiver: Catquiver • Arrows: Easton Axis • Broadheads: Montec G5 • Stabilizer: Limbsaver • Silencers: Limbsaver • Spotting Scope: Steiner 20×80 • Binoculars: Ziess 10x • Range Finder: Leica • Footwear: Moose leather moccassins • ATV: Kawasaki Brute Force 750

Tags: HI32, ShadowCamo

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