Look at that hair!
By David King

I pulled another photo from the archives. Wow, check out the plug for Ritz Crackers! This particular photograph takes me back to 1972 and shows me as a baby with my mom camping. It seems that no matter what we did growing up, my mom was always there with us. As I reflect on the theme of this issue, Women in Hunting, I couldn’t help but think back on my childhood and the influence my mom had on me. Wherever my dad took us in the outdoors, my mom was always a trooper and packed all of us kids up to make it a complete family adventure. Even though my mom never actually came with us on our hunting trips later on, she supported us in whatever we did and tolerated the dead deer hanging in the garage. It is this influence that I think makes Women in Hunting a very important topic. Something about being in the outdoors builds unity, support, respect, and confidence that everyone, young and old, needs to experience. As our time becomes more important to us and the demand of jobs and family increase, having your wife or girlfriend to share in the time and experience seems to be a big key in why women seem to be taking to the field more than ever. I hope you enjoy this issue and realize the impact that women are having in the hunting and outdoor industry. Their stories are inspiring and prove that they belong and can hold their own when it comes to baggin’ trophy animals. I hope that this introduces even more women to hunting.

We had a great run of shows the past few months and the excitement of our crazy $10 subscription is going strong. Those of you who are buying Hunting Illustrated off the newsstand have no excuse now – pony up a few bucks and subscribe. You can spend $10 bucks on about three gallons of gas or you can get a full year of reading, seeing the photos, and learning about hunting monster mule deer, trophy bull elk and much, much more.

The results are in and we have the winners. The King’s ShadowCamo Photo Contest results are featured in this issue. Thanks to the many great photos that were submitted in. Keep them coming.

Anyone have some Ritz Crackers?….I’m getting hungry.

It’s all About the Shooting

First off, I would like to tell you that you have a great magazine. Now, I would like to comment on the article, “Is There Life Beyond the .30-06?” I know that the author shoots what is best for him or what he likes best, but his remark about WSM’s was given without thought. If we were to stick with what is proven, then we would still be packing clubs and spears to the woods. Please don’t put down progress. That said, I would like to know what my bullet drop would be with a Browning 7mm WSM 160-grain Nosler partition with a zero of one-inch high at 100 yards and, if I set my Leupold 4x12x50 scope at 6x for that zero, would this affect my zero if I changed the power setting up or down? If so, how does shooting up or down a hill affect the point of aim?

Jamie – Franklinton, LA
P.S. I also own a .30-06 Rem and I love them both, although I am still getting used to the 7mm WSM.

First of all, to determine bullet drop for the 7mm WSM, you need the muzzle velocity of the load you are shooting. Once you have this muzzle velocity, you can then get the ballistic coefficient of the Nosler partition and with these two numbers get a perfect world, perfect weather, sea level drop chart. As for the question of whether zero changes when the power level of the scope is changed…Assuming nothing is defective with the scope and you are using the same center crosshair at the same range (also assuming that the scope is the B&C or the Varmint reticle), bullet impact will be the same for anything from 4X to 12X. Power level does affect impact point if you are “holding over” a target beyond your zeroed range. This is the case because your field of view shrinks as you increase the power selector therefore changing the relative size of whatever you’re shooting at and its surroundings. This is why Leupold puts the small and large triangles on the power selector of scopes with stepped reticles. For their system to work, you must have the scope set on one of the two triangles (determined by what cartridge you’re shooting). If you vary the power selection, you vary the point of impact (not drastically, but some).

Next, shooting up or down hills is a tricky game. The answer to the question is yes, it makes a BIG difference on where you need to aim. This is even more important out here in the West where shooting off hills becomes shooting off cliffs. I think in that split second before buck fever sets in, more shots are missed because the hunter shoots over the top of an animal that is below him. Line of sight distance means nothing when shooting up or down a hill. I have killed several deer shooting down steep hills. In fact, my buck from 2007 was at a line of sight range of 340 yards; yet, to hit him, I had to use my 200-yard zero and hold a bit low. Horizontal distance is mainly what determines how much your bullet drops.

As for the WSMs, I am not against them, they have simply not proven themselves to me yet. Browning/Winchester had some serious problems when they introduced these short magnums – I know this because I had to send back several of them that I had sold to people. I do believe they have worked through these problems, yet some WSM rifles still have feeding problems, something that I don’t want in a hunting situation. By the way, the 7mm WSM would be my choice of the WSM’s as it ballistically makes the most sense. Progress is what I am all about. Impulsive, not so much. The 300 Win Mag came about in the 1960s – just one or two years before clubs and spears.

Carl Hermansen
Shooting Editor

Carl, I enjoyed your article on “The .308 Winchester, The Cartridge of the Century” in the Feb/Mar 2008 issue of Hunting Illustrated. Due to a revitalized interest, use and multiple exposure of the .308, it is only going to gain popularity and limelight exposure. Its accuracy, mild thump and, as you said, “ease of reloading” will continue to spur more active users in all facets of shooting sports and hunting applications. One large disappointment in your user results was in the provided reloading table. If you had really delved deeper into the offerings of projectiles available for this marvelous caliber, you would have wanted to experience the Barnes Triple Shock 168-grain match load. In my experience, this is undoubtedly one, if not the most, accurate flying rounds available today for this incredible rifle combo. If you doubt me, I would challenge you to put some together. It would even be nice to publish the 100-yard, three-shot group findings. Just a thought. I look forward to your next column, keep up the good work.

Roger Glazier – via email

Carl Hermansen, my name is Wade and I am sixteen and live in Lehi, UT. I have also had a ton of good luck with the .308. Mine is not as fancy as yours, but it still gets the job done. I have been using it strictly for hunting deer, elk and antelope. I have been using the Barnes Triple-Shock X 150-grain from Federal. I have had excellent success with this bullet and have harvested two deer, two antelope and an elk. What I would like to ask you though, is what load you would recommend for the Ruger M77. I would also like to use this rifle for predator hunting. Do you think that this would be a good caliber for that and what load would do the least damage to pelts? I am starting to get into the reloading scene and could use some helpful tips with this caliber. Thanks.

Wade McAllister – via email

Wade, fancy is certainly not what it takes to have a great shooting setup. In fact, my most expensive and fancy .308 that set me back $1800 shot worse than my $750 Remington 700. Handloading is THE ticket to getting a rifle to shoot. The .308 is absolutely the perfect caliber for you to start into the handloading arena with. The Barnes Triple Shock is a very accurate slug. In fact, in terms of accuracy, it is in the top two of all the hunting slugs I have tried with the other slug being the Nosler Accubond. The only drawback to the Triple Shock (that I know of) is with bullet expansion on impact. I have spoken to several hunters that have had Triple Shocks just punch holes through game with poor bullet expansion. However, if you have had good results, stick with it. If you want to try something new, give the Nosler Accubond a try. I’m not sure of the choices in commercial ammo, because I never buy boxed ammunition. For elk, I would use a 165-grain and for the deer and antelope a 150. Start with Reloder 15 powder. As for predators, pelt bullet selection is a bit weak in .30 caliber – most predator guns are chambered in .22 or 6mm. FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) slugs do the least damage, but the chances of wounding game is greater with them. I am a huge V-Max fan for predators and have had great luck on pelts using them in my 220 Swift. Give the 110-grain V-max a go and let me know what you think. Another one to try is the slug I mentioned in the article – the 125-grain Berger. Good luck!

Carl Hermansen
Shooting Editor

There are many states that have decided to coordinate efforts to feed starving deer throughout the west due to extreme winter conditions. Efforts have been underway in northern Utah, Idaho and Colorado. Authorities are hesitant to launch a winter feeding program as there are consquences to doing so, but in extreme conditions in certain parts of the west programs have begun. Feeding must be done correctly to allow for proper food digestion, but it also creates a bad habits for deer and may keep them longer on the winter range looking for handouts as well. However, due to the conditions in some parts, winter mortality will affect herd conditions to such a level that feeding is a must.

Biologists say Colorado is experiencing brutal weather in many areas, with Gunnison Basin listed as the worst. Snowpack levels are among highest ever recorded with many weeks of winter remaining. At the same time, nighttime temperatures are falling as low as 35 degrees below zero. Pronghorn antelope and mule deer are hardest hit. Emergency feeding is underway for approximately 6,500 deer and 500 antelope at 105 locations on federal and private lands.

About 2,500 elk are being fed weed-free hay dropped from helicopters. Though elk are faring better than deer and antelope, some biologists worry about fewer births and greater calf mortality next spring.

According to some experts, feeding is not the answer, but just a temporary band aid. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation cautions that in general, some winter mortality is normal. It’s nature’s way of balancing herds with their habitat. But when too much winter range is lost to urban development or invasive weeds, a harsh winter can be a catastrophic reminder of our obligation to conserve land. Wildlife habitat is being lost at alarming rates as cities sprawl and ranchettes consume open spaces long used by wintering elk and deer. If we don’t act urgently to protect habitat, eventually the balance will tip so far against wildlife that severe winterkill will become the norm, not the exception.

Fortunately for the winter of 2007/2008, concerned sportsmen and women along with cooperating famers and ranchers have contributed thousands of dollars to help in the emergency feeding programs. How much of an impact this will have on the 2008 hunting season will be determined as hunting licenses and opportunities may be decreased in some areas due to the harsh winter mortality rates.

Wolf Delisting Rule Target Date of March 28

As you read this updated news on the delisting of the wolf, there is a good chance that the target date of March 28, 2008 will go through. However, that is a big if as pending lawsuits could delay the effective date of the final rule. On Thursday, February 21, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services filed a rule that would remove gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the federal endangered species list. The rule was then posted in the Federal Register on February 27, and will go into effect 30 days later on March 28. If the rule takes effect, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana will take full management responsibility for wolves. Each state has an approved wolf population and management plan that will maintain population and breeding pair objectives and allow wolves to be managed as a native species similar to other big game.. The Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to monitor wolf recovery for five years after the delisting rule takes effect. The Service would consider putting wolves back on the endangered species list if populations drop below 10 breeding pairs or 100 wolves in each of the three states – Idaho, Montana and Wyoming – and would be reviewed should populations drop below 15 breeding pairs or 150 wolves for three consecutive years. Wyoming must maintain seven breeding pairs outside Yellowstone National Park. Any major changes in state laws, diseases, or other concerns could also cause relisting.

Biggest Mule Deer in 35 years!

In the previous issue of Hunting Illustrated (Best of 2007, Feb/March 2008) we featured the much hyped Kyle Lopez buck. At the time of printing, the buck had not been officially scored. It was also stated that the buck was the largest non-typical mule deer taken in the last 20 years with its green score of 303 5/8 B&C. The exciting official score has now put the Lopez buck into an even higher class. With an official score of 306 3/8 net B&C, the buck is now the new #2 all-time for Colorado and a pending 12 or 13 in the world. It also surpassed the Artie McGram buck taken in California in 1987. The last buck to score higher is the Colorado state record that scores 306 7/8 taken in 1972. This makes the Lopez buck the biggest mule deer taken in the last 35 years!
For those of you who came and visited us at our booth at the Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City were able to see Kyle and his buck in person.

Did you Know
Brought to you by Boone & Crocket

Did You Know…that there are approximately 832 non-typical mule deer listed in Boone & Crockett that make it over the all time minimum score of 230. Compared against non-typical whitetail that make it over the all time minimum of 195, that amount is an impressive 2,959. However, there are only an estimated 302 whitetail deer that score 230 or better listed.

Wolves Spread to Oregon

Another Idaho wolf has wandered into eastern Oregon – this one a radio-collared female wolf from the Timberline Pack. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists just found the two- to three-year-old wolf in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest near the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. The biologists had received reports of wolf activity in that area and were searching for missing wolf radio-collars from Idaho. Idaho Fish and Game biologists had put a radio-collar on the wolf – identified as B-300 – northeast of Boise in August 2006. Oregon biologists observed only a single wolf. But it was the fifth confirmed wolf to be found in Oregon. In March 1999, a radio-collared female was captured near John Day and returned to Idaho. In 2000, a collared wolf was found dead along Interstate 84 south of Baker City, and a wolf without a radio collar was found shot between Ukiah and Pendleton. In July 2007, a mature female wolf was found dead from a gunshot wound in Union County. All four wolves were from Idaho.

Con
By Ron Spomer

We’ve been so busy battling the anti-gun and anti-hunting forces that we might have missed a big one right under our noses – state fish and game agencies that establish our hunting seasons.

Huh?
I’ll admit this may be a reach, but maybe not. The way many hunting seasons are set up is eroding our gun rights and jeopardizing our hunting heritage.  For instance, you cannot hunt deer in Ohio, Iowa or Illinois (and probably a lot of other states) with a modern, centerfire rifle.  Ostensibly this is for safety reasons, but I’ve seen no statistics that show higher accidents per participant in Missouri, South Dakota or Minnesota where centerfires are legal.  How many .270s, .243s and 300 WSMs languish on dealer shelves because thousands of deer hunters in these anti-rifle states aren’t allowed to use them?
But wait!  There’s more.  Many states, coincidentally overrun with whitetails, hold open firearms deer seasons for just three or four days per year.  As the kids ask, “What’s up with that?”  If a crowded Eastern state like South Carolina can host an open rifle deer season that’s nearly three months long, why must Illinois restrict theirs to one three-day season followed by another four-day season a week later?  Such tight schedules lead to frenetic if not frantic behavior in which frustrated hunters are pressured into cutting corners and bending, if not breaking, laws.  Quick.  Shoot before someone else does.  Take a risky shot because it might be the only one you get before the season is over.  There are no second chances, no time to pattern a buck, no time to gain permission to hunt the other side of a fence line, no time to wait for a better shot, no time to practice the highest, ethical woodsmanship and hunt a deer properly.  Just shoot.  Such crazy, ridiculously short seasons don’t justify unethical or illegal behavior, but they sure encourage it.
Another example of anti-gun regulations are archery deer seasons. In most jurisdictions these seasons open in September or October and sometimes run right up to the abbreviated gun season in late November or early December.  Then they reopen for another month or two.  Naturally, this provides wonderful opportunities for bowhunters who get the time to hunt the right way.  They also get the first opportunities and the best opportunities. They hunt the summer pattern bucks, pre-rut bucks, rutting bucks and often wintering bucks that are concentrated on low elevation fields and valleys.  They kill many of the biggest, oldest, monster bucks of the year before rifle hunters are allowed out of the house.
That’s all well and good if the resource isn’t compromised by the pressure, and it rarely is.  But why the bias in favor of bowhunters?  Why should they get all the breaks, all the best opportunities and all that time in the field?  Because rifles are more efficient at harvesting game?  That’s the only semi-legitimate reason I can think of.  But who gave government bureaucrats the power to tell us, the unwashed masses who own the wildlife in this country, that we must limit ourselves in weapon selection for harvesting our meat? And if they can, why don’t they shorten the bow season and offer a spear season?  That would bring in even more license sales and impact the resource even less.  Take this to its conclusion and we’d all be limited to camera seasons.
Am I overreacting?  Sure.  But these are still legitimate points.  As our out-of-control human population continues to gobble up wildlife habitat, gun restrictions continue to limit hunting options.  Idaho, for goodness sakes, already has bow or shotgun-only deer hunting zones.  So does Montana.  Certainly we don’t want 338 Magnums going off in suburban deer habitat, that’s the place for arrows.  But why must rifle hunters stay home for three months while archers roam the backwoods and wilderness?
A simple argument is to shut up and start bowhunting.  Sorry.  Been doing that since 1967.  That doesn’t fix the problem of inequitable distribution of hunting opportunity.  Rifle hunters shouldn’t be penalized because bow hunting is “harder.”  A more sensible approach would be to set harvest goals, then dole out licenses in sufficient number to meet those goals, based on average harvest statistics, and let the tag holder decide whether he wants to use a gun, bow or slingshot during a long season so he/she can hunt properly.
Okay, that won’t fly because bowhunters don’t want the competition.  Besides, with the increased success rate by firearms hunters, fewer tags could be sold, and that would impact Fish and Game budgets.  So, here’s a compromise – sell, auction or select by lottery a certain number of firearms tags that can be used during the bow season, during the rut, pre-rut or on the wintering grounds.  Give non-bowhunters at least a small chance to enjoy the best hunting of the year, too.  And stop the anti-gun bias.

Pro
By Scott Grange

Thirteen years ago, when mule deer herds were at alarmingly low levels throughout the West, I sat on a committee made up of wildlife managers, sportsmen and industry folks.  Our assignment was to analyze biological and cultural carrying capacities along with mule deer studies.  From this data, we were asked to make recommendations to the wildlife board as to what direction the state should proceed with their long term management strategies.
I can still feel the frustrations as we met, month after month.  What magical formula could we possibly come up with to increase buck-to-doe ratios while desperately attempting to maintain hunter numbers?  As the National Shooting Sports Foundation painted a gloomy picture of America’s hunting future, I can’t relate in writing the helpless feeling we all shared early on.
A significant factor none of us could ignore was that the state’s population, many who were hunters, was exploding and the resource could no longer handle this increase considering the state’s current management practice.  Add to that the fact that the majority of deer hunters chose to hunt with a rifle – very few took to the field with a muzzleloader or archery tackle.  Hmmmm.
As with any diverse group, opinions and personal desires couldn’t help but surface on occasion.  However, there was one area that we all seemed to agree upon during the many, sometimes heated, exchanges.  One did not have to possess a doctorate degree in wildlife management to note the insignificant success ratios within the archery hunting segment.  If there was one bright spot amongst all the gloomy data, it was with this group – using one of the oldest means of harvesting an animal.  The trick would be to convince more folks to participate in the primitive weapons seasons, while placing less emphasis on centerfire rifles.  In other words, increase hunter opportunity through less effective methods and thus inflict less impact on the resource.  This concept had already been put to use by many Eastern and mid-Western states with tremendous success.  Nonetheless, some cried foul, and there were those who swore it was a conspiracy to eliminate hunting with firearms.
Today, although we continue to struggle with mule deer management challenges, we in the West are experiencing good times for the most part.  Deer numbers are on the increase in most areas, record book entries are up and harvest numbers are steady.  Oh, and I might add that archery hunter numbers are at an all-time high.  Why?  Because archery opportunity has increased significantly.  Have we lost overall hunter numbers in the past ten years?  Yes, but that is a very complex issue and remains a major concern not only to the Western states, but to the entire industry.  However, what would have been the impact locally had we not taken the steps we did?
If it were up to me, like fishing, I’d make archery season a year around event for those willing to call this their only deer hunt.  I know that this strategy sounds a bit extreme, but if this is what it takes to salvage the resource while providing opportunity, I’m all for it.  It’s not gun control, its responsible resource management.

One never knows what the outcome might be for any hunt you go on. You never know if it will be a great experience, a so-so hunt, or a total nightmare. Either way, they can all be a great learning experience. I’m sure all of you have had a dream in the back of your mind whenever you go on a hunt of what you hope your hunt will be. You dream of the quality of the animal you would like to kill and the things you hope to see and do. However, true reality quickly seems to set in and it seems that very little ever runs as smoothly or seems to fit together quite like a dream does. It has been said that life is ‘but a dream’ and I believe that everyone should have a dream or two. Our dreams are what lift our spirits to their highest spheres and inspires us to move forward to a brighter day.

I have talked to many hunters who have said that they had not put in for a particular hunt because the odds of drawing were so bad that they would “never have drawn the tag” anyway. The reality is that you will never draw unless you put in. What are the odds that these hunters’ dream hunts will happen – 100% never! Whatever your dream is, act upon it, who knows, maybe it will come true.

I started hunting in Sonora, Mexico some fifteen years ago. After reading some of Jack O’Conner’s hunting experiences in Sonora with his 270 and his quest for a monster muley, I was very intrigued with this type of hunting in desert land layouts. Jack talked about tracking big muley bucks in this harsh land and how his Mexican guides could follow a big buck trail all day long in the sand. He said that if a hunter could keep up with the guide that they could actually shoot a buck right in the buck’s bed while he was sleeping. Wow! Talk about a dream come true – sign me up now! If there was ever a hunting spot that fit my style of hunting this was it. It sounded like heaven at its best, right here on earth. Well, I had a dream of hunting there and wished it would come true, and it finally did.

In my life, I have found that not everything you read or hear is true. I never have found one of those Mexican guides that can track all day long no matter the terrain of the land. There are a few big bucks down there all right, but you had better be in the right cholla patch. Every bush and plant in Sonora has a thorn or sticker on it and getting my gun in and out of Sonora is an all-day experience. The food is different, the language is a real barrier, there are soldiers with guns everywhere you go, and a man’s word seems to mean nothing – you have to be real careful. However, the weather is great (75 degrees in January), and you get to hunt during the rut. There is an endless desert and you do run into big buck tracks in the sand. There is always a possibility that you could kill a ‘Mr. Big’. There are big bucks in Sonora; you just gotta be good enough to find them. Another big plus is that there are predators galore without PhD’s – maybe it’s not so bad after all.

I have hunted Sonora six times and killed three good bucks – a 50% average. I could have killed a “buck” every time I went; however, I was always hunting for Mr. Big. Every hunt is a different experience. There are always a few new problems, but the quest for my big dream buck was always in the back of my mind. If an individual stays the course, always doing their very best, putting themselves in spots where there are odds of killing a ‘Mr. Big’, the day will come when that dream will be realized.

On January 2nd, 2008, my good friend Clint Argyle and I got on a plane and headed to Sonora, Mexico. We hoped to kill the buck of our dreams. This was Clint’s first time hunting in Sonora. I told him to always have an open mind on all the comings and goings, because you never know what to expect. We landed in Hermosillo at 4:00 p.m. Right away, we encountered our first problem – our guns didn’t make it! Since we didn’t have our guns, we had to leave our bullets at the airport. After filling out the paperwork, we left with our guides and headed to the place we would be hunting for the next six days. Our guide told us not to worry about our guns because he had some we could use. He told us that we would probably get our own guns within two days. As we arrived at the ranch, supper was ready and our every need was attended to. The guide gave me a 300 Win. Mag. with a Leopold dot. It wasn’t my light, 25-06 with my Redfield 4-plex, but it was a gun – that alone made me happy. Clint got a 300 Ultra Mag., plenty of gun, but he is left-handed. It’s hard to find a gun anywhere for an old lefty. I just gave him a high-five and said, “Clint, remember, you’re in Mexico.” He smiled.

Day one started at daylight. As I climbed up in the high rack of the truck, my mind said, “Yes! It’s good to be back here again hunting big muley bucks.” Within the first mile, a nice 4×4, 26-inches wide crossed the road in front of us. Wow! What a good sign! A very nice buck right out of the gate. I knew that at the end of the first day if I had seen over eight deer that would have been a good day hunting deer in Sonora. After day one had ended, I had seen exactly ten deer – a very good day of hunting, indeed. Clint saw over 25 deer in one day and that’s more deer than I have ever seen in one day hunting in Sonora.

Day two also started at daylight, and we headed back to the same place we were the day before. There were quite a few fresh tracks in quite a few different spots where we hunted. One never knows when old ‘Mr. Big’ might show up, especially when the rut is on. However, day two was hot and dry, and we didn’t see very many deer – two at the best.

Day three, we hunted until noon and saw nothing. We decided to go back to camp. Siesta time in Sonora is from noon until 3:00 p.m. Our Mexican guides told us that the deer sleep, so we might as well sleep too. We decided to head for town and the airport to see if our guns had arrived. At the airport, we found that our guns had arrived, but that they had moved our bullets to another place. They told us that we would have to come back the next day to get the bullets. We went back to where we had been hunting. Despite the problems, I still had a smile on my face. After all, the worst day hunting is still better than the best day at work.

Day four brought us back to the vast Sonora desert where the land is endless and where big bucks live and die every year. I’m sure some of those bucks never see a man. This is the place where a man’s dream of killing a monster muley can come true in a blink of an eye. Half an hour after daylight, we saw some deer running down a fence line. One looked like a very good buck. Just then, a doe jumped the fence 100 yards down the road and right behind her, a big buck followed. I saw him for a split second before he was gone. In my mind, I knew he was a very big buck. My driver was a young man and since I don’t speak Spanish, I had a hard time telling him to hurry up and get down there to ‘Mr. Big’. Ten minutes later we finally made the hundred yards – well it seemed that long. And yep, ‘Mr. Big’ was nowhere to be seen. Two hours later, after poking, walking, and riding around in the area we still had not seen anything. But nothing is a waste if you are looking at all the different options and layouts of the land. Someone had built a twenty-five foot tower right on the fence line where we had seen the big buck. I told my guide to take me back to the tower. I climbed up on top and could see fifty-percent more desert, out to 300 yards, but I still couldn’t see the buck. We hunted the rest of the morning. We got stuck in some sand and finally got out. As I climbed on the truck to get up in the high rack, the driver took off and threw me out of the truck. I only had time to jump clear of the bed and landed hard on my right side. I still wonder how I didn’t end up with a broken bone. Even as I write this article, I can still feel the tenderness in the eight-inch black and blue bruise on my hip.

Day five, I had my guide get up and leave thirty minutes earlier. I wanted to be up in the tower before daylight. It was a colder morning, and the fog was on top of some mountains to our right. As we got to the tower along the fence line, I made sure both my guide and driver were very quiet. As I climbed the narrow steel ladder, my buckskin gloves became very wet with morning dew, but I made the top and settled in. The sun’s light was starting to show some life of another day. There was no wind at all. Off to my right, I heard two coyotes talking things over. My guide glassed one direction and I looked the other. About half-an-hour into dim daylight, two does came within fifty yards of us. They didn’t seem to have anything in particular in mind as they lingered for quite some time right in front of us. I knew there was a ‘Mr. Big’ around there somewhere, so my senses were at 110%. Just then, my guide tapped me on the leg and pointed to my left. As I looked, I could see only part of a deer standing in the thick desert cover. I lifted my ten-power Zeiss slowly to my eyes in the morning light and I gasped as it came into full focus. There he was, ‘Mr. Big’. Shoot – now – buck! As I lifted the 300 Mag, I realized my scope was wet from the morning dew. As quietly as I could, I lowered the gun and wiped the lens clear. I put the gun up to my shoulder once again. As the dot settled on the big buck, he turned slightly and faced me – he was still not aware of our presence. At seventy yards, the gun went off and the buck went down hard. I watched intently as the big buck lay there on the ground. I was ready with round two, just in case, but he never made a move. Climbing down out of the twenty-foot tower seemed to take too long because I was so excited to get a closer look at the buck I had just shot. As I walked up to him lying there in the cholla cactus, I had a smile on my face and I’m sure my blood pressure was up. My guide jumped for joy. There he was, a ‘Mr. Big’ indeed, a perfect 4×4. He had black horns, deep forks, and a perfect side-to-side look. I knew that this buck was one of the best four-points I had ever killed. I was a happy man indeed. After all these years, I had finally killed the buck of my dreams in Sonora.

Back at camp, everyone was happy for me. Since my buck was the only buck killed so far, it raised the hopes of the other three hunters. After putting a tape to him we discovered that he was thirty inches wide, 198 gross and 192 net typical Boone & Crockett. He also has an SCI score of 201 5/8.

At noon, we went back to the airport and got our bullets. At least Clint would have his very own, left-handed gun for his last day. The next morning I went with Clint and his guide. I had them drive to where I had killed my buck, but we didn’t see anything. By 11 a.m., we had seen 20 deer. One was a nice buck, but not quite a shooter. Now at 12:00 noon, the guides like to take a siesta, but we told them that we were going to continue hunting because it was our last day. We walked a mile or so into some backcountry and climbed up on a little hill so we could see the desert floor. Lady luck was with us once again; a ‘Mr. Big’ with two does came out 150 yards right under us. Clint pulled up and made it count. I don’t think I have ever seen any hunter more excited than he was. Anyone within a twenty-mile radius could have heard him yelling for joy. A big 4×4 with a three-inch cheater put him right at 30-inches wide – his best buck ever.

Do dreams come true? They do if you dream them!

Back to Basics
By Bry Buttars

As you may have heard me mention in previous articles, I am a member of the Air National Guard and, as such, have had the opportunity to play with their guns. Most recently, I have had the opportunity to participate in the National Guard Marksmanship program. This program is designed to enhance basic marksmanship skills in both rifle and pistol shooting through training and competition – and that is exactly what it does.

I spent a good deal of time last summer practicing and competing with some of the finest shooters in the Utah Guard, both Army and Air Force, and learned a great deal from them. I would like to share some of the things I learned, and some of the advice I received, in the hopes of helping you become a better shooter. Perhaps this advice will help you get involved in competition shooting.

From day one, the most stressed themes of all the training classes were the fundamentals. They are the same for both rifle and pistol shooting. Stance, grip, sight alignment and breath control. Lose any one of these fundamentals and your shot isn’t going to go where you want it to. Simple, right? Hah! We all know that if it were that simple there wouldn’t be a missed shot, ever. When you are hunting, you have the added pressure of buck fever, wind, cold, heat and gloves. In competition, you have the pressure of the dreaded clock. Suddenly, those basic fundamentals aren’t so easy to reproduce. That’s where practice comes in. A lot of it. If you can make the fundamentals second nature, all the other things will have a smaller effect on your shooting. So, let’s talk for a minute about the fundamentals and what they are. While the descriptions that follow are geared toward pistol shooting, they apply to rifle shooting as well.

Stance. Your stance must be steady and comfortable. There are several popular styles including isosceles and Weaver, but any stable, comfortable position will do. I use a combination of the two that is most comfortable for me. Do a little experimenting and you’ll find what works best for you. Unless you are competing in a bull’s-eye competition, you should use both hands. In the Weaver stance, you can use your weak hand to pull back while pushing forward with your strong hand. This is called isometric tension and greatly aids in rapid shooting, shooting a heavy-recoiling handgun, and proper stability. A great, inexpensive way to practice this is with a .22 pistol. Just remember to do it the same way every time! Practicing with a bad technique just teaches you bad technique!

Grip. Believe it or not, many people do not think about how to grip a handgun. For auto pistols especially, the grip makes a big difference. If the gun is gripped differently each time, the gun will shoot to a different place. This is an easy fundamental to lose when you are put under a time constraint in competition. With your fingers and thumb making an “L,” place your strong hand as high up on the grip as is comfortably possible. The apex of the web of your hand should be centered at the rearmost point of the curve in the gun’s back strap. This ensures that you are not gripping the gun too far, or not far enough, around the grip. The forefinger should rest naturally along the side of the frame above the trigger and the other three fingers should wrap easily around the front of the grip. The strong-hand thumb may either be in a “high” or “low” position. Experiment with your gun and see what is comfortable for you. Your weak hand should wrap naturally around your strong hand with all of the fingers below the trigger guard. Your weak hand thumb should lie over the top of your strong hand thumb. Do NOT wrap the weak hand thumb around the back of the pistol. The slide will come back and cut your hand severely if you do! I saw a soldier acquire several stitches and some pretty cool scars by forgetting this at a competition in Wyoming. Both elbows should be slightly bent, but both wrists must be locked. The strong hand should be pushing forward slightly, and the weak hand should be pulling back slightly but not hard enough to cause undue tension and shaking.

Sight alignment. Sights on most auto pistols consist of a square front post or ramp and a rear “U” notch. By simply centering the front post in the rear “U” with an even amount of light on both sides and with the tops of the sights level, you will have an accurate sight picture. (The pistols we used in the combat competitions had a three dot system. Just line the dots up and you’re good to go.) Do not make the common mistake of watching the target. The focus of your eyes should be entirely on the front sight. Both the rear sight and target will be slightly blurry. This also goes for scoped weapons. The crosshairs should be clear, and the target slightly blurry. When shooting the target, imperfect sight alignment should not stop you from taking a shot. Nobody can hold the gun perfectly still. When the trigger breaks and the gun goes off, it should be a surprise to you, but if you are aware of what a good sight picture looks like and can keep that picture as close as possible, then, when the gun goes off, the bullet will hit where you want it to.

Breath Control. Breathing control is much less important in pistol shooting than in rifle shooting due to the shorter distances shot by a pistol shooter. However, it is still important. The technique I have been taught and use myself is to take in a deep breath, let it about halfway out and then hold it. It is tempting and seemingly a little more comfortable to let the entire breath out and then hold, but this causes a need for oxygen sooner than if half the breath is held. When shooting groups off the bench or waiting for an animal to turn and present a shot, those extra few seconds can make a difference.

This is the best technique for rifle shooting, but it doesn’t work so well for pistol shooting. In combat competitions you do a lot of running around and moving – holding your breath just ain’t gonna happen. The best way I have found is to take deep measured breaths while moving, and then taking shallow “baby” breaths while actually shooting. These baby breaths keep the chest movements from affecting the sight picture. Easier said than done, and again the best way to accomplish it is with lots of practice. Practice that involves moving and getting the heart rate up!

Trigger Squeeze. The key to trigger control is a steady press of the trigger, not a pull. (The mantra of our shooting team is, “Front sight, press.” It reminds us to focus on the front sight and press the trigger. No yanking allowed!) The trigger finger should slip into the trigger guard from its position along the frame only when you are ready to shoot. Otherwise, it stays out of the trigger guard along the side of the frame. Once inside the trigger guard, the area on the pad of the forefinger between the center of the pad and the first knuckle should touch the trigger. Having the trigger touched by the center of the pad or down in the crevice of the first joint of the finger will cause the gun to pull to the left or right and slightly down instead of staying exactly where the sights were aligned. (Other than flinching, this is the most common cause of misses.) The trigger press should be a smooth, rearward, steady motion. Watch the front sight and align it with the target while the trigger is being pressed. One must guard against squeezing with the entire hand. The action of your finger against the trigger should be totally independent of the movement of the rest of your hand. When the trigger breaks and the gun goes off, you should be totally surprised. Anticipating the shot can cause misses. It’s easy to start looking at the target instead of the front sight when you anticipate. You should be able to “call” your shot by remembering where the front sight was on the target the moment the trigger breaks.

So, now that you’ve mastered the fundamentals, add in a little running around. Hike up a hill so you’re breathing hard, (for some of us, really hard) and try the shots again. Then, add a little more stress to your shot. It’s amazing what betting a dollar a point with your buddies will do for your stress levels at the range. After you’ve tried all that, maybe it’s time to start looking into some competitive shooting. An internet search of shooting clubs in your state should provide you with plenty of places to start. It’s an addicting kind of fun and a great way to become a better marksman. The fundamentals that you practice in competition will make the next shot you take at a trophy buck that much easier. What’s not to like about that?

Perseverance
By Arnold Sandoval

Trophy mule deer hunting can be a tough business, even in Old Mexico. Granted, we do have great genetics, older age class deer and vast tracts of land to help supplement low densities in the desert. Even so, most first time desert hunters have unrealistic expectations. The odds of finding a record book size buck anywhere, including Mexico, are really marginal. Can it be done? Sure it can, it happens every year. With dedication, a positive attitude, and a sprinkle of luck, anything is possible.

I often get asked whether I can guarantee a hunter a 200-inch mule deer. Here is my answer to that. Nobody can promise you a 200-inch deer! If they do, then you have the following two options. Book with them and find out whether or not they can live up to that promise. Or, as is probably more accurate, stay way clear of that outfit. Are there 200-inch class deer in Sonora? Yes, without a doubt! Last season, one of my hunters killed a 202-inch typical that nets just shy of 200-inches B&C. The best part is that he swears he missed a better buck just a few days earlier in his hunt. You just never know what you may find out in the desert. This is what makes hunting in Sonora so exciting.

I often hear hunters tell me that they won’t shoot anything under 190-inches. Upon further questioning, you quickly find out that they’ve never seen a buck that would score even close to that. To make things worse, they wouldn’t know the difference between a 170 and a 190-class muley if it was standing broadside at ten feet. Most of their trophy judging “experience” comes from magazine articles harping on that magical 30-inch wide mark. The average hunter does not understand the Boone and Crockett scoring system. You need to familiarize yourself with the scoring system if you want to put your name in the record book. Sheer width won’t do it. I’ve seen some super wide bucks that wouldn’t score. That doesn’t mean I’d pass them up, because I probably wouldn’t. Conversely, there are quite a few deer in the book with only 24 to 28-inch widths. Lots of air between the ears doesn’t always result in a high score when adding up points. These narrow book deer usually possess main beam length, deep forks and symmetry which are paramount.

Personally, I’m not necessarily looking for a buck that strictly scores in the book. If I happen to find that, well great! I prefer a buck with character. Character is defined differently for everyone. Figure out what excites you and set that as a goal. It might be a buck with extra forks, drop tines, palmations, mass, etc. The deer in Mexico definitely have lots of character.

My recommendation is to set realistic, attainable goals as far as trophy size is concerned. Don’t expect the world, but greet it if it comes your way. There are lucky hunters who always seem to stumble on good fortune, but don’t count on it. There’s always a story about a novice hunter who wakes up late and lady luck places the trophy of a lifetime in his path. If you really think your hunt is guaranteed to go that way, then I’ve got some prime swampland for sale in Sonora. When I look for the mold of an ideal desert hunter, I don’t have to look too far. Martin Baker’s name keeps popping up in my mind. Here’s a guy who had no true mule deer experience some years back. He was fresh clay in my hands and was molded accordingly. His entire hunting experience when we first met was limited to whitetails. He quickly adapted and learned that patience in Mexico is essential. He didn’t see the numbers of animals he was accustomed to. He quickly learned that numbers mean nothing when it comes to trophy hunting in Sonora.

Martin has the one thing that is most needed when hunting in Old Mexico, perseverance. In my opinion, this is the most important quality a hunter could possess. It’s the mental and physical dedication to continue on through pain and hardship when your mind and body say otherwise. This determination is what sets Martin apart from many others – and success is an extension of this determination. He maintains a positive attitude throughout. He will walk until both he and his guide are on the verge of collapse. He has earned the respect of all the guides who, in return, would do anything for him.

While success has been steady for Martin, it has not always been easy. Last season was no exception. Martin’s guide, also named Martin, and he set out eagerly every morning. Both Martins are positive personalities and failure really isn’t an option for either one. The guide found a good size buck track one day and felt it was a buck worthy of locating. Martin is a relentless tracker and lives to outsmart old bucks. This particular buck sent them through wide open desert country filled with thorny cholla cactus and oceans of thick palo verde trees. This didn’t deter either of the Martins who stayed on his tail. Martin, the guide, soon realized that the buck kept enough of a lead that it might be a task covering several days to find him. He knew that this hunter would keep up with him if he attempted this chore.

Over the next few days, the Martins stayed on the track but always seemed to be a jump behind the buck. They continued tracking this deer and only decided to let up if they stumbled across a track larger than his. When asked if he wanted to try finding another buck, he responded, “Let me talk to Martin and see what he thinks. Whatever he feels is best, I’m fine with.” He continually places faith in the real expert, his guide. Most North American hunters tend to get easily discouraged after a few days of not seeing much in the desert. This can be a costly mistake. A few seasons back, Martin hunted one particular lease for a week straight. They’d found a great track and went after this buck hard. The buck outsmarted them every time, but they never relented. They covered just about every inch of the lease and I offered to move him somewhere else. Both he and his guide refused. Finally, after countless miles, they realized the only way to kill this buck was to stay two steps ahead of him. His guide got very creative and anticipated the buck’s next move. It worked like a charm and they ambushed a super buck over 200-inches.

Back to our story… The weather changed over the next few days with rain blanketing the desert country. The Martins picked up the buck’s track early the following day and stayed on it. Martin, the guide, felt confident he would finally come face to face with the buck sometime soon. Several hours later, Martin told Martin (the hunter) that he felt they were closing in. They pressed on and a short time later rounded a palo verde tree and came face to face with the bedded buck only a few feet away! Everyone was startled. The buck immediately jumped up and lunged forward. Martin instinctively shot from the hip and dropped him a few yards away. He was a great looking buck who taped out to 32-inches wide. This buck was yet another notch in Martin’s arsenal of big Sonoran mule deer adventures.

Cameron Kincade

Shed hunting for my wife Alexis and I has become not only a form of exercise, but a way to spend quality time together. Shed hunting is a passion that only other fellow shed hunters would or could understand. Most people don’t even know that the antlers drop every year. When I tell co-workers what Alexis and I do on the weekends, they look at me as if I’m crazy. Maybe they are right when it comes down to it. Nonetheless, we are not part of the concert or bar-going crowd. When we go out, it’s into the outdoors and we do it as much and as often as we can.

The first time I took Alexis out shed hunting, she wasn’t all that keen on it. She complained that, “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack!” Her attitude quickly changed after she found her first shed. She was hooked immediately – maybe not quite as sick as me and a few others, but she had the bug. I could tell by the way she was starting to take it seriously and treat it as a friendly competition. I might add, by the way, that in this friendly competition, she wins every time! Just ask any of our friends and look at our pictures. I get juiced by my buddies and family all the time. Alexis finds bigger or more sheds than me whenever we go out. I just chuckle and tell them that that is what keeps her coming out.

Over the years, Alexis and I have taken friends and family members out on our treasure hunts for the mighty shed antlers. We have had countless adventures and made friendships that will last forever. This year, we have an eighteen-year old nephew staying with us while he is finishing his first year of university. He is from Vernon, British Columbia, but has spent his summers with his Aunt Lexy and I since he was ten. It wasn’t until this spring that we got to take him on a shed hunt. From the beginning of January, he watched his aunt and I come home after shed hunting with numerous antlers. This year was a real exception. This year was, by far, the best year we have ever had. I know that I say that every year, but this year truly will be hard to beat.

Alexis and I both found new personal bests this spring. We were out one afternoon checking a regular honey hole together and hit the jackpot. I was pointing to a good size muley shed when she shook her head and pointed further out to a bigger antler. As we picked mine up, we went over to hers and pulled the biggest non-typical shed that we have ever found out of the snow. It had junk all over it. We looked for three weeks for the other side and found many more sheds, but not the elusive match to the big guy. Every night before we would go out, I would plan out a strategy in my mind as to how I was going to work the area. We came to the conclusion that it must be in the bush. When the snow melted enough that we could walk in the bush, Alexis and I split up off of a main trail. She went off to the side and I went up and worked my way out. I came back in on another main deer trail and BINGO, there it was – the other side to her monster non-typical mule deer. I yelled out that I had found a big antler and that it might be the other side to hers. Alexis was only thirty yards away and coming up on that very same trail. As she walked up we took some pictures and then I told her to pick up her antler. She promptly told me that I had found it. I insisted that she be the one to pick it up. It was only right that she have the honor of picking it up and putting the match together. I don’t think I’ll ever regret it.

Earlier on in the spring, I had the luck to find a match set of a double-drop mule deer. I had found the one side and looked again for about three weeks before I found the match. To be honest, I had almost given up hope. But that day, I had my lucky lady with me! Lexy and I literally stumbled onto it. My tracks were not more than fifteen yards from it. But, with the heavy snow we had had that winter, it had been covered. We were on top of the world. I had shed hunted for over ten years and never found anything like it.

While out scouting earlier in the spring, I spotted a big mule deer buck. He was still packing both antlers and looked enormous. I had found a big match set of antlers in this area last spring and wondered if this could be the buck that left them. I got out of the area so that I wouldn’t spook him. The next week I went back in to have a look. It didn’t take me long before I found a small antler and one side off of the big fellow. I looked for the rest of the day until, finally, about one mile away, I came across his other side. I hit the ground hard and gave my thanks. As I put the antlers together I knew it was the same mule deer as last year. He hadn’t gotten much bigger, but had put on a lot of mass. Was I ever happy.

On one of the trips looking for the match to Lexy’s big antler, I found a nice whitetail shed with a split G2. I wanted to try and find the other side but, like the others, I figured it was in the bush covered in snow. It would have to wait. Well, the nephew was off of school for Easter break, so Alexis and I took him out shed hunting. As I said earlier, he is eighteen years old and, as with most eighteen-year olds, his favorite words are, “Yeah, yeah, I know.” Don’t get me wrong, he is a fine young man and very respectful. We are both very proud of him. But, hence, his nickname is affectionately, “18.” The three of us had walked for a few hours with not much success. I had picked up two little fork-horned mule deer sheds and one older medium muley shed with neither Lexy nor 18 finding anything. I told them that we were in the area where I had found the nice whitetail and to keep their eyes open. I showed 18 exactly where I had found it. Then I worked my way into the bush and almost immediately found an older, heavy whitetail shed. I called both my partners over to have a look as it was pretty cool how it was covered in the brush and grass. As 18 got to within twenty feet of me, I saw him bend down and lift an antler above his head. Yes, it was the match to my whitetail and had a five to six-inch drop tine! Success! We had high fives all the way around and nothing but smiles on our faces. Like any good nephew would, he gave me the antler to match up the set. His aunt laughingly said, “He didn’t have a choice!” This was only the second shed hunt that he had ever been on and both were with me. He has been successful each time and has been bitten hard by the bug that will hopefully keep eating at his brain for years to come. I am looking forward to watching 18 harvest his first deer this spring. He came along on a couple of good hunts last fall and was a heck of a good bush pusher and tracker – not to mention his strong back that becomes quite handy when it is time to help haul them out.

Through my years of shed hunting, I have made many new friends and learned so much. I’ve learned not just about deer and how and where they shed, but the environment that they live in. I’ve also learned quite a bit about myself, my wife, my friends and my family. I believe that I am a better person spiritually, mentally and physically for it.

Cindy Marques was no stranger to hunting trophy bull elk in her home state of Nevada. Cindy is from a hunting family; her brothers know a thing or two about finding those trophy elk because they are part of Bull Ridge Guide Service. Cindy picked up a muzzleloader approximately 25 years ago and it is the main weapon she hunts with.

Every year, Cindy’s brother David would make sure she put in for the hunts. Amazingly, in 2002, Cindy drew her first choice tag where there are only two tags given out. This was going to be a good hunt! With the fear of holding up to the expectations of her five brothers, Cindy was the first one up and ready on opening morning. The first few days were uneventful. Many bugles were heard, but nothing materialized. Cindy’s brother Chuck came out with his son Trevor to help as well. One day, as Trevor was heading back home, he spotted the biggest bull he had ever seen. He grabbed some footage of the bull with his video camera and then proceeded to head home. He showed some friends the footage later that night and, due to the sheer size of the bull, they nicknamed him 747. The next morning Trevor hooked up with the rest of the group to show them where he had seen the bull.

As the hunting party approached the bull, all of Cindy’s brothers hogged the spotting scopes; so Cindy watched this magnificent bull with her binoculars until he fed up into the trees. Cindy worked her way around to be able to close in on the herd and hopefully get a shot. Stalking through the sagebrush, she started getting closer and closer to the herd. Suddenly, the elk started coming down towards them. Cindy started feeling the rush as the herd got closer and closer and the big bull moved to within shooting distance. Chuck told Cindy to wait for the bull to get into better position. Wait..wait…the bull is there, shoot! As fast as it started it was over. The lead cow caught wind of their presence and busted the whole herd in a matter of seconds. As the big bull pushed his cows out of the area, Cindy stood up for a desperation shot and missed. The despair continued into the next day as Chuck and Cindy happened to spot the big elk again as they worked their way up the mountain. Unfortunately, the bull lived to see another day as Cindy missed again. With her head hung down and disappointment consuming her, Cindy returned home wanting nothing more than to crawl under a blanket and die.

After some coaxing and support, Cindy headed back up the mountain for the afternoon hunt. Knowing the bull would not be easy to find again after all of the shooting, Cindy headed to thicker timber. Cindy and Chuck decided to start walking the area and see what might turn up. Chuck started to bugle as they slowly moved through the trees. A faint return bugle could be heard in the distance. They started to close the distance and could tell the elk were moving down the draw above them. Cindy got under a tree and waited for them. Chuck told her to get ready as the elk started to come in and feed. The first cow appeared in the clearing. Chuck quickly set up his tripod and had Cindy stand up and use it as a rest. The herd slowly passed in front of Cindy. When big 747 appeared, he was so gigantic that Cindy couldn’t believe what she was looking at. Chuck wouldn’t let Cindy shoot until the bull was right in front of them, hopefully presenting her with the best shot. All the while Cindy was praying that she wouldn’t miss again, knowing her brothers would kill her. The elk was now at 110 yards and Cindy took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. Boom! As the smoke cleared she could see the bull stumble and move out of sight. Reloading as fast as she could while trying to keep up with Chuck and the bull was a task in and of itself. Chuck and Cindy followed the blood trail and another couple of shots finally put the magnificent 747 bull down. Every man’s dream had just become one woman’s reality – to bag one of the biggest elk in the world.

Cindy’s 2002 Nevada 7×6 non-typical elk is the second largest non-typical elk taken with a muzzleloader and is the Nevada state record. It scored an amazing 424 6/8 net B&C. Cindy also holds the very unique title of having the highest scoring non-typical elk ever taken by a woman.

The big buck was bedded down about 400 yards away and hunter Catherine Keene was getting direction and comfort about the long shot from her husband Gary.  She was confident she could make the shot as she had made a 415-yard shot on a bighorn sheep the previous year.  The buck stood up and Catherine was ready for the shot.  They heard the “thwop” sound and were confident it was a good shot.  It was then that Gary and Catherine realized just the caliber of buck this was as he started coming straight towards them, unaware of their presence.  Catherine’s composure fell apart and buck fever truly set in.  After one glance at the buck’s amazing rack, she was truly rattled.  Catherine missed her fourth shot as the buck disappeared over the ridge.  Gary sat on the ridge and started to tell his wife that he was going to need mental therapy because she had just missed the buck of a lifetime.  An extensive search could not find any blood or sign of the buck being hit.

Day three of the hunt found both Gary and Catherine glassing some bucks that they felt were part of the group from two days ago.  The bucks were heading into a draw.  They decided they would approach from the backside and go after the deer from the opposite side as they had tried before.  They noticed some antelope nearby as they continued their long stalk and began to second-guess that this route would take them into the correct draw where the deer were.  As they topped the draw, they noticed deer standing all over the mountainside.  Fortunately, the antelope chasing each other in the meadow caused a diversion to the bedded mule deer as they both snuck in for a closer look.  The silence was broken as Gary spotted the big buck – “You’ve got a second chance!”  Catherine settled in with her Remington 300 Ultra Mag and set up the bipod.  Gary ranged the buck at 261 yards and the monarch buck slowly turned broadside just long enough for a good shot.  Catherine hurried and put in a second round, prepared to make another shot if necessary – she was not going to let this buck get away again.  The buck bounded into the bottom of the draw and didn’t come out.  A second shot wasn’t needed.  Catherine and Gary saw the most amazing sight when they both walked down to the bottom of the draw and saw the beautiful deer lying there.  Gary congratulated his wife with a big hug.  It was then that Catherine truly began to appreciate what she had just accomplished.

Catherine’s accomplishment earned her first place for outstanding non-typical mule deer from the 26th Big Game Awards from Boone & Crockett.  This Wyoming mule deer has a 40-inch spread and officially scores 291 5/8 gross and 285 4/8 net B&C.  Catherine’s 2004 buck ranks #3 for the state of Wyoming and is the second largest non-typical mule deer taken by a woman.