Our friend Dan lives in Jackson, WY. He was ready as daylight broke on opening day of the early rifle season. He took this fine muley that was still partially in velvet.
Like all good hunts, it didn't happen without some drama. He was in position before first light, saw the buck, waited for legal shooting light, got set up prone at 170 yards, and was sure that he smoked him. He and several buddies searched for 3 hours and never found a drop of blood. He went thru the usual routine of "did I miss" or "could it be buck fever" or "I hope he's not wounded". Finally a buddy called out at a spot 50 yards from the original impact spot.
The buck had gone off a steep drop off and planted an antler in the dirt. It took the sun getting high enough to make him visible.
Dan slipped down the slope and extracted him from the antler plant. They made the decision that the best extraction was a butcher in place approach. Below photo gives some idea of the steepness.
Anyway, super nice 4x4 with a 24" spread on public land on opening day.
And Dan was lucky enough to have friends in the area with horses to aid in the pack out. Congrats Dan - that's a fine looking buck.
Meanwhile, back in Ohio, this doe seems to be going thru the transition from summer (orange) coat to winter (gray) coat.
A doe congregation getting ready for the parade to the food plot.
And the parade.
And a cute little buck.
Seasons are opening in many states. Ohio archery opens September 24 this year - seems a week earlier than usual.
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