Blacktail Backstraps

It is 11:45 as I peek over the jagged edge. I am on a 200 foot tall boulder outcropping overlooking an oak flat. As I quietly crawl to peer over the edge. I can see antler tips and the top of a nose of a buck. He is bedded 60 yards straight below me out of my range and I dare not crawl forward for fear or falling to my death.

I crawl back away from the edge and wait for the buck to make the first move. Around 1:10, the buck  appears walking below keeping close to the rocks until he is well out of range. The buck is heading to feed on the acorns on the flat.

The breeze is blowing up the canyon and it is now my turn to make a move. I make a wide half circle above and out of the bucks line of sight. I have covered more than a mile in distance and am approaching from the side. I have located him on the flat eating leaves while standing on his hind legs. I close the distance to 63 yards and notice two other bucks that are smaller also feeding closer. Suddenly, all three bucks turn and head back to the shade of the huge outcropping. As I cautiously retreat and make my way back to the boulder lookout.

My predator instincts have kicked in and I feel like a mountain lion waiting for the bucks to make a mistake.

Checking my phone as I wait it shows 3:45. Waiting patiently, the bucks appear from their beds at 5:15 and walk directly away from the rocks to a side hill below me about 500 yards away. At 6:20 I see the largest fork horned buck bed under an oak tree. Near the tree, are three large pickup truck sized boulders. The wind has started to change as the thermals pull the air down the valley.

It is my move once again!  Climbing down the back side of the outcropping and then approaching the boulders has taken 45 minutes. I range the truck sized rocks and I am 40 yards from them. Hoping the deer are within range of the boulders when I close the distance of the last 40 yards. There happens to be a large colony of gray ground squirrels living among the rocks and have provided small trails for my footsteps during my final approach.

I have approached slowly hoping the squirrels will not warn the bucks. I peer through a 12" gap between two of the boulders and see my bucks 30 yards away with his butt  facing my direction.

Anticipating the buck to turn broadside I draw my Xpedition and put the pin on him. As he starts to turn, I see deer hair 4 yards in front of me and then a bucks head fills the 12" gap with his head and bulging eyes! _ _ _ _ ! BUSTED! !!

As the near buck bolts the sight pin settles on the fork horn and the arrow hit home. Within seconds it is all over and I am spent.

It has been an exciting week for me and I hope that you have enjoyed following the blogs.

Enjoy your own seasons and don't forget to notice and enjoy the little things Mother Nature has to offer.