Midway through the 2011 muzzleloader deer hunt here in Utah.  The weather was very hot for this time of year and the dust was almost unbearable.  Few deer seemed to be bouncing around the mountains the past week, but we did see some of them.  Mostly does and fawns, but we did see a few bucks in the mix.  Only three shots were fired from our group and one of the three connected.  Hunter took a fine 3X3 mulie.  Not a monster, but monster enough to win the camp contest hands down.  Congrats Hunter on a fine buck!

Hunter went the “extra mile” to get this buck and had to quarter it to get it out.  Baby Boy went with him for the final pack out and once back at camp he swore he would never do that again.  Nasty blisters on both feet and a memory he won’t soon forget.

L-Rod had a fair shot at a 2 point and missed.  Cost him an extra dollar on the big buck contest and his name went down on the Boobin Baby Board.  Brek, was coming up to camp after school on Friday and happened to run into four bucks just up on the hill side.  He hit the skids, got legal, and took a shot.  MISS!!!!  That was his first shot at a buck with a muzzleloader…..buck fever?  We will never know and he is not up to confessing much.  His name adorns the Boobin Baby Board as well.

A hearty thank you to everyone who got deep into the bushes to help flush out some of the deer we did see.  It is always tough to get into that thick stuff and try and force the animals out.  Every push got out deer and one of these times they will be bucks.  The other tough part about trying to force the deer to move out into the open is figuring out what they are most likely going to do.  I have come to the conclusion, you can’t figure them out.  They will do what they do and if the circles are crossing and you are a part of that crossing event, you might get a shot.  I was about 100 yards from the crossing circles when the 2 point L-Rod shot at and  missed  at  came out.  Oh well, maybe next time.

The camp was wonderful, the camaraderie was likewise very fun.  We were safe and everyone made it home in one piece.

Now it’s time for some morning and afternoon hunts closer to home and I wish everyone good luck in tagging out.

Bears Butt

Oct. 2011