Well, it took so very long for No Grimace and Baby Boy to draw the coveted Dream Hunt tags for the Crawford Mountains and now the hunt is over.  One of the longest hunts in Utah, it began November 17th and ended Dec. 2., 16 full days.  One would think it impossible not to fill their tag on a long hunt like that.

However, weather plays the biggest part on that hunt.  If the snows don’t cover the mountains in Wyoming, the deer have no reason to migrate out and into their usual wintering range, the Crawford Mountains area.  If the snow does come and drive the deer into the area and then it melts, the deer will move back out.  If it snows too much to allow traveling around the mountain, then the deer get stuck somewhere in between and suffer by not being able to get to the wintering area.

Let’s look at this years weather.  Snows did hit the high country in Wyoming and the migration did happen.  Upon our arrival into the mountains there were plenty of deer and as the hunt progressed many more bucks migrated into the area.  But as the middle of the season arrived, the weather was unseasonably warm, melting the snow and allowing the deer to move back into Wyoming and out of the hunting area.  If you were unable to fill your tag before the middle of the season, your picking of a big buck chances were diminishing quickly each day.

Well, let’s chalk it up as an “Oh Well, that’s the way it goes”.

I have posted up a lot of pictures of some of the animals we saw while hunting the mountain and now, this is the last of the series of stories and it’s time to show some of the really nice bucks we did see.  Most of them did not afford No Grimace and/or Baby Boy an opportunity for a shot, but some did.  Forgive me when I write about who did what and when, because the days all run together for me after being in the mountains that long.  I need to be more diligent like Tracker and take notes each day.  I’m not that ambitious however and just want to be in the moment at the moment.

Tall Boy

Big bucks come in all sorts of packages.  This guy is very tall, and typical of a 4X4, but not much for eye guards.  Only about 20 inches wide, but still a nice buck.

Being a betting kind of guy, I’d say this is the same buck Mr. Hardman took off the mountain.  It looks to have an extra tine on the right antler.  A very respectable buck no matter.  Was this buck seen early in the hunt?  I’m not sure, but either way neither hunter thought is worth shooting at the time.

Pretty Four Point

Typical 4X4 but no eye guards.

4X3

This is a classic Management buck.  Look at the length of the forward tine on the left side…WOW!  Nice buck.  Lots of character on the right antler as well.

One of the widest

You have seen this buck in previous postings.  This guy ended up 28 inches wide as reported by the man who shot it.  Very, very nice buck.

Baby Boys First Missed Shot

The Weasel posted this picture of the buck that Baby Boy had a chance at taking.  Unfortunately the shot was a running shot at about 100 yards, according to Baby Boys estimations.  The last time I saw this buck he was high tailing it for Randolph!  What is your estimate of the width?  30 is my guess.  Close to a 200 inch buck as well.

Buck On The Hill

We spotted this one laying down and after a whole lot of debate decided to pass on it.  The right antler is almost 45 degrees out from the base, while the left has the typical curvature.  Would you pass on it?  Here is a closer look even though it’s not a real clear picture.

If you haven’t already gotten the feeling about the quality of bucks found on this mountain you had better just keep putting in for the Henries or Pauns areas.

One Horn

This bruiser only had one antler left in tact.  The left side had been broken off just above a 5 inch eye guard.  You will see a better picture of it next.

Every hunter we encountered has seen this guy and had he had both antlers would have been killed the opening day.  What a big buck he was.  Tracker has a theory that the buck intentionally broke off the antler just so he could stay alive.  Not a bad theory Tracker.

Shooter

I’m pretty sure this buck was taken by the California hunter.  Nice 4X4, eye guards, tall and wide.  We wanted this buck in a bad way, but he was way too smart for us.

Big bucks don’t get big by being dumb.  With his harem of does this one walked rather easily out of sight and never to be seen again.  But then, we had already decided not to shoot it.

A tough judgement on this one.  Rather spindly, but still wide and tall.  They don’t always give you a chance to really study them before going out of range or out of site quickly.

Oh boy.  Perhaps we should have looked a bit closer at the one on the right.  But then we may have taken a prize away from another hunter in the area.

Drop Horn 2012

This picture was posted again by the Weasel.  I was way to involved with the m0ment to take any pictures.  At any rate, this buck had lots of character, what with matching paddle drop horns.  Baby Boy missed this one at about 70 yards standing.  And then less than an hour later we caught up with it again and he nicked it with a  shot, while No Grimace missed a running shot at it.  I picked up some blood where it was hit and we followed it until too dark to see.  We marked the trail and were going to go back in the following morning to find it.

On the way in the next morning it was standing with some does and another small buck in the exact spot Baby Boy missed it the evening before.  It was not hurt as it walked and ran as perfectly as any healthy buck moves.  The hunters had an almost perfect approach on the buck again.  One from above the other below.  The doe busted No Grimace and the buck ran off only affording No Grimace a running shot at 90 or so yards.  The shot missed cleanly and we never saw the buck again.

And last buy certainly not the least.  Here is Baby Boy with his VERY NICE buck of his dreams!

Baby Boy and His Big Buck 2012

Congratulations to both hunters.  Baby Boy with a fine buck and No Grimace with a tag still in hand.  Sometimes it’s better to save the tag and let a big buck spread its genes through the pool.

Thank you for letting me play.  Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy the camp and the fun involved with the hunt in every way.  A special thanks to the people we met while on the mountain and I hope to see you again.  Happy Hunting one and all!

Until next time!

Bears Butt

Dec. 3, 2012

And this is No Grimaces comments to several of us after the hunt was over.

The Final Chapter on the 2012 Crawford’s Muzz hunt!

Baby Boy got a very nice Buck on Monday, 26 Nov.  A great shot!

Bears Butt, Tracker, Baby Boy and I returned home on Thursday Evening.

Baby Boy and I went back into the Crawford’s on Saturday to try and get mine, however the big ones had taken to hiding.  We did talk to Walley, he had some more shots but had failed to fill his tag of late Saturday night when we talked to him.  We told him was a pleasure to have met him and wished him luck on filling his tag Sunday.

We seen a few small 4 points, hunted the mountains behind our camp Saturday morning, then went to the south range for the afternoon.

Seen a few bucks but nothing worth bringing home.  In Hidden Valley as we were leaving we had 4 bucks close, but none of the 4 points were any wider than their ears and no guard horns.  We made the entire loop again and ended up by Release Society hill at 450 when we spotted “One Horn”, he was 200 years laying down watching the ladies so I let one rip at him for closesure to the hunt.  Miss as normal and he was gone.

All in all I don’t feel bad for not shooting one, I did have a great chance at a very big buck but blew it when I went around to the front of the Yukon to get a better shot and he took off.  I have only myself to blame for that mistake.

I would rather have “One” live to be bigger next year for those Lucky folks that draw out, perhaps it will be one of you!

We had a great time, it was great to have so many come and play during the hunt, really appreciate Bears Butt and Tracker for the Guide service and putting us up as camp kings for 10 days, don’t get any better than that.

Thanks again for all the great company and hunting experience with you all.

Next year I hope we get to go up and be with some of you if you draw out.

Tracker and Butt, I need you guys to let me know what I owe for the gas and the tire we lost.  I need to pay my share!

Duck, Thanks for letting us barrow your trailer, it was nice.  It’s back down at its wintering grounds and I have your two battery’s and trailer keys.  I put the hitch in the trailer but need to know if you want me to bring it to your house in case you need it for your little trailer, if so I will get it down to you this coming week along with the keys and batteries.  Once again, thanks for the use of it and once it “Airs” out, it should be good as new.

Thanks again

Nogrimace

While camping in a limited entry area for as many days as we did, 10 total, with 15 in state tags and 2 out of state tags, eventually you will see most of the other tag holders.  With our camp situated along the main road leading into the mountain, most of the other hunters stopped at our camp.  Some did not and drove right on past, but those that did stop were in for a pretty good treat…just meeting us is a treat right?

And so a closeness comes from those who did stop in and say hello and exchange stories.  We may never see these fine people again, but we did get to meet them and when they tagged their deer they stopped to show them off if we were there.

Here are a few of them and even though I don’t have pictures of the guys with their bucks in a couple of cases you can clearly see the size of bucks these guys took.  Everyone of us has a different idea as to what a trophy is and for each of these guys, these bucks are magnificent.  Each has their own story and I will only share some of that, as they deserve to tell it their own way.

Garcia Buck

This unique buck has an extra tine on the right side, almost like it was growing a second main beam.  Could you have passed this buck up?  I would have been hard pressed to pass on it.  Very nice.  Congratulations to this hunter!  Certainly a Dream Buck!  You deserve it!

Fredrickson Buck

We had seen this buck the day before the opener and a man came up on the opening day and ran smack into it.  He made a great shot and took this big boy home.  I understand it was 28 inches wide.  Congrats to Mr. Fredrickson on a very nice animal!  You deserved this fine Dream Buck!

California Buck

This gentleman was from Northern California and I have to show two shots of this buck.  You can see the little cheaters coming off the right antler, but this picture does not show the width and height of this buck.  One very nice buck and it was a lucky buck as well.  No Grimace had a chance at this big boy, but the buck got out of Dodge before he could get a good sight on it.

Happy California Guys

Congratulations to the tag holder.  A lot of money spent, but what a wonderful Dream Buck to take back home!  There isn’t a hunter I know who would have passed on this big old bad boy!  Congratulations!

Hardman Buck

As you probably know, Mr. Hardman had a son drown in the Great Salt Lake while duck hunting, while this hunt was going on.  After the funeral, his other three sons, pictured here, talked him into going back to the mountain to finish his Dream Hunt.  It meant the world to him to be hunting with his sons and he knew his other son was there with them as well.  Part of the story he told me, or at least what I remember of it, was that as he raised his rifle for the shot on this big 4X5 buck, his sights fell into place quickly and steadily.  Like no other sight picture he could ever recall.  When the hammer fell, he felt like he could almost see the bullet traveling and hitting this buck.  Call it divine intervention if you like.  He ended up taking the biggest buck he has ever had the opportunity to shoot at.  5 long tines on the right antler and 4 long ones on the left side.  A beautiful buck Mr. Hardman!  Congratulations to you and to your sons for being there to support you!

Wally in camp

I could not finish this story without talking about the man on the left in this picture.  His name is Wally.  Without a doubt this man likes to hunt.  He was on the mountain everyday of the season.  He told us about several bucks over 30 inches wide that he was seeing but not able to close the deal on.  We know of two shots he took at two different deer without success.  Yesterday (Saturday Dec. 1), No Grimace was on the mountain and Wally told him the deer had all gone back into Wyoming and would not return until the weather forced them back.  I will probably not know if Wally fills his tag or not, but he is a great guy that deserves mention in this story.  Good luck to you Wally!

We also met the other out of state tag holder.  I did not get his name or any pictures, but he too is a die hard hunter out of Oregon.  He was hunting alone, which does not make me feel good, but everyone has their own way of doing things.  The day we came out (Last Thursday) he had not filled his tag as yet.  I’ll call him Mr. Oregon and wish him the best of luck.  Maybe you should have taken that first 4X4 you saw as you came into the mountain.  It wasn’t a bad buck in my opinion!

A camp high on the mountain was occupied by a local man from Plain City, Utah.  He too was a hunter with high expectations and he saw a lot of very high quality bucks.  To my knowledge he is still on the mountain and I wish him luck in filling his tag as well.

Keep checking back on this site to see how our hunters did.

Bears Butt

Dec. 2, 2012

For anyone reading this post about the Crawford Mountain hunt I’m going to lay it all out on the line for you.  Most of you think that hunting big game involves hiking around the mountain and sneaking here and there to get the big one and don’t get me wrong you can do that on this hunt and get a big one.  But this is more of a “Gentleman’s Hunt”.

You are going to need a four wheel drive vehicle of some sort and during some years you will need a snow mobile to get around (see story of 2010).  There are a lot of roads in the Crawford Mountains and they will take you everywhere you need to go to get a big muley buck.  You will need some very good tires on your vehicle should you choose to use a truck or SUV.  Some of the roads have large rocky areas, others are “tippy” to the down hill side and can be very slick when wet or ice covered.  Therefore you will need tire chains in the vehicle to put them on when needed.

With chains on all four tires you can pretty much go anywhere on this mountain as long as you are careful and don’t get high centered.  Which is another easy thing to do.  Keep your driver relatively sober and you should not have much of a problem.  Of course there are those cases where the driver has no control as to where the vehicle is going to “slip” sideways and end up in a pickle.  Be safe.

So, with chains on you just drive around and spot for the animals.  Believe me when I say, you will see hundreds of deer during a days hunt on this mountain.  And among the hundreds of deer you will see tens of bucks.  On this years hunt we counted 50 different bucks on one particular day.  Only the 50th one was considered a shooter by these hunters and the shots taken missed their mark.  It’s too bad for the hunters in this case as I will post a picture of that buck in another posting.

And so, we travel up hills and down hills and over dales and up ravines and down canyons and across hillsides looking for our big buck.  We only get out of the vehicle to take care of nature calls, have a snack and stretch our legs or put a sneak on a big buck that we want a better look at or take a shot.

You see, there just isn’t a nicer hunt anywhere.  You can stay warm inside the vehicle, or freeze your tail off out on an ATV…your choice.  You know my choice.

In the process of finding the right buck you are going to see a lot of interesting things besides animals, but it’s the animals that are the most interesting to me.  On this hunt we only saw two rabbits, which was a surprise.  Two years ago we saw rabbits everywhere we went.  Besides that I only saw one coyote which was another surprise…did Utahs bounty get them all killed off this mountain?  Whatever has their numbers down I am thankful for.

I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I thought this was a pretty cool shot of a gnarly old cedar tree.  If you venture into the Crawford Mountains you will see this majestic tree on top of a ridge, or at least you will see many that are similar.  I hope a wildfire doesn’t destroy these big old boys.

You will also find other treasures hidden away up there, like this cute little treasure.

And this came complete with all the items you will need, at least on this hunt, in the future you would be compelled to take some of your own materials just in case.

We tend to like to make sure the mountains we hunt in are clean of trash.  It’s just our nature and we carry trash bags to put that debris in.  At the place we found this outhouse there was a lot of garbage left behind by the users of the camp near by.  We picked up three small bags of garbage at this stop.  I hope in the future the users are more respectful.  BUT…in the process of picking up trash, we also found some lost treasures…..

We ended up calling her “A-AH-LA-A”, and she became our mascot for the duration of our stay on the mountain.  If you are reading this and this is yours, too bad…it belongs to us now.

We also found some other things of interest….

From left to right…Bears Butt…one cent….Baby Boy….a nickle  and No Grimace…26 cents!  Way to go fellas!  Nice finds!

So while you are traveling the mountains of the Crawfords keep your eyes open, you might just find something like this…

Had he found the frames for these glasses he would have had a really good find, but he only found the lenses.  Nice find Wapiti!

I don’t have pictures of the other items we found, but I can tell you I personally found a really high quality head lamp that still works and a speed loader for a 54 cal. muzzleloader, I will employ both of these in the near future.  Did you lose either of these items?  Make a comment on this posting and describe them and I’ll get them back to you.  I’m an honest kind of guy you know.

Well, don’t take your eyes off the ground while hunting up there.  Certainly you want to see some of the game that abounds there.

This is the view from inside a pin-hole camera looking out.  Well not exactly, but close.  If you were a sheet of film on the back of the camera this is pretty much what you would see as the exposure was being made.  I just thought I’d toss this one in to separate the story into another dimension.

Many years ago on this very same hunt, we stopped for a hot dog cooked over an open fire.  We did that at this exact spot and Tracker has saved the cooking sticks that Edjukateer is proudly displaying in this photo.  He went out and cut these sticks and we used them to cook our hot dogs that day.  He used the long one and I used the two point one.  In the process I burnt up a $17 pair of gloves….Edjukateer says “Just get over it”!!!!

And the scenes go on and on.  There is something on this mountain for everyone, even the hunters.  The hardest part is getting the tag.  It took since 1996 for No Grimace and Baby Boy to draw this tag.  Don’t give up on it, keep applying if this is what you want to experience and believe me, you won’t be disappointed.

Bears Butt

Dec. 2, 2012

As I said earlier, the hunt is more than the taking or attempting to take the animal one is in pursuit of.  It’s the whole ball of wax.  The people, the camp, the environment, the EVERYTHING, all rolled up into a perfect circle.

When things seem to be about to end it all, up steps everyone to help get things back on track.  Like going down a bumpy, rocky road, things can and do happen.

Ouch!  That one will slow us down a bit.

Well, it only took an hour or so and we were on our way, only this time back toward camp instead of away from it.  No sense taking any more chances without a spare of getting farther away.

Back at camp things are always on the happy side of everything.

If you can’t tell from the pictures, we are having quite a time telling stories, pointing fingers at who is to blame and in general, just having fun.

But it’s not all about laughing and cutting up.  Sometimes you have to eat.

Food takes on another dimension when camping and when it is cold outside it even tastes all that much better.  We ate well on this hunt.  Steak, Eggs, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Pork Chops, Hash Browns, Onions, Dry Dogs Pickled Eggs, Kipper Snacks, Vienna Sausages, Home Made Jerky, Pork Hocks, Bacon and a whole variety of sweet and tasty treats.

Tracker brought out some “famous” Hostess donuts one morning and the first thing said was he could sell them on ebay…the bidding started at $5!  But ended when he insisted anyone who wanted one of the prized “last of the little guys, never more to be seen on store shelves”, could have one until they were all gone.  The folks dug in!

And the box was passed around…..

Some getting more involved in the eating than others, but soon all the little donuts were gone.  And in celebration, the box the little donuts came in was sacrificed for all eternity.

The END of an ERA………..well maybe.

Well, in our camp it doesn’t end with food and good times.  We have our celebrations when it comes to someone bringing in a big old buck.  The ceremony is one that is earned by the hunter and is a cherished tradition…”The Kill Jug”!  (Mind you, only hunters over 21 are allowed the alcoholic versions of the kill jug.  Those not wishing to participate with alcohol can opt for non-alcohol drinks and under age people get mini spicy v-8 drinks).

A fine little drink only meant for the King of the camp!

OH YA BABY!  That even made me shake and made the picture blurry because of the grimace that followed the drink……

And the next day there were even more surprises in store for the camp king!  Thank you Tracker….ARE THOSE FOR ME??????

Fuzzy Navels every one.

So, you should be getting the idea that our camp is full of fun and exciting and sometimes really ridiculous things.  But it is all meant to be joyful for both the recipient of a good joke and to the one pulling the joke off.  We do sometimes get serious…..hmmm….I’m just not sure when.

Bears Butt

Dec. 1, 2012

A few more pictures is always a good thing for people to look at.  Here are some I managed to salvage from my fuzzy camera.

The last one is a very big 2 point buck…very common in the Crawford Mountains.

Bears Butt

Nov. 30, 2012

As one can clearly decide, we are back from the Crawford Mountain Dream Hunt of 2012.  Soon you will realize that perhaps another trip or two before the actual hunt ends will happen.

The hunt is one of the most incredible hunts any hunter could possibly go on.  Even if only for one day in those mountains to view the extensive wildlife that abound on that mountain.  Not just the deer themselves, but all of the other wildlife that lives there as well.

As a support player on this hunt I was not always afforded the opportunity to take pictures of the quick fleeting critters as they realized they were in a place that was very uncomfortable for them to be, but when I did get the opportunity I took it.

The hunt is not always about the game being sought after as well.  It is the camaraderie of the people in camp.  The visits from those who are also on the mountain enjoying what they enjoy.  The stories of their hunt, and listening intently to your story as well.  Gleaning information from each other as to the where-abouts of a big animal that was seen or nearly taken.

It is also about the surroundings.  The sunrises and sunsets.  The “what has to be taken care of, like it or not”.

This hunt had it all.  And even though it is not truly over for the season, it is for me.  And I am going to share with you my view of it in a series of stories about the Dream Hunt of 2012, for No Grimace and Baby Boy.  It was a very remarkable series of events that took place from day one until even this morning as I previewed my photos and put names to them.  The reading of the comments that were made on my web site by people who have come into my life purely by accident.  So, I’m sure you would rather see the pictures than read my dumb comments and such.

Sunrises and sunsets are always cool to see, especially when there is some spectacular color to them.

Clouds can bring you forecasts of weather that is coming, or post casts of weather that has just passed through.  Morning sunrises bring new life to a darkened night and hope for the coming day.

As the hunter waits until it is light enough to see his sights, he waits and watches the day begin.  The chirping of the birds and scurrying of the little critters that abound.

Anticipating what is coming his way on this beautiful day.  The skyline begins to brighten and his heart beat picks up a slight bit.  A great day is ahead and the one of yesterday is far behind.

Should I take the hunting path to the North today?  Maybe I’d have better luck going South.  Two days ago the animals seemed to be concentrated in the draw we call the veggie bowl.  Yesterday they were in Lesbian Valley.  Last week we found them in Prancer Valley.  What to do?  Where to go?

No matter the decision, the hunter and the support team, head off for a day in the mountains to enjoy whatever comes their way.

What is that way off in the distance?  Is that a deer on that skyline?  A quick check with the binoculars clearly shows we may have made the right decision to come this direction.

Some mornings you get up and are still in camp and look up to greet the day and what is looking down upon your camp just might surprise you.  As it did with us on the last day of our hunt.

A sign of good times I’m sure.  A hunter must be constantly aware of his environment because the game he seeks is also doing the same.  For the game animal it is a matter of survival, for the hunter it is testing his own skills.

But this is not the game animal we are after on this hunt.  We need to see horn in the sky to make us believe we are on the right trail.  And we continue to have high hopes and dreams of the big buck, and then suddenly “There it is”!

It’s still too dark to see the sights and so this big boy will have to be seen again somewhere.  With more analysis of the size, perhaps this is not one we would want to shoot anyway.  Afterall, it looks to be rather spindly and not too tall.  Ya boys, let’s go look for a bigger one.

But wait!  Look again!

Nope.  Still not a shooter.  Let’s go on.

And so, we travel up the trail and over the next ridge, looking for the one of our dreams.  And the morning light continues to grow in intensity and soon the morning sunrise yields itself to daylight.  And what we have here is a genuinely nice looking day for being outdoors enjoying what God has given us.

Hey!  Look over there!

WOW!  If it was as wide as it is tall, that would be a real shooter for sure.  But not this day guys.  Besides, trying to sneak to within shooting range of that big boy would be tough as nails.  Those two does would make sure he was alerted to danger.

And the morning progresses with more of the same.  Lots of smaller bucks being seen and then as quickly as we can say, Crawford Mountain…there stands another monarch of the mountains.

I wish I was closer to this one.  It has quite a bit going for it as a shooter in my book.  Looks to be close to 25 wide.  Does it have 4 points on each side?  Eye guards?  What does your dream buck look like?

Yes, there is a lot to see up there.  Coyotes, yes, but I did not see but one and it was very far off into the distance.  Others in the group saw some close enough for a shot, but they weren’t the ones with the tags.  Sharptail Grouse, yes, but only a couple.

And another danger to the animal community was this mangy dog we saw chasing the deer around through the hills one day.  We tried to get a clear shot on him, but he was smart enough to avoid what would have been his last chase.  We last saw him moving behind a head of does and fawns in the direction of Wyoming.

So, you can see, there is a lot up in those mountains that keeps your interest.  And the day goes quickly by.  You woke up at 5 a.m. and suddenly find yourself totally exhausted by 7 p.m.  14 hours of continual adrenaline rush.  A quick supper, one last beverage and it’s pillow time.  Tomorrow will be another day.

Bears Butt

Nov. 30, 2012

Nine chorizo, sausage and egg burritos heating in the oven.  1 hour 45 minutes until take-off.  Who is excited is ME!

Camp expected to be a wind blown mess but it won’t take long to fix it up.  Only one trailer to get set up and then it’s load the horses and off we go.

We have binocs, spotting scopes, 2 way radios and a cooler full of beverages.  What more do we need?

Crock, Dry Dog and Magpie are already on their way and should have some good reports before we even arrive in the mountains.

It just does not get any better than this.

Will a buck be down by dark?  If it is, I hope it’s very big with heavy horn, or at least extremely unique.

Until next week…enjoy the rest of this site and wish us luck.

Bears Butt

Nov. 23, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Today is the day before we head off into the Crawford Mountains for our last attempt to fill two coveted tags.  13 years of waiting for this time to complete a dream of filling a wall with the biggest or most unique buck around.

This is not a reconnoiter trip.  This one is serious (how serious is a Willow Creeker?).

Both hunters have said they will take “cactus” bucks if given the chance.  We saw some cactus’ last weekend, but they were the prickly kind growing on the ground.  Was it a sign?

We heard about a one horned buck that would have spread over 30 inches wide had the other side not been broken off.  It was said it had up to 8 points on the side it had.  We heard two different stories about this buck.  One was that the one side was growing downward around the bucks face.  The other was it was broken off about 4 inches above its head.   Will we see that buck?

We saw a buck that was pushing 30 inches and it was taken by another lucky hunter during last weekend (it measured in at 28 inches).

We spoke to the hunter who purchases the tag every year at the Sportsman Show.  This year he paid $8,000 for the tag and he claims to take 30 plus inchers every year.  Our hopes are high to perhaps see and tag a couple of those caliber of bucks.  Toss in multiple points, over and above the typical 4X4 with eye guards and we will be in a little heaven of our own.

This is what draws us to the Crawfords and keeps us coming back when tags are drawn.  Will this be my last year for this hunt?  Perhaps, but time will tell.  I personally have stopped applying for the tag and have concentrated on a bull elk tag.  Having never shot a bull elk, I would like to someday complete that dream.

The weather is looking pretty good for our hunt at least through Monday of next week.  Just keep the mud down and we will be fine.  Bring on frozen ground and it will be a bonus for our travels.

So, will the big bucks be hanging around the Veggie Bowl, or over in Hidden Valley?  Will they be up on top of Windy Ridge or down by Tipi Ridge?  We have yet to visit the short road that lead to my buck three years ago.  Maybe a big buck is lurking there.  We have also not gone to Hot Dog road, but saw from a distance many deer in that area.  We have time.

I’ll be seeing you boys in the morning!

Bears Butt

Nov. 22, 2012