West River SD Mule Deer-FILLED!

[Davek1977]

Got my buck today about noon! Spot and stalk, taken with a 7mm Rem Mag at about 200 yards, 160 Fed. Nosler Partition factory load. This deer is vying to be my #1 deer to date, pending closer inspections and measurements! Passed by several lesser bucks, both whitetails and mule deer before stumbling across this guy. It wasn't our first encounter. Nov 4th, he gave me the slip after standing no more than 250 yards away, but not ever presenting a good shot. I mad a half mile circle to head him off, and never saw him again. Looking back, I think he probably went to the exact spot I killed him. FWIW, this deer was taken on land that is open to public walk-in hunting. Sorry about the pic quality....should have really cleaned up a bit first

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Congrats, great looking animal ....... is that a head shot I see?

 

[Davek1977]

I was hoping no one would notice. It was a headshot, albeit not a planned one. Can't explain what happened, but if I was going to flub a shot, that was the way to do it. That deer was dead before he hit the ground! Didn't so much as quiver.....Not proud of the shot, but darn proud of the deer!

 

[T.R.]

We lived just outside of Rapid City for 11 years. I often hunted in Butte County and took a few dandy bucks. What county did you hunt in?

TR

 

[Davek1977]

Mellette County My parents ranch in central Mellette. I typically hunt our ranch almost exclusively, but the school land where he was taken borders us, and I tend to walk it a couple times a season if I have enough time. Worn out today....I work 11pm-7AM, and left yesterday AM after work to hunt....and got to bed at 7PM when all was said and done. Needless to say, it was a LONG shift last night!

 

[sleepyone]

nice job!

 

[Patocazador]

I like that mass.
Tell everyone you were tired and didn't want a tracking job .. that the head shot was on purpose.

 

[ChefJeff1]

Got some nice mules in SD. nice one, you deserve a cold one.

 

[Davek1977]

Thanks! I've shot a lot of deer in my time, but none as special to me as this one is