My elk hunting buddy, Craig, was keeping me posted on his Whitetail hunts in Idaho and trail cam activity in Washington. He called one day and invited me to hunt with him in Idaho. I already had my Idaho license he reasoned, so it would just be the cost of the tag and gas money. After considering the vacation time I had available, I decided to take him up on the opportunity and bought my tag.
I'd have one more big game season to hunt this year!
I bailed from work early on Friday headed toward Spokane to Craig's place. After getting past the rain, the drive through the Gorge was especially scenic with snow settling in up high.
Next day found us headed back into Idaho. It had snowed the night before, and another 6"-10" were in the forecast. We were hunting in the valley, so we hoped this weather would start to push the deer down from the mountains. Things were looking good for my first ever Whitetail hunt!
Craig had already placed tree stands in few different locations so we could take advantage of the wind no matter the direction. After bundling up with more layers than I've ever worn into the woods before, I hiked to the stand and climbed in. I hadn't been in for more than 10 minutes before the first deer wandered by!
Over the course of the next three and a half days we spent most daylight hours in the stands. This was by far the longest I've spent in tree stands before, and I was surprised by how tiring it could be. Sore back, sore butt, frozen toes. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't tiring like elk hunting - more like spending nine hours in a pressurized airline cabin, but without the luxurious coach seat...
We had many does and few small bucks pass by us during our time in the stands. At one time I had five deer in all together from 10 to 25yds, and later Craig had a dozen by at once. It was a great opportunity to observe the deer behavior and vocalizations up close.
Here's a view of one of the small bucks and some of the time in the stand.
On the last day the temps warmed to just over freezing and the snow turned rain.
Yuck.
I quickly found myself yearning for the biting cold over the wet chill...
A young buck came through and spent nearly half an hour within range, and left with less than an hour of shooting light left. As I continued to listen to the heavy snow drop from the pines I began to reflect on my time in the stands watching the Idaho wildlife go about their routines in front of me. Despite having a "hair tag" in my pocket, I was comfortable with passing on the deer I had seen, and began to let my thoughts drift toward Thanksgiving dinner back in Stumptown.
And isn't that when it happens? Mind is elsewhere. Focus is off. And suddenly, movement in the trees!
At first glance I thought it was the same little buck moving back through, but with a few more steps I could see it was something much larger. I quickly determined that this buck was a shooter in my book and slowly reached for my bow. As I attached the release I knew my nerves had the better of me and had to take a moment to settle my nerves. After collecting myself I drew, found my anchor, and moved to touch my nose to the string.
I hadn't practiced shooting with so many clothing layers and rain gear, so was surprised to feel my rain jacket between my nose and the string. I quickly double checked my sight window and pins and determined I was good, focused on bending at the hip, and settled my top pin on target.
The deer bucked at the "crack" of the arrow impact, and bolted uphill along the ridge line. Very shortly after I heard twigs snapping and watched as it appeared the buck went down in the dark timber. I backed out quietly and paced a rut in the snow down to bare earth waiting for Craig to arrive.
Having shot with less than 30 minutes left in my season, we made our way back in under the light of our headlamps. We quickly found the arrow sticking up from the ground where the buck had once stood, and followed his tracks in the snow into the timber. It was a short 50yd walk to the spot I last saw movement, and it was there we found the buck.
There are far bigger bucks in the Panhandle, but I couldn't be happier with him! We didn't have a proper camera with us, so these iPhone pics will have to do.
Now when I'm talking with family back in Wisconsin I can say I've shot a proper 8 point!
It was a great trip in some beautiful country - one I'll be looking forward to doing again some season in the future. For now I'll carry the memories of the hunt with me as I begin to prepare for the 2012 seasons.
Cheers,
-c2
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