24 degrees this morning 3 - 4" of fresh new tracken snow - had to head out to fill my Xtra deer (doe) tag.... beautiful morning. Actually i was more intent on catching up with a cow elk, but it wasn't to be this morning.
Left the truck @ 6:45 made my way about a 1/4 mile through the bush to what we call "red robbon" draw. Normally there are a lot of animals crossing this draw to get either back to cover or down to water. Zero elk movement observed so I decided to go down the south side of the draw a bit and find a sit down and wait spot. Got to the stump - shed my blaze orange hat and neck cover - put on my turkey mask and waited. Out of the corner of my eye I picked up some movement - high and to my left - naturally I had my sticks set up for down the draw. I was able to get turned and got the sticks set, a very poor set, looked down the barrel through the fiber optics and could not really make the deer out that well. Put up my bonoc's and looked at here - she was staring right at me big as life. I thought I was busted and actually considered not making the shot as she was standing behind a fallen log (broad side) and with my rotten eyes I really could notget a good look through the sights. But she was totally confused as to what I was tucked up against the big Doug Fir stump. So I set the sticks one more time - still not the best set and looked down the barrel. I guessed 75/85 yards - I could see the Doug Fir tree behind her very well in the front fiber - so I lowered every thing down till I couldn't see the tree any longer and the sight was in her body. I could see her ears and I knew she was broadside - so I held on the front part of the body right at I thought was her left shoulder. Pulled the set trigger then told myself "do not touch that front trigger until you know you are on her" - touched her off - got to see her go down and then nothing. Stood up pulled a quick loader out and reloaded.
Walked over to the log and there she lay... Then out of curiosity I lasered back to my stump 97 yards - just a bit longer than I estimated - I am terrible at estimating
Here is a pic - not a bad sized animal - sorry about the blood in the pic...
"Idaho White" & a Bull Shop Trash Can
That really is a nice doe. So I take it the Renegade with the Green Mountain Barrel and the BullShop conical got her attention pretty fast? I will also guess you got pass through, but when they go down that fast, it makes little difference. That would be a good elk load as well.
