Well I got dug out . Iit took 9 hours with my little 30 hp tractor and bucket but I got the 4 wheeler out and got ready to go hunting. With the tags getting ready to convert to anterless I made a decision to not be so picky. I have plenty of doe tags and another month to fill the freezer but only 3 days left on the buck tag. I had to take the 4 wheeler down the highway about 4 miles since the section road was drifted to deep. Then I was able to get back off road and get to within about 1/2 mile of my hunting area. Then it was to deep for the 4-wheeler. I walked in and after 50 yards was thinking I wasn't going to make it. It was deeper than i thought. I was wishing I had snow shoes but alas I did not. I was sweating and breathing hard( how did I get so old)
I was only halfway in when I sunk in past my knees. As I was struggling to get out i saw a coyote about 25 yards across from me, just staring at me . I think he was feeling sorry for me as he just kept staring. I looked at him and finally plowed on out and kept going . There were already deer coming out everywhere as It was 2:30pm before I got there. I was so exhausted I felt like going home but since I needed to rest I decided to wait and see if something showed in spite of all the noise I made getting in( you could probably hear me breathing a mile away) After about 45 minutes 3 bucks come out along with 20 or so doe. I let them walk but decided to forget the big boy. I didn't see him and I figured there is no way I'm going to come back til the snow is not so deep. I decided to take the next decent looking buck if one showed.
about 15 minutes later a buck walks out . He was not huge but had a nice symmetrical rack with long brow tines. He was a 4x4 ( 8 pointer) I kept wishing he would move my way but instead he wandered at a north west direction. I ranged it and he was 153 yards. I probably shouldn't have taken the shot that far but i was determined . I know some of you are probably thinking it was a bad decision but you would have to have been there to understand. Anyway I took the shot . He hunkered up and I knew I had hit him to far back. I waited 10 minutes and he didn't move. He was facing his butt toward me. I decided to try to get close and finish him off. When I stepped out and moved to get a broadside shot he took off south to the cone flowers. He stopped after 150 yards and bedded down. I decided to give him some time. I walked back to the 4 wheeler, sweating profusely. That made the ride home extremely cold. I changed clothes , warmed up and ate supper. Afetr 3 hours I decided to go look for him. The wife went with me. We took a sled. To make a long story short we found him. I saw him blink so I knew he was alive. but he let us walk right up behind him. I grabbed his antlers and cut his throat. He jumped up and bolted . He went 50 yards and expired. Even with the sled it took 2 hours to get him back. After what it took to get him, even though he isn't a monster he is a trophy for me. here's a pic. Now today i rest, tomorrow I will try to fill Turkey tags with my bow then start filling the freezer with doe.
T/C Pro-Hunter
105 gr Blackhorn 209
federal primer
250 gr barnes T-EZ
153 yards open sights

chetmarks

Awesome!!!! You really worked for that one and it looks great to me....

Actually looks like the you g one did an excellent job getting on top of that job.

Real nice deer Chet. Reading your fine description of the hunt, all I can say is "You Da MAN!"

That's a nice deer and a heck of a shot you made. As for blaming you for trying it.. I think if you had any idea you could not make it you would not have tried. And anyone willing to wade through what you did, deserves a deer.

Nice deer I did not realize you where so young. LOL nice deer man glad one of us got one. good luck on the birds and does.

Nice going Chet. Nothing wrong with that one at all. I think the coyote was hoping you were hopelessly stuck in the snow. We got our share of snow here too. It's got a crust on it but I still break through. I am afraid it will be a tough winter for the deer.
Art

Thats a real good Buck. Congrats.

great story and pics congrats to a good hunt.........karl

Good job there CM!! Hard work makes them taste even better!!

Amen. I don't feel so bad about taking 5 tries to get him on the 4-wheeler after weighing him. Both my wife and I together must have looked comical wrestling him onto the 4 wheeler. Finally did it. Now I know why it seemed so hard. He weighed 210 pounds. I bought a hanging scale a few weeks ago and this gave me a chance to try it out.