An obsession with the buck I dubbed "
Butch Cassidy" started in the summer of 2013. I spotted this buck in
one of Utah's general units in the high country in early July. From then
on I couldn't get this monster typical out of my mind. I continued to watch the
buck all the way up to the start of the archery hunt and began to learn his
habits and summer routine. I am fortunate enough to be apart of Utah's
dedicated hunter program, enabling me plenty of opportunity to hunt and pursue
this buck.
Tthe opening weekend of the archery
hunt 2013 put me on the hillside. I commonly watched this buck feeding, waiting
for him to bed down in a small strip of ledges where he was on top of the world
and could see nearly anything approaching him. Late afternoon found my buck
working his way to his bed, and me watching and wondering how in the world i
was going to put a stalk on this buck?? After almost walking away and leaving
the buck for another day, I had decided to give it my best and try to move in
close enough for a shot. As I learned with this buck and other big bucks alike,
they don't get big by being dumb! But I was going to try and use his flaw
against him. Over the years of stalking big bucks in the high country, I've
found that the older smarter deer seem to stay put in their beds when being
stalked. If they don't think you know where they are, it's possible to get
close. He was positioned in a way that he was watching over the basin
below, but couldn't see very well the ledges above. I made my way to the top of
the ledges in hopes he didn't hear me. Loose shale rocks and several dried up
dead trees were all that stood in the way between me and my buck. As I made my
approach, I happened to bump a couple small rocks and found it impossible to
stalk quietly. To my surprise I made it to a nearby fallen log, and peered over
to see the buck bedded only 40 yards away. He had no idea I was even there.
With mountain goats in the area, I think he may have been used to the
occasional falling rock.
Now I was facing a very intense waiting game.
All I could see was the very tips of his rack. I sat down on the log and
settled in for what was to be a once in a lifetime shot! I just needed the buck
to stand up, or to shift his body forward enough to expose his vitals. My heart
was pounding and my adrenaline racing. I had a bad case of buck fever!
The next three hours seemed like days as I sat and watched the buck enjoying
his day clueless to my presence!
I could no longer handle the suspense. I had
left my water at the top of the ledge and was baking in the 90 degree sun
beating down. My buck fever was too much to handle, and I began to toss a couple
small rocks in attempt to stand the buck up. Well, it worked, the buck stood up
and turned perfectly broadside, still oblivious to my existence. I drew back my
bow with the extreme angle in the back of my mind. I released my Mathews bow to
send my gold tip arrow, matched with my Montec T3 broad head, right over top of
his back. My heart sank as I watched the buck of a lifetime trot away. I just
blew it, how could I mess up such a perfect oppurtunity. The hike down was very
difficult. All I could think about was all the things i should have done
differently? The image of my arrow sailing over his back was to haunt me
forever! Still though determined, I couldn't get him out of my mind.
I returned to look for the buck several times
through out the remainder of the 2013 archery hunt, and spent nearly all of the
2013 muzzleloader hunt in search for him. All of my efforts were unable to turn
up this giant typical. I had figured maybe someone else had taken the buck or
he had moved completely out of the area.
The summer of 2014 brought me back onto the
mountain in search for another mature buck. In the back of my mind there was
still hope that maybe I would come across
the huge typical four point I missed the year before. A limited
number of scouting trips, due to a busy summer, turned up a couple good bucks,
but nothing as impressive as my typical four point.
August 15, 2014 found me back on the mountain
and preparing for another archery hunt. Due to the lack of water in the area,
and being 3 1/2 miles from the nearest road, I made several trips in
carrying supplies and water to allow an extended stay in the high
country. After setting up camp, I made my way up the ridge towards the same
basin where i had missed my buck the year before. With only a couple hours of
daylight left, I sat atop the basin and started glassing the area. A deer
caught my eye near the ledges. Could it be? At first glance through my Vortex
Viper HD scope there was no mistaking that he was back!! Even better then the
previous year, he had put on some mass and tine length. I watched the
buck in disbelief as he fed on the same hillside I had hunted him the year
before. I watched the buck until the day faded into night. Making my way back
to my tent, filled with the same emotions as the year before, I could not be
more pumped. Although the sour taste of my miss still haunted me.
After a nearly sleepless night, I arose a
couple hours before light to meet up with my cousin Wade. Hiking up to the top
of the basin once again, I replayed over and over in my head the failure. I was
hopeful that I had learned from my mistakes and would be able to put it
together this year. We watched as the horizon began to lighten. As soon as
there was enough light to see, I spotted my buck 50 yards from where I'd left
him the night before. He had teamed up with two more bucks, a decent 170"
4x4 with a cheater and a goofy non typical 4x2 with a few extras. It didn't
take long before the bucks began to feed and started moving along the steep
slope. The monster typical took the lead and was on route to the same ledges he
bedded last year. I watched in dis belief as the buck fed his way along and
proceeded to bed in the exact same bed from where I choked! I can't believe my
eyes, I must be dreaming, who gets a second chance at a once in a lifetime
shot?
The two other bucks followed onto the ledges,
only to feed their way back down and bed in the bottom of the basin several
hundred yards away from my big typical.
The hunt was on! This time armed with my
previous experience in stalking the same buck in the exact same location, I
felt I may have a little bit of an edge. Still not sure if what was happening
could possibly be real! A little slower and a little more cautious I made my
stock on the same route. The fallen log being my end goal which would put me,
once again, 40 yards from this incredible buck. I arrived and peered over the
log to see again his antler tips. Unaware of my presence I settled in for the
long wait, this time prepared with plenty of water and snacks. I was determined
not to get impatient, I was going to sit there all day if that's what it took
for him to stand on his own.
Forty five minutes went by, again feeling like days!
I managed to keep myself calm this time around. Convinced if I could hold in my
excitement until after I release my arrow, I could make the shot. The wind must
have swirled, as he started acting a little nervous and within seconds he was
on his feet. Standing there at 40 yards broadside was once again, my buck
of a lifetime! I calmly drew back my Mathews bow and settled my pin behind his
shoulder. I touched off my release to watch my arrow, this time, flying true,
punch right through the buck. Still trying to convince myself that i was not dreaming,
my emotions were a little different this time as the buck ran off, down
the ledges. I approached the spot where he'd been standing to find a very good
sign, "blood". Only a hunter could understand the feeling and rush of
emotions that hits at this point! All my hard work, all the many hours
of practice, all the years of hunting high country Mulies came down to one
moment. I finally did it! Reality was far from sinking in of the fact that I'd
just put an arrow through a 200" plus buck, with archery equipment, do it
yourself, public land hunt, on the buck of my dreams. I was floating in the
clouds at this point!
After giving the buck adequate time, my cousin and I
began to follow the blood trail. Adrenaline still pumping through my veins
knowing I had just indefinitely killed the biggest buck of my life. A short
distance later found me walking slowly up to a monster antler far above the
grass. As I approached the buck I could no longer hold it in, my excitement
peaked, and I began whoopin and hollering, There's nothing quite like taking a
beautiful animal like this, on their turf, with every advantage on the bucks
side. I couldn't believe what I was putting my hands on, I could not have been
more Overwhelmed. What an amazing experience! I have the utmost respect for
these animals and the mountains they call home.
Hunting to me, is much more about the journey
than the end result. This was an experience of a lifetime for me, I truly do
just enjoy getting out and putting my wits against nature. The fact that this
hunt ended with a kill, just made it icing on the cake. I will remember this
hunt for the rest of my life.
After properly measuring the buck we came up with a
gross score of 203 4/8 ". Soon as my waiting to dry time is up- I’ll get
him officially scored. His outside spread is only 25.5 ". Inside spread 23
1/8".
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