Utah 2011
dahlmer
11/1/11 9:37pm
So, I've finally had a minute to upload pictures and put a post together about my 2011 hunt. I had hoped to find a really nice buck this year and had seen a buck a felt was definitely a first day buck, but was unable to turn him up during the hunt.
We had as good a hunt as I can remember though. We have been working a new area the past few years and I feel we've made good progress in learning it and getting a sense of how the deer move. One big plus this year is that we had opportunities to take a buck every morning and evening that we hunted, which was really encouraging. Most of the bucks we found were 2 yr old and yearling bucks which gives us hope that the coming years will improve.
I hunted opening day, but was unable to get back out until late Tuesday night. We found the biggest buck we saw Thursday night, but he was on the move as soon as we saw him and the one shot I got missed the mark.
We debated whether to return to the same area Friday morning, which would also be my last day to hunt. Because I had shot in the area the previous evening and were concerned we may have moved the deer out of the area. Ultimately I determined to give it one more try and see if anything would show. As we moved into position we immediately spotted a couple of does in the bottom about 450 yards away. We continued to glass and watch and a 2 year old buck showed up and began pushing the does around and exhibiting very rutty behavior. When a yearling showed up he nearly stuck his antlers up his rear end chasing him out of the area. As I debated whether to try and make a play on the buck or not I looked down the hill and about 200 yards below us was another buck. It was obvious he was better than the buck in the bottom and I set up to take him. He wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but he is bigger than I thought initially and represents the top end of what we had been able to find during the hunt.
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http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Dahlmer/IMG_0309.jpg " alt="" />
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/Dahlmer/IMG_0308.jpg " alt="" />
I'm headed to Colorado this Thursday and hope to turn up a trophy while I'm down there. Hope to have some pictures of big bucks to share when I get back.
We had as good a hunt as I can remember though. We have been working a new area the past few years and I feel we've made good progress in learning it and getting a sense of how the deer move. One big plus this year is that we had opportunities to take a buck every morning and evening that we hunted, which was really encouraging. Most of the bucks we found were 2 yr old and yearling bucks which gives us hope that the coming years will improve.
I hunted opening day, but was unable to get back out until late Tuesday night. We found the biggest buck we saw Thursday night, but he was on the move as soon as we saw him and the one shot I got missed the mark.
We debated whether to return to the same area Friday morning, which would also be my last day to hunt. Because I had shot in the area the previous evening and were concerned we may have moved the deer out of the area. Ultimately I determined to give it one more try and see if anything would show. As we moved into position we immediately spotted a couple of does in the bottom about 450 yards away. We continued to glass and watch and a 2 year old buck showed up and began pushing the does around and exhibiting very rutty behavior. When a yearling showed up he nearly stuck his antlers up his rear end chasing him out of the area. As I debated whether to try and make a play on the buck or not I looked down the hill and about 200 yards below us was another buck. It was obvious he was better than the buck in the bottom and I set up to take him. He wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but he is bigger than I thought initially and represents the top end of what we had been able to find during the hunt.
I'm headed to Colorado this Thursday and hope to turn up a trophy while I'm down there. Hope to have some pictures of big bucks to share when I get back.
2,241
MuleyMadness
11/1/11 10:08pm
Nothing wrong with that buck at all, he is a great General deer. Looks to have a good/health body also. Congrats. :thumb
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waspocrew
11/2/11 8:55am
I agree, that is a great buck! Especially for the general season. Nice work! Good luck in Colorado... sounds like a blast!
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Duckking88
11/2/11 8:59am
nice mature buck! congrats. Have a blast in colorado I hunted it about 9 years ago and it was a blast.
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derekp1999
11/2/11 9:35am
Great looking buck, Dahlmer. Congrats & best of luck in CO.
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