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Got up early on 9-11-06 and checked the weather on the web, on TV and on the marine channel on the radio. All were calling for good clear weather from the 14th through Saturday the 16th. So as soon as I got to work I asked for a vacation day on Friday. Then I spent the rest of the week watching the sky hoping the weatherman's timing was right. Thursday he was right on and it cleared off slick like, not a cloud anywhere. I right away started second guessing myself, wondering why I hadn't asked for both Thursday and Friday off. Anyway I made it through the short work week and got all my gear ready to go that night. I took some extra clothes though not many as I didn't figger on getting wet and enough food for two days and nights and headed out very early Friday. I hit the trail head at right around 06:00, just as it was gettin' light and shouldered my pack to start up the Mt. Three and a half hours later I took my pack off and set up camp. I had to change my shirt as it was soaking wet with sweat as every single step I had taken in the last 3 1/2 hours had been an uphill one. The morning was beautiful, not a hint of a cloud, but the wind was cracking a steady 30 - 35 mph and it had turned cold with the clear skies. The muskeg puddles not out in the direct sunlight had an 1/8 inch skim of ice on them that remained all day. And as I hunted I had to wear my gloves to glass the open areas or the wind chilled my hands miserably. As I hunted along I stayed warm from movement and found many spots protected from the wind where I could sit and rest while glassing. As I had missed the dawning I did not see a lot of game, after all it was midday. The deer all have there winter coats of gray, the color that soaks up the sun for more warmth at the same time as it camouflages them. The summer coats are redder and reflect the sunlight keeping them cooler but also making them much easier to spot. I watched a small forkhorn buck feeding along for a spell, just enjoying myself the view and the sunlight. Before long I realized I had been hunting along for almost 4 hours and it was nearing 14:00 hours and I was a ways from my campsite, so I decided to turn and hunt my way back in case I saw a shooter I would have time to take it, pack and still get back to camp before dark. I had not gone far before I spotted a buck in his bed dozing in the sun. He might have been there before and I just missed him on my way by, I'll never know but I sure enough saw him now. I got the spotting scope out and set up and checked him out. He was a very nice buck a 3x3 with nice eye guards, but I had been hoping for one a lil' bigger one. I watched him for about 20 minutes as he was dozing. I watched him lift his head and look around then he would start nodding off and his head would start dropping down like it was almost to heavy to hold up then he would look around again, it was funny watching him. As I said I had been hoping for a lil' better buck but as I looked him over I was looking for anything that might be wrong with him in order for me to pass on him. I only needed one more buck and I'll have all the deer meat I need for this year. After watching him for a long time I decided he was just too perfect to pass on and with the weather and winter coming I may not get another good chance on an early high country buck this year. The meat on these early bucks is so much better flavor wise than later on in the year as they approach the rut. I moved to a lil' better spot closer to this buck and set up for my shot. I touched off the shot aiming for a neck shot, my favorite shot when I'm within a hunnert and fifty yards or so but did not make a clean shot and only hit him high on his neck taking out a good sized chunk of meat and hide but missing the bone. He rose out of his bed and I stuck a hot one right in the boiler room and he only went down hill about 25 yards before he piled up. By now it is 14:35 and I head down to him. He was indeed a decent buck and will be a fine eater. I got some pics and then went to work boning him out and getting him in my pack. Once again I'm packing a buck up hill, I guess some guys never learn. I'm not even sure I could hit one if I had to shoot uphill. Anyway it was a very good workout for the next 2 1/2 hours but I made it back to my camp by 18:30 and had time to stash my meat away from camp and then fix my dinner of freeze dried chicken breasts and mashed potatoes, make a cup of coffee and set and watch the light die in the west. I crawled in to my lil' one man tent but left the door open so I could see out. The sky was perfect, stars every where with a grand view of the milky way. Although it did get cold that night I had brought extra socks and a pair of long johns bottoms just for sleeping, as I have spent September nights in the mountains before, so I remained comfortable. I awoke the next morning rather stiff, but rested, had breakfast of oatmeal
and breakfast bars, some coffee and laid back taking it easy for an hour or so
before breaking camp and heading down. The trip down still takes three hours,
though not near as tedious as the hike up hill what with a heavy load and
treacherous ground I don't move real fast. Anyway I made it to my rig around
11:00 and was home by 13:30. All in all I had another grand time all for the
price of a movie ticket. In all probability this will be my last high country
hunt this year, but maybe not, although even if I go again the chance of success
will drop as many bucks head down hill and the weather gets worse. Anyway,
here's a few pics of my buck and me. I hope you enjoy this small moment in my
life. Dennis Eugene
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