Small buck down in the Cascades

[Guy Miner]

My son posing happily with the smallest buck I've ever shot, a 3x3 taken yesterday here in Washington in some steep country. Spotted him from a half-mile out and stalked to 175 yards. While I was stalking closer he decided to take a nap with his head under a bush. Couldn't see his antlers. Knew he was young/small, but wasn't sure if he was legal. An hour and a half later he woke up and started walking around. Put the 115 through both shoulders from my .25-06 and he was done instantly. I was hoping my son would get a shot at him from up above, but he couldn't see him because of terrain. We had the buck pretty well boxed in though, one of us was going to get him...

We were on such a steep slope that we just quartered him up right there on the rocks, stuffed him in our backpacks and hiked out with him. No way could I drag that deer up that hill. Smallest buck I ever shot, but hey, I'll take him in Washington on public land. Meat looks very good too.

Wild weather this year. Seems to change hour by hour and day by day in the Cascades. Warm and sunny while I was stalking him. Forty five minutes later rain and hail was coming down, soaking me. My son had the good sense to put on his gore-tex parka... Smart lad. He stayed dry and warm.

He was bedded down on the other side of those rocks, and a little below them.

Larch trees turning color. I really enjoy the fall!

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

Guy,

Great story, especially with the pictures. It is as if we are there with you. I'd say that you have a trophy, on public land and in that terrain. Congratulations.

 

[JD338]

Guy,

Congratulations on a nice buck. Thanks for the story and the pictures.

JD338

 

[PGJPJ]

Small buck? Looks like a fine buck to me. The Cascades are some rough country, and taking a good buck out of there is a real trophy.

I took a smaller buck then that in the Oregon Cascades, and I’m proud of that one. 30 degree temperature swings, freezing rain, steep terrain… Cascades make you work for your lunch.

 

[sask boy]

Congrats Guy, the buck was a nice bonus being out in the wild with your son is worth every step (as the commercial says priceless :wink: )
Great photos as I can see we all hunt in very different types of terrain this of course is coming from a flat lander.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[FOTIS]

Simply awesome.

 

[nodak7mm]

Guy,

Thanks for sharing the pix and the time with your son. Just last night, my 15 yr old daughter and I were perusing thru the Cabelas catalog for new hunting boots for her... Its all about time with the kids.... Again, thanks for sharing.

Rod

 

[jmad_81]

Well done. That looks like some pretty sweet country to be hunting in. The next rock bluff could be hiding that monster we're all after!

 

[str8meat]

better than deer tag burgers

 

[JD338]

better than deer tag burgers

......and track soup. :lol:

JD338

 

[Guest]

Nice looking deer and beautiful country. A very successful hunting trip.
Your photography skills are top notch as are your hunting skills.

 

[TBASTIAN]

Gorgeous country you're hunting. Congrats to you and your son for the nice buck!

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Way to go Guy!

 

[russ808]

Good one Guy. Looks pretty big to me.

 

[lefty315]

Nice job Guy. I just returned from the Curlew area and it appears they had a pretty bad winter kill. 4 1/2 days hunted and I never saw a legal deer. Put on a few miles cross country and did smoke a coyote with a 160 AccuBond out of the .280 though. Sounds like the stalk made it all worth while, having your son the pack mule works out too.

 

[cloverleaf]

Small...??? Looks nice to me! Congrats! CL

 

[SJB358]

Great buck Guy. Looks like a trophy to me. Glad you and your boy were able to get out and chase deer. Hardly anything better than that. Scotty