Chris McAllister 12-27-10
Camo | January 14, 2011
As it sets in that my hunting season is coming to an end and I still haven’t shot a big buck, I did what any reasonable hunter would do in a panic….. I called Rick to schedule my 3rd trip to buffalo mountain ranch for the year. Still, I was not expecting this trip to be as productive as my last trip, missing my chance to harvest a deer that Tammy named “max.” So I arrive at the ranch on the night of December 26 for a 2 day hunt with my brother, a friend, and 2 non hunting guests on their first bow hunting experience. With everyone making wagers on who was going to harvest the largest buck, I knew I had to make it happen this time. After what felt like the longest night of my life, the alarm finally said it was hunting time. Rick decided that 5 plateau was the lucky place, so I grab my bow, cover scent, and non hunting guest hoping to see his first buck at close range. Only a single 8 point shows up for a brief second, I look to my friend to see if he was excited about his 1st deer hunting experience…..he was asleep in the corner of the ground blind. After on inspiring morning hunt, I sat in front of the map for several hours trying to figure out where the buck that I wanted to shoot would be hiding. So after I picking a place to hunt, I head to my stand with my buddy hoping he could stay awake long enough to see a deer this time. I explained to him how to operate my range finder if the chance presented itself. At 3:30 with the wind howling at 25mph, 2 doe and a button buck show up for an afternoon snack. Only moments later did a beautiful young 8 point show up, my friend already yardage for me. After observing this buck for a brief period of time, I decided this buck had much growing to do before he was ready. The 8 point fed till about 4:30 and bolted into the brush as we were greeted by a bull elk, a simple cow call had the bull heading for safety as he knew something wasn’t right. With the sun headed further across the sky only 45 minutes left of shooting light, I was hoping something would happen. As soon as I started hoping for deer activity, 3 doe and 2 fawns made their way out to eat the corn and protein pellets beneath the feeder. I knew something was going on as they continuously stared into the brush. Just as I expected, a big buck comes walking out like he owned the place. He was a main frame 8 point with a broken G-3, I was trying to decide whether to shoot or not. On one hand he was a mature buck, on the other he had broken 5 inches of antler off. My decision got a little easier when the buck looked into the brush with concern, a buck that I was very familiar with his photo “mister” showed up. He was even bigger than Rick described him to me. There was only one problem; he was standing right in front of another deer. Just as he was almost clear he suddenly became nervous, I knew I had to act fast. I raised my brand new Mathews Z7 xtreme and came to full draw, and my buddy did exactly as instructed and whispered 38 yards into my ear. My heart was beating so hard I’m sure that’s what made the deer uneasy. I settled my pin behind the deer’s shoulder and squeezed my release trigger. Like a rocket my Easton axis arrow tipped with the grim reaper sailed right into “mister’s” boiler room. I could tell the deer was hit well as the red stain running down his side assured me. I looked to my friend and he had a look of amazement on his face, as he gave me repeated hi 5’s. Resisting the urge to immediately claim my trophy, we headed back to camp to get some tracking help. With the help of Rick, Tammy, Chili (which was amazing), and all the other hunters in camp, I was shortly able to place my hands on the rack of a Buffalo Mountain trophy. There are not words to describe the excitement I felt at this time. The feeling of being able to harvest a big mature animal is amazing, and I would like to thank everybody that help operate the ranch and makes this possible for the average budgeted hunter. I will definitely treasure this memory and the friends I have made while doing it.
Thank you guys, I’ll see ya’ll in the fall of 2011. Be sure to save “max” for me.
