It's been 7 years since I've hunted X9A, but after combining my 7 points and my dad's 1 point, we put in for a party hunt and got it this year. Been preparing and dreaming for this hunt for years. We finally got out this past weekend for the beginning of a week long hunt. Early Saturday morning we spotted 3 good bucks with the help of our great friend and local muley whisperer G-Dubs. After they disappeared over a ridge G-Dubs suggested we get on their tracks since the ground was wet from a morning rain/snow and try and track them. After about 10 miles of tracking and 6 hours of hiking, we lost the tracks and were a little discouraged and exhausted. Still about 4 miles out from our truck, we decided to head back since it'd be getting dark in a couple hours. As we were walking back towards the main road on a dirt road around 5:15pm, G-Dubs made an incredible spot on a buck (we think the one we had been tracking all day) running up a side hill about 200 yds to our left. My dad made a quick move, threw up his bipod and made a phenomenal shot at 265 yds out! Drilled him. He went about 15 yds. and went down. Perfect shot. He's a solid pure bred California Muley. Thought he was a 4x4 but he has a little kicker off his back right antler (tough to see in pics) so he's a true 5x4 with monster eye guards. So stoked for my dad! After a long night (in the pouring rain and sleet/snow) of field dressing the buck and getting him back to the truck, we were determined to find another big muley for me.
We spent the next 5 days hunting HARD. Hiked miles upon miles, glassed hours upon hours, you guys know the drill. We worked our butts off. Saw a lot of deer and some good bucks, even had a shot at one on Tuesday night at dusk but I missed him. I was so discouraged! With my second to last day to hunt, early Thursday morning I got my opportunity, a second chance! Made a 260 yd. shot up hill with my 30.06 and he dropped about 12 yds later! He was a toad! A solid 4x4 with nice eye guards and a 25 in. spread. Absolutely stoked! So blessed to have the opportunity to hunt and do it all with my dad. Both of us leaving with killer bucks. There were so many discouraging moments and at times felt like I'd blown any or all of my chances. But you've gotta stay resilient, never giving up, and always keeping yours eyes open. God Bless!
(Pic 1: My dad and his buck, Pic 2: Me, my dad and his buck, Pic 3: Me and my buck, Pic 4: Me and my buck with my dad, Pic 5: Me, my buck and G-dubs)
We spent the next 5 days hunting HARD. Hiked miles upon miles, glassed hours upon hours, you guys know the drill. We worked our butts off. Saw a lot of deer and some good bucks, even had a shot at one on Tuesday night at dusk but I missed him. I was so discouraged! With my second to last day to hunt, early Thursday morning I got my opportunity, a second chance! Made a 260 yd. shot up hill with my 30.06 and he dropped about 12 yds later! He was a toad! A solid 4x4 with nice eye guards and a 25 in. spread. Absolutely stoked! So blessed to have the opportunity to hunt and do it all with my dad. Both of us leaving with killer bucks. There were so many discouraging moments and at times felt like I'd blown any or all of my chances. But you've gotta stay resilient, never giving up, and always keeping yours eyes open. God Bless!
(Pic 1: My dad and his buck, Pic 2: Me, my dad and his buck, Pic 3: Me and my buck, Pic 4: Me and my buck with my dad, Pic 5: Me, my buck and G-dubs)
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