A Cranker 2x2 Mulie

[rollingrock]

I was actually planning to go out last evening. But when I was standing in the front patio on Tuesday evening, I found the temperature and the wind were perfect for a morning hunt. I called Alex up. So we set out really early...

Alex just bought a Ten Point crossbow and really wanted to try it out after he missed during last week's bow hunt. This thing, again, cost him a grand. So he brought his Sako 270 win and this crossbow. I brought my Ruger 762x39. I decided to try some areas I've been eyeing.

We drove onto a logging road. Not surprisingly I spotted a mule doe quickly on the far right side of my truck. But that wasn't all. The corner of my eye caught another one on the left side, and this one looked bigger. I thought this one's top looked different at first sight. Then I took one more look carefully. Sure, two sticks were sticking out of his head. That's a buck. But I couldn't see how many points it had. I told Alex, that's a buck!

Alex was holding his crossbow sitting right beside me. He quickly jumped out of the truck and tried hard to load the crossbow as quickly as possible. I thought, what the hell, this is a buck. Fuck the crossbow! But I don't have my gun handy. They were all in the back seat. I jumped out of the truck and scrambled through the back seat. The first one I opened was my Ruger M77 762x39. Oh well, better than nothing, and I had to be quick cuz the buck was walking off.

By the time I took my rifle out and loaded the ammo, Alex was still trying to load his crossbow. I looked up...the buck was gone! I was like...fuck, I'm not letting this one go! So I walked to the spot where the buck was last standing and found out it was on the edge of a steep ridge. I stood there and listened carefully. I picked up some bush crashing down there. So I walked to the edge of the ridge and looked down. There he was! 50 yards away and 20 yards down.

I raised my Ruger and tried to put the buck in the scope. But it hadn't completely lightened up yet, so the image in the scope wasn't very clear. I could only tell how the buck was standing. All I remember is I put the crosshair at the spot usually I would and squeezed the trigger quickly. You gotta be fast!

I heard the impact. The buck jumped high and quickly crashed through the bush. It was gone. I knew I hit him pretty good, but I don't know where I actually hit. So I decided to leave it for some time.

We left the spot for an hour. I believe that should've left him enough time to pass. We got back to the spot. I walked down the ridge and followed the last direction he ran off. Only 20 yards away I saw him curling under a cedar. Oh...baby!

I walked over to find this was a big buck. A cranker by its body size. But...not so for its antlers. Only 2x2 for this body size? You kidding me?! Its hooves could easily lead an experienced hunter to believe he was tracking a monster buck. But....2x2?

The drag wasn't fun. It was steep straight uphill. I gutted it first to reduce some weight. That was a hard drag!

So a cranker 2x2 meat buck is in butcher's shop right now. Still a good one!

[the rifleman]

Good size two point for sure! I wonder if he has exceptional genes for a young buck, or if he is an older one who's antler growth is deteriorating? How's his teeth look?

It takes a lot of patience to hold off going in after an animal. No doubt the proper thing to do, as they will usually lay down and hopefully expire. That waiting is sure hard on a guy though..

Just curious..has Alex got his crossbow loaded yet?

[rollingrock]

Originally Posted by the rifleman

Good size two point for sure! I wonder if he has exceptional genes for a young buck, or if he is an older one who's antler growth is deteriorating? How's his teeth look?

It takes a lot of patience to hold off going in after an animal. No doubt the proper thing to do, as they will usually lay down and hopefully expire. That waiting is sure hard on a guy though..

Just curious..has Alex got his crossbow loaded yet?

The teeth looked pretty dark but not loose at all. I don't think this buck is that young by looking at the base of its antlers. My shot actually punched through its heart, but you know mule deer could be pretty tough sometimes. I once shot a buck with my .303 with 174 gr of RN and dropped the buck right on spot. I was so excited and walked towards it with my rifle. But the buck suddenly stood back up and trotted away and bedded down. That was a good shot, but still....

Alex did manage to load his crossbow after I shot the buck. But it was more painful for him to release it! LOL