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Peepless In Vermejo
#6461903
09/21/16 03:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486
Smiling Mallard
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486 |
My boss (and friend) offered me a spot on his annual management mule deer hunt at Vermejo Park Ranch, NM this year and of course I jumped all over it. Now I have been bow hunting for a very long time but….in Texas only meaning I hunt specifically out of tri-pods, tree stands or pop up blinds. Spot and stalk and for that matter shooting while standing up had been limited to a few times I stumbled up on pigs while going into or out of a set. Anyway as soon as I found out I was going on this hunt I started shooting while standing during all of my practice sessions which was a very easy transition and I’ve always shot practice sessions out to 60 yards so…Hunt of a lifetime…Mountains…Mule Deer …Let’s do this! Now for the crazy stuff. Three hours into the opening morning hunt I end up 40 yards from a perfectly broadside 170” management buck but was derailed by a peep sight that somehow fell out in the truck resulting in no shot taken thus leading to me being known as “That Guy” around camp. I don’t think my bow (or myself) was prepared for the constant driving and bouncing around from sun up to sundown on ranch/oil lease roads. Anyway the servings had slid a little and the peep popped. Luckily one of the guys in camp had a portable press and later that day we got the peep back in place and everything was good again except for me beating myself up and all the ribbing I took from the other hunters in the group. BTW most of the guys in camp were Texans (always a good thing) and most were associated with Cinnamon Creek. Every one of them was an absolute blast to hang out with and especially over adult libations in the evening. To say the BS became thick is an understatement. The old saying “Things happen for a reason” actually turned out to be true on this hunt even though you would have had a hard time convincing me of it right after that little episode. Two days later I filled my tag on a great character buck after an absolutely classic cat and mouse, spot and stalk that for a flat lander was the most exciting hunt ever. Nothing more satisfying than to see the arrow bury up in the arm pit, the thump of the Grim Reaper opening an immediate crimson hole resulting in a 60 yard in sight recovery. Sweetest words I heard that entire trip was the guide saying “You effing drilled him dude! He’s down right there!” It was a completely different way of hunting vs. sitting at a feeder and waiting on deer to come to you and the country was absolutely incredible. I had never even seen a mule deer much less released an arrow at one! Great stuff but somehow I think I’m forever going to be “That Guy” #PeeplessinVermejo
"Call 'em up close and shoot 'em in the face"
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6461914
09/21/16 04:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 626
Mako My Day
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 626 |
wow, nice deer and great story!! congrats
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6461924
09/21/16 04:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 686
MoBettaHuntR
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 686 |
-Those who say money can't buy happiness never bought a dog.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Mako My Day]
#6462033
09/21/16 05:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
wow, nice deer and great story!! congrats
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462099
09/21/16 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734 |
Great story and very unique deer, you will never forget that hunt as long as you live. That's what its all about.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462156
09/21/16 06:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,173
breadman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,173 |
awesome buck for (that guy) I would be ( that guy )and proud all season long if it ended that way for me. congrad`s
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462180
09/21/16 06:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Mako My Day]
#6462193
09/21/16 07:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,126
kdkane1971
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,126 |
wow, nice deer and great story!! congrats
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462194
09/21/16 07:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462195
09/21/16 07:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052
Dodge_Rock
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052 |
[/quote] I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about the popped out peep. Could happen to anyone. Congrats on the tall narrow velvet rack - looks great. Have a pic of the 170" mgmt or any other bucks killed? Want to hunt Vermejo every time we drive by on the way to Colorado or New Mexico vacation spots, so you're lucky in my book.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462224
09/21/16 07:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,238
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,238 |
Congrats on a fine buck I can see how you came up with your sig name
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462333
09/21/16 08:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486
Smiling Mallard
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486 |
"Call 'em up close and shoot 'em in the face"
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462391
09/21/16 08:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462613
09/21/16 11:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833
sparrish8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833 |
Mule deer and western style hunting is very addictive, I'll take it over sitting in a blind anyday. Congrats on a Hightower buck.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462623
09/21/16 11:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,088
tex70
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,088 |
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462638
09/21/16 11:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987
Michael W.
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987 |
Love that height and mass. Nice job.
A clear conscience is often the sign of a fuzzy memory.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Pope&Young]
#6462744
09/22/16 12:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
Congrats on a fine buck I can see how you came up with your sig name Outstanding
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6462895
09/22/16 02:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,783
Hogslayer5L
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,783 |
Nice buck! you cant beat stalk archery hunting. Just curious what they consider a "managememt" muley? And what qualifies as a trophy?
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6463024
09/22/16 03:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,011
NDN98
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,011 |
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6463026
09/22/16 03:39 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891 |
Congrats!! What a great experience and looks like a trophy to me sir
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6463060
09/22/16 04:46 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,359
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,359 |
Nice bucks and good story!
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Mako My Day]
#6463120
09/22/16 11:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806
Deerhunter61
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806 |
wow, nice deer and great story!! congrats Congrats "That Guy"!
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Hogslayer5L]
#6463217
09/22/16 01:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486
Smiling Mallard
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,486 |
Nice buck! you cant beat stalk archery hunting. Just curious what they consider a "managememt" muley? And what qualifies as a trophy? Any buck that doesn't have both back forks (classic what we call "mulie" forks") or front forks. As you can see on my buck he doesn't have the front fork on his left side. The guides do an incredible job of pointing out and identifying management bucks and trophy bucks that are more or less off limits due to age etc. The buck in the second set of pics I posted is a trophy buck but only a 3 year old so gets a pass even though he's pushing 180" our guide said. The 170 management I had the peep mishap on was huge. He was a 5x3 and was missing the back fork on his left side thus making him a "management" buck . Crazy. On the stalk I killed my buck on I was actually after a management buck pushing 160 that was with the one I killed. We had discussed and I definitely wanted to shoot either him or the one I got. When I stood up and drew after our creep the 160 busted out of there like a whitetail and the tall guy went about 10 yards and turned around to check out what I was. Lucky for me...not so much for him. And believe me...In my eyes he is definitely a trophy!!!
"Call 'em up close and shoot 'em in the face"
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6463246
09/22/16 01:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,088
Elkhunter49
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,088 |
Thanks for sharing your photos and story!! Great hunt on an incredible property. Well done sir!!!
A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
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Re: Peepless In Vermejo
[Re: Smiling Mallard]
#6463324
09/22/16 02:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091 |
Great story and memories. I've heard wonderful things about Vermejo. Great boss and friend.
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