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Elephant Mt Muley #7026591 01/05/18 11:36 PM
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J W M Offline OP
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The Good Lord smiled on this ol' man, and I got picked for the "stand-by rifle" hunt this past week. I had never been to this area, but it is an "AWESOME" place. Very tough hunting (at least it was for this old fat guy). Met another hunter there and we teamed up, and were drawn together for the stand-by position. We had a great time. It was pretty cold and windy, as we were tent camping there. But definitely worth it.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026618 01/05/18 11:51 PM
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Erathkid Offline
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Nice buck, sir. Sounds like a great time too.


Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it.
Don't text and drive.
Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026634 01/06/18 12:01 AM
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Man, that is outstanding.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026786 01/06/18 02:38 AM
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Very cool. Congrats

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026792 01/06/18 02:41 AM
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majekman Offline
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Wow, nice mule on a standby hunt in a tough area.
Major congrats!!

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026934 01/06/18 05:37 AM
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Congrats. Great deer. Post up a write up of the hunt if you can.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026954 01/06/18 06:38 AM
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cheers


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7026960 01/06/18 07:02 AM
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Congrats!


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: Sneaky] #7027001 01/06/18 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Man, that is outstanding.
Yest it is and congrats on a nice Mulie cheers


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027002 01/06/18 12:47 PM
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Jgraider Offline
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Beautiful buck, and an outstanding picture. Congrats.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027004 01/06/18 12:52 PM
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Details man.....details! Nice buck!!


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027015 01/06/18 01:19 PM
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Love that part of Texas.

Congrats on a fine Mulie buck. cheers


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027149 01/06/18 04:19 PM
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J W M Offline OP
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Okay, here's a few details:
This hunt was provided courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife draw hunt system. This hunt is for three days, only, and only four spots were available. I have been trying for several years, to get drawn, however, have not been successful. Prior to the hunt, I called and was advised that there was one standby position available. Being very anxious, as I have never hunted in this area, nor have I ever had the opportunity to hunt Texas desert mule deer, I drove the 7 hours, "hoping" to get lucky. At the time of my arrival, there were 13 other guys there, just like me, hoping to get lucky.
Like I said earlier, the good Lord smiled on me.
At orientation, we were advised for a buck to be legal, he must have an outside spread of at least 18 inches.
Prior to the drawing, I met another guy there, James, and we immediately "hit it off". We realized we both grew up in the Fort Worth, area. We teamed up, and were both selected. After orientation, we quickly set up camp and set out to scout our area.
The first afternoon (January 2), I saw several deer, however, no "shooter" bucks.
The next morning (January 3), my partner and myself hiked up the mountain, where the biologists told us he had seen a couple of nice bucks, a couple of weeks earlier. The hike up the mountain required approximately 1 1/2 hours, just to get to the area we wanted to hunt, we split up and spent the entire day hunting, before we came back down. Again, I saw quite a number of deer, including bucks, I did not find a "shooter". I did see desert bighorn sheep, which was pretty cool. These were "obviously" off-limits.
The next morning (January 4), I went to a different location, where I had not scouted previously. Before first light, I parked my truck beside the road, and hiked approximately 1/2 way up the mountain slope. From there I began still hunting laterally, across the slope. At approximately 7:45 AM, I spotted a buck up-slope from me, and after checking with binoculars I realized he was a small fork horn. My rangefinder showed that he was at 254 yards. However, immediately I realized there were quite a number of does also in the area. Knowing that we were hunting during the rut, and as this buck was definitely "immature", and with the large number of does, there "must be" a good buck there close by. After careful glassing, sure enough, further up hill, I saw him. I quickly looked around for a rest, so that I could possibly make a shot. The closest place was about 20 yards to my right, where there was a drainage from the mountain, with several large boulders. I slowly eased my way to a boulder, where I got set up. However, once I got into position, these deer had become nervous, and had moved further upslope. It took me a few moments, to find the buck that I was looking for, and when I checked with the rangefinder, he was at 309 yards. Presently, he turned broadside and holding at the top of his back, behind the shoulders, at my shot, he dropped in his tracks. My Remington 700 - 270 caliber, loaded with 150 grain Federal Premium ammo, did the job.
Having spent the last couple of days in this area, at this altitude, I knew I had my work cut out for me. However, I don't think I was quite prepared for this. It took me 50 minutes to climb up to where he dropped. My Garmin GPS told me that I was at 5020 ft. elevation, and 3/4 of a mile from my truck. When I looked back downhill, from where he was laying, I said to myself "what in the world was I thinking". It looked like it was straight down. I am 61 years old, and too "fat" smile. Where I live is approximately 500 ft. above sea level. I definitely was not accustomed to this altitude. I knew I would have to take it very slow and easy. I was carrying my rifle and a backpack. From the top, I set down my pack and rifle, and would drag the deer approximately 10-20 yards downslope. Then I would climb back up and get my pack and rifle, and repeat this process. By 1:00 PM I was approximately 1/4 mile from the road, and totally exhausted. At that point I had used all the water I brought with me and come out of 3 layers of clothing. The temperatures were in the 20s when I set out. I took my orange cap and marked a tall cactus, left the buck at that spot, and hiked out to my truck. I drove back to the headquarters, and the biologists graciously offered to help me get the deer to my truck (what an awesome guy). He went back with me to the area and by 2:30 we had this buck loaded in my truck. I was a happy & relieved man.
Even now, it seems surreal. It is hard to believe that I got selected and then was able to score a great buck. I did a moose hunt in Alaska several years ago, and up until now that had been the hardest hunt ever "physically", for me. However, this one topped that. I can honestly say this is one I will always cherish. I worked my butt off for this one. It was totally worth it!! My face hurts even now, I'm smiling so hard.

I am attaching a couple more photos here. This is our camp, with Elephant Mountain in the background. Gorgeous place.
This is my buck, in the spot where he dropped.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027167 01/06/18 04:35 PM
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And to read from a lot of forums, I'm surprised your 270 didn't just bounce off of him! confused2 bang

Great buck and a GREAT hunt. Good for you! God did smile on ya!


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027174 01/06/18 04:44 PM
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That is awesome and one heck of a buck. Congrats


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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027177 01/06/18 04:46 PM
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Congratulation on a nice tall rack. Those pictures show some really tuff terrain. Glad you were able to get him out. up


�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.�
~ John Muir
Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027200 01/06/18 05:14 PM
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That is an awesome story and deer!

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027207 01/06/18 05:19 PM
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joebass2 Offline
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Great story JW. THAT'S hunting.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027382 01/06/18 08:15 PM
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That’s dedication. It certainly paid off.

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027392 01/06/18 08:26 PM
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Man,that is just awesome! Way to get it done!


It's not how you fall, It's how you get up.
Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027394 01/06/18 08:28 PM
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that is just cool! Great deer and what a memorable hunt!

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7027711 01/07/18 02:06 AM
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Hymer Offline
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Congrats! Great hunt!

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: SapperTitan] #7028026 01/07/18 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Very cool. Congrats

Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7028029 01/07/18 12:12 PM
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What a great story and pictures. Always wanted to do that hunt but at 73 my time has passed. Job well done for sure...and good on ya with the 270 too. 270's are not sexy or glamerous these days, but your shot and story is a credit to one of JOC's articles.
Ron

Last edited by WileyCoyote; 01/07/18 03:06 PM. Reason: clarity

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Re: Elephant Mt Muley [Re: J W M] #7028041 01/07/18 12:47 PM
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Great buck, great pics, and an excellent write up. I did a similar hunt years ago in the Sierra Diablos. Tent camping at our age - man, you've got my respect for more than just a great mulie. Very well done.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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