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Elephant Mt Muley
#7026591
01/05/18 11:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
J W M
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106 |
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.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026618
01/05/18 11:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
Nice buck, sir. Sounds like a great time too.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026634
01/06/18 12:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608 |
Man, that is outstanding.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026786
01/06/18 02:38 AM
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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 |
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026792
01/06/18 02:41 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459
majekman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459 |
Wow, nice mule on a standby hunt in a tough area. Major congrats!!
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026934
01/06/18 05:37 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721 |
Congrats. Great deer. Post up a write up of the hunt if you can.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026954
01/06/18 06:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,156
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,156 |
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7026960
01/06/18 07:02 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: Sneaky]
#7027001
01/06/18 12:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,927
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,927 |
Man, that is outstanding. Yest it is and congrats on a nice Mulie
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027002
01/06/18 12:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922 |
Beautiful buck, and an outstanding picture. Congrats.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027004
01/06/18 12:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,832
Drop Tine
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,832 |
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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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,652
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,652 |
Love that part of Texas. Congrats on a fine Mulie buck.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027149
01/06/18 04:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
J W M
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106 |
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" . 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.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027167
01/06/18 04:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,102
Bbear
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,102 |
And to read from a lot of forums, I'm surprised your 270 didn't just bounce off of him! Great buck and a GREAT hunt. Good for you! God did smile on ya!
[IMG][/IMG]
Pay it forward - Kids are the future.
Rifles are similar to boats and young women...there's no end to how much money you can pour into them without making them any more useful.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027174
01/06/18 04:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135
landsurveyor
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135 |
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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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
Congratulation on a nice tall rack. Those pictures show some really tuff terrain. Glad you were able to get him out.
�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
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027200
01/06/18 05:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 94
MikeOH
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 94 |
That is an awesome story and deer!
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027207
01/06/18 05:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 142
joebass2
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 142 |
Great story JW. THAT'S hunting.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027382
01/06/18 08:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608 |
That’s dedication. It certainly paid off.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027392
01/06/18 08:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,714
TAT
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,714 |
Man,that is just awesome! Way to get it done!
It's not how you fall, It's how you get up.
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027394
01/06/18 08:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 701
Capt.JVH
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 701 |
that is just cool! Great deer and what a memorable hunt!
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7027711
01/07/18 02:06 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131
Hymer
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131 |
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: SapperTitan]
#7028026
01/07/18 12:07 PM
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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 |
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7028029
01/07/18 12:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
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
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: Elephant Mt Muley
[Re: J W M]
#7028041
01/07/18 12:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,285
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,285 |
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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