“Don, he’s right between those two juniper trees 115 yards away, directly ahead of us, he’s looking to the left feeding” I whisper. “I don’t see him” Don says, as he looks through his scope, while making big circles with his rifle. “Don, just look down your rifle, not through your scope, he’s broad side, you can’t miss him. He’s alone and he doesn’t know we are here” I try to remain calm.
“Don, do you see the two small juniper trees ahead of us, they are the only trees on this slightly rolling grass hill?” I ask. “Of course I see them” he retorts! “In between the two trees, do you see anything else?” I ask. “I think I see a stump” Don exclaims. “Ok, where exactly is this stump” I try to whisper, while this 5×5 mule deer buck aimlessly plops down, chewing his cud.
“It’s right there in between them green bushes” Don points. “Don”, I exclaim “that isn’t a stump, its a nice muley buck” “No I’m pretty sure its a stump” Don reiterates.
“Ok Don, put your cross hair right in the middle of the stump and squeeze the trigger” I tell him. “What you want me to shoot that stump, won’t it scare away the deer?” he asks worriedly. “Nope, trust me, take a deep breath, let half it out, hold right in the middle of the stump, and squeeze the trigger” I command.
“Bang” we walk over and begin field dressing Don’s 5×5 “stump”.
Another successful mule deer hunt in eastern MT!!!
by the way, the photo is of me, not a hunting client, and that’s a western MT elk I shot, not a mule deer!!
I’m going to write 2 hunting stories a week so stay tuned my brothas”