1st Deer of the Season and 1st w/ the Sig Cross

[Zee]

MLD Permit Season opened Saturday. My goal was to take a buck this weekend with the Winchester M88 in .308 Win. But, Friday I had issues sighting in the vintage scope. Ran out of elevation adjustment a foot shy of zero. That will take some thinking and swapping.
So, the Sig Cross was up next.
“G1” was an 8.5-9.5 year old buck. In his prime, he was known for his signature 8-10” G1 tines. A wicked tall and heavy horned buck. We left him for breeding. Two years ago, he started to decline in antler size. Last year he was on the block to be taken but no hunters were interested. Last rut, he got injured in his front left leg and has been limping badly ever since. Got real skinny over the summer. And I knew this would be his last fall. So, I decided to take him this season.
In true fashion, I hadn’t seen him in two days. Yesterday evening, I thought he was going to cheat me again. The sun set and with legal shooting light fading, he stepped out and walked across the pasture.
150yrd Broadside
Aortic Arch
25yrd run
168gr Hornady ELD-Match

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Surprisingly, he put on weight.
188lbs live
150lbs dressed
Missing half the teeth on his left side.

[Chiro1989]

Hope he got to make some does happy this fall.

[Zee]

Hope he got to make some does happy this fall.

Too early. Rut won’t start till end of November.

[Diver43]

Glad that you made end of life easy for him. What a fantastic animal.

[Wambli Ska]

He had a great life of freedom and fun. Glad you guys let him pass his great genes and gave him a dignified and easy passing.

[bullsi1911]

The old warrior goes out with honor.

Well done, Zee.

[Bigslug]

Well done - did the old boy a favor.

Looking forward to living vicariously through your posts this year - my zone's on fire and looks like it'll be closed through the duration of the season.

[Ernie]

Fitting...In so many ways.

[Zee]

Glad that you made end of life easy for him. What a fantastic animal.

He went surprisingly fast. Faster than most. Hunched up bolted 25 yards and hit the ground.

[Zee]

He had a great life of freedom and fun. Glad you guys let him pass his great genes and gave him a dignified and easy passing.

When I first noticed him at 2 years old, I told my friend, look at this buck! His brows are huge! Friend didn’t like him because he was narrow. I convinced him that he had potential. And he just grew and grew. Tall, heavy, and tines to die for.
He lost all that with age. But in his prime, he was a handsome buck.
Missing half his tail for many years. Always looked funny with a bobbed tail.

[Zee]

The old warrior goes out with honor.

Well done, Zee.

Snuck in at dusk.

[Zee]

Well done - did the old boy a favor.

Looking forward to living vicariously through your posts this year - my zone's on fire and looks like it'll be closed through the duration of the season.

I was really hoping for the M88 to do the job. But, the quiet method was nice. Not gonna lie.

[Orchidman]

A dignified end to his time on this planet. Glad he didnt suffer. Love the pics especially no 2.

[Freezer]

Great story and harvest.

[Bigslug]

Again, I find it's really cool that you have the conditions where you're able to watch a herd and get to know individuals over their whole life span. I rate the Old Man saga as about the best thing to come out of the old forum. Being pulled down by half a dozen coyotes may be the natural course for such guys, but I've got to say I like your way better.

[Zee]

A dignified end to his time on this planet. Glad he didnt suffer. Love the pics especially no 2.

Thank you, Sir.
Kind of a rushed deal as I had to leave town for a bit. But, we got it done and his last light appearance made it worth while.

[Zee]

Great story and harvest.

Thank you, Sir.

[Zee]

Again, I find it's really cool that you have the conditions where you're able to watch a herd and get to know individuals over their whole life span. I rate the Old Man saga as about the best thing to come out of the old forum. Being pulled down by half a dozen coyotes may be the natural course for such guys, but I've got to say I like your way better.

Old Man is still my favorite buck taken. It was a saga of age and antique rifles. Giving him as long as I could until it just needed to be done. And using the Enfield made it all worth it.

The ranch is a science project. Choosing who stays and who goes to better the herd. It seems to be working. And it’s fun to watch.

[Jayhawker]

Nicely done my friend...nicely done...