The Bolton Ranch
Wyoming Hunting 2002
First posted April 2, 2006 Last updated April 4, 2006

This was David's first Wyoming deer (click on image for larger view).

We had been hunting the Bolton for several days, with little to show for our work. This was my first time hunting the Wyoming sagebrush land. I was certain nothing bigger than a small jackrabbit could hide in the open territory. Bill and Craig both maintained that there were deer hiding out there, but I just did not believe it.

Our hunting method was to get out in the field before light, and sit and watch vast vistas. New to me, much more accostomed to still hunting over much smaller areas. Wyoming, however, is big and open, so new tactics are needed. After broad daylight for a few hours, we would switch hunting styles and drive the roads, still searching with our binocs or spotting scopes over broad areas, often a mile in sweep. As we were driving the road (seen below, left picture, on right margin), all three of us saw some horns sticking up out of the sage, in the draw in the middle distance.

The Bolton Ranch is largely fairly open, usually fairly flat land. There are some hills, but I was certain that nothing could be hiding in this open land.	I am standing where the deer was resting. There was only his upper head and antlers extending above the sage, which only goes to my knees. A great lesson in the hiding ability of deer in sage.

Craig decided it was too small, so I said, "Can I take it?" Silence. Bill also decided it was too small, so I repeated, "Can I take it?" They agreed, but the distance was about 300 yards or more, so we thought we might use the truck as a stalking horse. Bill and I quietly got out on the far side, Craig drove on slowly, but the deer got spooked and stood. Bill said, "Throw your pack over that sage and shoot." I took aim, things felt good, and I took my shot. (Story goes on, deer sat down, 30 min later was still moving, finally got up, I took a total of 4 shots, Bill went over and after a chase, delivered the coup de grace, without which I doubt I would have my deer.)

David, it took how many shots?

 

I don't care how many shots, buddy, it is mine now!

Bill also took one, on the left.