- Details
- Category: Hunting
- Published: Saturday, 14 November 2026 15:49
- Written by Greg
I Caved ...
When I put in for a Colorado deer unit that took zero points to draw a tag, I told myself that I was going to hold out at least until the last couple of days of the season. Since my tag was for the November rifle hunt, 3rd season, I knew the deer would be rutting which would help my chances of successfully filling my deer tag. The unit I was hunting isn’t known for big bucks, but I was convinced that I’d hold out waiting for an older dominant buck to wander into the area looking for a receptive doe.
While scouting I found a deadhead One 4 point bull, a few spikes with lots of cows
I arrived in camp a couple of days before the season opener and spent time scouting. I didn’t have any luck locating a shooter buck, but that wasn’t at all surprising given the easy-to-draw tag area. However, I did see a lot of does and smaller bucks which gave me a lot of confidence that I would locate a decent sized roaming buck in his search to breed a doe.
5:57 a.m. phone pic of moon and stars
It was opening morning; I sat anxiously awaiting the break of dawn. My vantage point was overlooking an area where I could see a mile in the distance at the furthest point. In the dim light 6 deer moved across in front of me only 30 yards away. Unfortunately the only buck within the group was a 2 point, but a promising start to the day. As the morning marched on, I continued seeing deer but nothing big enough to cause me to shoulder my rifle. I did see a couple of 3 points and a small 4 point about 1000 yards away, so there were definitely bucks in the area.
Tall 3 point buck 4 point through spotting scope pushing a doe
As late afternoon arrived, I moved down into the lower country where I had seen the long distance bucks earlier. I had only been in place a few minutes when to my right 3 deer stepped out from the trees and into an opening about 150 yards away. One of the deer was a buck but only a moderately sized 2x3; however, the deer were beginning to move. Now that I was on high alert I began aggressively scouring the hillsides to my left and right. Only a few minutes had passed when I noticed movement to my left. I threw up my binoculars and quickly saw the rack of a 4 point! The buck was pushing a doe hard -- my heart was instantly pounding! The situation was compounded by the fact that I had maybe 20 seconds to make a decision before there would be no shot at the buck. In my quick assessment I noticed a decent sized front fork on one side, but had no idea about the width of the antler spread since the buck was moving broadside. In a rush I grabbed my gun, laid it across my shooting sticks and fired…the buck dropped in its tracks!
218 yard shot with the 7 PRC Loaded up on 4 wheeler, headed back to camp
I stood staring -- in somewhat of a stupor, barely believing what had just happened. I caved – I had just shot a buck on opening day! So much for waiting until later in the week in hopes of finding a giant buck chasing a doe; however, in reality I was completely satisfied with my split decision. Once I reached the buck I called to let my family know I was coming home early, they were as excited for me as I was!