A few weeks ago I finished up my last scheduled big game hunt of the season, a New Mexico mule deer rifle hunt in northwestern NM. My much younger cousin also drew a tag. She and her brother (who hunted elk with us in October) accompanied me on this hunt, along with my dad, who has a bit more free time now that he's retired.
I didn't get much time to scout around before the hunt, so the first day was more recon and a few small hikes to get warmed up. On that first afternoon, this decent two-pointer made the fatal mistake of stopping for a look back at my cousin. One 85 grain TTSX from her .243 sealed his fate.
Big brother was there to help with the drag out.
For the next several days we glassed (where the thick pinyon juniper allowed) and hiked, looking for a good buck. We passed on some small ones, and saw plenty of does and fawns.
The Jicarilla wild horse population is stable, with plenty of healthy horses.
We also bumped into some wild turkeys...
...and took some time out to shoot prairie dogs.
Finally, late in the afternoon of the fourth (of five) days, we glassed up a decent buck out in the sagebrush feeding and I was able to seal the deal with my 6.5x55.
It sure was nice getting to spend another hunting season with my dad, and I look forward to our next outing.
I didn't get much time to scout around before the hunt, so the first day was more recon and a few small hikes to get warmed up. On that first afternoon, this decent two-pointer made the fatal mistake of stopping for a look back at my cousin. One 85 grain TTSX from her .243 sealed his fate.
Big brother was there to help with the drag out.
For the next several days we glassed (where the thick pinyon juniper allowed) and hiked, looking for a good buck. We passed on some small ones, and saw plenty of does and fawns.
The Jicarilla wild horse population is stable, with plenty of healthy horses.
We also bumped into some wild turkeys...
...and took some time out to shoot prairie dogs.
Finally, late in the afternoon of the fourth (of five) days, we glassed up a decent buck out in the sagebrush feeding and I was able to seal the deal with my 6.5x55.
It sure was nice getting to spend another hunting season with my dad, and I look forward to our next outing.