Whitetail - 2004 - PA
Don't know the score. This was a few years before I moved to Montana, hunting out of our family camp in north central Pennsylvania. We mostly did drives, and I had a good spot on this drive, and shot this deer in the neck at ~15 yards. My pap (maternal grandfather) was the next one down the line, and we got some nice pictures I'm very happy I have. He still hunts, but a bit slower now that he's in his mid eighty's.
Bear - 2007 - MT
All my bears are about the same size, 5 1/2 foot or so. I picked this one as it was the first, and my first hunt as a Montana resident. Took it in the Swan on a solo three day hunt at ~ 50 yards. Learned plenty of lessons, like why you might not want to drag an animal several miles by yourself, and how the way hair hangs on bears can fool you into shooting too low. Drove back late at night flying pretty high, I remember it all quite well, including dodging crazy suicidal whitetail in the Swan and stopping in Bonner at 4 am, covered with blood and swamp, for Mt Dew and Nutter Butters.
Antelope - 2010 - WY
This one scored 78 and change, if I recall. This was my second antelope hunt, and the first in Wyoming. Also the first antelope hunt my dad was able to come on, though without a tag of his own. He was reluctant to offer much in the way of judging assistance, but had a good enough time that he's been buying antelope points we hope to cash in this year. This was also my longest big game shot, at 610 yards.
Mule Deer - 2010 - MT
Scored in the mid 150's if memory serves. Took the long way around backpacking into an area the day before the opener, and spotted him that night. Camped out in a bivy pretty close, and was waiting at first light at ~450 yards. 15 minutes in it was all over but the packing. Probably my favorite buck, though I've others similar in size, but only my second or third favorite buck hunt, as I was without my best partner.
Elk - 2011 - MT
Haven't scored this one, though I'm sure it'd score good but not great. Spent a good handful of weekends driving and hunting, culminating in about the coolest day of hunting I've had. Had some bullet issues I chronicled here, as well as a little frostbite. Some flesh on my toes did end up dying, but I was able to scrape it all off without a dreaded trip to the doctor, so big win there. It is my favorite trophy, and it won't be easy to get a similar one, but I'm sure fun will be had trying.
30 yards peeking out of a hole...
