Montana Velvet Whitetail

[Rat Fink]

Well archery hunting is finally upon us. I have been prepping for weeks getting ready for that magical first day that I could sit in a tree and watch whitetails, and hopefully kill a doe or a nice buck. Last night was my first sit of the season as it was the opener in a district that has too many deer. With exception of the 30-40 mph winds at times, which made the deer extremely skiddish, it was a great hunt. I passed on a few does that had young fawns, and couldn't get a clear shot at does that didn't. But one of the bucks that was fair game on my buddies ranch came by. Took him out with a perfect double lung/high heart shot @ 11 yards. He ran about a 100 yards and toppled. A great way to start the season. Now I need to fill my 2 does tags and then I can concentrate on elk in September.

 

[krshntr81]

Nice Deer! Velvet Whitetail is definately on my to do list!

 

[Carrion Carrier]

Great first hunt! Can't wait to see what else you're going to get this season.

 

[Selkirk]

Congrats on taking a beautiful deer!

 

[Oak]

Nice buck, congrats!

 

[npaden]

Nice buck.

Looking at the tips he may have still had some growing to do.

 

[Rat Fink]

Nice buck.

Looking at the tips he may have still had some growing to do.

I thought that as well at first. But there were a few other bucks playfully sparring, and time is ticking on velvet. I'd give them 1 to 2 weeks before they shed. And growth is done at least a week before they shed the velvet. I think I got him just at or at about 95% of his growth. His tips might have pointed out a little more but overall his size wouldn't have changed much and he is hard horned underneath. Plus I got to scratch a velvet buck off the list. I am having the velvet freeze dried and then doing a plaque mount so it should be pretty cool.

 

[MNHunter]

Very cool! Congrats!!!

 

[mdunc8]

Great buck. Congrats.

 

[Buschy]

Great way to start the season. Congratulatiions!

 

[Big O]

Great start, nice buck!

 

[highmountian]

Great start for the year. Hope your elk season go's the same way!

 

[mtlion]

Great buck, congrats! Definitely on my bucket list.

 

[Brentster7189]

Congrats on the fuzzy fello!

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Congrats on a very nice deer.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[BiggWimm]

Looks great to me! gotta love velvet bucks!

 

[Brisco]

Great start to the season.

 

[capttowboater]

Congrats , great way to start the season !!!

 

[nbell]

Great start. Love to see them velvet bucks. We can't start until Sep. 1. I hope there are still a few with velvet around then. Congrats.

 

[cornfed]

Looking like a good start for the hunt talk crew.Things are starting to hit the ground on a regular bases.Congrats on the deer.