First Deer



My schedule would only allow me hunt with my wife and stepson for three days. We had drawn a group firearm tag for sections 43 and 44 in central western Arizona. After some scouting I had decided that we would hunt near Agila, a farming community about 25 miles west of Wickenburg. The availability of food and water had drawn the Muleys in to the farm fields. The cotton crop seemed to be the source of the current feeding frenzy. After opening day the deer had changed their schedule and were making their dinner
appearance late in the afternoon. The first morning saw the three of us on the outskirts of the fields near thick cover. We saw only does that morning and afternoon. The second morning was identical to the first. About noon we changed our location. We now were hunting on the northern side of the fields on a berm about twenty feet high giving us and excellent view of the surrounding desert. At about 4 PM I spotted a nice buck and several does moving parallel to the berm about 400 yards out. I slipped over the berm and
into a wash moving to intercept them as they moved toward the fields. I was trying to get in front and move in to within a 100 yards. I crawled the last 25 yards over the top of a small hill and into a large wash. This proved to be a mistake. I had miscalculated and was surrounded by the does. I simply couldn't move and I didn't have a clear shot at the buck. It was best to stay still and let them pass. I didn't dare follow them in to the shooting lanes of my wife and son. Maybe they could get shot as the deer entered their shooting lanes . I set tight and let them pass. Why they didn't catch
my sent I don't know I was close. About 30 minutes later Lee did get a chance to take a shoot but missed. We were unable to find any indication of a hit. The following day my wife had to work and Lee had school so we opted to hunt in the afternoon after school was out. We arrived at about 3:30 in the afternoon. I had chosen a spot on the berm where a large mesquite tree was growing near the top and several recently used trails could be covered.
We hastily dug out a hole and constructed a blind just in front of the tree. At about 4:30 we spotted a doe about 50 yards from out blind. She seemed nerves and keep looking out toward the desert. Lee and I began to glass in that direction and soon picked up a nice 3X3 and some does. Then suddenly 4 more bucks appeared. We were getting pretty excited now but it was also getting dark real quick. When we initially saw them they were about 500 yards out and were moving in at a pretty good clip. But it was getting late
and at 250 yards we had to take the shot. I told Lee that I would count to 3 and we would fire on 4. He was to take one on the left and I would take one on the right. We settled in and picked our targets, constantly talking to each other about when we could take the shot. Lee said he could take it and I began to count. What happened next was total chaos. We both fired at exactly the same time. A sixed buck break cover right below the berm and deer were running everywhere. Lee and I set tight for a few minutes before moving out to look for our deer. We found the first blood trail and followed it to a nice 3X3 the wound identified it as being hit by the 30.06 I was using. We circled the area looking for the other deer but couldn't find a blood trail. With our flashlights running low we decided to take the deer we had the 25 miles home and get help to look for the other one. Lee insisted that he hit it and I believed him. Returning later with a 4 wheel drive truck and a better light lee immediately located the deer. 

The shot was perfect and had dropped him in his tracks. We had walked within 10 yards of
the deer and hadn't seen him. We took the picture of Lees deer the next morning.

Its a great feeling to be there when a child you've raised becomes an adult. Lee had handled himself very well. I was proud of his ability and confidence. He had also learned about the mixed feelings that come from a successful hunt, elation, excitement, sadness respect and the magic of touching the horns for the first time. I was very happy to pass on the traditions that were passed on to me.

Robert Glenn Willis



 

Lees first deer and my first Muley (click to enlarge)