Junior Muzzy Buck

Muzzleloader hunting was a new twist to deer hunting for Kylie McGee, but after some practice she found she could shoot her muzzleloader as good as she could shoot any other rifle.  This December hunt showed its own challenges with the weather and the fact that the distance had to be closed in order to get a good shot!

The days ticked by, several bucks were watched and passed, its fun to watch a young buck chase his does back and forth on a hillside, even if he isn’t quite what you’re looking for.  Early mornings were spent watching deer on hillsides and along ridge tops, then a quick lunch out of a can or cooked up with a Jetboil, then finishing the day looking at more deer with an occasional stalk to try and bring the muzzleloader to range of a decent buck.

Part way through the hunt, Kylie invited friend Baily Schriener to tag along and help out with the hunt.  A monster wasn’t necessarily what Kylie was after, but if a monster appeared he would be in serious trouble, what Kylie wanted was a decent buck and a good time.

Toward the tail end of the hunt is when it happened.  After returning to the truck from a short hike to get a better look at a group of deer, Kylie jumped out of the passenger seat to open a gate.  As she held the gate open for the truck, she glanced up on the hill and saw a group of deer watching her, and with the deer was a buck she liked!  She got everyone’s attention and grabbed her muzzleloader.  After she was set up, the deer settled down, and the buck returned to harassing his does!  Kylie settled in for the shot and waited for the buck to stop in an opening so she could take a shot.  The deer disappeared behind the trademark smokescreen of the muzzleloader as the shot rang out!  As the smoke cleared, Kylie could see that the buck was hit hard!  The buck began to wobble away as another load was crammed down the barrel of the gun.  Just as the gun was loaded for a second shot, the buck toppled over!  Kylie and Baily walked up to Kylies first muzzleloader buck! With big grins and a little giggling, the girls posed together for some great shots of Kylies buck.  Congrats!