So after being skunked last year, I decided to up my game.
Went and got some trail cameras, did a bunch of scouting over the spring and summer, and got my spots dialed in.
I also was seeking someone more experienced to go out with me, and Sceptreguy answered my post in "Hunting Partners".
We went out on Nov. 10th and spent the entire day out in the mountains. Saw one young buck first thing after daylight, and sat at our spot until about 1pm until we gave up after zero activity. Saw a few does driving around after hiking back to the truck, but couldn't get any of them to stay in place and wait for us to shoot them
So after leaving empty handed we decided to head out again yesterday. We got to the spot about 45 minutes before legal light, and decided to hike out to our new spot that we figured would be good after our last trip. It was mostly uphill in the dark with no trails, and the snow was crunchy and loud. We treaded carefully and as slowly as possible, with as many breaks in between. Once we got to our spot we setup and waited for the light to come in a bit, then glassed and glassed for a bunch of hours. Saw nothing but a cow moose sitting in a bough field surrounded by spruce trees, and a few other hunting groups moving through the hills.
As we were having an early lunch in our spot, talking about hopefully getting drawn for some Suffield elk tags next year, we spotted two does walking about 200 yards across the valley, which is exactly where we thought they might funnel through.
There we no bucks following them, so we decided to go after them since we're both looking to fill the freezer.
We tracked them in to about 75 yards. Sight was set and pulled the trigger, and I got my first deer.
Needless to say, lots of mixed emotions there.... on one hand you're satisfied because you've worked so hard between all the gear research/purchasing, all of the hiking and scouting, early mornings, sore legs, marksmanship practice etc... Now we both have some meat and can say that we know where it came from and how it got there.
On the other hand you just ended something's life, and you can't escape from that.
I have another tag, but I don't think I'll fill it this year, not for any other reason than my freezer is full