Black Friday Shopping Pays Off with a 200-inch Mule Deer!

by
posted on December 11, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

For some, shopping on Black Friday means hitting the malls. For bowhunters like my husband, Phil, and me, it means hitting the sandhills to try and close the deal on a good buck. The plan came together for Phil that morning when he dropped this 200-inch muley.

While seeing one monster mule deer can be a once-in a lifetime experience, we saw two on his Kansas lease that week so whichever buck he got close to first would be the one. Easier said than done. He actually held off on stalking them until his Mathews No Cam HTR bow arrived. Would I be as patient, I wondered? Evidently, Phil knew that new bow would give him the edge.

Phil and his cameraman had several encounters and got great footage of both bucks for his TV show before he finally caught this one trailing a doe. But what were the odds because he was actually sitting with me in my blind as I waited on the whitetail buck I was chasing. Both whitetails and muleys were leaving the crop circle and heading for the sandhills when the heavy buck walked right past our blind. Our HECS Stealthscreen suit and Ozonics likely had something to do with our going undetected--considering they came from downwind. An Easton Deep Six FMJ arrow topped with a Grave Digger broadhead did the trick and the rest, as they say, is history.

Latest

LEDEW H2026 04 Gear Winchester Semi Auto Shotgun Sxp Long Beard Nwtf Mossy Oak Bottomland 512478290 01 Jpg
LEDEW H2026 04 Gear Winchester Semi Auto Shotgun Sxp Long Beard Nwtf Mossy Oak Bottomland 512478290 01 Jpg

Roundup: Turkey Guns & Gear

Check out our roundup of the best new turkey guns and gear in 2026.

Recipe: Crispy Sticky Venison

This recipe is a great way to turn a simple venison roast into something that tastes as if it came from your favorite takeout place. The meat becomes tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, and the sticky sauce brings together sweet, salty and spicy flavors. Serve it over a bed of rice and watch it disappear.

Berger Announces New 300 PRC Hunting Ammunition

Berger has announced the addition of 300 PRC 217-grain Elite Hunter ammunition to its long-range Elite Hunter product line.

Texas the Latest State to Approve FireStick for Muzzleloader Season

Texas recently approved the use of Federal Ammunition’s FireStick system during the state’s muzzleloader season. It is 33rd state to legalize the technology.

Hardware Review: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

Check out Shooting Editor Christopher Olsen's review of the EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U.

New for 2026: CMC Triggers Remington 700 Adjustable Ultra Precision Trigger Group

CMC Triggers Corp has released its Remington 700 Adjustable Ultra Precision Trigger Group, available in both Flat and Curved trigger bow configurations.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.