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

Ledefenson Venison Peposo (1)
Ledefenson Venison Peposo (1)

Recipe: Peposo – Tuscan Braised Venison

In Tuscany, Peposo is a rustic, slow-cooked dish traditionally made with beef, red wine, garlic, and plenty of cracked black pepper. This version uses venison, which makes it even richer and more flavorful.

Glenfield Firearms—Once a Hunting Favorite—is Back

Ruger announced the reintroduction of the Glenfield Firearms brand last week. The Glenfield name may be unfamiliar to some younger hunters, but it’s a beloved and trusted one among sportsmen who remember when Sears, JC Penny and Montgomery Ward—during their heyday—offered budget-friendly firearms.

#SundayGunday: Browning Citori 825 Field

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at the next generation of the famed Browning Citori over/under shotgun, the Citori 825, and it’s got a lot more going for it than just a new number. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

New for 2025: GPO Rangeguide 10x40 Upgrade

German Precision Optics (GPO) has upgraded its popular Rangeguide lineup of rangefinding binoculars.

More Montana Deer and Elk Hunters Afield on Opening Day

More sportsmen and sportswomen were afield than last year when Montana’s 2025 general rifle big-game season opened to cool and windy conditions on Oct. 25. Despite the increased participation. success rates also improved.  

Calling Bull Elk in Rifle Season

Calling may not only get a bull to reveal its whereabouts but also spur rut-like activity not many rifle hunters witness.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.