I finished our hunt with an impressive 160" B&C Buck.  All the reading, preparation and new gear had paid off.  Dave and I invested in some serious optics, among other equipment.  He went with the Swarovski 10x42 SLC series and I went with the lesser priced Brunton Externa 10x42's binoculars.  The Brunton's were noticeably not as bright and clear as the Swarovski's, but I did think the construction and design  were much better.  The lens covers and "Bino-Glove" keep the glass and body clean, making them more manageable.  They both did their job well, offering us the ability to locate the bucks of choice. 



We started the morning late, around 9:30 a.m., due to me not feeling very well.  I knew I had to toughen-up and get ready for the hunt we had been excited about all year.  The conditions were perfect, the area had received 6-8" of fresh snow the previous night, and the sun was out that morning.  We started out glassing the area were Dave harvested his buck and were surprised to find very few deer.  We decided to glass a different area where we had spotted deer the previous day.  To our surprise, the mountain was covered with deer.  We spotted a few different herds that had smaller bucks with them, but wasn't really impressed with any of them.  We had been glassing the deer for about 30 minutes, when I spotted the "shooter".  We decided he was well worth the stalk.  We started out walking towards the herd making sure we would end up above them.  The wind was right and the snow allowed us to move without noise.  We finally reached the herd, but were unable to find th "shooter".  I kept glassing the deer over and over, waiting for him to walk into view.  Then he appeared, about 150 yards in front of me, well within range.  I rested my rifle on the Harris bi-pod and attempted to make myself comfortable.  I then remembered what Dave had mentioned to me earlier, "We were holding out for Trophy bucks".  

I was contemplating the shot.  Should I take him, or hold out for something bigger?  I decided to talk it over with Dave, who was glassing above me about 20 yards away.  I signaled him to come down to where I was, and instructed him to glass the "shooter" buck and give me his opinion.  He glassed the buck and we both decided he was the "shooter".  It took me awhile to get into position.  I was nervous about missing and blowing a perfect stalk.  By this time, the buck was bedded down and appeared to be very relaxed.  As I was preparing for the shot, the buck stood offering a perfect broad side shot.  I slowly squeezed the trigger placing the bullet in the front shoulder.  The buck stumbled and appeared to be dazed.  I chambered another round and fired the second shot, but missed.  The buck just stood still as I chambered the third round.  I knew I had to make this shot count and patiently fired.  The buck went down, hard, as the bullet penetrated his chest.  Dave confirmed to me; "He's down".

Although the buck was not as impressive as Dave's, he is my biggest buck yet.  I felt blessed having everything go together as well as it did.  I said my prayer to God, thanking him for giving me the ability to accomplish my goal.  Then the work started.  We were going to pack out another trophy buck of the season.  It was one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced.