I was speechless as I peered though my binoculars at the buck. At that exact moment, words couldn’t describe what I thought about the narrow but massive non-typical (nick-named Centerfold) as Brady and I sat there admiring him.  His words describing the buck’s life seemed distant and faded, as I began to recreate just how I got here.    

Since I began hunting mule deer with a bow almost 30 years ago, I’ve come to realize the obvious. They are truly unpredictable and nomadic, trying the patience of even the most skilled bowman. If not for their ability to sense danger at the most inopportune moment, the vast and remote country they choose to reside, or their incredible ears detecting the smallest decibels, I would have many more successful stories to replay throughout my life.  Ironically, it is because of their behavior I find myself haunting their domains freely and annually with nothing more than a bow & arrow in my hand. They are, a true representative of a wild era lost to modern-day progression.

For this reason, I find myself applying to several states each year, hoping to draw at least one premium archery tag to fill the yearly emptiness they seem to create for me.      

I had often wondered what type of reaction I might have when faced with such a predicament.  After all, drawing multiple tags in premier units was a dream of mine since the whole “bonus /preference point” games began a few years back. I truly believed at the time, excitement would prevail to any other emotion one could feel.  However, when I was notified I had drawn one of the best archery mule deer tags in North America (Arizona Strip), excitement was fading rather quickly.  

Where many hunters would probably be ecstatic, I was somewhat somber, knowing I had already committed a 10-day archery mule deer hunt with a long-time hunting buddy into a Colorado Wilderness, which opened a week after Arizona. Furthermore, I only had three weeks until my Arizona hunt was to begin.

In all the years of trying to match wits with critters throughout the West, I have never found the need to seek the services of a guide, preferring rather a do-it-yourself type hunt.  However, with limited time to hunt and scout, coupled with the overall low deer densities living on the 5300 square miles of land, I knew I was going to need some help. After checking with a few folks and guides who knew the area well, I settled on Kory Bundy of At First Light Guide Services for my first guided hunt. He and his two friends (Brady Utley and Garrett Carr) know the Strip very well, having a ranch in the heart of the vast mesas and valleys prominent to the area. After speaking to him several times on the phone, it began to feel like I was talking to an old friend.  And friends we all became.

The movement of another buck off to the left brought me back into Brady’s whispered conversation. As I moved my binoculars over I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was looking at a perfect typical that seemed to enjoy the fact he had already stripped his velvet much earlier than most would anticipate. He was magnificent, having exceptional tine length, mass, and width. He had one main beam a little bit shorter than the other, but was still a beautiful record class mule deer. After nicknaming him “short beam”, I told Brady this is the buck I wanted to hunt in 2 days when the season opened...if we could find him again. Although we both liked the massive and old non-typical, he agreed that “short beam” would be a great buck with a bow and arrow. We eased out of the area and began to check some different country the rest of the day.  

The evening before my hunt began found Kory, Garrett, Brady and I sitting around camp planning the next morning’s strategy. We discussed several options, including sitting waterholes if needed. I was relieved when they supported my desire to try and stalk the buck if we located him in the morning. This is one of the reasons I chose this particular guide, as his professionalism and ethics were superb and his understanding of guiding a usual “do-it-yourselfer” meant a somewhat different experience for both of us.  

As first light began to appear on the eastern horizon, Garrett and I were dropped off on a high point above where we anticipated the bucks would be enjoying their morning breakfast.  Kory and Brady drove to another vantage point hoping to locate the bucks if they weren’t in our area.  

As daylight came, Garrett and I took a short hike and began glassing below us, looking for any sign of movement.  Almost immediately, Garrett and I spotted “centerfold” and two smaller four-points. As we glassed the bucks from about 150 yards, I began to wonder if “short beam” was even around. As if on cue, he stepped into view enjoying his morning diet of bitterbrush.  

With Garrett behind me filming the entire moment, I slowly worked around the bucks, trying to ensure the wind would not foil our chances.  As we crept in closer, I peeked above the sagebrush only to find the two smaller four-points glaring at me about 40 yards away. As I ducked back down below the brush, I looked back at Garrett and whispered that we were busted.  

After lying on the ground for what seemed like an eternity I peeked up over the sagebrush again and saw “centerfold” and “short beam” standing in an opening just beyond the two smaller four-points. After confirming the range, I motioned to Garrett that I was going 

to shoot.  

With the camera rolling, I came to full draw as “short beam” directed his attention towards us but was still very relaxed.  At full draw I couldn’t help but think that I needed to make a perfect shot, as my family was sure to get a copy of this DVD and if I missed, I probably wouldn’t hear the end of it!  As I released, I knew I made a good shot which was confirmed by “short beam” when he kicked up and ran about 100 yards. As I watched him go down, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. Fifteen minutes into my hunt, I had a beautiful mule deer on the ground.  

We decided to leave him alone for a while and try and contact Kory and Brady. A short while later, they both arrived and Garrett began to relive the episode that occurred.  

After an easy blood trail, we located the magnificent typical about 150 yards from where I shot him. As the guides began to celebrate and pat me on the back, I simply had no words to share as I sat down next to the most majestic and beautiful mule deer I’ve ever arrowed.  For once in my life, I was speechless.  After all the years of applying, the highs and lows of bowhunting and life in general, along with the years of rejection notices, I had finally achieved a goal of mine; to take a B&C class typical mule deer with a bow and arrow.

It’s amazing where different crossroads in life intersect and how this can alter and/or change your life. What began as an unfamiliar adventure with strangers, ended with newfound friends who understand the true meaning of fair chase and high ethical standards. Not only do I thank them, but most importantly respect them. They definitely helped this old bowhunter fulfill a dream.