The third rifle season in Colorado is always an exciting time for deer hunters. With colder temperatures settling in and deer moving more frequently, the chances of spotting a mature buck increase. This year, I was determined to fill my tag with a quality buck, and after months of preparation, the time had finally arrived.
I arrived at my hunting area a day early to scout the terrain. The high country was already dusted with snow, and fresh deer tracks crisscrossed the ridges. My plan was to set up near a well-used travel corridor where deer moved between their feeding and bedding areas. I had spotted a nice buck here the year before but never got a shot. This time, I was ready.
The first two days were slow. I saw plenty of does and a few smaller bucks, but nothing worth pulling the trigger on. The weather had been mild, but on the third morning, a cold front moved in, bringing light snow and dropping temperatures. This was exactly what I had hoped for, as deer tend to move more in colder weather.
Just after sunrise, I spotted movement in the distance. A heavy-bodied buck was making his way through the timber, his nose to the ground, likely trailing a doe. He was a mature 4×4, with thick, dark antlers and a wide frame. I steadied my rifle, took a deep breath, and waited for the perfect shot.
At 200 yards, he paused briefly in a clearing. That was my chance. I settled my crosshairs just behind his shoulder and squeezed the trigger. The shot echoed through the valley, and the buck jumped before disappearing into the timber. I waited a few minutes before following his tracks. About 50 yards in, I found him lying still in the snow—a perfect, clean harvest.
As I tagged my deer and took in the moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. The third season in Colorado had once again provided a challenging but rewarding hunt. Packing him out was tough, but every step reminded me why I love this tradition. Another season, another memory, and another reason to return next year.
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