Every hunter dreams of that one unforgettable moment—the hunt that stands above the rest. For me, that moment came on an intense Idaho mule deer hunt with Stuck N The Rut, where I took down the biggest buck of my life.
The Chase Begins
Hunting big mule deer in Idaho’s rugged terrain is no easy task. These bucks are smart, elusive, and know how to disappear into the vast landscape. The hunt started early, with long hikes through steep canyons and endless glassing. We spotted several bucks over the first few days, but nothing that felt like the one.
Then, on the third morning, everything changed. From a high vantage point, we caught sight of a massive buck feeding along a distant ridge. His antlers towered above the sagebrush, and there was no doubt—this was the one.
The Stalk
Closing the distance was the hardest part. The terrain was unforgiving, and one wrong move could send the buck running. With the wind in our favor, we moved slowly, using the natural cover to stay hidden. It took over an hour, but we finally got within range.
I settled into position, heart pounding, as the buck stepped into a clearing at 250 yards. This was it. I steadied my rifle, took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out, and the buck jumped before disappearing over the ridge.
The Recovery
The next few moments felt like hours. We hiked toward the last spot we saw him, and there he was—down just beyond the ridge. As I walked up to him, I was in awe. His antlers were even bigger up close, a true giant of the mountains. My biggest buck ever.
The Pack Out
Harvesting a mule deer in the backcountry is only half the battle. The real work starts with packing him out. With heavy packs and miles of rugged terrain ahead, it was a brutal but rewarding journey back to camp. Every step was worth it.
A Hunt to Remember
This Idaho mule deer hunt with Stuck N The Rut will forever be one of the greatest moments of my hunting journey. The challenge, the patience, and the ultimate reward made it all unforgettable. I’ll be chasing that feeling for years to come, but for now, I can proudly say—I took down my biggest buck ever!
