by Guy Fitzgerald

It was an overcast windy day in Detroit, Michigan as we set out to the great state of Wyoming. We were in pursuit of the mighty Western American Mule Deer. I had heard many things about Western Muley's. Many say these types of Muley's are very hard to get close to. Not a whole lot of folks try and capture them with a bow. We were destined to prove that with the Lord's help, we could do it. We were not only going to try and get close to these beasts that roam the plains of the Old West, but we were going to try and pull off a stalk with the camera rolling (as usual). What a task that we had before us. But that's what makes bowhunting challenging right? 

The jet ride was quite boring as usual. I just could not manage to see any game from my seat! We flew into Minneapolis, switched planes and headed to final destination Rapid City, SD. Man, do we ever receive the strangest looks from folks when we walk through airports wearing hunting camo from head to toe. It's always very entertaining to experience this. People don't know what to think. Anyhow, we landed in Rapid City, loaded all of our cameras, gear, etc. into the rental car and we were off to Hulett, Wyoming, the "Land Where The Buffalos Roam". 

My anticipation grew as we chugged along the series of winding gravel roads that would eventually lead us to our camp. The two hour drive seemed like five, but we finally made it. I jumped out of the car, shouted hallelujah, kissed the ground, and then proceeded to jump up and down. I am a very crazy dude sometimes. I'll tell you that up front (those who have seen me in the videos know what I mean). 

We secured our licenses, checked our equipment, and we were off. We came to hunt. We had no time to mess around. Many miles later we found ourselves in the midst of Muley country. Canyons, gullies, coolies, washouts, and plateaus surrounded us.

Sage brush, and some strange looking types of cactus covered the ground in all directions. What a strange place to house deer. I figured the Muley's must eat the sage and that made me very hungry. I love sage. 

As we walked, I looked up at the magnificent blue Wyoming sky. It seemed to go on forever. I smiled and thanked the Good Lord for creating this wonderful land and the animals in it. I asked Him to bless my hunt and my shot. I felt confident. We walked up onto a hill where we could see within a mile or so in all directions. There we glassed the area and searched for an opportunity. Sure enough, we saw a nice Muley with a couple of females feeding out in a wheat field about a half-mile away. We immediately began to develop a plan of attack. The buck and the does were heading towards a funnel type valley in between two hills. We decided to circle around the other side of the hill and meet him when he came out of the funnel. We prayed over our plan and went after him. 

We got half-way around the hill and something terrible happened. It was a bowhunters worst nightmare. Something that causes us all to wake up in cold sweats. The buck was heading right where we wanted him and the wind changed. The combination of hills and coolies caused the wind to begin a swirling pattern. It traveled from the buck to us, past us, came back around, and headed back toward the buck. We knew we were going to lose this buck if we didn't act quick. We pulled out our trusty Deer Dander, saturated ourselves and equipment with it, and kept right on going. What better cover than to actually smell like a deer Deer Dander had never let us down before, I wasn't going to let it start now. 

We reached the end of the hill and the opening of the funnel before the buck did. He was grazing as he walked. So he was moving at a slow but steady pace. The funnel opened into another huge wheat field. Now I knew where he was going and why he was heading there. We lost sight of the buck, so we patiently waited. Several minutes passed. Just when we were beginning to think that he turned back, I looked up and out he stepped. The same does were still with him. 

The camera began to roll and up we stood. We walked slowly, but steadily toward him. He didn't seem to smell us, though the wind was blowing right up his nose. He was somewhat laid back, but still alert. I was just about to draw on him, and he turned and walked straight away from me into the open field. Dad and I followed right after him. My years of experience taught me that I must take full advantage of having a deer walking away from me and looking in the opposite direction. Especially in a stalking situation. 

Finally he turned to the right. He was perfectly broadside. A powerful crosswind started to develop. I began to pray that it wouldn't affect my arrow flight. We remained still as he continued to feed in the field. I took a couple more steps to close the large gap. The camera continued to roll. I came to within comfortable shooting distance and drew my bow. I shoot totally instinctive, so it really doesn't take me that long to aim. I held for about two seconds and let that arrow fly. It seemed like eternity, as I watched those pretty white feathers glide through the air and disappear through the heart of that great beast. He ran about fifty yards and dropped in the field in full view of the camera. 

There is nothing like watching your animal drop right in front of you. It is such a relief to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is down for sure. It is such a blessing when everything goes perfectly as planned. I was so excited! Words can't explain the extreme joy that filled every part of my being that day. You all know what I am talking about. It was a trip that I will never forget.

The memories that we made, the times that we shared, they are things that can never be taken from me. It was truly an awesome Father/Son experience that will go down in my history book of memories as an extreme success. "Thank you Lord for making my dream of Slam Dunking a Western Muley come true". Thank you fans for supporting us for the past twenty-one years. Have a great season and may God bless you and all you do.

Guy 

P.S. Check this entire hunt out in our video release "Slam Dunkin' Whitetails & Muley's"