With my location for archery elk scouted fairly well from using my Browning trail cameras I decided before the archery elk season started and I got wrapped up in it that I needed to hike into the area I wanted to muzzleloader mule deer hunt. The area is really a two-day trip to go in and back out, however, being crazy as I am I started hiking at 9 am and didn't get back until almost 11 pm. It was a long day but I learned a few things about the area.

I watched one decent four-point that would probably tempt me if the opportunity arose during the season. He wasn't huge just a nice four-point. I might keep an eye on him for Dallen and the rifle season if the buck makes it tell then and stays in that same area.

To help make the trip in more than just a hike I took my A-Bolt Stainless Varmint 243 WSSM rifle and a Primos electronic caller to see if I could find some coyotes. I set up a couple of times but wasn't able to find any coyotes.

On the way out climbing over a boulder field, I almost put my hand next to two rattlesnakes. Eeks! That will get the heart pumping. The one snake was pretty good-sized for a Utah rattler.

I took in three Browning Recon Force Trail cameras to watch for big muleys. I'm excited to see what they find in the area.

All in all, it was a pretty good day. I learned a few things about the area and am getting excited to hunt the area. I also have a new TC Encore muzzleloader that is shooting great so I'm hoping I can find a big one. Big for me would be 26 inches or wider and I would like it to score 160 plus. I haven't seen very many bucks that meet this criteria in my life so your average 140-inch four-point can be a real temptation for me. :)

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