Local Teen Bags 5X6 Mule Deer

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Elementary eighth-grader Avery Smith's hunting success this year will be hard to beat. Opening weekend Smith bagged a 5X6 mule deer after drawing one of 45 special antlered buck mule deer tags for hunting district (HD) 270. His goal now is to get his bull elk.

Smith has been hunting since he completed his hunter safety requirements at age 11.

"I love everything about hunting, being out in the woods with a gun in hand," said Smith. He said he enjoys hunting with his uncle Brady Smith because Brady is a good hunter and is teaching him when to take the shot. Smith added, "I like to see big animals, bucks and bulls."

His first year, Smith shot a little buck. This past summer he got a cow elk as a part of a damage hunt on his grandparents, Ron and Diane Conklin's, ranch south of Darby. Smith was excited to learn that he was drawn out of 5,000 applicants for HD 270. "270 is really good for big mule deer," said Smith.

Smith said the quest this year for the big mule deer turned into an "exceptionally easy hunt." Hunting with his uncle and grandfather, Smith was out opening day hoping to find his trophy. As the sun started to drop, they spotted a smaller buck across the draw. As they headed towards it, they jumped a group of six or seven does.

"I think they just winded us," said Smith. "They didn't go far."

With the does was his buck that stopped near a sagebrush. Smith set himself up, steadying his 7MM-08 rifle on a tree, and took the shot.

"At first I didn't know if I had hit him," said Smith. "He went over the ridgeline and I couldn't see if he had dropped."

After hiking over to the spot where the mule deer was last seen, they found it had taken two steps, dropped and slid down the backside of the ridge into a crevasse. Smith had shot him right behind the ear.

"I was really happy and it was a really exciting moment," said Smith. "I didn't know what to say, I just kept smiling."

Smith did not take any other measurements other than the point count at the check station. He is getting a European mount with the antlers for his wall. He said it was a really big bodied mule deer. He is looking forward to enjoying the meat that is still at his grandparents' in Darby and trying the breakfast sausage that has been made.

Smith looks forward to getting a bull elk yet this season. He also will take bow hunters safety classes this summer in hopes of getting a buck or bull next year with a bow.