MR. CLEAN

By Paul Slemmings

In early 2016 my wife and I decided to go for a walk in the bush. Just for some fresh air and to stretch our legs.

Two of my brothers came along as well and we went to a piece of public land we hunt quite often. The first thing I did was get our vehicle stuck and no matter how we tried we could not push it out. Luckily a Neighbor came by and pulled us out. After that debacle and lots of heckling from my brothers we started our walk. My wife who is a professional photographer was busy taking photos of the beautiful forest so the trek was slow but we were able to walk up on some deer, 3 small bucks.

Having run trail cameras in the area for years I recognized two of them but the third was a new buck and unique in that his main beams almost touched at the tips. My wife took photos of him before he trotted off and we went on our way. Appreciating the opportunity to see the deer and wildlife. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would stay in the area or be one of those deer that just passes through.

I got my answer that fall when a beautiful typical 5x5 started showing up on all of my cameras. His main beams had a bit more space between the tips but it was definitely him. He had good tines, he was really even and already had good mass. We figured he was a bit of a fighter because he had a split ear from 2015. He was visible in daytime and I hoped I’d get some encounters with him during the season. However, with him on public land I hoped he’d tone down the daytime activity. He did just that when hunting season started and I only saw him twice. Once on October 26 he came into my set for 25 minutes and walked right by my tree at 2 yards! Even though he wasn’t on my hit list I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to stick an arrow through him. I held off though and decided just to get some really good video. The next encounter was a week later on November 2 when I was out with my rifle and watched him tend two scrapes at about 80-100 yards as he walked down a trail then over a hill. A relatively short encounter compared to the last but cool nonetheless. After talking to my brother and showing him the video we figured he was 4 years old with good potential, so we’d better give him a name and start keeping tabs. He was a clean 5x5 and coupled with a lack of imagination we decided on the name Mr. Clean.

The next year we looked for him and had multiple cameras in the area, there were many bucks we recognized but we didn’t get a single photo of Mr. Clean the whole season. In 2018 we made some adjustments to our set up and he came in right away then disappeared, we didn’t recognize him either because he had grown some non typical points and he was quite elusive. We bounced cameras all over on top of fresh scrapes and he’d show up once then notice the camera and ghost out of the area. Not wanting to spook him too badly we stopped looking and focused on trying to get him in the rut. Hoping to bring in the does and have them bring him in.

Once the rut came he was on camera more but usually during the night. Then he’d find a doe and be gone for 3 days, we started hunting him every 4th day following the pattern. In mid November my friend finally saw him on the hoof as he ran past one of our sets in full pursuit of a doe. With no opportunity for a shot all my friend could do was watch him go. Checking the camera later that morning revealed that in the last two days he had been in during daylight! The next 4 days I had to work and it was just as well because Mr. Clean was locked down with the doe he had been chasing. I couldn’t help but wonder if every day I was working I was also missing my chance.

Finally I was able to get some days off and I headed back out to sit where we thought we might catch him moving. The first day we saw nothing except some

“Was a new buck and unique in that his main beams almost touched at the tips.”

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small bucks and a few does. The temperature dropped that night so as I prepared for an all-day sit, I had a feeling it would be a good day.

When I parked my truck that morning I could immediately hear deer making their way through the forest. I had to move only when the wind would pick up to cover my movement and the sound of my footsteps in the snow. After what felt like forever I was finally settled in and ready. There must have been a hot doe in the area because the bucks were cruising that morning, all heading down the same trail. It was fortunate that I had my rifle that day because the trail was 70 yards away. I had set in my mind that I would only hunt with my bow that year but on a recent hunting trip the sight on my bow suffered some damage and needed work, so rifle it was.

“The temperature dropped that night so as I prepared for an all-day sit, I had a feeling it would be a good day.”

10:01am I hadn’t seen anything for 45 minutes or so when I caught movement through the timber. I knew it was a buck and judging by his body size he was mature. His head was down, and he was moving quickly down the same trail as all the others. I brought up my rifle and chambered a round. He paused for a second and I saw tall tines, big sweeping beams and kickers coming out the back that was all I needed. I put the crosshairs on his vitals and pulled the trigger. He donkey kicked and ran behind some bush where I couldn’t see him. I put another shell in and kept scanning in case a follow up shot was needed. With my adrenaline still high but being able to take a breath I saw his ear flicker and knew it wasn’t over yet. He took 3 more laboured steps out from behind cover and although the first shot was enough I sent a follow up. I heard the hit and saw the shockwave centered on his lungs. Then he ran out of

sight. I knew the shots were good and was so excited I had to text my wife and call my brother. 15 minutes later I figured it was safe to take up the trail or at least check for blood. As soon as I reached the initial point of impact there was really good sign and I knew he couldn’t be far. I followed for 10 yards to where he’d collapsed and got back up, then there he was. Laying in the snow 20 yards away was the biggest buck I’d ever taken. With every step he got bigger and bigger. It wasn’t just his antlers, he had to weigh at least 350 pounds! A true fully mature Saskatchewan whitetail buck. I noticed his split right ear and finally recognized him! It had been three years since the first encounter with this now 6.5 year old amazing buck.

He deserved better photos then I am able to produce with a cell phone so I loaded him up and went to pick up my wife. After the photos we took him home and during skinning I found multiple cuts on his neck as well as all of his teeth on his left side had been smashed out from fighting, there was nothing but gums and heavy bruising. He was the king of the area but he had definitely paid for it.

It’s amazing to watch a deer over the years and every year you’re on their side, hoping they survive, hoping they are healthy enough to make it through the - sometimes - brutal Saskatchewan seasons. Not selfishly in hopes that we get them but because they are amazing animals that deserve respect. Hunting is far more than just going out and killing something, it’s time spent with family and friends in the outdoors, the trail cam photos, the hard work and practice. In this case it was a huge personal accomplishment to choose a single deer to harvest and put the puzzle together to get it done.

After the excitement settled I couldn’t help but feel a bit of sadness. He wouldn’t be there next time I check my photos or out chasing does through the forest next year. His story has ended, but I thank God for the experience and am honoured it ended with me.