CR A IG BODDINGTON PROFESSIONAL MEMBER Photos Courtesy of Author
ACCURATE HUNTER TEAMWORK: HELP OR HINDRANCE?
The mule deer, with multiple
bucks in the group, were working their way up a ridge, 300 yards away and gaining ground. It was tough enough to stay on the right deer, but the rifle kept slipping. Things were going downhill fast. We jumped the deer from a ranch track on the third day. I hopped out and put a jacket on the hood. I’m not proud of this, but it’s 100 percent legal on private land in far West Texas. The truck was tall; I am not. The angle was not lefty-friendly. As soon as I’d get the crosshairs steady, the rifle would start to slide. Not quite in panic mode, I realized this wasn’t going to work.
Boddington and guide Steven Ryan with a fine far West Texas mule deer. Teamwork saved the day; Boddington’s shooting position was slipping, no shot possible until Ryan stepped in and put shooting sticks under the rifle butt.
14 FAIR CH A S E | S UM M ER 2022
