Leaderboard

Tessa and myself just got back from a quick trip to Kansas we both took good bucks but mine will need some fixing

I haven’t shared a story in a while, been trying to find the time to write this one up and finally taking the time today. I didn’t draw a tag this year but my 2 youngest boys did. My 16 year old, Rusten found a spot he wanted to hunt and made a couple trips in there and scouted it pretty well. He found where we could get water and got a good lay of the the land but never found any big bucks. The first few days of the hunt we decided to go to an area we were already familiar with. After a pretty brutal hike we set up a quick camp and started glassing. We quickly found a cool 2x3 buck bedded at 600 yards but while we were trying to decide if one of the boys wanted to shoot him, he got up and disappeared into the brush. By then it was mid-day so we decided to drop into the canyon and filter some water to get us through the next couple days. After filling up we made our way back to our glassing point. At around 2pm, Rusten glassed up two bucks bedded at 800 yards. We took a good look at them and thought the bigger one might be close to 100”. My 14 year old Camm, decided he wanted to shoot the bigger of the two bucks so we made a plan. Rusten stayed on the hill while Camm and I moved closer. While we were getting into position the bucks got up and started feeding. We got to 415 yards and found a big boulder to get into a semi-prone position. He was able to make a great shot and put down his 3rd coues deer and his biggest buck yet at around 97”. By the time we got him broke down and back to camp it was 830 and we were pretty exhausted. We got Camm’s meat cooled off and hanging in the shade and we were back at it the next morning looking for a buck for Rusten. He had his sights set pretty high on an only shooting a big buck. He has been lucky enough to kill two bucks around the 100” mark already. One of them was on the same hill that camm just killed his buck on so we were hopeful of finding another good buck. Unfortunately, the next 2 days the wind picked up big time and we only turned up some small bucks and a bear. We decided to pack Camm’s deer out and move camp to the area Rusten scouted After a few hours at home we were back at it the next morning in a new area with high hopes Monday we found around 10 bucks, nothing big, but that evening we saw a couple that were too far out that looked promising. Tuesday morning we glassed close to camp at first light but by mid-day we were over were we saw the bucks the previous evening. We were on top of a the biggest hill in the area looking down into some shaded cuts. At around 2pm, I found a buck up feeding about 600 yards below us. As I was trying to point him out to the boys, he disappeared behind some trees. We were waiting for him to come out and another buck appears that was noticeably bigger. I wasn’t sure how big but I could see he had long beams and decent point length. Rusten decided pretty quickly he wanted to shoot him. Normally, I would help my boys find a place to shoot from and get the rifle set up for them but this time I just told Rusten to make it happen. We weren’t able to get any closer because of a big bluff below us so I gave him the dope for 613 yards and he knocked him down. I was pretty surprised when I walked up to him to see that he was a better buck than I thought. This is Rusten’s 5th coues deer and also his best at close 106” We were beyond blessed on this hunt. My boys impress me so much with their willingness to put in the hard work chasing these deer in the backcountry. We had a lot of laughs especially trying to stuff the 3 of us into a 2 man backpacking tent. Good memories for sure.

So after chasing mule deer in Dec/Jan archery my wife decided she wanted to try her luck on a desert mule deer during the general hunt. We’ve chased these deer only during archery and had decided to keep tabs through the years. We finally felt we had a solid plan so off we went. We got to her u it the afternoon before and set up camp then went out to glass. On our way to our glassing spot we came across a groups of 4 bucks hanging out in the area we were goi g to focus on. We got up early Opening morning and my wife and son got ready and headed to the area we had chosen to be at sunrise. I went to the glassing spot. At about 0611 I glasses up a group of 5 bucks, one of which was a definite shooter. Once they had formulated and approach everything just worked out perfect. I was bummed I couldn’t be with her when she shot but having just had hernia surgery a week earlier I was relegated to glass duty. 312 yard offhand shot with her 300WSM and the rest is history. Super proud of her!

the 2022 NM youth season was good to us. My son harvested an off range oryx and a nice mule deer, and my daughter harvested a coues deer and a cow elk.

You should have helped on the late 22 north and south hunts this year. Would probably cure you of the late hunts haha.

I had the fortune to shoot some Snow Geese recently. The meat is awesome. I know that tradition for most is to just breast the birds but I wanted to share that the leg meat is delicious. I just brined, rinsed, and used a modern Confit recipe. Confit is an old technique where the meat is slow cooked immersed in fat (preferably from the same animal). Duck Confit is a classic. Anyways, my geese had very little fat so I used what I had, bacon grease. I lightly peppered the meat and vacuum sealed with a good dollop of bacon grease. I then sealed that bag in a second bag. Then placed the bag in a crockpot of water and cooked on low for 24+ hours. It was probably done sooner but I did it over Thanksgiving and was otherwise occupied. The meat came out falling off the bones, extremely tender, and delicious. Very mild flavor and nice texture. Think a good slow cooked pork butt. The bacon grease did add a slight porky flavor. Very good eats and doubled the yield vs. just breast meat. We did shredded goose taco's initially and the whole family enjoyed them. I have since been taking bowls with beans and rice to work. I have enjoyed the chance to extend the satisfaction of a successful hunt over many meals. This method worked so well I plan to try with other game meats. I think slow cooking in fat will yield a very tender meal.

Good karma sent your way.

Barrel is a fluted Bartlien 3b in 6.5cm. VX-5 with turret. It used To be my dad’s rifle and was chambered in .243 win. My buddy Clint (Stomp442) at Neff’’s custom rifles re barreled it for me and it shoots lights out. I kept the old wood stock for character and nostalgia. All 3 of my boys have each killed a cow elk with it and a pile of coues deer.

Yes Definitely! We have water jet and laser sources. With the elk mount we are having to machine pieces. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as increasing the size of these current mounts due to the angle it needs to sit with antlers that sweep back. We definitely want these done asap but want them done right.

Finally harvested one.

Hey Guys! Over the last year a couple local hunters and I set out to design a simple yet visually pleasing mount for our trophies. We wanted to represent our state in the best way possible. Our first test batch has come in and we are overall pleased and are ready to make them available to our community. While we have some ideas to improve these mounts for our next batch we do have inventory ready to sell. This test batch is perfect for coues deer, small to medium sized mule deer, and any other game you can hang on it. We are excited about these designs and hope you guys like them and would love feedback. We are working on mounts for larger mule deer as well as elk. Our price is $25 for CW members! I didn't want to overload the post with pictures so if you want more pictures of the other designs reach out! Call txt or reply to this post for my questions or if you're interested! Noah 602-885-5308.

Posting for my buddy who doesn't have an account. Scope is brand new in box, never opened. He bought Mil by mistake and nightforce wouldn't return it for whatever reason so he went and bought the same model in MOA. Hes asking $2100 Save on price, shipping and tax. Bad butt scope! Pm me for his information

Tim I'll take the 38 Super next time you're out this away.

You have been hammering some big stuff lately! Congrats to you and Tessa!!

Don’t expect that on late archery hunts haha. I got my butt kicked this year on late hunts so I could just be tender still!!!

Not sure what your budget is - but what Nate said with a proof barrel. I have a couple of their ULs and am very happy with them in both weight and accuracy. One I did bottom metal and bedded stock (added about 15oz) and one is standard UL. They shoot!

Hodgoden powder website shows a load for 150gr TTSX starting around 44gr working to 49gr. It shows a 140gr SP starting at about 46gr working to 51gr compressed. I would start around that 44gr area and work up. https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=54

I will tell my side although it’s not a very gripping story. My 81 yr old father and I drove into a new spot hoping to find him a decent buck close to a road as he can’t hike very well anymore. We drove in saw a few doe, and on the way out passed 4 people and on the last stretch of the road I looked to my left and found them next to a small bush. They had been there for 24 hrs, that’s the story. My dad and I have been hunting coues together for the last 38 yrs, we have seen some cool things harvested many deer together. We have found knives, some ruins not many people know about but this was the first time we found another persons hunting gear. Needless to say he was the man that instilled the drive for me to do what’s right, so he is the really “hero” here. Just wished we could have gotten him a nice buck but the weather rolled in today and he wasn’t feeling it. But he did pass on 15 smaller bucks on the hunt, the memories are more important and this story will be shared for years to come.

I'm very grateful for this man just when you thought there wasn't honest people in the world. He comes riding in on the horse and saves the day for me. I'm very appreciative of you bro and oh you big time. Sunday morning God will bless your father with a big buck. You saved my life with my wife 😆 🤣! I left my tags in the front pouch Thanks again Norcy

10x42 EL, razor rangefinder, garmin gps, in a marsupial case. He turned out to be a great guy and I am very happy to have meet him and return his items.

Today I completed a goal of getting a Coues Deer with my pistol. It was a lot of fun and challenging. Thanks to everyone who assisted. FYI, its a Savage Striker with a custom Break and Barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Super Proud dad here! Hunted down south day after Thanksgiving. Suppose to meet up with other hunters but went to the wrong pin. It was sketchy with the trailer and didn't want to back out in the dark. So we went solo and took off with the Ranger. Found some good hills and started glassing. A few moments later a solo hunter drove by on his Ranger. We glassed for 30 min and moved to the next vantage point. Minutes later I ran into that other hunter on the Ranger. I haven't been to this part of the unit and he told me it doesn't go any farther. I said is it ok we glass over here. I don't have a tag and its just my 10 year old son who has it and will shoot the first thing with horns. He said yeah I love helping out young hunters. We started talking a bit and getting to know each other. Then my son said 10 feet away on the binos " I see some deer". He glassed up 300 yards away and the other hunter Mark said those are bucks. We were about to hike to them for a shooting position and Mark said they moved east. He has been hunting this spot of his for years. He said follow me I know where they are going. We played cat and mouse with these deer all morning. He then glassed up a nice little 60" buck and we watched him for a bit. 600 yards out my son cant shoot that. Soon we lost that buck and then relocated the bucks my son found earlier. Same thing cat and mouse and then finally he bedded down behind cat claws. We moved north and south trying to get a good shooting spot. Found a 400 yard shot open vitals but we looking into the sun so the glare on the scope and the deer on the north slope in the shade he disappear in the scope. The binos we can see him though. So the shot was blind. I told him Mark since its so windy around 15 mph wind i bet he will let us walk up close. We got up to 250 yards and couldn't get any closer. My son stayed on the gun like below for about an hour. The deer got up and he had it in sights and bumped his gun. I got up to help him and he relocated it. I was next to him when he shot and Mark yelled out right over his back. The buck went behind bushes again back and fourth. A couple times I had to get up and relocate it for my son. I tell you this was hard with a 10 year old. After another hour of this he stepped out and I told my son you need to shoot him now or he will move again. Right through the neck into the vitals since he was quarter facing down hill. He dropped like a sack of potato's. Mark and I were shouting, hoot and howling. My son turned and said did I get him? I said yeah that's why we are screaming with joy lol!!! I have yet sat on my gun that long for a shot and he didn't complain once!! So proud of him. So thankful for the other hunter who wanted to see him get one. True sportsmen right there. I got his info and Im planning on sending him a 100 gift card to Texas Road House for thanks. I don't think Ive could of made it happen on that buck with out his help and locating and relocating the deer. He texted me today he glassed up a 110 and trying to find him again. Best of luck Mark! Thank you.

Really? I didn't see another hunter the entire week I was out there. I did see some birders and bikers but 0 hunters. I scored on day 6, check it out.

My 10 year old daughter was able to harvest her first coues buck here in NM last week. We spent a lot of hours behind the glass, battled the flu, got screwed by adult hunters on two big bucks, and finally put it all together to harvest this little guy. My daughter made a great shot to put this buck down. We have been very blessed this season!

Told My Grandson JW if he didn’t get drawn and I did I’d transfer my tag over ! The hunt lasted 1 1/2 hr hope he don’t think that’s how easy hunting is lol !! I’m a Proud Grandpa ! His Great Grandpa got to be there to which made it extra special !