mc68

That last line was supposed to say Shaq.

I appreciate that you didn't take offense and I am certainly not an expert on the subject of hybrids. To answer your question though, I have indeed seen many does that wouldn't flag. In fact, when they are running in groups, some may flag while others do not. I have no idea other than my own belief that some of these deer have evolved if you will, to understanding that sometimes the flag actually draws unwanted attention. In your picture on this post the doe does appear quite large, and who knows maybe she is crossed. It is definitely my strong belief though that this does not occur very often in the wild. In my hunting career, the majority of the country I hunt, both species can be found. I have very very rarely seen many of them that I felt were a cross. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just think its quite rare. Seen many whitetail standing side by side that had varying shades of coats and even different colors on the back of their tails( usually darker almost black looking). Also seen some mulies that looked kinda odd but did not suspect hybrid traits. I just think that sometimes an animal comes out a little "special". Heck every species has big old freaks, take Shaw for instance....by the way I do like your pictures and I hope you keep posting them!

I will agree that is an awful big whitetail, however I really think you need to change your thought that a whitetail will usually flag when running away. I have seen on a couple different posts where you have made this statement and suggest that this is a hybrid trait. I humbly disagree with you on this. In fact, most of the bigger bucks I see will not flag very often at all when spooked. I believe that as they mature a lot of them seem to quit flagging for some reason. Not meaning at all to start a fuss here, just passing on what I have witnessed over the years...

I just would like to wish all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. This is my favorite holiday of the year...enjoy.

Big enough in most units....

OMG!!!!!! PLEASE oh please Lord, let me draw a strip tag in the near future. I want so bad to get to hunt an area where you may get a chance at a monster buck like this one. Its got to be such an amazing experience to be in the same country where this kind of critter lives!! Nice job.

The unit has been in decline for years due to drought it seems. Used to be an amazing hunt, especially during the late archery hunt. Obviously there are still some pockets of deer here and there, but having lived in this area for 45 years I promise you it is nowhere even close to what it used to be. Sorry I dont have better news for you...

You are obviously a very very lucky guy!! Not only do you have a great looking late archery bull there, but you have an even more impressive looking family there! Your wife must be an angel to let you keep hunting with all your youngens at home! Great job!

Well everyone else has posted so its only right that I do...from what I see you have accomplished two incredible things here. First of all you shot an absolutely beautiful coues buck. He really is unique and special. Secondly, and almost as impressive, is you have most of the people posting actually saying your buck is BIGGER than it scored!! Now that is quite a remarkable thing believe me! In all seriousness though, you really do have a very special trophy there. Big time congratulations.

People please don't listen to this idiot. He does not know what he's talking about. Could have guessed this kind of shi* would have gotten started but the buck is legal in every way. He did not cross any lines. heck if had done something wrong you think he would contact Amanda to post and score. No surprise that so many people have quit this site.

I got to see this buck in person and believe me the pics don't tell the whole story. This buck is a hog. As far as I know it is probably the biggest buck to come out of this unit in a few whole lot of years, possibly ever. The buck is one that you would swear comes from the North country. The mass is amazing and it has everything else you would want too. Its a legit monster buck. Guess he needs to learn the art of standing 10 feet away to make a 140" buck look like a world record....

Well I know that little guy is smiling big all the time now, just like he was in that picture. I'm sure that he is really proud of his Dad for his great deer. Im sure he shared in the excitement. Very happy that you were able to have such a successful hunt.

Hey all, I have put a ton of thought into this and would like to get some feedback from others on this subject. At what age, or at what point in a youth's hunting career should we as parents and mentors allow kids to start " trophy hunting"? The reason I ask is because I have kids at hunting age, and I have found myself wrestling with the thought of letting them shoot the first legal animal they have an opportunity at. After alot of reflection and digging into old photos I have come to the conclusion that, for me, I think it should be for the adventure of the hunt and not at all about the size of the animal during the first 5+ years of their hunting career. I remember my first deer was a Forky coues buck, and he may as well have been a World Record. The funny thing is, I can't remember the first " good" buck I shot...All of that being said, I wonder if I am in the Minority here, or if I should push them to challenge themselves to only shoot larger animals? Please give your thought and understand this is not at all a challenge to anyone else's choices. Thanks.

The smile on that young mans face is priceless...great job to all involved!

I just hope the anti's don't use these sightings as a tool to shut the Santa Ritas down because they are now "critical habitat" for it...

I really hope you have that picture blown up and framed because its AWESOME!!! You are going to look back on that one years down the road and its going to put a big smile on your face. I can still remember going out deer hinting when I was a kid and those are without a doubt some of my most cherished memories of childhood. Super cool bud.

A family that hunts together, stays together. Doesn't get any better than that bud. Awesome.

You are right, its been so hot for hunting but way to get it done in spite of it. Congrats.

Awesome bucks and good to see hard work rewarded.

Gave Coach a pass because his original post was definately out of character for him, he's not the kind to try and steal someone's thunder and he said that later. IMO Amanda was wrong for fueling the fire about hybrid. Like I said, the guy did not ask for questions about the genetics of his deer. All in all though, I shouldn't expect anything else from this site anymore. I personally know several people who have quit doing anything with Cwt.com because of all this kind of nonsense. Wheres Lark when you need him? Let's be done with this and just admire the guys trophy...

That's an awesome game plan, you got to experience that adrenalin rush not only once this year but 5 times!!!! J/k, nice buck!

By the way COACH I do believe you meant no disrespect as that definitely does not appear to be your character.

I guess I will explain myself a little more on this subject. If you go back and read the original post, you will clearly see that nowhere in his story does he state that he thinks he may have shot a "hybrid". True to form, we have a couple congratulatory responses and then we get our first " expert opinion" that the buck looks like a mule deer cross, followed by a couple +1's and wind up with someone actually asking for a pic of the tail...I guess I just don't think its any one else's buisness to ask for any justification on this persons trophy. Like I stated earlier, you don't see these "observations" coming up on smaller bucks. When these experts offer their opinion it is usually on an extrodinary buck. I know that most of the people putting these posts up are not trying to honor the animal, they are trying to diminish it by stating it is something other than incredible. I would also suspect that there is a large amount of jealousy involved. All in all this is a long winded response that can probably be better said by this, the next time someone takes an amazing animal, simply congratulate the hunter and keep your dumb a$$ responses to yourself. Julius, absolutely incredible COUES buck!!

Straight up coues buck. Amazing how many game biologists are on this site. Every time a huge coues deer is taken, someone on this site will drop the first " subtle" phrase such as ears look big or color looks like a mulie or some other BS. Funny thing is, all the giants that come from Mexico are seldom if ever questioned. Please for respect to the hunter, refrain on your opinions and just congratulate the guy. Cracks me up that people have the nerve to ask for photos of the tail or something. The guy posted pics for us to enjoy, if your jealousy is too much just keep the comments to yourself please. By the way some of the bucks coming off the Kiabab are way too big, wondering if something is going on between the deer and elk up there?!

Yes, the guy we came across spoke perfect English. The officer told us that's pretty much the way it works with the guides. He had on a Thatcher Eagles sweatshirt...I can honestly tell you that the terrain the guy went through to get where we encountered him was pure heck. He was pretty scratched up and his clothes were torn pretty good. I felt bad kind of until talking to the Officer and him explaining how these guides totally exploit the people and then abandon them. I wasn't happy to hear about them taking more and more to the back country though. I personally think you will be better off camping in a more popular spot as I don't think the illegals will be as brave in those areas...again, good luck.