Mr. Jonathan

This is Lily the pug!

Don't get discouraged! You're in an enviable situation, even without being able to get a guide. Also, just because the guides will have a good idea of where MOST of the big bucks are, they still have to get their clients in a spot to kill one, which is exceptionally challenging. I would also imagine that there are plenty of people on this site with the experience and willingness to lend you a hand, perhaps even accompany you on your tag.

The buck in your avatar blows my skirt up!

I wouldn't let a 100 inch buck pass the first morning - but that has nothing to do with the unit or guide or anything, I'm just saying I wouldn't pass up a 100 inch buck!

C&S - you have a knack for creating threads that provoke thought and introspection, and ultimately, I believe, for the betterment of hunting and our hunting community. I remember the thread about following archery shots you started. Thanks for bringing out the important stuff. I hope this thread gets pinned and people continue to bring to it both honest and beneficial comments. I archery hunt almost exclusively and though I practice out to 90 & 100, I don't ever care to shoot at animals beyond 50 because I want to get close - as close as I possible can! I broke out the rifle this year (first time in 8 years) because I was tire of getting humiliated by Coues deer with my bow but they got the best of me again. I ended up taking my buck at 80 yards after taking my boots off and sneaking in with my socks. But I missed a perfect shot at him earlier at 300 yards - a shot I should've made and had practiced before the hunt. Like COOSEFAN says, crap happens! I had so much fun on this last hunt though, that I ended up getting a LR rifle and intend to put the time and money into getting it shooting at some good pokes - but not before I've invested enough practice. Thanks again Gino- great thread.

Here is my buck from the first morning: Joe's buck from the second morning: Mike's buck from the third morning: Remi's buck from the third evening: Picked up a few of these each evening just outside of camp. Special thanks to Randy (bowstringmusik) for the idea on this little kitchen set up. Worked like a charm! Javalina chorizo and camp spuds anyone? How many times to you get to see a bar in the shape of a giant cow skull? We had to stop! Never a complete trip down south without seeing one of these little gems. And the group shot. My buck was the smallest, but he was exactly what I was looking for. Three points, eye guards, nice frame, a good representation of the species. We rough scored him around 65, and from there they get bigger with Remi's being in the mid-low 70's. I figured for a third season general rifle hunt these were all pretty great deer, and now we have a bench mark to exceed next year.

Here is a link to the story of my buck. Hopefully I'll be able to get the other guys to share their stories too: White Flags in the Tall Grass: Part I

Fantastic! I wish I could've been there but it was pretty cool getting the play by play texts- made it hard to focus on work! Great shooting!

Ibex? Or sheep? Great old bull and great photos! I watched a Nat Geo thing on lions and hyenas, it was pretty awesome. I think I'd really like to knock over a big fisi someday!

How much time and how much money would a good Mexican Coues experience require? Its definitely on my to-do hunting list.

Thanks everyone, and once again a HUGE thanks to Christian (azcouesandelk) for all of his generosity in making this hunt such a success!

So are there ever gonna be pictures in this thread?

You got us pegged! Hey congrats again, that was as much fun as you can legally have. I don't know if Jonas gave you the heads up but I was able to fix the shadows on a lot of those pics and they look really good. I'll get another cd for ya and maybe swing by the shop this week. Thanks for letting me tag along!

Do you teach classes? I have a lot to learn!

Those field photos w/ the bull are gorgeous! Any advice on how you achieved that- clarity/depth of field? What was aperture/shutter speed to get that much light in the fog? Congrats and thanks for sharing!

It's been said before, but if it only happened once a year I'd show up early too...

Oh man, headed to the mountains in T-1.5 hours to help a buddy with his first deer hunt ever... Can't wait for tomorrow morning!

Found these out in the hills while looking for treasures. Any ideas?

What a fantastic hunt! Way to go for getting your kid a wonderful experience with his dad, and congrats to him on taking a great animal with a great shot!

Can't go wrong with that advice! But seriously, perhaps using a decoy or some kind of visual stimulant at 10-15 yards away from where you are set up so that focus becomes that instead of the auditory stimuli from your call?

Fantastic! What a great buck and great shooting too! Congratulations to the both of you!

That is an unbelievably beautiful animal... one of these days i have to go to Africa. Good luck and bring us back lots of photos!

The quail hunting was fabulous for a guy with no dogs and marginal shotgunning skills. More photos and story here: Quail Opener

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I've seen good mule deer in 32 in January, but bring a fine tooth comb and tweezers because you will be in the cholla and the cholla will be in you. If you're set on using a stand, I don't have much advice for you (because no experience), but sitting a blind or spot and stalk is a great way to go.