coues hunter

Congrats, That buck is a tank! Glad you got the chance to finish him

My New Years started this year at 3:17 am with a 4 hour hike to my glass point. From previous scouting trips, I knew there was a few good bucks in the area and was happy to finally be toting my bow and a fresh tag along. The first hour of light turned up my buck and five others. I enjoyed some hot chocolate as i waited for the wind to cooperate. It steadied around 10:00 am so I moved into position above the group of bucks. The day old snow was no longer fresh and quite crunchy but I was able to get about 120 yards without trouble. I decided to give the snow awhile to thaw and just watch the bucks. My buck had been hoarding a doe bedded below him and was busy all morning running the smaller bucks off. With every wind gust, I took a step. Everytime a buck ran, I took a step. At 1:00 I reached a group of rocks that I thought if I climbed, I could get a shot from. It looked like a great spot untill three of the bucks decided to move directly below me. This is when my nerves kicked in full throttle. My buck would step into a lane just long enough for me to range him, set up and draw. Then he would drop back down to his doe out of sight. All the while I'm trying to not be detected by the smaller bucks. Finally I got a break when one buck moved in and was ran off drawing my buck right into a lane 70 yards below me. I was ready and sent the arrow down the lane over the backs of three other bucks and had a clean pass through. I climbed back up the hill, ate lunch and thought about the fact that my season was now over. I knew there was still alot of work ahead of me and plenty of other hunts to help out on. So decided to just except that this one was short and sweet. My 2011 Coues Whitetail Lunch break My Shooting Platform. The lane was between my top limb and quiver hood. A beautifull sight to an Archery Hunter A beautifull sight to any Hunter Ready for a long night The pack out

I've used three different heads, all of which had LESS than stellar results. No more messing around with the mechanicals for me. Has anyone shot the meat seeker 3 blade at all? I bought some in bulk because they were real cheap, under $5 each. They're really compact in flight and group tight. I dont think the blades are quite as strong or sharp as they could be and the tolerances seem a little sloppy. But the head itself and the mechanics of it seem very reliable. I used them on the buck I killed this jan on the initial and finishing shot. Both opened before entry. The first shot hit and broke ribs and was unharmed. The last broke a blade off after exiting the animal and hitting rock. Still want to use them more before I call it. But first impression is they're a good broadhead.

Jan 2nd I spotted this buck running a doe across an open ridge. I was amazed by his wide spread. He was certainly a buck of intrest to me. That morning I stood 65 yards from him and was unable to get an accurate range before my opportunity passed. I was able to turn him up every weekend of January after that but after multiple failed stalks I still had all my arrows. Untill the last weekend that is. After a little shuffle with a coworker my Saturday shift was covered and I set off on the 6 mile hike to the canyon he called home. At this point in my mind he was the only buck in existence. I had trouble that morning but finally turned him up when he stood from his bed in the afternoon. He was with another buck and a few does which put my stalk on hold untill the next day. When I found him the next morning he was all alone and working to the back of the canyon where he had bedded the day before. I remember thinking about how everything just seemed to be falling together. Not a very common thought of mine when hunting Coues deer with a bow. About two hours later I crested his side of the canyon and was happy to see him bedded in a small shadded opening 150 yards below. The pack and shoes stayed there and I slowly decended toward the buck. When I peeked over a cliff to range him below me he rose to his feet and I lost whatever composure I had left. He stood there looking around long enough for me to calm down and release an arrow. I don't remember hearing the bow or even seeing the arrow fly. I only remember seeing the hide on his chest ripple where the arrow passed though. I was overwhelmed with excitement and emotions knowing the buck I wanted for so long was now fatally hit. After taking pictures and boning out the buck it was close to dark and I was just beginning the pack out. With 80 lbs of meat and gear I made the thee hour hike in just under seven. I stopped quite a few times to rest, eat and cross knee high freezing springs. It was long, cold and painfull. But nothing really matered at this point. With that buck on my back I could have crossed hot coals with a smile. It was a Hunt not soon forgotten. The buck gross scores 101 and measures 16.5" inside.

Just wanted to share a picture i took yesterday. Can't wait for Jan 1st.

Agreed, Poacher. I hope the person gets caught. I wonder if this could have been a crossbow.

Looks like an '09 Coldfront to me??? It is the Sitka Celsious Jacket. Just got it but so far really like it. For its weight, I dont think you can beat it warmth wise. Mine is under 2 lbs and with a base layer and tee shirt I stayed warm enough. Not waterproof but it seals up tight and really keeps the wind out. The hood is awesome and zips off when not needed. One trip to the backcountry and I already forgot about the pricetag.

It sounds like you're on the right track. I would definatly recommend getting a rangefinder. I've missed bucks before by misjudging yardage. Anymore, I make absolute sure that I have the exact range to the animal. Theres nothing worse then watching a perfectly released arrow drop an extra foot at the last moment. The difference between 60 and 65 yards can be kill or clean miss. Looking forward to reading your next post. Best of luck out there.

Got me laughing! Sounds like they have a sweet set up. Hope it all comes together for them both.

Sweet pictures. I've never seen three together before. Almost makes me think twice about blowing a mouth call.

I'm not exactly sure but at one point my thermometer read 17. It didn't help that I fell into a creek trying to get water . I didnt go far from the fire for a few hours after that.

206 Its cool to see a true 4x4 coues whitetail. They seem pretty rare.

I am going to agree that you are right when it comes down to many things. However, we will keep our own ideas of whether or not Hunting should be fair. FAIR CHASE BY DEFINITION "Fair Chase" is the original code of conduct first used by Boone and Crockett Club members in the early 1890s at a time when sportsmen emerged as the guardians over our game animals and birds. It was defined as the ethical, sportsmanlike, lawful pursuit, and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.

It was taken though a 65mm Nikon prostaff at 48 power. It can get clearer but the mirage was thick during the picture. I am sad to note that a shot came rubbling down the canyon today from back where this buck is.

Just feel like chiming in again. I dont think this is a question for what weapon at what distance is possible or ethical. There are 1000 yard br shooters making groups that alot of hunters would be proud of at 200. Theres also Archers out there killing plenty of game around the 100 yard mark. It means much more who is behind the weapon rather than whether or not its a "normal range". I just feel like the animal deserves a chance to use at least one of his senses to assure his survival. An animal has to make a mistake for you to get to the 100 yard line. The same cannot be said about the 1000 yard line. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of stalking and out witing the animal. Without that aspect of a hunt I just wouldnt enjoy it.

I will up the ante I figure a 1000 yard rifle shot is equal to a 135 yard bow shot. Anyway the bubble on the bottom of my sight hits 135 yards and the degree angle i must cant my bow up is probably close to the cant of 1000 yard rifle shot. Close to a fair relationship. I just hope I will not be detected by my prey when I'm backing up for the shot. 135 yard bow shot! Why not? Bob Sadly enough, its already been done. I heard of a 151 yard coues buck bow kill and this past year a 160 yard Antelope bow kill. Not sure about any details but I would assume these guys lose their share of arrows.

200 yards. I didn't want to push my luck too much with the season so close.

308nut I respect your response and your desires. Knowing you're complete understanding and commitment to the action is why I can do this. You just also need to except that when you post your 1000 yd kill. Someone will see it then watch a savage commercial shooting steel 1000+ yards and a trip to the sporting goods store later they'll be throwing lead a Coues 'n' Sheeps elk next year from 1000 yards. I will continue to hunt hard and strive for my personal goals. Everyone else please do the same. Just understand your success will be imitated. Lastly, if the point of this thread is to provoke thought. Then has it not been successfull. What is a long range shot? What defines a hunter? What decides the meaningfullness of a hunt?

The only problem I see here is that you are insinuating that anybody who takes a long range shot is not hunting or isn't a hunter. Well, what do you consider long range or not? Does a 300 yard kill make me a hunter and a 400 yard kill make me not worthy to be called a hunter? Where do you draw the line???? Does a 60 yard archery kill make you less of a hunter because you couldn't get to 20? Does taking less than 10-20 days mean you didn't put in the time to be worthy of being called a hunter? Does being done with my hunt at 7:30 am opening morning make my hunt less meaningful? If you saw a 110" buck walk by in front of you on opening morning while you are glassing and stop broadside at 30 yards with no idea you are there, would you shoot it? Wouldn't doing so go against what you have said you believe about hunting? By the way, I have no problem with your style of hunting or how you choose to do it. To me it sounds like you are very dedicated and very good at what you do. It just rubs people the wrong way when you arrogantly suggest that their way is the wrong way, or that you are better than them because you do it differently. I do not intend to take away from somebody elses hunt or style of hunting. However, I understand how what I have written thus far can be taken in this manner and apologize. I just cringe everytime I hear or read someone saying there was no way to get any closer so I had to shoot at 700+ yards. We all know how to close the distance better then that. Just say you're not patient enough to try and get closer or something. I could at least respect the honesty in that. Bottom line, its just my opinion. If you're comfortable with the way you are hunting and enjoy it then great. You dont need my aproval. Perfect! If you don't mind... we'd like to disregard all the less than constructive statements you've made pior to this one and move on with the thought provoking meaning of this thread! Great. You have my aproval, I dont mind one bit.

The only problem I see here is that you are insinuating that anybody who takes a long range shot is not hunting or isn't a hunter. Well, what do you consider long range or not? Does a 300 yard kill make me a hunter and a 400 yard kill make me not worthy to be called a hunter? Where do you draw the line???? Does a 60 yard archery kill make you less of a hunter because you couldn't get to 20? Does taking less than 10-20 days mean you didn't put in the time to be worthy of being called a hunter? Does being done with my hunt at 7:30 am opening morning make my hunt less meaningful? If you saw a 110" buck walk by in front of you on opening morning while you are glassing and stop broadside at 30 yards with no idea you are there, would you shoot it? Wouldn't doing so go against what you have said you believe about hunting? By the way, I have no problem with your style of hunting or how you choose to do it. To me it sounds like you are very dedicated and very good at what you do. It just rubs people the wrong way when you arrogantly suggest that their way is the wrong way, or that you are better than them because you do it differently. I do not intend to take away from somebody elses hunt or style of hunting. However, I understand how what I have written thus far can be taken in this manner and apologize. I just cringe everytime I hear or read someone saying there was no way to get any closer so I had to shoot at 700+ yards. We all know how to close the distance better then that. Just say you're not patient enough to try and get closer or something. I could at least respect the honesty in that. Bottom line, its just my opinion. If you're comfortable with the way you are hunting and enjoy it then great. You dont need my aproval.

All I'm trying to say is that I choose to hunt a little for my game. Yes you dont always get a shot. Like I said Hunting not Shooting. I have killed coues the past four years with a bow and taken anywhere from 10-20 days to do it. To me its not about getting first glimpse of a buck at 800 yards then sending the lead. I want it to be hard. Everyone obviously is not going to agree with me. But its how I prefer it. I in no way believe that I understand LR shooting and hunting as much as some of the people on this site. But I have done it. I have a 700 vls in 308 topped with a nightforce 8-32x56. I handload 168 gr Machkings and I have shot multiple Sub 1/4 moa groups with it at 200 yards. As well as shooting it as far as 1000 yards. To me It would be perfectly capable of killing at 750. Under calm conditions, I know that windage is the limiting factor of this gun. HOWEVER, knowing that it can do it is good enough for me. I would not feel the same pride in killing at a distance immune to the animals senses.

I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat. 8 pts and I have been applying for the higher percentage tags. Fingers are crossed for next year good luck to you.

We all need to work on the ever changing limits of our abilities and our equipment. I'll refer you to my paragraph above that desertdog quoted in regaurds to your assumption that 300-400 yards should be a max distance.... I can choose not to hunt a lot of country if I use that range as my "Max". Objectivity is a big part of not only hunting but life… Just because you choose to drive a Chevy and I choose a Dodge or Ford does not really make either of us a better person. How we drive it may define us, however. This is a great quote first off. I think the argument here, if I'm not mistaken, is not what truck were driving but how we are driving it. My personal opinion is that it is absolutly not necesary to shoot game at extreme distances. I will however agree that it is easier then trying to get closer. Some just choose to work hard for something they will be proud of and some choose to cheat. This was the basis of establishing Fair Chase Hunting. As far as your max distance goes. You can hunt as much country as you want. Get up high and glass as far as you possibly can. But then, get closer. Its called a stalk for those new to the Idea.

Awesome buck! Huge congrats to you.

If anyone believes they need to shoot at 800 yards all I have to say is GO ARCHERY HUNTING. I am primarily a bow hunter and when I get to 200 yards the stalk just begins. To me there is abosolutly zero reason to "have to" shoot beyond 300-400 yards. I think it comes down to being lazy and not wanting to chalenge your hunting abilities. Show me a Rifle hunter at 800 yards and I will show you a Bow hunter at 50. And yes you don't always get "in" for the shot. THATS WHY ITS HUNTING. NOT SHOOTING! I'm happy for this posting. A little less shooting and a lot more hunting people. Btw, I'm not trying to pick on the Rifle hunters. Bow hunters need to know there limitations too.