azffhunter

I was fortunate enough to draw a coveted December Coues Whitetail tag in Arizona this year. I have only been hunting for a little over six years, getting my start in archery. This was only my second Coues rifle tag and I must say, this hunt would prove to be one of the most difficult and challenging hunting experiences I have had to date. A very good friend of mine, Jason also drew a tag and we began our scouting preparation as soon as we received notification of our draw success. We had spent countless hours behind the glass, hiking, locating game trails and bedding areas. We decided to hike in off the main access and put a couple game cameras up on what appeared to be a frequently used game trail. After only a few weeks we had several bucks on film, a few of them we figured would push the 100" mark. This is a picture of a smaller buck that we captured, but we initially determined that he wouldn't make our "hit list" since we were looking for something 90" or better for a December tag. Little did I know....I would see this buck again. After all of the scouting....all of the planning....all of the preparation, the day finally came. We packed up the 5th wheel and headed to deer camp for a full week! We were like two kids waiting for Christmas morning. The anticipation of what opening morning would bring left me dreaming of monster bucks standing broadside in the rising sun. Finally it was time....game day. We loaded up before sunrise and headed out to our predetermined glassing spot. As the sun began to break through the darkness of night, we were welcomed by a very unwanted guest.....the wind. The only thing that was making the windy conditions worse was the looming full moon that was sure to haunt us all week. Despite the wind and the full moon, the country was just beautiful, and as they say.....a bad day of hunting is ALWAYS better than a good day at work! We kept in the glass from sunrise to sunset...day after day. We stayed committed to the area we were in because we knew the class of bucks it held. But between the relentless wind and the blinding moonlight haunting our dreams every single day, we just could not get eyes on a shooter buck. They just weren't very cooperative and clearly didn't get to be mature by making many mistakes. So for the first seven days, we hunted hard and put many miles on our boots. We enjoyed the country and the sunsets, but went home after seven long days with only the memories made. After spending some quality time with family during Christmas, and returning to work for a couple of days (only way I have found to pay for my hunting addiction), we headed back out for round two. This time the weather and moon phase would be in our favor. This time I was able to bring my oldest son Austin (12 years old), who was able to harvest his third deer last month during the Jr. Hunt. So after a short discussion between Jason and I, we decided to split up to try and cover more ground behind the glass. My son and I went to our spot and began to glass. I must say that my son has improved his glassing skills since his first hunt at 10 years old, and I was very happy to have the extra set of eyes. And, of course, I absolutely love spending quality time with him in the outdoors. I soon found myself looking at a buck feeding along a ridge about a mile away. Even though he was far, I could clearly see he was a shooter through my 15's. I was hoping to watch him bed down, but instead he pushed over the ridge out of sight. Between the distance he was from our position, and the terrain between us I figured it would likely take us about an hour and a half to close the distance and try to find this buck again. I knew right away this hike was going to be tough so I discussed it with my son. We agreed that though the hike would be tough, this was the first shooter buck we'd seen in what was now nine days of hard hunting and we needed to try. So I called Jason and let him know we were going after a shooter. We packed up and off we went. We glassed a few cuts along the way and were able to find some does bedded, but no bucks so we carried on towards our objective. Given the last position and direction of travel of the buck we hiked up to a ridge in hopes of cutting him off. We found a great place to glass the large canyon where the buck went into. We had some lunch and shared a few laughs between father and son. So there I was, glassing this canyon....picking apart every shadow, every twig looking for this shooter buck that lured us to this spot. I whisper to my son "How's it going buddy....seeing anything?". But he didn't answer so I looked over and saw this...... I guess the hike took it out of him and he needed a nap. I chuckled to myself and just watched him sleep for a moment, thankful to have my son by my side on this adventure. Come to think of it... I was pretty tired myself so I got a little shuteye too. After I woke myself up with my snoring....I was back in the glass and so was Austin. We glassed for a couple more hours only finding doe. The sun sure seemed to be in a hurry to set and I knew we only had about an hour and a half of light left. So I told my son to pack it up so we could head to the exact spot where I saw the buck push over. I told him that if we didn't find him soon, we would head back to the truck. So we reached our destination in about fifteen minutes and started to glass. I was in the glass for less than a minute when I found deer. A few does were up and feeding in an Ocotillo field about 200 yards from us. I told my son not to move as I continued to scan the landscape. As I scan....doe....doe.....doe....buck...buck....doe...doe....WAIT A MINUTE.....BUCK!!!!! I looked at my son as he says to me "Dad..you look like you just won a million dollars"! I ranged the bucks....540 yards. I could tell there were two bucks feeding next to each other but I wanted a better look at them so I put my trusty Vortex spotting scope up. Neither of them were the buck that I saw push over the ridge, but I thought they were decent enough knowing neither would break 90"...but I didn't care. I had put the work in, and now had the opportunity to harvest a great buck with my son there to watch me for once. So the decision was made...I was going to take the larger buck which was a 3x3. I looked at the terrain, the amount of daylight left, and the number of does between us and the bucks and decided that there was no possibility of me closing the distance. I had practiced out to 500 yards during the off season so I felt pretty confident in the shot. I got set up while my son kept tabs on the buck I chose. I have to say, my son did such an incredible job keeping track of the buck's position and communicating to me where he was once I was ready. I set my Weatherby .270 on my pack for a prone shot. I find the buck through my Vortex rifle scope, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself... I'm ready. My son says "I'm on him dad, so take the shot whenever you're ready. You got this dad!" I squeeze through the trigger sending my Hornady 130gr GMX down range. I immediately rack another round and try to find the buck in my scope again. My son says "You must have split that hair on his back because you were just barely over him. He's still there, he just moved down and to the left about 20 yards. He's standing there broadside." So I scan down and left. I see the buck, make the adjustment and send the second round downrange......"THWACK"! I could hear the unmistakable sound of finding my mark. My son looks at me and says "DAD...YOU SHOT THE WRONG ONE!" Apparently both bucks moved down and to the left....and both were broadside but only the one I wanted was in my sons field of view. I knew I was shooting at a buck because I could see antlers in my scope...I just couldn't see the details of the antlers. No matter....my shot found its mark 540 yards downrange. We watched the buck stumble 10 yards and begin to roll downhill an additional 20 yards. He was down for good. Though it was not the buck I originally intended to harvest, I was happy nonetheless. My son jumped up and gave me a big ol' hug and said "Nice job Dad...congratulations! That was AWESOME!!!" You know...I have to agree with him...that moment, with my son, was simply AWESOME! With only about 30 minutes of light left, we hurried over to the buck. As we approached him, the terrain was very steep and rocky. I could clearly see the deer expired 20 yards from me so I unloaded my rifle and headed towards him. I stepped on a rock that rolled out from under me and I fell....and I mean I fell hard. I landed face down onto my rifle hitting my knee on a rock. The pain was nearly unbearable. I just lay there for a moment, trying to assess just how much damage was done. My son rushed to my side asking if I was ok. I sat up, almost afraid to look down at my knee. I took a deep breath and looked....no blood, no deformity, and though it was certainly sore I could move it. My son helped me to my feet where I found I was able to walk and bear weight on it. Whew...that was a close one. I looked at my rifle and found I had taken a chunk out of the turret cover on the top of my scope, but aside from that my rifle looked ok. I took off my pack, set my rifle down, and finally put my hands on this beautiful buck. He was certainly nowhere near the 90"+ that I was hoping for, but I couldn't have been happier and more thankful to harvest this buck. By the time I gutted, skinned, and quartered the buck it was 7:30pm and pitch black. My truck was 1.5 miles as the crow flies according to my GPS. So I loaded my sons pack with my binos and spotting scope, then loaded my pack with the deer. My knee was throbbing, but we began the trek back. My friend Jason had maneuvered to where I was parked, but we determined that it was best if he just stayed put and waited for us since it would be very difficult to find us in the dark. So we hiked...up and down the canyons and hills. The pack out took us 3 hours. I have been on many hikes in my life; as a firefighter and Technical Rescue Technician I have hiked people out of mountains further distances than this. But this hike was one of the most exhausting and difficult things I have ever done in my life. I had no doubt in my mind that this hike was just as difficult for my son....but you know what? He did it. He never once complained. He never once wavered. And he continuously checked on me and encouraged me. He doesn't know it, but I shed a few tears during that hike. Not because of the pain in my knee or the overwhelming exhaustion. Those tears that fell were full of 100% pride. I could not have been more proud as a father....as a man....than I was of my son that night. What an amazing experience for both of us....I will cherish it forever and I will never forget it. To my son Austin, I love and cherish you, your brother, and your beautiful mother. I am so very proud of you and I am thankful for the memories we all have shared, just as I look forward to the ones yet to come. To my good friend Jason Bowden. You are an amazing friend and an equally amazing hunter. I could not have chosen a greater person to share this hunt with. Thank you for sharing the adventure of the hunt, the laughs around the campfire, the memories we will take, and of course for introducing me to lemon lime beer salt and Tecate! Can't wait to share more hunting adventures with you. Here is a picture of my son Austin with his Mule Deer harvested last month, in the rain, on the last day he could hunt. He made a great 470 yard shot! Here is Jason's buck (posted with permission). He glassed him up bedded in the morning hours, made a great stalk and an even better 400 yard shot to harvest this great buck in the final days of the hunt.

Lol...I was working on it...posted prematurely. Enjoy!

Wow....better prepare him to be disappointed on his future hunts....what a stud!!! Congrats on an awesome buck!!!

Congrats on a couple nice bucks and some good quality family time! Sounds like you all had a great time!

I just purchased an AR-15 and was thinking about using it for predator hunting. I know that some people use this .223 platform, but I would love to hear from some of you that are more experienced than I. Of course I know shot placement with any game is key, but I would like to know your opinions and projectile suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance for any input you can offer. Happy holidays and safe hunting to all!!!

Nice shot on a great buck...congrats!!

Great write up! Congratulations to Hunter...what an awesome deer! Kudos to dad too for taking the time to take your son outdoors! Love it!!

Holy smokes...what a toad! Huge congratulations and welcome back to the site!!

Welcome Heeter! Sounds like you had a great hunt! Thanks for sharing

Congrats on a nice buck...and kudos to you for taking them out! I get more excited about taking my kids on their hunts than I do for my own.

What a great experience....congratulations on your first buck!!!!

Woohoo!!!! Congrats to Emmy on a great buck!!! Props to dad too for taking the kids out...good to hear!

Life is full of perspective. I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Gunner. Having children of my own the thought of what their family must have gone though is quite simply unimaginable. The great outdoors are a great way to find clarity and I hope his hunt brought him at least a little comfort. Congratulations Dakota on an amazing buck. And what a great idea to find a way to bring your son with you. Thoughts and prayers to your family.....thank you for sharing this with all of us.

Nice buck Cole....congrats!!!

ill hunt anywhere its legal that gives me the best opportunity for success. youre making it sound like it wouldnt really be hunting or something, whats more challenging/ethical making a stalk on a buck that lives near a neighborhood or hunting over food plots and timed feeders like they do back east? but if you think hunting where there's less deer or your chance of success is worse makes you more of a hunter, to each their own. If people are hunting legally and making every effort to make good ethical shots, and being respectful to the area....I have absolutely no problem. I don't think that hunting in these environments make anyone more or less than a hunter at all...all I said was that I prefer, for myself and my family, to spend time outdoors away from populated areas. What I do have a huge problem with are those hunters that could care less where they hit an animal, and are simply content with wounding it repeatedly until it finally dies, or thinking that the laws don't apply to them. This is unacceptable any way you look at it. This type of behavior affects all hunters negatively and is why we as hunters continue to lose access to areas or have new regulations imposed. I have witnessed many hunters who have purposefully trespassed or hunted in areas closed to hunting in search of a big buck. These people are not hunters....they are poachers and I will continue to report these types of hunters to protect my rights as a hunter.

Woohoo!!!! Nice bucks...congrats to both hunters!!

Turn him in for sure...I'm sure it wasn't his first time. As a responsible hunter...i think you have Ian obligation to report it. You call always remain anonymous by call Operation Game Thief at 800-352-0700.

Well...I'm sorry she didn't get the 3x3 she wanted...guess she'll just have to settle for the 3x4 she shot.....lol. Awesome looking buck and props to all for making it a family ordeal....congrats to your wife too!!

Awesome buck...CONGRATS!!

Ok...so completely not meaning to be controversial or disrespectful to anyone, because I realize there are many different types of hunters and hunting styles. So...I guess I would ask what the goal is? To hunt or just kill a big buck....? I love to hunt and of course I too want a big buck. But a big part of why I love to hunt, and why I love to take my son hunting, is going out and putting the work in to earn what we accomplish....and accomplishments don't always come in the form of a buck. Hiking through the canyons, glassing for hours, planning the stalk, spending that quality time outdoors, being totally exhausted after being skunked, and sometimes eating the ever so tasty tag soup. To me...that's hunting. So I avoid hunting in areas around neighborhoods and golf courses because for me, I choose not to be a part of any potential negative connotation to hunting and I'm trying to teach my son to be the same type of hunter. I have seen some good bucks near golf courses in southern Arizona, and have also heard of several incidents where wounded deer have wondered onto the course or in the surrounding neighborhoods. I have witnessed many unethical hunters....the kind that have no hesitation or common respect as they hunt literally in peoples back yards violating who knows how many hunting laws. In my opinion, these incidents, and these unethical hunters is why the majority of us hunters continue to lose access to good hunting grounds, and struggle to maintain our positive image as hunters to those who don't hunt. I also know there are great hunters who are respectful and ethical who hunt near such locations while maintaining appropriate distances and taking only ethical shots. But even the best hunters, and the best shots sometimes don't have the desired outcome and our games wanders farther than we would like. I'm sure that's not the response you were looking for, and I certainly mean no disrespect to any hunter who does so in an ethical fashion. Just thought I would post my thoughts. Happy hunting!

What an incredible buck and even more incredible journey. I love these hunts where people put the work in to get it done. Congratulations on an AMAZING buck!

I've hunted quite a bit in 36A and 36C. Yes there is a lot of illegal activity in those units...but that same activity is happening in your neighborhoods too. I've had one incident...and that was last year with my 11 year old son. I glass up illegals all the time...just like anyone who hunts south. This particular Jr. Javelina hunt my son and I glassed up a single illegal immigrant filling his water jug at a cattle tank about 3/4 mile away. He was carrying to regular sized backpacks. We were glassing from a really brushed in spot and I know that he was unable to see us. I took the time to explain to my son about immigrant come here and why, including those not just looking for work. I figured this guy would probably not even come close to us but I was wrong. It was like he drew a straight line right to us. So here he comes...and my son is getting a little nervous. I reassured him that everything was fine. When the guy got to within about 50' he was a little too close for my taste. So I stood up, startling the guy pretty bad. He then proceeded to walk towards me when I motioned for him to stop as I asked him in Spanish to just keep on walking. He started to get a little fidgety and kept walking a little closer. With my hand on my pistol I told him to stop and not to move. I asked what was in the pack...that was when the guy very rapidly put both hands in the backpack in the front. I immediately drew down on him with my finger near the trigger ready to defend myself and my son. The guy put his hands up...then with his fingertips slowly unzipped his pack and showed a gallon of water. I holstered my sidearm and point in the direction I said I wanted him to walk....he quickly complied. I notified BP mainly because I drew my weapon. My so was pretty shaken...so I sat him down and explained everything to him. I told him it was ok if he wanted to stop hunting here...but he said no and continued to hunt. To me...the very same thing could happen while at the store, or the park, or (fill in the blank). You just have to be prepared and maintain good situational awareness. I still take my son hunting down there and will continue to do so. I wouldn't advise camping alone, I think it's just an unwise decision. When you leave, and before bed, make sure your stuff is secured. Just my 2 cents

Called this fox in while javelina hunting last year. I knew there were javelina in the bottom of a draw so I used a piglet distress mouth call. This little guy came in and I let an arrow fly at about 25 yards.

I'd say that smile is the biggest trophy of all....pretty nice buck too!!! Way to go Kayden and congratulations!!!

Wow...great story. Sorry for all that bad luck....but for me it seems some of the best memories and hunting stories come from things that don't go as planned. Congrats to your daughter on a great buck!!