Tucson John Report post Posted December 23, 2004 I wish I could tell the story of weeks of pre season scouting, hiking miles in the dark, and using high dollar optics to spot this guy, then making a textbook stock and executing a perfect shot. The real story is not as romantic. I did hike to a high spot before first light and set up my tripod with the Alpens I bought from Casey. I glassed until about 8 am without seeing a single deer. At that point I couldn't glass anymore because I was shaking so bad from being FROZEN! I told my hunting partner Stan, I had to either walk, or drive somewhere because I was going to freeze to death, and that would make it hard to continue hunting. We walked back to the truck and turning the heater on full blast. Stan wanted to glass some bald hills south of where we were so headed that way. On the way, I was scanning the hill sides when I saw movement. I told Stan STOP! BACKUP BACKUP.........STOP! I glasses the hill and there stood this nice Buck facing me and looking to his left. I could tell he was a nice Buck and I told Stan I wanted him. We pulled the truck forward a few yards into a dip and I got out. I peeked around a clump of Catclaw and was surprised and delighted that he was still standing there. I noticed that I could use the cut we were parked in to work my way up to a big flat rock about 20 yards up the wash that would give me a solid rest and a clear shot. When I got to the rock I peeked over again and Yes! he was still standing there! I judged the distance at about 300 yards and I knew I could make the shot. I had spent several sessions at the range practicing out to 300 so I felt confident. I settled the cross hairs on his chest and squeezed off the shot. BOOM........the buck danced a few yards right and went down to his knees. Stan said, that's a dead deer, good shot! I waited about 10 minutes for my heart to return to my chest and headed up the hill to claim my Buck. About half way to where he was, two Does got up from right below where my Buck was and they bounded off. That must be what he was looking at so intently. So there you have it. Its not the way I imagined it, heck I feel guilty for not suffering more for what I know most folks have to go through to harvest a nice Coues Buck. I guess sometimes its better to be lucky then good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted December 23, 2004 way to go John! glad that those alpens got used and got to take a buck! what does the buck look like? is he biger than the one on the wall? what did u end up packing with ya Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Congratulations! Merry Christmas! Chef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted December 23, 2004 It is great to hear of everybody's success. congratulations I am glad you had a good hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Congratulations to another CWD member I think that actually was a good story to emphasize that the deer are not always wher you expect them to be, and they often are where you least expect them. How big was he? Pictures? He was Hangin with 2 does eh? Were they rutting yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted December 23, 2004 I believe that his pictures are on rifle page 42. Is this correct Tuscon John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted December 23, 2004 I just posted John's story today along with photos. It is in the rifle section and in the hunt story section. Here is a link to the hunt story section with his story: Hunt Story Here are the photos in case you don't want to go to that link: Congrats! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25-06 Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Nice buck. Merry Christmas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tucson John Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Thanks Guys! Casey the Alpens worked Great! I'm really impressed with them, especially for the price! Thanks Buddy. I used my 243, mostly becaue its so much lighter than my 06, and I felt more comfortabe with it. Yes the pictures are on page 42, Amanda posted them for me. Thanks Amanda. I suspect that these Deer were in prerut activity and that's what contributed to this Buck's demise. He was so intent in the Does that he never even saw me. We spotted a lots of Does over the weekend, but none had a Buck with them except this guy, so maybe the Rut is just getting started. Thanks again for the kind words. And a big Thanks to Mr. Shed Hunter for the clues he gave me, it helped more than you know. Hey maybe Josh will hire me now as guide for old farts. Merry Christmas to everyone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Good Job... jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted December 23, 2004 If I were to see that guy I would say that I want him to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Congratulations! Great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ernesto C Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Great buck Tucson John!! Congrats. Hey I did not know you can spot deer more thast 300 yards away in a moving truck that's awesome. I can see Christmas got a little early for you. Again congratulations on a nice buck and God bless you more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tucson John Report post Posted December 23, 2004 Great buck Tucson John!! Congrats. Hey I did not know you can spot deer more thast 300 yards away in a moving truck that's awesome. I can see Christmas got a little early for you. Again congratulations on a nice buck and God bless you more. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ernesto, I could not believe it either! If you were to see the tangled mess of Cat Claw, Spainish Dagger and Ocotiila, nobody would believe it. But its True! Like I said Better Lucky than Good! Happy Holidays to you and your family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted December 24, 2004 John I knew you would like those glasses. It sounds like it all worked out for you the way it was intended. I guess my bro tryed getting those glasses from casey to so you got lucky all the way around. He said that there was a guy that offered a better price. I did not have the heart to tell him I turned the guy on to the deal that ended up buying them. Congrats my friend. Did the camper keep you warm enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
