WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Hey Gino, thanks for showing the pictures, huge buck and a big congrats to Erin,, way to hang in there and kill a stud buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 4, 2009 I'd have to pass that buck cause he isn't even on both sides. But is is nice to see guys that don't get picky. +1, I mean his beams dont even touch! Awesome job guys! Gino, what bullet from that .257 wby? Hey now.... don't throw stones just cuz he broke a couple inches off! That broke G2 will count as over a third of the over all deductions when they B&C him.... Nets are for fishermen any how! But he should net 114"- 115" as a guess.... Casey, Erin shoots the Barnes Triple shock... and swears by them! Judging by what it did to the inside of this buck I would recomend that bullet in the .257 Wby. anytime! Almost as devistating as a Berger! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erin Bittner Report post Posted January 5, 2009 For all of you who don't know me, I am the lucky guy that killed this buck. To show my appreciation and share my perspective, I thought I would join this blog for the first time. Have you ever taken a deer or elk and shortly after the post shot "man hug" and photos, you call the kill "a community deer or bull"? This adventure met that criteria. One thing Gino left out of the initial story is that I was the worst hunting companion a guy could have this year. With family obligations this Holiday season, along with my son's unexpected hernia operation and a chest and head cold that almost put me out of the game, I can honestly say I had my doubts I was going to kill anything other than another box of Kleenex. I was unable to execute the typical three hour epic hikes I am used to for harvesting these deer in our 'edge of the earth' spot. Amidst all these obstacles, I am glad we kept plugging away... Although I am still paying for it. As Gino mentioned, I really did not want to hunt alone this year. I have taken two Coues deer by myself in the past. Although personally gratifying to walk in alone and walk out with a buck over your sholder "Rgggg!", the real trophies to me are ones shared by others... Just look at the expressions on the faces of three amigos in Gino's attachments. Given how fast our children are growing and the current state of the economy, I place a very high value on the costs people incur as they volunteer time away from their families and jobs. Several times I felt guilty knowing that Gino, Stuffy, Tige and Goff were assisting without expectation from me for several days on end. They willingly wanted to participate and help. They gave me more time than I have ever given them. For that effort, I am forever grateful. No, I am not crying right now. (Gino is, however). I also spent more than a few days earlier in the season with the Nelson brothers (Cody and Wade) trying to locate a 'toad' and going over gear options for a potential assault on the mountain. As for the story, it went down exactly as Gino mentioned, right down to the gracious tip from "B-dog". In addition, I thought I would volunteer that I used a Barnes 100 grain triple shock bullet in my 257 Weatherby for this hunt. We have taken 12 big game animals with this combination. All were one-shot kills ranging from javalina at 200 yds, elk at 300 yds to Coues deer as far as 460 yds. I most like the fact that the bullet trajectory matches very closely with the reticals on my 18 power Swarovski TDX scope. Yes, you can argue a preference of another bullet, but I know exactly where this one hits... That peace of mind comes in handy. As we ran(coughing/sneezing) toward this buck with a rifle in one hand and a range finder in the other, I felt very comfortable with the shooting distance as we quickly drew under 450 yards, but was not sure if I could locate the buck considering how fast he was working the hillside. The rest I finally chose, looked like a dead manzanita/cedar 'thing' that I quickly climbed into. I took a sharp branch in the ear while climbing in and probably resembled a really poorly-done Christmas ornament. I don't even think I had both feet on the ground when I finally put the bead on him. An uphill, quartering away shot makes a very nice landing pad for swift flying bullet. Good thing, considering it would have been my last... I was able to pull off the shot just as he was heading behind an obstruction in my view and I would not have had time to reposition for another shot before he topped the hill. So, as in all cases, I whispered the customary "take this!"... closed both eyes and jerked the trigger with two fingers.. Direct hit... I only wish I could have seen it. (I hope you appreciate the humor in that.) I really missed the thrill of locating a buck during scouting season and obsessing over the effort to locate and kill that particular buck. I envy Cody Coff, who did just that in the October hunt. He killed a huge buck with character that screams for a shoulder mount. Since we did not see such a trophy, I was aimless and sometimes feeling without mission. One thing that made all the difference was the team. Gino and crew kept saying "He is in there... I promise you... He is just bedded... Keep glassing." They were right. Thanks again to all who participated in this "community deer". Erin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted January 5, 2009 Hey Erin huge congrats again on a once in a lifetime buck! Incase you dont know this is Christian Wolff. I guess the Ouija board works in mysterious ways Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore Outdoor Report post Posted January 6, 2009 I don't know about community dear, in the end, it all boils down to you making the shot...which you did under less than ideal conditions. That is a bomber buck and a good story. Again, congratulations. By the way, Goff says that that he doesn't want any fudge but he would like to borrow a goat for the weekend. I don't think I want to know what that is about. Regards, Wade www.HardcoreOutdoor.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted January 6, 2009 The 6th picture makes that thing look like it came from Wisconsin...are you sure that toad was taken in AZ? Seriously, that is a great buck. Redman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 6, 2009 I don't know about community dear, in the end, it all boils down to you making the shot...which you did under less than ideal conditions. That is a bomber buck and a good story. Again, congratulations. By the way, Goff says that that he doesn't want any fudge but he would like to borrow a goat for the weekend. I don't think I want to know what that is about. Regards, Wade www.HardcoreOutdoor.com HaHaHa!!!! See, now it makes sense why Erin's dad told me him and Goff had to, "flip for the goats." It all makes sense now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 6, 2009 Here are a few more pics that I was not able to download before. Bittner..... You Da Man!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted January 6, 2009 Welcome to the site Erin and congrats on a giant buck! I really enjoyed your writeup, thanks for adding to the thread! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cohntr6 Report post Posted January 6, 2009 This is what my .257 weatherby and 100 grain Barnes triple shock did to my buck last month: Great bullet! Congrats again, that is a smoker buck. Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 6, 2009 Dang, Jeff! I'd say that Parked him! Almost tied him in a knot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterdan Report post Posted January 6, 2009 What a awesome Buck! Congrats to Erin, Gino and crew. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMtnOyster Report post Posted January 10, 2009 That buck is absolutely breathtaking, I mean that thing is good! Great story! Awesome buck! You gotta mount that guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted January 10, 2009 Nice buck Gino and a big congratulations to Erin. I'll say 108" after deductions. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 19, 2009 Nice buck Gino and a big congratulations to Erin. I'll say 108" after deductions. TJ TJ..... ... did you not read that he is 119 1/8" green Gross.... I'm gunna guess that he goes 114"-115" net B&C..... I did not actually look at what the buck has for deductions but his biggest difference is the broke G2 on the right (1 7/8").... otherwise, he is pretty even. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
