stg52165 Report post Posted October 28, 2009 My dad and I have hunted together since before I could walk and he has always been the best hunting partner a man could have. When he said he wanted to put in for the early Oct. hunt in 24A again, I said "steep hills, manzanita, devils thorn, cat claw, potential huge coues-what more could I ask for?!" We did a little scouting early Sept. and although we didnt see any bucks during those couple trips, we saw plenty of sign, lots of does, and were convinced the little pocket we were going to be hunting had some bucks roaming. We made plans to set up camp the 22nd and get settled in instead a day early. Around 2pm we pulled in on the eastern side of the Pinal Mtns got camp situated and then spent the next several hours discussing strategies and glassing the hills from camp in anticipation. Finally its opening morning and we are heading out to the low rolls in the dark to set up on a nice slope to glass from for the next couple hours. We set up against this little scrub oak and wait to see what happens. A few does walk across the hillside, a herd of pigs go through the wash below us, then the hills were alive with hunters for the rest of the day! There was 2 guys on the top of the ridge above us about half a mile a way, another between them and us, and another pair glassing ahead of us. What is a hunter to do except sit and let them work for us we kept at it, moving a bit here and there and just hoping one of the others guys would push one out to us. After 3 miles in and nothing but does, we had lunch and started to work slowy back to camp waiting for the bucks to come introduce themselves. This process repeated itself for 4 days straight, only we kept tearing ourselves up in the brush trying different tactics and areas to get away from the other hunters. On Mon. night, my dad (67 yrs old smokes a pack and a half a day) says "well this year the deer win, im beat." Which really means "a lil whiskey and early bed time, my mind will change in the morning." Tues. morning rolls around and dad is still tired and ready to call it a season. I convince him to have some coffee and a little breakfast while I break camp, then after we are all packed up we will try heading to the hills north of us and focusing on the brush choked draws for a late morning hunt and if we dont tag out, ill admit defeat. He agrees so I finish packing the trailer, hook up the truck and lock everything down. We had been looking at the area to the northwest the day before and noting that we hadnt seen anyone else go in there. Around 9:30 we started making our way toward some interesting looking slopes and because the wind was picking up we knew we would have to just about step on a buck to get him out of his bed. About 2 miles in we were taking a break on the side of this densely covered hill when my dad spotted this doe in the bottom of the draw at about 300 yds. He starts on again about how I must be crazy to be packing my Taurus Raging Bull in .44 mag to hunt coues deer because we were seeing deer at 200+ all week. I might be a little crazy, just wanted to try to connect on one with a pistol. About 15 mins later we make a game plan that my dad would stay just below the crest of the ridge on the west side, and I would go in the bottom picking my way through the brush hoping one of us would get lucky. 100 yds after we separate, yet another doe pops up in the brush to my left and casually walks off to bed again out of the building wind. Maybe a half mile later I stop on the side of the draw I had been working for a break and see my dad above me playing the over-watch position to perfection and waiting to for a big ole wiley buck to break out of the cover so he can put him down with his .280 Rem. We are only 200 yds or so apart and sit for about 20 mins before moving again. There is a little cut up the side of the hill we were working and the brush is so thick I dont know how either one of us was gonna see any deer that came out but it was the last day for us so we kept on working the draw slow and easy and keeping our eyes peeled. As I start up the cut, BAM! there is a couple of deer walking around the back of this oak 120 yds infront of me. They arent spooked so now I need to get into position on the hill opposite to see if I can find horns on either one as I only saw there back ends at first. For what seemed like forever (15mins) I am waiting for the deer to come out to one of the 2 openings on the side of this hill to check for horns when all of the sudden 150 yds away, I see the sun on fur above the brush. I throw the glass up and ITS A BUCK!!! Finally all the hard work we have been putting in is gonna pay off! At 150 yds that is on the edge on my range with my iron sighted revolver, and now Im thinking that my dad was right, I shouldve packed the .243 and this would be venison in the fridge. All I can see is neck and head so I need to wait for an opening, so I get ready and wait for him to work back down the trail towards me. Right then, my dad appears on the top of the ridge the buck and the other mystery deer is on. I get his attention, tell him there is a buck and a ? on the hill side under him, and to make his way to the west which would put him in the game trail going through the brush and one of us would get a shot. 5 of the longest minutes of my life passed then as he worked slowly down that ridge. I had lost sight of the buck in the brush, and I hadnt spotted the other deer yet so my mind is thinking the worst. Then like these deer so often do, the buck I was looking at appears on the edge of the cat claw at 82yds!!!! I take a breath and set the front sight of my .44 right on his shoulder and start squeezing the trigger. BLAMMMMM the Taurus roared and all I saw was muzzle flash at first, then I see the buck drop like a ton of bricks!! The handloaded 240 XTP did its job to perfection, and double shouldered. Dad is yelling "Did ya get em" and I answer him. Right when I do, the other mystery deer trots out of the brush and starts making his way to edge of the ridge; and ITS A TOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im yelling at Dad to get him to move his butt west in a hurry, but the brush he is in is so thick it makes speed an impossibility. He gets to the edge after a few minutes, and like these deer often do, POOF, the big fella disappeared. I was sad for about 2.4 seconds that my Dad didnt get a shot, then I remembered I just made an 82 yd ace with my revolver and I had some celebrating/work to do. This is not my best deer, and the one I tagged last year was better; that being said this deer I am the proudest of because we worked our butts off to find him, and I got him my own way. My Dad is my best friend and @ 67 is the toughest and most kind man I know. I can never remember me tagging out when he didnt and him ever being upset, and wether it was my first rabbit, my first dove on the wing, my first deer, or my first handgun deer, he's always been there to give me a high five; a pat on the back; and "I knew he was down when I heard the gun go off" comments. I hope you all enjoy the story and pics, I dont post a lot, but Im on the site almost everyday seeing whats new!(pictures are not the greatest, Dad and digital cameras dont mix well) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinspe25 Report post Posted October 28, 2009 Great story and nice buck. Congrats. I hope I get a shot in 24A this weekend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted October 28, 2009 Coues with a revolver!!!! COOL!! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cactus Report post Posted October 28, 2009 way cool! i've taken a few muleys with my 41 mag but never had the guts to try for a whitetail. maybe i'll pack it for my 24b hunt this weekend. congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted October 28, 2009 great story the meat is going to be very good i love that fact that you dad is there with you always this is going to be the first year in my life that my dad will not be coming with me on a hunt just like you he has been there for all my hunting Endeavors from the days of upstate new york rabbit, deer to AZ elk, mule and ower fav coues deer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAIL CHASER Report post Posted October 29, 2009 Congrats! These are memories you'll charish forever... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nlacost Report post Posted October 29, 2009 Great story and nice to see unconventional methods used!! Awesome!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ratherbhunting Report post Posted October 29, 2009 Great story, and good shooting!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted October 30, 2009 Nice little buck. No matter how big its a deer and be thankful to have been successful. great job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
