LEFTOVER BUT NOT LEFT OUT!!!

[shortpants]

You would think after returning from my WY. adventure I would be all pumped up about taking my first mule deer. While I was very happy to have harvested a beautiful buck I just couldn't help being a little depressed. The reason for the depression was I was about to pull off another first, NOT GOING RIFLE COUES HUNTING!!! Since I started hunting I have not missed a rifle coues hunt ever. Prior to the 7 days I had just spent in WY. I was elk hunting for 18 days and I'll be leaving for another elk hunt the first week in Dec. I had told the wife I would give her a break in between the hunts which at the time seemed like something I could handle as a fair trade so I could go to WY. Now here I sat on CW.com reading about how excited everybody was for the upcoming coues hunts and it was more than I could bare. I sat the wife down and told her I had some bad news for her. I can't say she was excited to hear it but being that she is the greatest wife and mother that has ever walked this planet she gave me her blessing as long as I didn't go alone. I immediately called my good friend Jim Mullins (Coosefan) who jumped at the chance for more coues hunting.

I asked around the guys at work the next day and was able to get my good friend and newest hunting partner Glenn Fisher to jump on board. We purchased our leftover tags, threw our gear in and headed south.

 

Glenn and I left on no sleep at 1:00am Sat. morning. We had never been in this unit before so with directions from Jim we found a place to park camp and at first light headed out to start the hunt! We hiked up to one of the highest points in the area and started glassing. We saw a few deer including 5 bucks but nothing big. I was looking at this first day as a scouting day to learn the area which meant we would have just three full days to get it done because we had to be home early on Thur. I was keeping my expectations much lower than I normally would and Glenn was on his first big game hunt ever. We returned to camp to get it set up and took a much needed nap. The evening hunt was a disappointment with only 3 deer spotted. Jim had made his way down and glassed from a different spot with the same results. Back at camp we ate and made plans for the morning. We relied heavily on Jimbo on this hunt since he was the only one who had ever been there before.

 

The sun was just coming up the next morning when Jim said he had a couple of bucks sparring and one looked pretty good! We had already watched 2 spikes walk over a ridge that Jim had glassed up and now we had Glenn on the first stalk of his life. You could see the excitement and anticipation in him like a kid on Christmas morning. I decided I would rather watch Glenn take a good buck for his first one so we got him set up using Jim's rifle set up on the LOC-JAW/Rifle Railz system from Aristotle Engineering as many of you have seen from his recent video. Glenn was looking directly into the sun so Jim and I used our hats to try and shade him and the scope. I ranged the buck at 450 yds. and Jim dialed in the turret. I was spotting and Jim was running the video. The rifle barked and the bullet sailed just over the bucks back. The 2 bucks ran over to a group of trees so we relocated straight across from them. The smaller of the 2 bucks appeared and then bed down in sight of us. Glenn said he wanted to take him but we convinced him to wait for the bigger one. After an hour of holding the crosshairs on the smaller buck Glenn could take no more so we all took our positions and he let one fly.

 

 

 

 

The bullet sailed just over the buck just as the previous one had and the morning was over. Since both bullets hit about the same area we decided we had better go shoot the gun to make sure there wasn't something off with the equipment. I set up my steel target and Glenn rang the gong every shot at 500 and 600 yds. We gave him a hard time and told him he had no excuses. As you'll soon find out Glenn is a quick learner. We headed back to camp to meet Tyler ( elkhunter ) before heading out for the evening hunt. I had met Tyler once but never hunted with him. Jim had spent time glassing with Tyler and told me how good this guy was but holy swaro's batman this guys eyes are incredible. Twice I lost pieces to my tripod and Tyler found em both times even after I had searched and given up! Thanks Tyler you saved me!

 

I'll skip forward 24 hours to the next afternoon at a new glassing point that looked promising. We saw a few does and fawns when Jim found a bedded coyote 465 yds. across from us. It was a test I couldn't pass up so after dialing in the range and a 8mph. wind I squeezed the trigger and got as close as you can get without hitting the target. Jim said I hit the rock the yote was bedded on. While it wasn't a direct hit I was happy with the shot as far as left and right goes. I was testing my wind dopping ability and it was perfect. It was some much needed excitement after not seeing much the previous 24 hours. The rest of the evening was uneventful.

 

With our final day of hunting upon us we knew we needed to get Glenn a chance to redeem himself. We set out to a new area and started glassing up deer right away. Tyler found a spike and a 2pt. on top of the tallest mountain so we kept looking. I found a spike and a forky walking together 850yds. away. Jim and Glenn turned their attention to these 2 bucks with the hopes that they would come closer. Tyler found a couple more bucks so him and I focused on them. After a short while Jim said Glenn was going to shoot so Tyler and I turned around just in time to see Glenn get his redemption and then some.Set up on the LOC JAW/Rifle Railz sysem he made a perfect shot at 665yds. dropping the spike in his tracks. I still can't believe that shot Glenn, WAY TO GO!!! Before I could even say congrats Glenn was walking down the ridge to go retrieve his buck. He had no gun, no back pack, and we didn't know if he even had a knife. I had empty frame packs in the back of the truck and we were all willing to help but none of us had ever seen a guy more excited to get to his deer so we took the opportunity to have fun with the video camera and poke a little fun at Glenn. Sorry buddy it was all in fun. He also forgot to leave his big coat he was wearing behind so we knew he was sweating his arse off. When he reached his buck he threw it over his shoulders and started back. We debated driving the truck down to the bottom between Glenn and us but we were having so much fun watching him we decided to sit back and see if he would bring it back up the steep ridge we were on. After a while a border patrol agent pulled up to tell us Glenn was walking the road and requested we pick him up. I went and picked him up and we teased him just a little bit but I gotta tell you I couldn't be happier for him. That deer is the definition of what a trophy is and I know Glenn is now an addict. We are already planning our next hunt.

 

 

 

 

After taking care of Glenn's buck we set out to see if we could find a buck for me. Once again we went to a new area. Jim had seen a big buck a few years back up on this steep ridge above the road. We parked and all set up spread out looking in different directions. Jim and I sat next to each other and immediately he spotted 4 bucks standing in the same spot he had seen the big buck a few years ago. He started spittin out words like big buck shooter get the gun big 2pt. so I quickly walked back to the truck and got Glenn and Tyler. We walked back to where Jim was and I started setting up while Jim relayed info to me. I was looking right into the setting sun and up hill so finding the deer and getting a good rest was difficult. The buck was walking up hill getting ready to go over the skyline. I kept having to adjust the turret and make sure I was looking at the right buck. Jim did a great job of giving me the range and walking me into the buck. Jim started yelling at the buck to stop him before he went out of sight just as I found him in the scope. I rushed the 390yd. shot and shot high. The buck was gone! Without hesitation I started packing up my stuff saying ''let's go'' determined not to let this buck get the best of me. We tried driving around the mountain but soon realized we were better off going back around and going up and over the ridge the same way the buck had. Things were happening fast and I was glad Glenn was there to experience the thrill of hunting. Tyler said "it just got real" as we started up the steep ridge. We were all huffing and puffing as we reached the top and we slowly eased over the other side. A small buck walked away and disappeared less than 50 yds. away. I dropped to my hands and knees leaving the others behind as I crawled up to the edge so I could see below me. I saw a small buck bedded 125 below and signaled to the others. Once I knew they saw him I began glassing around the buck and found the same big 2pt. I had just missed. He was bedded facing us not 5 yds. below the other buck. After making sure the others could see him I set up for the shot. The buck stood up while I was setting up but he looked relaxed so I took my time setting up. I think Jim was ready to run down there take my rifle and shoot the buck himself but I was determined not to rush the shot again. Finally I was comfortable and the buck turned his head so I squeezed the trigger. No sooner did the gun go off that I heard 3 guys yelling ''he's down!'' I would have loved to have been back with those 3 and witness that stalk and shot but it was quite a show from my angle as well!

 

 

 

 

 

I can't say thanks enough to Jim and Tyler for coming down and helping Glenn and I. Tyler you are a blast to have in camp and deadly behind a pair of bino's. Jimbo like I always tell you, your my idol! Glenn I'm so glad I got to be a part of your first big game hunt and thanks for the laughs and also for keeping us fed. I can't wait until our next adventure!

 

 

Here's the link to the video on Youtube!

 

 

 

 

[bonecollector]

Geat write up. Congrats to you and your new hunting buddy!

[daryl_s]

Great story and write up. I have known Glenn and his family since I was in diapers. Tell him Daryl Swain said Hi and congrats.

[Verndog]

Great story and pics! Congrats to all......Verndog

[Ernesto C]

Wow great story! Very nice two point.....maybe 94 inches??

 

Great shot on the spike. I think we have a winner for the "smallest buck contest"!?

 

Ernesto C

[COOSEFAN]

What a great write up Shorty, I almost enjoyed reading it as much as I did living it!

 

One thing I enjoy the most is helping folks experience hunting for the first time and I was very glad I didn't miss out on Glenn's first kill! There is only 1 first kill in every hunters life and it's usually a very special moment and one that is great to witness first hand! I've been fortunate to be on 4 first kills this year and can't wait for more, I love it!

 

Congrats again Glenn on an amazing perfect shot on your first big game critter! And as for you Shorty, you have WAY too much patience bro, I don't know if my mental well being can stand any more hunts with you! LOL! Congrats boys, it was awesome! JIM>

[COOSEFAN]

Oh, and by the way....... about the "Idol" part, let's compare our "Coues collections" and see who should be "idol-ing" who!! One day when I grow up I want to have a herd of bucks on my wall like yours buddy

[elkhunter]

Great write up Shorty! It was almost like living the hunt all over again. Watching Glenn take his first spike and then run down the hill without any equipment in that big down coat of his was one of the greatest (funniest) things I've seen on a hunt!

 

To all of you guys- these boys (Jim, Shorty and Glenn) were a blast to hunt with, there was never a dry moment and around every hour you heard the funniest story you ever heard in your life. These boys kept their spirits high even when we did not find many coues deer, their passion for coues is awesome but their passion for life is even bigger!

 

Congrats to Glenn and Shorty!

[firstcoueswas80]

I love those big two points! nice job Jason!

 

 

Tyler, CUT YOUR HAIR DUDE!!! I didnt even recognize you!

[CouesWhitetail]

Love it! Thanks for the great write-up and congratulations to everyone involved!!

[lucky2hunt]

Good Times, how fun!!! Congrats!

[elkhunter]

casey- I am married, I can't afford a haircut to exchange for gas money

[AZbowhntr]

Sweet 2pt and one of the best stories I have read in a while. Congrats

[Coues Archer]

Nice bucks..

[cramerhunts]

Congrats to all involved, sounds like a total blast! Great write up and even better pictures!