COOSEFAN Report post Posted December 21, 2005 My brother, Matt, has always been a elk fanatic and has a gift for helping people fill their elk tags every year. He uses all of his vacation time up during the elk hunts and rarely gets to hunt for himself. He finally drew a great coues tag and had big plans for the hunt but last minute complications at home left him with only the first three days to hunt. He made the most of it and hunted hard the first couple of days only finding does and spikes. I was in 35B and my friend killed a huge buck on Saturday, so we headed over to 36B to help Matt on his last day. We went to a place we archery hunt every January and immediately had deer everywhere. Five minutes out of the truck, we had a nice 2x3 with several does spotted. Matt looked him over and said thats the buck he wants. Matt and I stalked down and up a steep canyon to a vantage point and had to catch our breath before crawling over. Matt was overwhelmed with excitement and couldn't catch his breath! I didn't help the matter by telling him he's going to be shooting at the buck in about 1 minute! I could see the does at about 200 yrds as we crawled into position. The does started to get nervous and the tension was mounting becuase I hadn't relocated the buck yet, but knew he was there. I finally found him but he was directly behind a tree for Matt's angle. He repositioned, got comfortable and found the buck in his scope. I had the video camera rolling as the first shot hit the buck in the leg just grazing his brisket. He dissappeared into the ravine and deer started running everywhere. I scanned every deer leaving the canyon, thinking the deer was lying in the bottom, when all of a sudden he was there with them. His leg was damaged and still moving well but I didn't tell Matt he was wounded yet because he was already shaking with adrenaline so bad, I didn't want to add to it. I told him he had to make this shot count as the buck stood facing us at 200 yrds. He shot and center punched the buck, putting him down fast. Matt was so excited he didn't realize he hit the deer and jacked another round in and was trying to find the deer in his scope. As soon as I told him the deer was down, the emotions started taking hold. He's wanted to experience glassing, stalking and shooting a coues buck for a long time and thought it wasn't going to happen after his first two days out there but it did on his last day and was a dream come true for him. I don't know how to explain what it was like at that moment last Sunday morning on that ridge top, but I do know that's what hunting coues deer is all about! To see someone get so excited that their eyes well up with tears over shooting an average buck makes you realize that there is definitely more to it than the size of the deer! It was a moment we'll never forget and a great first buck! JIM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bchoitz Report post Posted December 21, 2005 Good job Matt! Glad you had the opportunity to be there for his deer as well as Craig's in 35B. Sounds like a perfect weekend for all of you. Bret Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted December 21, 2005 Now thats what it is all about! Great Job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted December 21, 2005 Sounds like you boys had some great fun! Congradulations to you both! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEERSLAM Report post Posted December 21, 2005 Great story and a nice buck. Thanks for sharing that exciting hunt Congrats to Matt and thanks COOSEFAN. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted December 21, 2005 Thanks for your reply's, We had a great time, two bucks in two days in two different units! We made the trip from 35B to 36B twice during the first three days with a total of almost 400 miles there and back twice! It was worth every mile to get to see my brother take his first Coues! Thanks guy's, JIM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues4x4 Report post Posted December 22, 2005 dang those coues sure are pretty! Congrads on your first coues and a dandy one at that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted December 22, 2005 coosefan Way to tell the story Jim! Another case where the hunt experience is the real trophy. Congratulations to Matt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted December 22, 2005 Thanks for sharing all the emotions of the hunt. It certainly doesn't have to be a big buck to make for a great hunt!! Congratulations on your deer Matt!! That's a pretty photo with the ocotillos in the background. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vizsla-dog Report post Posted December 22, 2005 Congrats on the buck Matt. I met the Mullins' last year on an elk hunt when Ma tt pulled us out of a mud hole. I think they are really great people and they would go out of thier way to help anyone. I'm real happy for you Matt, congrat again V-Dog Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted December 23, 2005 Congrats on the buck Matt. I met the Mullins' last year on an elk hunt when Ma tt pulled us out of a mud hole. I think they are really great people and they would go out of thier way to help anyone. I'm real happy for you Matt, congrat again V-Dog <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This must be Harvey! If it is, thank you for the kind words! I had my hands on your bull yesterday at Bret's. It's already mounted, just needs finishing touches. Looks AWESOME!! What a monster!!! I got both Matt's and Craigs kills on video last weekend, and just finished the editing. You can really feel the emotion when Matt kills his buck! I'll make sure Bret has copies for you and Justin when you pick up your bulls! Thanks again! JIM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
