my dec 24a hunt

[CouesWhitetail]

Hi All,

 

Figured I would give you an update on how my hunt is going so far. I took today off from hunting since I had some appointments today and I also wanted to check my gun and make sure it's still on. I slipped the other day and bumped the scope. not real hard, but I just am not sure it's ok still.

 

Anyway, here is a recap of the first few days.

 

Opening morning I was in a little spot by myself and found 5 bucks within the first hour of glassing. One was a spike by himself. One was a 3 point following a group of does and the other group was of 3 bucks together. They were near the does, but not interested in them. None of the bucks was over 70 inches or so, so I let them all pass by. Here are some pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While walking around to the backside of a canyon, I spotted a doe and a fawn, not 50 yards from me. They eventually moved off but as I got ready to leave I looked down and saw some nice pottery sherds. I thought these were great since they were black and white.

 

 

 

 

 

Didn't see anymore bucks the rest of day 1.

 

here is a nice habitat photo.

 

 

 

Amanda

[CouesWhitetail]

Day 2 was uneventful. I glassed the backside of the canyon where I saw all the bucks opening day. But only saw about 6 does and no bucks with them. I didn't hunt all day, but went out again for a quick glassing in the evening and didn't see anything.

 

 

Day 3 I went to a new spot near Superior. Glassed some great stuff, but saw nothing!! Tough day. I did manage to jump a doe on the walk out in the morning. Only hunted the morning since we had a party to go to that afternoon.

 

But I did find some cool old bottles near a mine shaft. I always enjoy finding interesting old junk by mines.

 

 

 

 

Amanda

[CouesWhitetail]

Day 4 I was in one of my favorite places. Saw lots of does, but not many bucks. One was a spike and one was maybe a 75 inch buck. The larger buck was running a doe in the middle of the day. I decide to hold out for a bigger buck since the rut seemed to be just starting. This buck was a 3x2 1/2. He had a little nub on one side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather has been very nice. Not real cold, but no wind, which is what I love. Two years ago it was windy almost everyday during this hunt.

 

Amanda

[TREESTANDMAN]

Thanks for the update Amanda. From another buddy of mine who drew the late 24A tag I've heard they haven't started rutting that much yet. That should change very soon. So far this winter hasn't been very cold, hopefully a good cold front will come in to increase the bucks activity. More does should be coming into estrus soon which will bring on the 2 day Frenzy period that every hunter loves. Great pictures.

[CouesWhitetail]

Day 5 was a really nice day. I went to a new spot and unfortunately the hike in took me way longer than I thought. I walked up this large, bouldery canyon for a ways until I could get up and out onto a ridge. I didn't get up to a glassing spot until about 8:30 or 9 am!! Very frustrating to loose those golden hours of glassing after first light.

 

Anyway, I got setup and almost right away saw a doe feeding a half mile away. Then a few mins later I saw a nice buck heading toward her. I judge him to be maybe 95 inches, but I didn't take long to look at him. He was in a huntable spot and heading down the mountain. So I packed up and headed over there. Took me awhile to get to a shooting position about 200 yards across a canyon from where I last saw them. But I couldn't find them anymore!!

 

There were two options that I think happened, they either continued across the slope and around to the north side which made it impossible for me to find them. But would be a good thing for a deer to do on such a warm day. But the way they were headed when I saw them was down and into the canyon I was near. So I thought maybe they were just bedded and I couldn't see them. So I waited, and waited and waited. I was in a perfect spot to shoot, but couldn't find them. A couple times I thought I heard him raking a tree, but I couldn't see anything. I figured the rutting buck would get her up sometime during the day and I would spot them. No luck!! I spent the whole darn day sitting there looking at that slope and baking in the sun since there was no shade on my side of the canyon! Tough day! Anyway, I gave up around 3:45 pm since I had a long hike back and wanted to get back to the truck before dark. Some treacherous hiking even in daylight.

 

I packed up and walked out, looking back frequently to see if they might spook. Never saw them again.

 

On the way out I glassed an area that was nicely shaded all day. Right away I saw a doe and a fawn. Looked around for a buck, but saw none. I was hoping I would find one, because it was a shootable location, maybe 300 yards away. However, if I had shot one, I don't know exactly how I would have gotten it out of there. They were in mtn sheep country! Take a look at the cliffs this doe was in. Guess no buck was studly enough to join her in there.

 

 

 

Amanda

[TREESTANDMAN]

Wow,

 

I used to avoid glassing the really steep country, now I know differently.

[Red Rabbit]

Amanda,

 

I'll be waitng for the last picture . Till then, thanks for the updates and good luck. The weather should be good for ya till the year's end, according to weather.com.

 

Did you digiscope the deer pics?

 

Doug~RR

[WHT_MTNMAN]

Sweet Amanda, very nice I hope it all works out with a nice shooter buck.

Awesome pictures.

[CouesWhitetail]

Doug,

 

Yes they are digiscoped, but at close range, like 300 yards or so.

 

Amanda

[cramerhunts]

Thanks for keeping us updated and hopefully you find that shooter buck without him pulling the vanishing act on you!

[COOSEFAN]

I think thats awesome the way you and Scott are taking us along with you on your hunts! Great pic's and descriptions of every detail, it's like we were there with you! Thanks, JIM

[DEERSLAM]

Amanda,

Thanks for the updates and great pics. It's great to go along on these hunts with CouesWhitetail.com members even if it's just on the computer

[Lance]

Verry fun! Keep them coming and good luck!

[coues4x4]

Nice play by play Amanda.Hope you score on a toad! Thanks for keeping us up on your hunt it's almost like being there with you. Good luck.

[az4life]

Amanda, I would bet your patience pays off! Giving the whole day to a decent buck just waiting him out can be frustrating but it is addictive and too hard to walk away from.

Good Luck and keep the updates coming.

Keep us posted on the rut!

Looks like I might get out on 26th and 30-31 will be my last hoorah if needed.

 

Later