AZP&Y Report post Posted October 25, 2011 The hunt began months ago with multiple 4am wake up alarms this summer. I made every effort to try to get it done during the August archery season. Long story short it didn't happen, but I learned more parts of the unit and even greater respect for these deer. Fast forward to the rifle season. The season opener was on Friday and I had to work like many and left after work. I was in a tough spot as JUDAS PRIEST was Friday night and I wanted to go see them, but priorities would bring me into focus as the coues deer hunt was calling So, after work I took off to the sounds of "THE RIPPER", "DIAMONDS and RUST" on the ipod. Head banging all the way up the hill! I made it just in time to catch a spectacular sunset which made for a quiet evening sleeping in the back of the Tacoma. As I awoke, drinking coffee and oatmeal a truck pulled up and I greeted them. They were headed into the same area as myself and had a young hunter with them. He let me know a buck was taken in this area and they had seen a spike. All good news in my eyes, but with traffic and some rifle activity , I wasn't sure what to expect? Well at 745am, they passed me on the old mining road and were leaving. I had the entire place to myself. Cool. Willhuntforcoues (Clay) and I were in this area a couple weeks before scouting and had seen does, but his voice was etched in my mind. " DON'T SHOOT A SPIKE (especially on the first day) YOU CAN DO BETTER"... So the first morning what do I glass up? A spike at 243 yards. I pull up the shooting sticks, put the scope on him and then put it down. I did this 3 times! Day 1 in the books and time for a frosty Heineken. I sent a few texts to Clay and we agreed we would meet up, head out together for the next days hunt. Up early and on the road, with high expectations and now someone to help glass, I was feeling great. Again another magical Arizona sunrise and the kind of quiet that I enjoy along with the solitude of the coues hunt experience. The first rays are starting to penetrate the hillside and each object starts to come into focus. You guys know what I'm talking about, anticipation and excitement all wrapped into 1. Clays spots 4 deer at over 1500 yards they are all Muleys. My mind starts to takeover that maybe we are in the cross-over zone where we will be seeing muleys instead of coues? Those deer move along the ridge-top and crest into the west facing shade. They skyline and are gone. Soon Clay spots a buck, He's a coues and nice one. We discuss our plans quickly as the sun starts to rise higher and this buck along with another are leisurely feeding a long way off. He asks, "Do you want to go after them ?" I say, "heck yes" Let's do it. Up the ridge, down the ridge. 800 yards. I start to regret eating the chocolate doughnut that morning Up the ridge down the ridge, Up the ridge down the ridge 486 yards. The buck is at the top of the ridge line and starting to skyline. He steps another 10 yards , in my scope and is gone down the cool northwest facing slope, gone. Turretts were adjusted , scope on the buck , it just wasn't the right opportunity. Clay had said there was another buck for sure, wait, "YES" there he is ! Let's move another 180 or so yards to put me at 300 yards. We move again next to a large Juniper. Put the Swaro's up and where is he? 30 minutes of glassing intently , HOUDINI gave us the slip? We both peered into this cut in the mountain for 45 minutes. Then Clay decides to move about 80 yards up towards where we had last seen the deer, I stayed put and munched on a few snacks and ranged a tree nearby - 139 yards. As soon as had put down my cliff bar I look up and there is what we believed was the same buck that skylined back somehow standing broadside. Because I had ranged the tree moments before (for whatever reason). I was sitting , put the Tikka T3 on the tripod and let one fly. BOOOM. The deer hunches up and starts to head down hill. Because Clay had moved closer to try and locate the deer that we thought was behind the tree, he saw the deer go to the bottom of the cut and soflty said , "HE's DOWN" !!! We were now over 1.5 miles from the Jeep. Plans were made to do the gutless method. I hadn't seen this done in person and highly recommend it. He performed with the skills of a fine crafstman. Also, he was using the HAVALON knife, which was awesome! Extremely tired, sore and elated we made it back to the jeep and romped out of what is truely the most incredible hunt, I've had in a long time. Thank you so much Clay for all of your hospitality, friendship and hard work. I couldn't have done it without you and feel that I've gained a friend for life. My passion for coues deer hunting is ever more intense and for everyone that is finding challenges in the field, NEVER give up and be safe in the great Arizona Backcountry! Good Luck to All you on your future hunts! (Sorry for the long read) He's a nice 2x3 as you can see from the pics! AzP&Y Doug Sunset Day 1 Coues Country Morning Coues buck down! Willhunt4coues- TIRED! The LONG walk out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattnduke Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Great write up, and great deer!!! Congrats. Always stoked to see someone's hard work pay off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZwest16 Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Congrats on your buck. Nothing better than packing a coues out over a mile and a half on your back! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Congrats to you Doug. Aside from the laxative effect, chocolate doughnuts are great before the sugar crash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Oh ya thats what I am talking about...Would I do it again heck YA I would that was a hard trek back but well worth it. I kept telling Doug just over that hil...then we would get over there, oh hey Doug one more to go...LOL. I looked back and seen how far we were from the jeep and knew we were in for it and might as well make it a day back in there. Well it was worth it. Congrats buddy you earned that buck. You put your scouting in thats why I took you in there you earned a good buck. You are welcome anytime at my house and with me in the woods. CONGRATS AGAIN BUDDY!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standman Report post Posted October 25, 2011 That's awesome Doug! Congrats on a great buck! Way cool! Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Congratulations Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues&Bass Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Good story thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted October 25, 2011 SWEET SUCCESS! Congratulations Doug on a fine buck. Sounds like it was a heck of a hike but that's part of what makes it so special. Thanks for writing it up, I have and still feel those emotions every time I'm on a mountain somewhere in the great outdoors. Good job Clay helping out, good friends are hard to come by and it is really special when they are there to share the experience with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Awesome write up and great buck! Congrats!!! Loved the pictures! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Congrats to both of you on the success. Nice pics too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Awesome write up, Congrats on taking down Houdini Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mitchel Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Great write -up!! Inspires all of us who have later hunts. Congrats on the successful hunt and out whiting Houdini. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks for all the support and kind replies! My legs have recovered and I am ready for next season! Comon Jan 2012!!!! Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
