Our First Coues Bucks

[CampbellsCouesAdventures]

Our Coues Bucks story actually has it's origin in the great state of Michigan. Our family relocated from Michigan to Arizona in 2003. I was used to hunting the swamps, river bottoms and hardwood forests of northern Michigan where I harvested my first buck in 1990 when my oldest son Billy was then just 1 1/2 years old with a Winchester 30-30 with iron sights at 100 yards. It was always my dream to one day share a deer blind with him and help him harvest his first deer, so he too could have that experience of a lifetime. My son Billy(now 22) and I have spent a lot of great times learning(the hard way) how to hunt the very elusive Coues deer of Arizona since our move here in 2003.

 

When we set out for our hunt just a few weeks ago, we were as bound and determined as ever that "this would be our year". We spent Opening Day in a ground blind overlooking what had become a "dry" waterhole for the first time since we began hunting there. Although many of our buddies in deer camp thought we were nuts, we spent 11 straight hours there, ever so confident that this was "our year". We passed on a 200+ yard shot on a buck east of our ground blind because we could not get a clear, high percentage shot. We had many hunters who were arriving in the area on Friday come by our blind, just waiting for us to leave and slip right into our spot. We were a bit tired, hungry and sore from sitting all day, but we sat patiently just sharing great Father/Son chat to pass the time.

 

Just as we were settling in the for the "evening" portion of our hunt, I spotted two deer coming down the hill leading to the far back-end of the watering hole, about 200 yards straight away. We both could clearly see the much larger trailing deer was a 3x3 or 4x4, while we were unsure of the lead deer. As the lead deer entered back area of the waterhole we could then see that it too was a buck maybe a 2x2 or 3x3, our hearts began to race. This smaller buck walked slowly in another 25 yards and began to feed in the shadows of the afternoon sun, facing broadside to us. The larger, trailing buck took a few steps and stopped to stair directly at us as if we were feet away, not 200 yards. I could hear my son's breathing increase as he sat 3 feet to my right and I whispered to him to take some deep, slow breaths and adjust his scope on his Savage 300 WinMag to 200 yards. He quickly asked if he could take the shot, but we both knew with the deer facing us, that was not a high percentage shot. So we waited. I could see the larger buck was very alert, but as my son was focusing on the antlers in his scope, I was focusing my eyes on the deer's tail, which was still down in a relaxed position. We both watched as the larger buck took a few more steps forward, oh so slowly and cautiously. My son thought that any minute he was going to bolt for the treeline, while I was confident he would still move towards us a bit more closely and improve our odds of a clean kill. While the smaller buck continued to feed in his original spot, the larger buck finally walked up next to him for a moment, turned broadside and then without notice, quickly started to make his way towards the left side of the waterhole into the sunlight (I had previously discussed a moving deer scenario with my son and how I would "grunt" to stop any moving buck so he could get a high percentage shot). As the deer quickly walked towards the treeline, my son Billy continued to follow him in his scope waiting for my signal. Just before the buck entered the treeline to never be seen again, I grunted, he slowed and with the deer clearly in his scope, Billy pulled the trigger and made a clean, double lung shot as the buck fell immediately right at the treeline, 150 yards away. Immediately I noticed that the smaller buck had remained motionless during this time and was still standing broadside to me at about 175 yards. In that instant, I knew my dream had come true, my son had just taken his first deer and I knew I could make a clean shot with my Winchester. I leaned forward, took off the safety and confidently pulled the trigger, only to then see the other buck instantly fall where he had been feeding.

 

In 2 seconds, we had harvested 2 Coues bucks, my son's first deer and my my second buck of my life. We both simply looked in awe at each other and what we just accomplished together as Father and Son. With a hug, a handshake and a pat on the back we simply were overjoyed at the blessing of the moment and what Mother Nature had just provided for us. The pride, joy and gratitude that "our day" had come will live with us forever and every time we rise to spent a day in the great outdoors and a campfire with each other and our great hunting buddies(you know who you are!). Maybe these two bucks are not "trophies" as some would define the term, but surely a "trophy" moment realized after all the hard work and persistence had finally paid off. And yes, they both are being shouldered mounted to forever remind us that dreams do come true. Congrats Billy, so proud of you son! Love, Dad

[tjhunt2]

That was a long read but well worth it. I could feel the joy you both were feeling as you both dropped them bucks. Who cares how big the bucks are, they are trophies for sure by the means of how it all went down. Great story and thanks for sharing. I like your trophies and I too have mounted my firsat several kills even though they weren't what most call trophies but trophy to me. I hope you two have many more hunts like that to come. Father & son outings are definitely memory making moments for sure.

 

TJ

[John O]

What a great story, and congrats on two awesome bucks! The way I see it, a coues "trophy" has much more to do with the effort put into the hunt rather than the number of inches of bone. You have clearly demonstrated that, and what awesome memories. I look forward to seeing photos of your mounts.

[AZwest16]

Congrats to both of you on some fine bucks. Nothing like the satisfaction of getting your first grey ghost!

[Chef]

Great smiles and bucks!

Congratulations!

[Pine Donkey]

Great story, thanks for posting. Gongratulations on getting it done on the double. Welcome to the site.

[stanley]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing with the site!!

 

S.

 

 

 

[Hunting6]

Hey that was a great story...

Glad you were able to connect

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

Whooo Haaa! Lever action Coues... that reminds me of my childhood! Congrats to you both on a successful hunt!!

[Coach]

Allright!!! Great job Team Campbell! That's a father & son experience you guys will remember you whole lives. I'm really happy for you guys - you've been working hard at it and got it done in a big way. Congrats.

 

Jason

[Week'nd WaRRior]

Awesome, happy for the both of you. Like others have mentioned it's a trophy in your eye's, who cares what everyone else thinks. That a story he'll be tellin his children. Again fantastic and thanks for sharing!!!

[Mossyoak]

Awesome Job! Gotta love the lever action. Congrats to you and your son.

[highsierra]

Congrats to both of you on a job well done...making a memory that will last a lifetime!

[elecshoc]

Great story, thanks for sharing it with us...

[bonecollector]

Great write up and what an awesome memory you and your son will have of this hunt. Congrats on the double. I'm pretty sure I know of that water hole and this year is the first time I have seen it dry in the lst 10 yrs.