Tines Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Almost a year ago I helped a good buddy take a true trophy desert buck. It was a good time to say the least. Here we are, almost a year to the date and he helps me take mine. Awesome! Here are some more VERY interesting facts behind both of these hunts.... -My back was hurt last year and I almost didn't make it out to help him. -His back is hurt this year and he almost didn't make it out to help me. -Both bucks were by themselves, on the same ridgeline. -We started from the same hill this year. -We ended up with my buck dead less than 300 yds from where his buck died. -We both shot Rage broadheads. -Both hits were "marginal" but both bucks went an average of 150yds and died VERY FAST. -I shot my buck in a tiny saddle in some small hills. -When we first found Mark's buck last year, he was LITERALLY standing 10 yards from the saddle where I shot my buck this year. But Mark's buck moved another 75 yds to where Mark stuck him. So our bucks were both shot about 60-70 yards from eachother, almost a full year later... Sorry, but that's just CRAZY ODDS if you ask me! Okay, onto the bucks. Mark finally gave me the okay to post his buck as he thought it was a cool story combined with mine. His buck is one of the coolest and biggest desert bucks I've seen. His mass is unbelievable! When we first laid eyes on him that's what we first noticed. Nothing else mattered. Mark shot his buck at 55yds. The buck went about 100yds and laid down. He didn't last long... Congrats again on a true desert monarch. In several months I'll know how painful it was to wait a year to hunt :( . I found my buck about 600yds off before sun-up. He moved in closer to about 400yds. We lost the buck down low but I took off in the direction he was heading, hoping to cut him off. I got where I thought he might be and waited it out, just taking the chance he'd wander through within the small windows I had to shoot. Nothing. A few minutes later I moved up a small draw thinking he might have gotten ahead of me. As I slowly worked my way up the draw, there he was, 35yds away, staring at me. I had the sun and wind in my favor and arrow nocked as I somewhat anticipated this. His head was behind a cholla cactus although I knew he was watching me. I drew, stepped to the side, settled in and shot. He spun to the left but the arrow hit him mid body, angling back. I knew it wasn't the greatest hit but I hoped it was at least liver. We got on a high point to look for him and gave the buck 2hrs. After the wait, we headed down to the blood trail to see what we had. I got about 18-20" of penetration as I found the rest of my arrow broken off. Blood was good at first but then became sparse. That always SUCKS!! It finally picked up about 20yds later. It was an obvious death run as several cholla and prickly pear patches were being bowled over. He bled A LOT!!! We followed great blood for about 100 more yards and there he was. I was pretty ecstatic! Honestly, I don't like blood trails. Just when you think you'll find them around the next tree, sometimes you don't. It was refreshing to have one work in your favor. He was stiff, dead about 1 hr and maybe 58 minutes. :lol: Thanks for looking and best of luck to those still hunting! I guess the Coues deer will have a break from me this year. CRAP!!! Or should I say "CARP!!!"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Awesome story and fantastic buck Jake! Way to go man! It's awesome having a good hunting buddy isn't it? Thanks for sharing your adventure and great photos! Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaffer62 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 What a cool looking buck! Congrats to both of you on some high quality mule deer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 4, 2012 WoW!!!!! Congratulations to both of you! Those are awesome bucks! WOW! Thanks for sharing them with us! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Awesome story and agree that's crazy odds! Nice hunting spot you guys have. Congrats on 2 awesome bucks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesfanatic Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Those are two great bucks. Very impressive story. It is funny how big bucks hang out. Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Great story! Those are two stud bucks, congratulations to the both of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADDICT Report post Posted January 4, 2012 What a TOAD! Massive and dark antlers. Dream bucks right there. Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
120carp Report post Posted January 4, 2012 those are some huge deer! good job guys! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Way to kick off the New Year... I would not have any problem waiting another year after sticking one of those studs !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WOODSAZ Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Look at it this way. Its gonna take a good year to get the smile off your face. Congrats on some fantastic bucks! Jay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Wow!! Absolutely great bucks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Congrats Jake. Both of those are, as you say TRUE desert trophies. VERY nice bucks and I would for sure wait all year to hunt to stick a pig like that. Exceptional bucks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Congratulations two you both on a couple of stud bucks! Really cool story with all of the similarities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigWave Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Those are some stroker bucks!! Congratulations!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
