Az Edwin Report post Posted January 19, 2012 In June I was looking to put in for a tag. I only had 4 points and didn't think I had a chance of getting drawn, especially for a December hunt - the only one available due to going to school out of state. Well, I was the #2 tag for my 3rd choice, 34a! Finally, a coues hunt! Got home from Texas late on Dec. 16th, left for Utah the next day. Got back on the 25th and left early on the 26th. It was only my dad and I. We decided to hunt an area he used to hunt 10-15 years ago. Set up camp and get to glassing straight away. Only see does on that first night. Get up early on Tuesday, the 27th. Hike, glass - only does. Where are all the bucks? Mid-day we sat in the shade for a quick lunch and then decided to bump some hills to see if we could push something out of the fingers. (34a is nasty country - but isn't all coues country pretty rugged? - so I prefer glassing to bumping hills). Anyway, we were crossing an extremely steep hill when we hit a shale slide. I cross first and fall twice. Of course my father laughs. Well, he tries to cross... and falls backwards head first. Well, now it's my turn to laugh. That is, until I look back and see blood splattered all around him. Massive head wound and clean break on the forearm. 2 mile hike out, 2 hour drive to emergency room. Arm is splinted and head got 8 staples (and a new bald spot!) plus his left eye was swollen shut. Well, he obviously was going to be camp maid! Luckily the ER nurse saw our hunting clothes and started chatting us up. Turns out, he grew up in Patagonia - knows the place like his backyard. He offers to take me out on Thursday, his only day off. Wednesday my father decides he is feeling well enough to hike and glass. More of the same - does. Wednesday night he leaves for a Dr.'s appointment on Thursday, surgery on Friday. Thursday I meet up with Frank (ER nurse). He takes me to his "secret spot". Glass more does - and finally, my first buck of the trip. Massive buck. Frank puts it at 100-110. Try to put a stalk on, wind busts at 200 yards and he dashes. (I am still kicking myself for not taking a shot at the running buck. 200 yards is easily within my range!!) Can't find any more bucks that day. Thursday night my father's brother comes to hunt with me. Friday morning we go back to the secret spot. In the dark I glass up the big buck with a slightly smaller one, about 90 inches. Waiting for first light, they move up the hill to 500 yards - out of my comfort range. We chase after them - my uncle busts them at 75 yards, but I was not with him. We put on another chase.... get close enough to hear hoof steps, but on a north facing slope the brush was too thick to see anything. Wrong step = busted bucks. No more bucks on Friday. Saturday morning, 12/31 last day to tag out. Go back to spot. Find one buck (with a red/brown tail) moving at 600 yards. Last day so I decide to lob lead. But, by the time I range him, all I can see are his ears twitching behind the ridge. Thinking my hunt is over, we screw around for the afternoon. Late in the afternoon we decide to set up on the ridge that the bucks crosses over. At last light the buck from the morning (identified by the tail) comes wandering over. He stops and stares at us. BOOM. I wax him at 114 yards. Talk about a perfect set up! I shot slightly high and hit blow the spine. With that kind of shot (and my rifle has a muzzle velocity of 3100fps) he dropped right where he stood. My father was upset he couldn't be with me on this amazing adventure and for my first coues, but he is proud nonetheless. And recovering well.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Az Edwin Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Tried to upload a few more photos, but apparently the file size is too big. Anyways, he scored 80 and change. Not bad for a first buck and considering all that had happened that trip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues79 Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Nice buck and Congrats on what sounds like a challenging hunt! I'm trying to figure out how in the world you pulled tag #2 on a late white tail hunt as your third choice......!?!? That's crazy. congratulations and thanks for the read. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Congrats on your first coues. Sorry to hear about your dad getting injured and not being able to share your success with you. Welcome to the site as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZ_SAWBUCK Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Congrats! Thats cool how Frank took you to his special spot to help you out. Good story and one that you will never forget! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted January 19, 2012 You certainly had an exciting hunt. Hope your Dad has a speedy recovery and congratulations on your first coues. Good thing your Dad got hurt or you wouldn't have never met Frank. Just kidding you know. Thanks for sharing. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted January 20, 2012 That sucks that your dad got hurt. That must have been a very tough hike out. Congratulations on a very nice buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted January 20, 2012 Well, you'll always remember that one! Congratulations! Glad you held on and got the shot you needed. The next one will be bigger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 20, 2012 Good story!! There can't be too many cases where a guy meets an ER nurse during his hunt that takes him out to a great hunting spot! LOL!! Glad your dad is recovering and congratulations on your buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted January 20, 2012 Good times! Congrats on your first buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearsnagger Report post Posted January 20, 2012 GOOD WRITE UP - Pics were cool especially the xray! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
