singleshot Report post Posted November 18, 2012 A flock of Western Blue Birds pitched and rolled out out of the breeze and alit in a nearby Juniper. It was really easy to see the beauty in those little winter visitors but that has not always been the case. Fourty years ago I would roll out of bed and Immediately press my face to the upstairs bedroom window and stare out at the towering cottonwoods that grew along the banks of the canal. If those trees were blowing in the breeze it was going to be a tough day shooting birds. That canal was my playground and the carnage I sent floating down it's muddy water was extreme at best. Rusty grew up a few years later and a few miles away but he aslo had an irrigation canal near his home and we sometimes shared childhood memories of all the good times that tall trees and running water can bring to a boy. As we ascended the ridge we would often stop to catch our breath and swap stories and I laughed out loud when Rusty told me that as a kid whenever he was grounded he had to stay inside and watch T.V., and that he was so hard on the dove population that he felt solely responsible for all of us losing the evening hunt. My dad chained up my Terrier and I had to stay inside also. We both had the acute ability to determine what was in our Christmas gifts by shaking them. The unmistakeable sound of daisy B.B.s rattling in their golden cardboard tubes, the heft of a brick of 22 long rifle Blazers, the sounds of chains that meant #3 longsprings or jumps. Santa pretty much had us figured out. We spoke of our Eberlestock packs, thousands of dollars in optics and my sixteen power scope. How in the world did we ever kill deer afield with just a pack of matches, a canteen of water, a knife and two peanut butter sandwiches down the front of our shirts? Seems like things were so much simpler back then. Eventually we topped out and peered off into a beautiful little pocket thick with Mountain Mahogany and scrub Oak. Both perplexed why no deer had been jumped in such a perfect place. I told Rusty of jumping a huge buck once atop a ridge like this and about how he had gotten out on me. I missed him three times later that same day. Rusty spoke of probably walking past a thousand deer in his life back when we just pounded country and busted brush. The more miles on the boots, the better odds at success. I'm sure that was his plan. To stay bedded in the thick scrub on the knife edge ridge we were on. Ten yards to my left, the route Rusty was taking through the small saddle was just going to be too close for the bucks comfort. He exploded from his bed at fifteen yards and Rusty yelled "buck" as we bolted towards the edge where we were sure he was headed. The Ruger #1 found it's home in my shoulder, a glimpse of width and mass on his left side, he sagged at the shot. Fifty yards away the twitching bear grass marked his passage, just like the old days. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkhunter1 Report post Posted November 18, 2012 That is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. Your reflections brings back memories of my long ago childhood, as I too could tell what was in the box by a mere shake. Thanks for taking me back. Great buck!!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted November 18, 2012 The neck and body of that buck look HUGE! Well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 18, 2012 That is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. Your reflections brings back memories of my long ago childhood, as I too could tell what was in the box by a mere shake. Thanks for taking me back. Great buck!!!!! Agree...great buck and even greater story! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loco4coues Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Wow! What a story and what a buck! I agree, the neck and body are huge, thanks for sharing it with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Great story! Giant buck! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ghosthunter Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Great story and great buck. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Great story and beautiful photos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Loved the story! Congratulations on the buck! Don't forget to enter it in the coues buck contest! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckmaster21 Report post Posted November 18, 2012 great story and great buck congrats!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Awesome! Congrats on a fantastic buck, loved to write-up!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Handsome buck, and great story. Brings back memories! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Great story, one of he best in a long time. That is a great buck...has the neck of rutting buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Awesome story. Great buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Great story and buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
