lion killed buck

[CouesWhitetail]

Here are some photos of a buck I found in a drainage this weekend. I didn't have a tape with me, but I rough scored it with the ruler on my compass and it grosses about 102 (assuming that broken tine wasn't broken off and was equal to the opposite tine). Main beams are about 12 inches long and the inside spread about 14 inches. It's a 5x6 if you include eyeguards. One tine is completely broken off the left side. 2nds are about 6 inches long. Looking at his teeth this buck didn't seem to be very old, would of been a grand buck in older age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda

Edited January 1, 1970 by CouesWhitetail

[Guest Ernesto C]

Nice find Amanda!! Congrats.He's a trophy in my book,in short a shooter.

 

Thanks for posting the pictures and take care....blessings.

 

Ernesto C.

[TREESTANDMAN]

Very nice rack Amanda. What general area and unit did you find that rack in?

[CouesWhitetail]

It was on the San Carlos, unit C. Unfortunately I have to leave whatever I find there since it's illegal to take it off the rez, but I thought you guys might enjoy the pics. This was up toward the Black River. I found another buck also, but he wasn't as big. Had some good mass but only a 2 pt. I wasn't looking for racks, but just stumbled upon them. I tend to find quite a few sheds and racks down in the bottom of drainages.

 

Amanda

Edited January 1, 1970 by CouesWhitetail

[Guest Guest_Stanley]

Excellent pics Amanda! Nice find...

 

Did you see any bears up there? I was talking to some folks at the Boquillas clean-up about unit C on the San Carlos, and they were mentioning that it had a VERY good bear population. I wanted to take my boys out bear spotting sometime, and was thinking it would be a good productive area. Maybe even hunt it sometime...

 

S.

 

[CouesWhitetail]

San Carlos does have an excellent bear population. Probably one of the highest densities in the state. But this trip I only saw one bear, and actually it was only his leg. I saw movement about 100 m uphill from me and just caught site of the leg under a bushy oak. I went up there and found his bed, was a very large and very fresh pile of bear scat there. I must have spooked him out of his bed. Never saw him again. It was a nice cinnamon colored bear.

 

Amanda

[Jason]

Nice find Amanda..

 

I love those crab claws.

 

Jason

[az4life]

Very nice find, and it is a shame he didn't grow up any since you said he appeared younger based on the teeth.

 

[300 wsm]

Hey Amanda tell me where it is Ill take it

[Idahocoueshunter]

Beauitful buck! I know it was tough to have to leave it, but rules are rules. I located 8 dead bucks in 2002, all of which, I believe were lion kills. All were respectable bucks, with one scoring 1125/8. These racks were among scattered bones and hide. Two bucks had dry velvet on them. What I find interesting is the fact I found no evidence of any lion killed does. Statisticly there are probably more does in my hunting unit, than bucks, but I have yet to locate a doe skeleton. I did however find one skeleton with no skull around, but someone may have taken the skull already. I have a theory. Does usually hang out with other does or fawns, which means more eyes and noses to detect danger. Bucks may be more solitary and live in rougher country, condusive to stalking. Anyone have the same findings? I'd appriciate comments.

 

 

Craig.

[coues addict]

Idahocoueshunter

I believe you are absolutely correct. The solitary nature of the coues buck is unfortunately one of his few weakness`s. I usually find more lion killed bucks than does also. I think the coues does are like my wife and her friends, they are always sitting around gabbing while us guys are alone watching some stupid hunting video or reloading shells for are up and coming deer hunts. Good luck in this years draw. Coues Addict

[KGAINES]

Would a burn area with very little cover hurt the coues deer, I would think that if there was a deer in a large burn area with very little if any cover that only a rifle hunter would have a chance at it, I don't think many people could make a stalk across wide open ground to get to it with a bow, I think even a lion would have trouble covering a lot of wide open ground to get to it. I think that the fringe areas of a burn would be where they would get ambushed. I think that would not last for long though because as soon as the grass and shrubs are high enough to conceal a lion the deer are in trouble.

Just a thought, but I doubt the deer look at it like that.

[coues addict]

KGAINES

In my humble opinion I think Coues deer love to feed in very open areas. They like the fact that they can see all around them and it gives them a chance to escape most predators in plenty of time if needed. They also love burn areas because of the new growth and I have seen them roll in fairly fresh ashes, I believe as a flea and tick powder if you will.( Natures pest control dust). Lion kills that I have found are usually in creek beds and steep canyons that are usually good ambush areas. Usually these same areas hold water! the fringe areas you refer to also make sense to me as possible ambush sites. I once had a lion come right up behind me while bowhunting in Utah. I was watching some deer out in an open area just as you are refering to. The lion probably was doing the same thing. It surprised me but I actually heard him come up behind me. He got to around 10 feet. I raised up and off he went. Whew! I think your logic is sound but the deer still have to go to water or in some other areas to get all of there needs. Good luck in the draw this year. Coues Addict P.S. I can`t wait to find out!

[GRONG]

Holy crap Amanda that is an awesome buck!!!!!! 12" beams? They sure look bigger than that, must be real thin horned cause that rack looks freakin gorgeous! Makes me want to get out in the 100+ heat and look around. How come you didn't find that on the state side? Just you wait, all that tromping around on the rez and one of these days you're gonna find a REAL monster and have to leave it. That's gonna hurt bad..........

 

Josh