dipper Report post Posted January 9, 2007 I had a boss who regularly said "Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good." That proved to be true on my first (and likely only) Coues hunt. I'm not a "trophy" hunter - in fact, I dont' like the term because it generates so much negative emotion among non-hunters and the general public and I believe a "quality" hunt is truly in the eye of the participant. But, I occasionally participate in some hunts that are considered high quality opportunities. For some time, I had been interested in hunting Coues whitetails because they are a unique subspecies in a unique area. I'm posting my story because so many hunters on this site seem to appreciate Coues deer and I gleaned some useful info by reading the forum. Anyway, after building bonus points for several years, I put in for a Dec Coues hunt in 36B. I chose the unit because of the statistics and also because it had good opportunity for Mearns quail. I put in for 2006 because of the proposed fee increases for 2007, hoping my accumulated points would yield a tag brfore the cost became prohibitive (I'm a wildlife biologist for a NW state - so funds for hunting out-of-state are a little limited). My wife, dogs, and me arrived in Arivaca on Christmas eve in time for an evening glassing session. Within 150 yards of parking the truck and heading toward a high ridge, I jumped a whitetail. I only caught a fleeting glance, but my impression was it was a buck - never to be seen again. The spot we picked to glass wasn't productive, but at least we were in the right area and my wife found a covey of Mearns' to boot. Our first night camp spot turned out to be a bust, so rather than hunt Christmas morning, I tore down our wall tent camp and set out for a new (as yet to be determined) camp spot. We happened across a local hunter/guide who suggested a camp location near Arivaca Lake - which turned out to be a great area. Glassed Christmas evening and saw several does. Hunted the 26th - 13 illegals and 4 does. About 1/2 hour before light on the 27th, at the glassing spot I selected, I was greeted by very loud radio traffic somewhere below me - I'm guessing it was Border Patrol or National Guard - no deer that morning. By the tmim I returned to camp, the wind was starting to blow and the weather report was calling for winds to 35 mph, so we decided to break camp...again, and get a hotel in Green Valley. Rain started about 8 pm that night and kept up all night. Sunrise found us sitting in the truck debating what to do as the rain continued - thinking this wasn't supposed to an issue for a desert deer hunt. I later discovered that Arivaca area gets more annual precip than my home area in eastern Idaho! The rain let up a little, so I headed up the ridge while my better half stayted in the truck, trying to catch up on some sleep. A break in the rain allowed me to glass for about an hour, but I only turned up 1 bedded doe. The wind was picking up again and the rain resumed, making even occasional glassing a challenge. A few ridges later, I came to a spot that just felt right - there had to be some deer there. But the horizontal rain made the proposition of serious glassing impossible - even a quick look through the binos was asking for blurred lenses and several minutes of cleaning off rain drops. As I dropped off the ridge, the wind seemed to lessen and I chanced a quick look through the binos. It proved well worth it, as the first thing I saw was antlers. I started shaking as I watched the only buck I'd seen in 5 days. There were 2 does near the buck, but the only interaction between the buck and does seemed agressive - he rushed after 1 doe, but retreated and stayed about 75 yds away. Shades of my mt. goat hunt in 2005 arose as the rain turned to snow, creating a near white out and obscuring the deer. The snow let up and I slowly closed the distance as much as I thought possible - I was trapped in an open ocotillo patch with open ground all around - to about 300 yds. He disappeared when I shot and 1 of the does kept looking at his last location, telling me the shot was good. Basically beginner's luck and some persistence. Then we also a great day and a half of Mearns' hunting - wore out my normally very energetic yellow lab... The head/cape is at Lippert/Doyle in Tucson - they seemed genuinely interested in creating a quality mount - anyone have any experience with them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davecinaz Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Wow! Great buck! . . . and the quail look pretty good too! Congratulations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Wow... The only buck you saw in 5 days? I guess it was beginners luck or some other Idahoan Voodoo. Congratulations on a super hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted January 9, 2007 That is a monster. I assume you are/were working on your deer slam and the coues is one of the additions. Either way, that is a monster buck, congrats...........Allen Taylor............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Wow, great looking buck! Email me the photos with your name and info on the hunt so I can post them in the photogallery. amanda@coueswhitetail.com Congratulations! and nice photos! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Dipper, you hit the JACKPOT in my opinion! Outstanding coues deer, mearns quail, and a great holiday spent with a loved-one..... Outstanding! Thanks much for sharing. S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues4x4 Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Congrats on a great buck.I sure wish I had beginners luck like that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZcoues_addict Report post Posted January 10, 2007 Wow, that's an awesome buck! Congrats, lucky is for sure! Thanks for sharing the pics of a true trophy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortpants Report post Posted January 10, 2007 Way to go Dipper! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZbowhntr Report post Posted January 10, 2007 Wow, I would take lucky any day. Great pics and story. Looks like you had a great time in AZ besides the weather. What part of Idaho you from? I grew up in Jerome and get up there about every year. I like hunting muleys over by Carey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thunderbolt Report post Posted January 10, 2007 that is one nice buck, congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I too would take lucky over good anyday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dipper Report post Posted January 12, 2007 Wow, I would take lucky any day. Great pics and story. Looks like you had a great time in AZ besides the weather. What part of Idaho you from? I grew up in Jerome and get up there about every year. I like hunting muleys over by Carey. I've been in Salmon about 5 1/2 years. Oregon and Washington for a while before moving to ID. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 12, 2007 I hope you atleast have an idea of the buck you shot.. THAT THING IS A TOAD!!! great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikep35 Report post Posted January 12, 2007 Daaaaaannngggg!! Thats a boomer for sure! Congrats on an awesome buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhunter4life Report post Posted January 12, 2007 Daaaaaannngggg!! Thats a boomer for sure! Congrats on an awesome buck! dito...WOW...is right....great story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
