Ringing in 2015

[naturegirl]

I had planned this trip awhile ago and at the last minute decided I was bored with my old area and needed something new. I knew of a spot from years ago in a different unit so I set off for it. Me, Miss good with directions, couldn't even find the main turnoff so after an hour of looking I got frustrated and said "It's time to find a new spot." I turn on my phone and look for a road that goes the furthest into the mountains and that is where I went. I ended up finding my own little piece of Heaven and I was the only hunter for as far as the eyes could see. On day number one I found my first ever deer shed and a Coues nonetheless.

 

 

I knew the snow was coming overnight and I couldn't wait. 2015 would be brought in with a picture only Mother Nature could create. The sun rose and with it I was bestowed with the beautiful desert we live in blanketed with snow. I eagerly got on my cold weather gear and waited for enough sun to start taking pictures. Hunting could wait. I was being given a gift and my eyes wanted to see it.

 

 

 

After I had my fill, I start up the biggest mountain around and I was literally mesmerized with the beauty surrounding me, but the animals were nowhere around or so I thought. It's about 9 am and I'm creeping along the east side of a crest and I hear something so I freeze. I scan back behind me where I just passed and this gal is coming out of her bed. She comes out and shakes all the snow from her coat.

 

 

 

I've learned over the years I am a pig magnet. I've quit buying a tag until I fill a deer tag. As luck would have it, the herd makes their way right to me. These pictures were taken with the javelinas less than 5 yards in front of me. I thought they were going to walk literally next to my leg, but they ended up just mingling around and then moved on. They were wonderful photo subjects and didn't mind my noisy shutter clicking away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As they were leaving, I look over on the next mountainside and say "Wait! That's deer!" Yes they are easier to see against the backdrop of white snow. I have no tripod and I'm trying to steady to see if they are bucks. I can't tell, but I can tell they are Coues!

 

I get myself as steady as I can and yes!!! I see two tiny little eyeguards and that's all I need to get a plan going now! I check the wind, scan the ridges, and come up with a plan to get me from this mountainside to the next as quickly as possible. I've always wondered what I'd do if I saw something wayyyy over there on another mountain and now I know. I get my rear moving and quickly.

 

I'm moving along the same hillside where I saw the pigs and here comes another herd of pigs out of their bed, but two of them decided they weren't ready so just stayed under the tree about 20 yards in front of me. Now this is twice today I've actually passed the animals before I know they are there so I know I'm doing my job being quiet

 

I finally make it to the ridge I want to be on about an hour later and start working down the ridge to where I last saw the deer. I'm creeping and scanning everywhere with binos and without. I can't see deer anywhere, but I know they have to be here somewhere so I keep creeping. I must've said "Where'd they go?" in my head 100 times. I have a helicopter fly overhead about now so I move a little quicker with the noise it brought me. It passes and I slow back down. I've hit a rocky area and I need to go right or left. The wind says go right so I do. I hadn't moved two steps and I hear bounce, bounce, bounce back behind me to the right. It's a deer and it was very close! And again I was so quiet I passed it!

 

I'm by a Saguaro and I know I didn't see the deer go anywhere, but I also can't find it anywhere. I know I would've seen it head up this way or down that way if it had exited. So I do not move a muscle. Finally I make out a white ring around it's nose through the Palo Verde between me and the deer (the deer is about 40 yards with the tree between us). The wait is on. I will be the first to admit I have never waited out a deer, but this time I will. Typically if I move an inch with a mule deer the game is over and I know these Coues are supposed to be more challenging.

 

About 15 minutes into it my right foot is absolutely killing me. Most of my weight has been on that right heel so I think of Fear Factor and Survivor. If those people can do it, I can do this so I wait and I wait and I wait. After about 20 minutes the deer finally starts to move his head around, which enables me to get my range finder. With this, I can see through the tree and he is a 2x Coues. This totally works for me! I continued the wait and honestly I don't know how long it was, but my guess was a good 30 minutes, but I did it! I won the battle of the wits. The buck was feeding, but always checking back in my general area and I was lucky enough to have snow falling out of the trees to help distract him.

 

Now he was between 60-70 yards away and it's a clear shot, but this is out of my range. I quickly think of any possible way I could take this shot and I just couldn't. I knew I would be plucking an arrow and coyotes are the only thing I seem to pluck arrows at - not a deer. I hoped he would come closer. Well, actually I believe I prayed he would come closer. I waited, but for whatever reason he just bounded up the mountainside and was gone.

 

This trip took me to an area that holds both mule deer and Coues. I felt like I hit the lottery when it was a Coues buck and I'm thrilled I got so close to him. I couldn't have asked for a better way to ring in 2015. Well, of course, it would've been even better if that buck had my tag on him...lol

 

 

[6ANut]

Wow, lucky you, great pics of those piggies and God's Country.

[cramerhunts]

Sounds like a lot of fun and absolute great way to bring in the new year. I have a feeling it won't be long before you're wrapping a tag around some antlers. Beautiful pictures as well!

[Snapshot]

Great photos. Snow in the desert, makes for a great landscape

[Heat]

Awesome pics!

[PRDATR]

Yesterday was a great day to be out Christina and I congratulate you for making the most of it. You're turning into quite the little story teller too.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Awsome trip way to get out there.

[4Falls]

You've done it again naturegirl. I absolutely enjoy your write ups and your photography is stunning as well. I can't wait for the next one. Good job and thanks.

[kidso]

Great job! Any second regrets on passing up that shot on the deer? What is your comfort limit for yardage?

[Coach]

Now THAT's how you write up a hunting story! Great story, awesome pics along the way, felt like I was right there in the moment. Thanks for taking the time to write it up and share. I've never seen pigs in the snow like that. Very cool.

[n2horns]

Nice work and great job staying out there! Seems like recently only time I see Javelina is when I'm hunting something else, then not 1 but a dozen or some come in to water and are only feet from me.

 

Good luck rest of the season.

[elecshoc]

Awesome pics and write-up. Thanks for sharing

[4Falls]

Just had to read and look at you pictures again before I head out there this morning. The beautiful close ups are helpful so I know what I'm looking for... I am not a javelina magnet.

[brndog1]

Really enjoyed the pictures and write up on it. You put us all out there with you. Thanks for taking us along. Keep at it!

[GhostTracker180]

Nice!