SilentButDeadly Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Oh ya, where the crap are the as it lay photos? What kind of shed hunter are you anyway? I'm kind of superstitious about that - in the 'you only find the monsters when you don't have a camera' kind of way - besides you've seen the photos of what I do run into *shudder* out there on the hills when I have my camera. The other reason is that my little sony cybershot died on my elk hunt. I'm going to try and pick up a used compact off of Craigslist or Ebay to throw into my camelback, so I promise I'll get some better photos for you fiends in the future! After looking at all the sheds today I'm not sold that this is the other side from 2 years ago. Do I hope that it is a set, and have no clue where his other set is? Or be happy that I know the two general locations of where to look for the other sides?! Here are more pics of the newbie and from this spring: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRONG Report post Posted October 18, 2007 I'm kind of superstitious about that - in the 'you only find the monsters when you don't have a camera' kind of way - besides you've seen the photos of what I do run into *shudder* out there on the hills when I have my camera. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Freakin hilarious my man! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John O Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Is it just me, or does that buck have a little mulie in him. Could that explain the large G2's??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Is it just me, or does that buck have a little mulie in him. Could that explain the large G2's??? If I could show you the sheds you'd see that he's a Coue's, also I've watched him running around and he's definitely got a nice white flag, he likes to show it to me as he runs away over the next set of ridges... There are no muleys that I've seen in this area, however I've heard that they used to live there. Something interesting I heard the other day - over in Saguaro National Park East they did a census of the deer around the desert loop drive - apparently there used to only be Muley's over there, this summer when they went out there were only Coues. Maybe somebody has heard of this happening before? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John O Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Is it just me, or does that buck have a little mulie in him. Could that explain the large G2's??? If I could show you the sheds you'd see that he's a Coue's, also I've watched him running around and he's definitely got a nice white flag, he likes to show it to me as he runs away over the next set of ridges... There are no muleys that I've seen in this area, however I've heard that they used to live there. Something interesting I heard the other day - over in Saguaro National Park East they did a census of the deer around the desert loop drive - apparently there used to only be Muley's over there, this summer when they went out there were only Coues. Maybe somebody has heard of this happening before? That is interesting. I have noticed that the unit reports from G&F talk about how the whitetails can be found in the flats as well as in the hills. I have spent several days down in 36a this year, and have seen as many whitetails in the flats as in the mountains and hills. Come to think of it, the only place I have seen mulies is in Buenos Aires preserve, although I know they are all over. I prefer the whitetail though. Who wants to be stuck with a dang carp anyway??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted October 19, 2007 Is it just me, or does that buck have a little mulie in him. Could that explain the large G2's??? If I could show you the sheds you'd see that he's a Coue's, also I've watched him running around and he's definitely got a nice white flag, he likes to show it to me as he runs away over the next set of ridges... There are no muleys that I've seen in this area, however I've heard that they used to live there. Something interesting I heard the other day - over in Saguaro National Park East they did a census of the deer around the desert loop drive - apparently there used to only be Muley's over there, this summer when they went out there were only Coues. Maybe somebody has heard of this happening before? I've herd and seen the same thing Tyson. I visited with Don Swan, Biologist at SNP East, back in high school and he said the same thing. I think he said that there was some mulies but maybe there are fewer now. Thats a shame, they had some big ones in there. Seen some whitetails in the flats of 34a and I haven't seen them but I herd from a good source that theres a few whitetails in 37a and 37b. It just goes to show you how adaptable those whitetails can be. By the way.... nice sheds. I wish I had the chance to find the sets off of a buck from different years. Are you still seeing him around? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted October 19, 2007 By the way.... nice sheds. I wish I had the chance to find the sets off of a buck from different years. Are you still seeing him around? I know Don Swan pretty well, he's a great guy, we worked together a bit while I was on the fire crew out at Saguaro. I saw the buck in August, still with alot of growing left to do, I'm worried though that he is going down hill, if this shed is from last year he's beginning to lose his mass and length. Maybe last year was just a hard year for him and he'll bounce back. T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted October 20, 2007 I saw the buck in August, still with alot of growing left to do, I'm worried though that he is going down hill, if this shed is from last year he's beginning to lose his mass and length. Maybe last year was just a hard year for him and he'll bounce back. T Here's hoping you're right. But when are you going to put the smack down on this buck Tyson? Besides being a dang good buck, it'd be pretty cool to have all those previous sheds to go with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted October 21, 2007 Here's hoping you're right. But when are you going to put the smack down on this buck Tyson? Besides being a dang good buck, it'd be pretty cool to have all those previous sheds to go with him. The smack will be coming January 1, 2008 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted October 21, 2007 The smack will be coming January 1, 2008 That's what I like to hear! Good luck on this buck man, I really hope you kill him. You've certainly put in the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted October 22, 2007 Here's hoping you're right. But when are you going to put the smack down on this buck Tyson? Besides being a dang good buck, it'd be pretty cool to have all those previous sheds to go with him. The smack will be coming January 1, 2008 Give me a ring, ill be your spotter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted February 1, 2008 As those who have read this post know, I've been following this buck for two 1/2 years now. I've found 3 years of sheds, a single from 2005, set from 2006, and a single in 2007. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vFC6kjeUeARWFQJbQVyhgg I'd been waiting all year to get a crack at him, and on New Year's morning I spotted him in a likely spot at 7am (first bit of footage). I filmed him a little then called my father-in-law Ernie to help me put a stalk on him. The buck moved over a mountain and I lost sight of him. Ernie showed up an hour later and we moved around two drainages to look back at the mountain I last saw him on. We spooked him up on accident (footage of him walking away) - he'd come all the way across the second valley - and he walked right back (1/2 mile) to where I'd seen him first that morning. After climbing the next mountain Ernie relocated him and I got the last film you see of him. I went and attempted a stalk after he bedded (at 12 noon!), but he busted me (my mistake for not memorizing the area he was bedded in, I got within 50 yards and was looking for him 90 degrees from where he was actually bedded). He ran around another mountain (which I then had to climb). We lost him for 4 hours, Ernie finally relocated him at 4:45pm that afternoon. I dove off the mountain and got out above him on the ridge he was feeding on. Again, I got within 35 yards before he saw me. He was staring right at me through a palo verde and staghorn cholla. I drew down and stepped out from behind the palo verde, but the staghorn was still in the way. I could see his face and neck, he was standing straight on to me. I decided to take the shot. My arrow went 6 inches to the right of his face, I don't know if it deflected through the staghorn or if it was me (I think it was me forgetting to use my back tension). He flew out of there like a whiff of smoke and that was the last opportunity I had to be close to this amazing buck. I spent the next two weeks looking for him, and never saw him again. I finally threw in the towel on whitetails and went carp hunting the last two weeks - and yes I feel terrible still for not spending the last two weeks looking for him - although I did get to hunt some monster muleys. If you compare the photos of the sheds with his rack in the video you can see that he is going downhill. I suspected this when I found his shed from this year. You can also hear us talking about the tumor on the side of his face. I don't know if it is a tumor or an injury, maybe some of our biologists can chime in. My fear is that it is cancer, and that this is likely the last I will ever see of this buck. Perhaps he was killed by a hunter, but selfishly I hope that he is still out on those hills disappearing like smoke from those that hunt him. Sadly, I know that eternity is not far behind this old boy and that the reaper will take him sooner than I can. I try to cheer myself up thinking that maybe Briggs-dog and I will find his bones one day this summer while shed hunting, whatever happens, he will be a legend in my mind for the rest of my life. Tyson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted February 1, 2008 Going downhill or not, that is a great buck. Sorry you didn't get to stick an arrow in him Tyson, but i hope he's still around for you next year. And that tumor on his face is crazy - that thing's huge! Anyone have a good idea what it could be? How long has he had that Tyson? Alot of character on that deer. Good luck to you next year man, I hope he makes it. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted February 1, 2008 Thats way they call it hunting. Thats neat that you got some video of him. This past month was the first time I've ever chased after 1 deer and boy does it add a whole new level to your hunt. I only saw him two days and never did see him agian. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted February 1, 2008 Great story Tyson, even though it is a sad ending now hopefully it will eventually end nicely! Thanks for sharing the story and footage with us. Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
