Bitter24 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Well yesterday was the day I have been after for several years. Ive made countless failed stalkes on Coues deer. Got close numerous times, though never sealed the deal until yesterday. I couldnt be happier. Yesterday morning at first light, I glassed up a buck with a doe from 1163 yards away. Me and my buddy watched this buck for 4 hours. We both guessed him to be that 95-100" class deer. The buck looked mature, and had good head gear. I finally made the choice to attempt a stalk. I had to loop around to the next canyon over and make a huge "L" shape approach due to terrian and some private land. I was able to finally crest over the peak, and re located the buck. He was pushing his doe my way. It appeared as he was going to come below me. I moved postion, but ran into a big rock wall drop off. End of the road for me. I ended up losing visual of the buck for what felt like a week. I picked up visual of his doe skirting the bottom of the rock wall. I ranged a bush (very few of them, mainly wide open) that I believed the buck would end up near. The stars, sun, and moon alined. He pushed that doe back, when he was a few yards out from the bush I stood up and went to full draw. I had a decoy mounted on my bow from ultimate predator gear. I mouth grunted at the buck, he slammed on the brakes. He looked right up at me, and saw the decoy. He got pissed another buck may be trying to steal his does. He looked back down at his doe, with his back hair standing up trying to look as big and mean as possible. I truely believe he thought he was king of that mountain. I settled in took a depth breath, with "buck fever" at a all time high. I didnt even realize, (since I was focusing on my pin and his vitals) though my body went into shoot mode and sent a arrow down range. The buck was facing with his head to my right and slightly quarted uphill towards me. My arrow struck, just in front of the shoulder 3/4 of the way up. As I heard the clear sound of "whack". Knowing my rage just hit bone. I could see my fletchings sticking out of the buck. He whirled around and took off, after 60 ish yards he stopped and stood there. I could see the blood running down his brisket and legs. He would walk 50 yards and stop and repeat. Every time he stopped I could watch a pool of blood form under him. Even at 200 yards out free hand'n my binos I could see the bright red blood trail. Then the blood started coming out his nose. As I sat there watching all this unfold in front me, I was in debeilf. Wishing he would tip over, and give up the battle. The buck tried to run up hill, and made it appx 15 yards till he lost his footing and tumbled backwards snapping off my arrow. He somehow got back to his feet and headed down slope to a flatter portion. I watched him stand there, swaying side to side, praying he would tip over. He fell over and basically bedded. His entire chest, legs, and mouth were soaked in bright red blood. After appx 10 mins to my shock he stood up and stumbled behind a tree, and I lost visual. Replaying the events in my head, I couldnt see a way this buck wasnt dead to rights. I kept looking at the blood trail in my binos, and replaying all the blood he was soaked in. Wanting to play it safe, and not lose this monarch I waited 2 hours from my shot. I hadnt seen him move or come out from behind the tree. I walked down and got on the blood triail, that looked like someone poured out a 5 gallon jug of blood along the trail. I approached the tree, arrow nocked incase. I was about 80 yards from it still on all the blood. Then in a whirl there he goes. Doing what he can to run, and my heart sank. Knowing it was either lose him or (he was headed for private land and houses blood trailing would of been near impossible in the houses) finish it. I went into full hunt/kill mode. I was able to re locate the buck about 80 yards from where he jumped from. I snuck into 20 yards, he stood up facing me. Not the shot I wanted, though knowing I needed to do him justice and end it. I sent a arrow straight through his throat patch and down into him. Again the buck took off, I found him hanging on by a thread shortly there after now two arrows into him. I walked up and gave this buck the respected he had earned. I helped him along faster, and harvested a true trophy for my first archery coues. The will to live in this buck was truly insane. During gutting and cleaning, trying to see what happened. So next time it would be better. The first arrow hit one lung, bounced of his off shoulder and slit the liver (somehow). The second arrow, slit his windpipe along with the neck artery. Then proceeded into his one good lung and into the guts. Yet he manged to still go let alone no lungs, bleeding out every where, and no windpipe and a failing liver. He was a brusier and died like one. Was it picture perfect, not a chance. Though I went toe to toe with a monarch of the mountain. He was a fighter, and I will never forget how hard he tried with nothing left in him. The buck had no upper front teeth, and was a HUGE body coues deer. We rough scored him at 106 7/8". Though subject to change with +\- 2" or so. This buck is being processed by me, and I will enjoy the meat he provided me. He will also be mounted, so I can admire him and the memories he has given me. In honor of the buck who wouldnt die, thank you. You earned my respect in more ways then one. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bitter24 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Here he is! 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZwest16 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Great buck! Awesome story and crazy hunt! Going to be really tough to beat that one spot and stalk! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SO I HUNT Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Great buck and write up 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PelaPapas Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Great write up man, huge congrats on tagging that buck. Great one for sure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eagle#eyes Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Nice deer and a cool story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4Falls Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Awesome buck and incredible story! Just wanted to add that deer do not have upper front teeth. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Wow, very cool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Very nice buck! Great story. I often wondered if that type of decoy would work. Man...they are tough!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
el diablo Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Nice buck congratulations I've been eyeballing those decoys too. Wondered how well they really work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Awesome buck and incredible story! Just wanted to add that deer do not have upper front teeth. yup. ungulates do not have upper front teeth. great write up, awesome job. congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted January 14, 2016 very nice.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Great pics! Great story! Great buck!!! Thanks for sharing with the site! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZHog Report post Posted January 14, 2016 Congratulations! Great pics and story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couescraze Report post Posted January 15, 2016 Well deserved! Countless hours in the field and your persistence paid off! Congrats bud! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
