gotcoues Report post Posted November 13, 2007 My daughter Ashley drew two tags this year. Archery bull in unit 8 and an early youth deer tag in 33. The elk hunt didn't go as planned, we did some scouting and picked out our spots to build blinds. We had set ups at three water holes which were all going to be a 20 to 25 yard shot. We hunted for nine days, locating and calling in the mornings and sitting water every evening. The first night Ashley passed a spike bull that stood before us at 15 yards for three or more minutes. Little did we know that was the only action we would encounter on this hunt. She worked her butt off, showed an extreme amout of patience and I just wish we could gotten a little more action on this hunt. Now the good stuff REDEMPTION! This was her first rifle deer hunt, I had put her in on the Kaibab and Dec Whitetail with no luck so this year I tried the youth hunt in 33 and 36a. She drew out and was thrilled to have a rifle tag. To date she had tried to archery hunt deer, sitting water and spot and stalk. That's a tough hunt for anyone, let only a fourteen year old young lady! The first weekend we went out with her two little brothers, 8 and 10 years old. It was very windy and the glassing was tough. Although we did have a lot fun, I was only able to pick up does and a group of pigs on the first day. Since she had past on that bull and it didn't pay off, she wasn't putting too many requirements on her first deer. She was hoping though! The next weekend she had Friday off. The plan was to try a different area and hope for the best. We hunted high in the morning. I glassed up two bucks, they were forkies, maybe a two by three I think. My buddy Harvey picked up a solid three by, maybe mid 80s way up and out there. She opted for the challenge and we took off. It took an hour and a half to get in range of this buck. Each time we would crest over the next ridge he was in the same spot, as if he was waiting for us? Our luck ran out however, and the sun dial was not in our favor. When we crossed the final ridge the buck should have been about 150 yards away. However, he vanished without a trace. Discouraged but not beaten we took a breather and then decided to head back down around and look for the smaller bucks. By now it was 10:30 or 11 and we just couldn't find them, not really prime time for glassing. We proceeded to nap for a while like all hard working hunters should do. After our slumber we talked strategy and decided to head for mulie country. The idea was we might be able to work one faster if we were shedding daylight. We got set up glassing again at about 4, it was slow going and started getting really windy. Finally after about an hour or so, I spotted some deer, a doe and two fawns. Knowing there was a pretty good chance for a small buck to still be hanging out, I kept a close eye on them. They were about 8 tenths of mile out. Eventually a couple bigger bodied deer stood up and began milling around. I had to wait until they got out into the sun and bang, Harvey looks at me and smiles. One is a four by he said, it was so on! Amist our excitement we managed to map a plan and get to it. We charged to close the distance, and about half way there, the two bucks topped over a roll and we thought this was good for us for sure. Top over and shoot, easy right? Well we finally got to the hill and crept up and over, the only problem was, they were gone, and down the other side got very thick. We proceeded as slow as we could glassing about every five steps. We finally laid eyes on the buck, he was 125 yards out. We dropped down and helped Ash prepare for the shot. The shooting sticks weren't feeling right she said, so we tried our packs. No good either, back to the sticks we went. I helped steady them and leaned on her as well to get her steadied. Harvey slid forward to block out the setting sun and at that moment I heard Ashley say "that's perfect." Boom, the shot rang out and we all knew he was hit! He staggered within seconds and dropped about 10 yards from where she shot him. She was shooting an H and R 243 single shot with a leupold scope. She had done exactly as instructed and center punched his shoulder. She couldn't believe her eyes as we walked up to the buck. As if I didn't know she was already hooked on this passion of ours, now it was even more clear to me than ever before. She's already asking about our next year's draw. Whoo Hoo!!!!! I want to thank my best friend the Harvster for his eight mile eyes (ha ha) and also my good friends Greg, Little G and Hank for their assistance on the elk hunt. We have also met a new friend Tracy, whom we met on this site. He put out max effort for complete strangers on Ashley's elk hunt. Helped us scout and hunt, drove all the way from Phoenix on several ocassions. He said several times he had alway hoped he could help out a younster and boy did he ever! Thanks for everyone's support!!!!! Justin and Ashley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted November 13, 2007 Dandy buck. Congrats to Ashley and a "good job" to dad. -TONY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted November 13, 2007 Awesome job on a dandy of a buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BRYCE CANYON Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Nice buck! Gotta love that .243 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues7 Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Congrats! Thanks for taking a kid hunting!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Great job and beautiful buck!!! Congrats! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Real nice buck- I was waiting for the ladies to get involved like they did last year! Congrats! AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HBU Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Way to go Ashley, great job Dad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron G. Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Congratulations Ashley on a great buck! Thanks for posting the story and pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Congrats Ashley! That is a beautiful Mulie and bigger than I have ever gotten! Your story brought a tear to my eye, I can not wait for my daughter to turn 10 years old. Great job and way to tough it out like a hunter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted November 14, 2007 I love the young ones Stories Especialy when they are young ladys Great Buck Ashley, Congrates to you. Thanks for a great replay Justin. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted November 14, 2007 That's awesome right there. Love to see the ladies getting involved. Congrats on a great buck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azyoung Report post Posted November 14, 2007 Congrats to you Daughter! Real nice muley azyoung Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
out2hunt Report post Posted November 15, 2007 sweet buck and wide too!!Nice job guys!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr8 White Jr Report post Posted November 15, 2007 Outsanding buck Ashley!!! I am so proud of you! Let me say that this young lady has the heart, patience and persistance of a great hunter. This is only the beginning. Great job Ashley and way to go Justin! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
