IA Born Report post Posted November 23, 2020 "I just want to fill my tag, put tasty meat in the freezer for us, and get out of this stupid heat." That's what Jacob said to me when he decided to go after a smaller deer than planned on the opening day of his deer hunt Friday. We both love chasing Coues whitetail in SE Arizona, but hunting in 87 degrees in November is horrible, especially when shade is limited. Shortly after a post-lunch nap in a small piece of shade, I glassed up a group of deer going to water across the valley. I got Jacob's attention and let him know there was a fork and a goofy-looking spike in the group of 5-6 deer. That's when he said the above quote, referring to the fork. They came down to 350 yds, but circled back up to 400 yds. Jacob got lined up, adjusted his scope accordingly, and missed slightly right. It happens. We attributed it to buck fever/operator error. The bucks kept walking uphill away from us and bedded behind two rocks just under 500 yds from us. We kept an eye on them and our friend joined us to glass, bringing much-appreciated ice-cold drinks. We watched the bucks fidget and twitch for a couple of hours and then realized the one rock was actually the spike's body behind some grass. Jacob asked, Carl encouraged, and I gave Jacob the thumbs up for a 500-yd shot. He's put the time in behind his rifle and I know how comfortable he is. He took the shot, and missed wide right again. The fork eventually stood up and walked to the left of the spike, standing perfectly broadside. That's when we found out his scope got bumped off somewhere between his last practice session and his hunt. He shot at the fork at 5:05pm and dropped the bedded spike cleanly. We celebrated and laughed at what just happened. Somedays, I'll take luck over skill, although I know Jacob has the skill. He's a way better shooter than I am. We hustled across the valley, tagged Jacob's deer, took a few quick pics, field dressed the deer, and hiked back to camp by headlamp. As I was carrying all of the meat, I realized I was glad he harvested the smaller buck. My pack was somewhere between 60-70lbs, including meat and all my gear. Then Jacob cooked us Coues tacos for dinner! Friendships were solidified, and the love of chasing Coues whitetail in SE Arizona grew stronger. What an adventure. Now to give the new grinder its first workout and work on a scope before Jacob's next hunt. It turns out that, between his last practice session and his hunt, two ring scews had come almost a full turn loose. It made me realize just how lucky we were and it taught me a valuable lesson about checking all aspects of all gear much more regularly. \ 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Awesome , anymore oics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Congrats! Thanks for the pics and story! He's probably saying I told you it wasn't buck fever! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 23, 2020 20 minutes ago, Mocha1545 said: Congrats! Thanks for the pics and story! He's probably saying I told you it wasn't buck fever! As a matter of fact, you are correct. "Dad, I told you I was dead on him, calm and steady! My heart was racing like crazy, but the rifle was steady!" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Nice...can’t beat luck like that! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eddielasvegas Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Love the quote and nice job guys!!! Eddie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Way to go Jacob! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roosevelt Mark Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Awesome, congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Because sideways pics drive me nuts, let me present this: 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Thanks Big Tub! I can never get them straightened out, no matter how many times I try! Much appreciated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Congrats! Different game with kids. I bet these deer are a little smaller than your deer back home but way easier to haul out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted November 23, 2020 Excellent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted November 23, 2020 heck ya, that's Awesome!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzDiamondHeat Report post Posted November 23, 2020 That is awesome! well done. For what ts worth a member of my family has done the same thing with killing the deer NEXT to the one he was aiming at. A little bit different though as there was NOTHING wrong with his rifle! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted November 25, 2020 This deer was a twin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
