mr.smith

Ok, so we got a much later start than we had hoped for on Thursday and ended up getting to the camping area just before dark. We met up with Christian there and set up camp in the dark. Discussed our plans for the morning and turned in pretty early. Man it was cold that night. Friday morning found us on a hill top the Christian had spotted a couple bucks from a couple weeks ago, and sure enough there they were. We watched a big forky that we nicknamed Forkasaurus, hoping he would bed down. After a while he walked down into the canyon and we lost sight of him. We moved to the next hill closer and could not relocate him. We did however spot another forky on the same hill that would be pretty easy to get to, so we made our move. We got to where we thought we needed to be but could not locate the deer. It’s like they left while we were moving. We soon found out why, when we saw three bow hunters walking a drive across the mountain right through the thicket the deer had been bedded in. I guess they moved in while we were moving. These guys were pretty oblivious to everything. We respotted the does about 100yds away from these boneheads and they never saw them. They never saw us until we got up and started packing to leave the area. These guys were such lousy hunters, one of them even stopped right next to the thicket the deer like to bed in and took a poop. No I didn’t watch. Next we moved to another spot a ways away. The wind had picked up pretty bad and we weren’t seeing anything. We were sitting there chatting when Christian say he hears something. Then he says; there are deer right here. Sure enough a doe and a fawn walk right by us at ten yards. The doe didn’t notice us but the fawn stopped and looked. It was the cutest thing. It took a couple steps towards us and stamped its hoof, then scurried off to catch up with momma. The wind died down a little and we were glassing kinda lazy when I spotted three does walking over a hill not too distant. That got us motivated to look a little harder and Christian spotted some deer way off that we decided to move a little closer to see better. This put us on the hill that we would sit for the next two days. That evening we spotted Felicia’s buck, which came to be known as Mr. Wide, and a smaller fork we named Number Two. We stalked into about 240yds but ran out of light. Having put them to bed we decided to start there in the morning. JLG and Dave were waiting for us in camp when we arrived. Saturday morning we were set up. JLG and Dave we on the hill we had glassed the deer from the evening prior. Felicia, myself and Christian we in the same spot where we had stalked up to the deer. They weren’t there. A short while later JLG called on the radio and said that he had found a nice 2X3. 2 inches by 3 inches. He called it Spike-asaurus. Felicia decided long before the hunt that she would take any opportunity that presented itself so off we went after the spike. We (JLG Felicia and I) started our stalk towards a spot that would put us within 150yds. About halfway there we busted a group of does and they were headed towards the buck so we decided to set up right where we were at 300yds. Felicia got down into the prone and had some trouble getting a good sight picture as we hadn’t really practiced from the prone. The buck moved off over the ridge right as she was ready. Oh well. Christian had already spotted another buck so we went to look. The closest we would be able to get to that one was 550yds and that wasn’t a shot either of us were willing to take. We started back towards Christian and Dave when Christian said he had relocated Mr. Wide and #2. We hurried back and when we got there found that they had worked their way in close to a house and were not in a place that we could shoot them. We were really hoping find them together so that we could double as Mr.Wide was worthy of my tag. Dave, Felicia and I then went back to camp to make lunch while JLG and Christian stayed behind to watch the bucks in hopes that they would move away from the house. On the way back to camp we decided to try a stalk on the 550 buck from the same side of the canyon. About 300yds out Christian calls and tells us that there are two archers between us and the buck and they were moving in on the thicket the deer were in. Two stalks in two days ruined by archers. When we got back the bucks had moved away so we decided to try a stalk. I don’t know if the heard us or what but they buggered off. We stayed where we had stalked to and glassed from there. Christian spotted a little unicorn buck that Felicia named the sputton buck (spike/button). We went after him but were unable to relocate him in the mesquites. That evening we decided to head into town for a hot meal and to relax in a warm restaurant. (Lupes Mexican food in Catalina) Sunday morning we unintentionally slept in. I guess a belly full of good food will do that to you, plus it was not as cold that morning so we were all cozy. I woke up around 6:05 got dressed and woke everybody else up. We didn’t get into position til after 7:00. We glassed up that same 550 buck and two others about a mile away. Around 8:0 Christian said he spotted a lone deer that he thought was a buck. He put the spotter on it and said he had found Mr. Wide. We analyzed the situation and decided that if we got to the top of the hill we had spotted him on opening day we should be within 250yds. We decided to drop down into the creek and stalk up the saddle below the peak we were to ascend. About halfway up the hill JLG calls on the radio and says there are archers moving in on Mr.Wide. That wasn’t a very nice joke John. Most of the way to the top we stopped and downloaded most of our gear. We got to the peak and relocated the deer still bedded under a small oak. We ranged him at 365yds. A lot further than we thought and a lot further than Felicia had practiced. This would be a sitting shot though and she had practiced that. We braced her gun with the bipod in front and Christians pack behind. Her rifle was sighted to be dead on at 200yds so I told her to hold right on the spine. Christian suggested a little higher so I told her to aim for his ear as he was looking our direction and the ear was right over the vitals. Since we both have tags I decided to back her up on the shot. When we were set, she told me she was ready and I watched her flip the safety off. I found the deer in my scope and waited for her shot. Right over his back but he didn’t move. I shot with and also went right over his back. The buck got up and walked to the left actually coming a little closer. I picked it up again and felt good about my shot. Squeeze and nothing. I forgot to jack the next round. While I was cursing myself and jacking a round Felicia shot and the next thing I hear is Dave on the radio and across the canyon yelling WOO HOO. Christian said the buck was down and Felicia couldn’t believe she had got him. Christian said it was a perfect hit and that the buck reared up and did a back flip. Felicia rechecked through her scope and saw him sliding down the hill a bit and kicking his legs. After high fives and congrats all around Dave started over with the pack frame and Felicia, Christian and I started towards the buck. As we neared the buck I signaled for Christian to hang back so Felicia could go up and have her moment with the deer. I told her to make sure he was dead before getting too close (thinking of John’s friend who got kicked by and elk last month), she said yep he sure is dead, and then said wow, what a buck. We then took a whole mess of pictures. Dave decided that since Felicia had made such a great shot (and because he is genuinely a nice guy) that he would field dress her deer for her. I helped a bit but it was mostly the Dave King show and boy can Dave clean a deer quick. All we left on the hill was the rib cage. We split the deer up between us and Felicia carried the head out. Back at the parking area we met the rancher who owns the house the deer were hanging out near on day two. He congratulated Felicia and said that he wouldn’t have minded if we had shot the deer close to his house so long as we didn’t hit the house. Wish we had known that Saturday. I suppose we could have went and talked to him. Back at camp we all packed up and rolled out about the same time. I want to extend a huge ThankYou to Christian, Dave and John. You guys are my heroes. Felicia is so happy with how this hunt turned out. She made me upload and email some photos to her work email so that she can send then to all her friends. Thank you guys! I honestly could not have done it without your support

Like I said; I'm over it now. I wasn't upset that other people were in the woods. I was upset that it happened to my wife two days in a row. But it worked out in the end. Tomorrow I will be back out there looking for mine.

I typically just stalk in my boots. If you look at pics of Randy Ulmer with the monster deer he kills you will notice that he is always wearing tennis shoes. I may have to give that a try in january.

Some people are just lazy. I wish they would realize that road hunting is not an effective way to hunt these tiny deer. Another thing that didn't really help was that there was an off-road club having an event out there this weekend. Quads and motor bikes all over. The deer dont realy seem to care about vehicle traffic though. I was watching these three does feeding on a hill 100 feet above a road and they didnt even look up when vehicles went by. Heading back down tomorrow for a day trip with a friend and then back down thursday afternoon for the duration. Going to try to get a little more remote, hopefully I can find a nice one.

Not that it matters to Felicia but Christian put the tape to the little guy and he went 65 and a couple eighths. I'd say thats not too bad for a first buck and a coues to boot.

We were plenty far enough in. Deer are where you glass them. If I am a mile in and glass a deer back towards the road, thats where it is. I'm over it now, besides the opening weekend "bowhunters" will be gone and for the most part only the real bowhunters will be out there. Opening weekend you often get a lot of turds who are only out there because it just opened and they need the element of surprise, later you get the more skilled guys who actually have a chance. Sure there will be some good guys out on the opener but they are only seen if they want to be and they are observant. Might actually see a group of four guys on a hill glassing rather than walking right by at 100yds. (we were in the wide open)

Thanks guys he is a beatiful little buck and it was a beautiful shot. I'm very proud of my wife. That picture turned out great. My camera makes a little coyote howl when the timer goes off thats why everybody is genuinely smiling.

By stalk I mean closing the distance. We glassed these guys at over 800yds. I am definitely going back out. Going to try to do it during the week.

Actually if it had been rifle hunters I would have just let it go because they had to draw the tag too. I actually saw more bow hunters than rifle hunters this weekend. Honestly I don't really archery hunt December as I am usually duck hunting. I buy a tag in January so I have it during archery pig. I do a lot of bird hunting and if there is a big game hunt going on I tend to avoid those areas out of common courtesy. I make it a point to know what is open where I intend to hunt. The Dec rifle hunt is 17 days long. The archery season lasts until the end of January. The high volume of archers could simply be due to the concurrent opening days which is lame. But still why run the risk of ruining a guys hunt who had to wait a long time to draw that tag? I'm not bitching away my opportunity. As a student on winter break I have plenty of time. School doesnt resume until mid January. Like I said it just burns my butt, probably to a larger degree because it was my wife trying to fill her tag rather than me. But you are right she filled her tag, and now I can take my time and find the buck I want. Hopefully the opening weekend rush of boneheads will be over when I get back down there.

Spent the last two days scouting, still only seeing does. Going to set up camp in the morning and glass all afternoon. Hopefully we can put one to bed.

We'll see how it goes. I have Christian going with me so I'm sure he will keep the pressure on me to wait. I'm more of a bird hunter though than big game and it is waterfowl season. I have told myself three points on each side. My wife on the other hand wants a spike. I told her she was being picky in the wrong direction so she changed her story to the first legal buck. It will definitely be a fun hunt down in 33.

This is my first rifle tag and possibly my first buck. I hope I don't get too excited and miss or shoot a little weener buck. Either way it is going to be a good time. My wife has a tag too so she gets to shoot the first one we find. Hopefully we find a bigger one next. Don't know if I could live that one down. I'm heading down Monday evening to finish scouting and find a good camp spot. Back to Phoenix Wed night to pick up the wife and back down to settle in and find Fridays buck/s. It is going to be a blast.

Well more does and illegals but no WT bucks. We finally saw a buck on the drive out. too bad it was a muley. We had a good time, got in some glassing practice for my Dec hunt and got to see some new country. I don't guess too many people get a Coues on their first try so I don't feel too bad.

Went down to 36B with my dad last weekend. We got a late start on his deer tag arriving in camp around 8:00 on Friday. (I had an O-Chem exam friday) Decided to check out the canyon behind camp Sat. morning. Realized how many people were around and that we werent where we really wanted to be. Stuck it out at that spot though and managed to glass up a pair of does. Decided to move around noon, we were headed to a spot that was recommended to me when we stopped and talked to a couple other guys who mentioned another area where they saw some bucks that they passed on. This got my dad excited and so we headed over there. His tag so we do what he wants. That evening we saw nothing. The next morning we set up on a nice little hill overlooking three other hills and a nice flat. We got a bit of a late start (about 1/2 hour) and bumped a couple deer on our way to the glassing spot. Lesson relearned; start hunting as soon as you get away from camp/vehicle. It was still dim and all we saw were their big white flags so we assume they were does so as to not disappoint ourselves. I glassed up a pair of does right away and then a short while later deer just kept popping up. About a dozen different does/fawns. They would just appear in the spots I had already looked. I figured with all those fawns there was bound to be a buck in the area. Unfortunately I was unable to find him. We are going to head down and try again this weekend. Going to leave Thursday right after school. Hopefully we can find a whitetail with antlers.

Are you heading back down? I'm sure there will be a lot less people this weekend. I plan on checking a couple different areas and following up on some recommendations . We didnt see a single javelina, that surprised me. I did glass up some roadrunners several bunnies and a covey of mearns though

I'm getting an A in the lab. The lecture is another story. I bombed the exam. I think I may have been a little distracted by the fact that my dad was waiting for me to finish so we could leave for the hunt. I loathe chemistry, pretty sure it hates me too.

Wow what a nice buck. Congrats to your mom.

I would have watched them go waited until they were sufficiently far away and then kicked off all four valve stems and went somewhere else. I bet they wouldnt be laughing when they got back to four flat tires.

Same thing in 36b for us. All does and a lot of fawns. If there are fawns then there must be bucks. Gonna try again next weekend.

Wow what a buck! Congrats. All these success pics have me stoked for my hunt in December. He had Hunt #1072 Oct 26 -Nov 4 So yep there was certainly a hunt open.

I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to those of you who do not know me. My name is Josh Smith, I'm a senior at ASU majoring in Conservation Biology. 8 year Army vet (Airborne Military Police) 30 years old and married with no kids. Kind of a Jack of all trades master of none type of guy. I spend most of my time hunting birds in season or flyfishing. Occasionally I draw a big game tag. So far it has been a pair of archery pig tags (filled 1) and an archery bull tag(choked) and this year I have a Dec WT tag in 33. I have a great bunch of guys helping me out. I'm fortunate in that respect that I have some great friends who also happen to be great hunters. If successful this will be my first deer. My wife also has a tag for the same hunt(her first too), naturally she gets the first shot. Thats more of a time available to hunt thing than a chivalry thing but she thinks its both and I'm fine with that. She only has the opening weekend while I can hunt the whole season if necessary. I look forward to sharing the story of my hunt and reading the stories of yours.

I don't know why you don't like global warming. It's good for your business.

Looks like I joined about two weeks too late. Oh well next year I guess. Sure are some nice bucks so far. It would be neat to see a tally of the reported hunters/bucks measurements.

Thanks for the welcome. I kinda pride myself on my story telling so hopefully I will have a good one for ya all. Success or defeat, I'm sure it will be worth retelling. Plus pictures.

John is a great hunter and an even greater friend. This man goes out of his way to help his friends with their hunts or anything else for that matter. I have had the privelige to hunt with John a couple times and all I can say is congrats buddy, you deserve it. What a buck.