CouesPursuit

Hunted hard early and sitting in camp again, brother did it at 350 yards on his second and personal best coues. Good luck everyone out there this weekend!

I bone out large as possible in the field and this - instead alternating frozen water bottles.

Happy birthday!

Sven is a great guy and does great work. He has and will do all my bird mounts.

Happy Birthday, Bill! Enjoy reading your content here!

One of my best hunting partners and I drew any antelope tags for the 2016 Wyoming season for our first ever speed goat experience. We departed Phoenix at 11AM on Friday, successfully arriving at our hunt destination outside of Laramie at 4am on Saturday 9/17, which was opening day for our Hunter Management Area. Like many of you, I can't remember a big game hunt where I could actually fall asleep the night before upon closing my eyes. However, a 15+ hour drive made it more than easy to fall for a short nap in the front seats of the truck as we awaited the opening day's sun and much needed warmth. As if there was a silent alarm clock, we woke at the first sense of daylight. We scurried to our tripods and binoculars in our clothes from the day before, and the hunt was on. Having not been acclimated to temps in the 30s in many months, it was cold to say the least. Thankfully, just as it was described by our friends that led us to the hunt and area, it was like a pinball machine keeping us warm and attentive, although our Carhartt jackets probably helped some too. There were antelope and ducks everywhere!! A picture through my binoculars the first morning - We glassed in awe for an hour. "Got some over here" quickly became a popular and overstated phrase. Without a tree in sight, we watched antelope from 400 yards to many miles away. I got excited with the first few bucks I spotted near the 4-600 yard mark as if to make a play on them, but I quickly realized they were everywhere, and with us standing around the truck, they probably weren't coming in much closer. At that time, I decided I didn't want to shoot one opening morning, and that I wanted to milk this experience for everything it was worth. After the first shot rang out within the hour, my hunting partner Steve couldn't resist. We did a lot of load development and shooting in preparation for hunt, and when a group of hot does with a good looking buck hung around at the 450 yard mark for more than a minute, I heard the truck door open and the rifle case unzip, with a confident "I'm shooting him." Not 2 minutes later, and Steve had his Wyoming buck down with a shot to the vitals, just off the buck's shoulder, perfectly placed without an ounce of meat lost. Steve approaches his downed buck at just over 400 yards - We had an antelope down within an hour of opening day, without even leaving the truck! As many will say, and I learned then, "That's Wyoming!" We brought various vacuum sealed packages of coues, mule deer, javelina, and dove. We ate meat and veggies like kings off the charcoal grill in our Motel 6 parking lot every evening of our 5 day stay. I didn't think there was anything better than coues, and although the jury is still out for me, I think we've found it folks. Javelina backstrap that I brought from AZ and fresh Wyoming antelope tenderloin - The next morning was my turn, it was forecasted to be a very windy day two with 35+ MPH gusts. I decided to get low and prone, away from the truck and within shooting distance of 2 tanks from the first photo above at first light. Steve stayed back and was to call me if something good popped up around the truck. With the moon still up, and before the wind kicked in, I spotted a really good looking solo buck at 1000 yards. After the chaotic opener, he had just watered at dawn and he stood on a small slope getting a good eye on things before he decided on his next move. Steve called me to tell me a truck pulled up 500 yards away. I watched 4 hunters in a lot of orange get out and begin walking to the tank on their side of me, opposite of the buck. The guys made it not 10 yards from the truck and the buck took note, making his way up and away in elevation. The other hunters never saw this buck. The instant he moved behind a small hill and out of sight, I picked up my tripod and rifle and ran as quickly as possible to where I thought he could and would settle back down. On my gloved hands and padded knees, I crested over the hill and regained sight of him right where I hoped he would be at just 428 yards, feeding with his head down. I crawled to the 400 yard mark, and set up my rifle for the shot. The wind had picked up and was directly in my face. I have to be honest, I practice and know my rifle pretty well, but I have never shot in that kind of headwind. A touch of anxiety took over me as I take one shot one kills very seriously and with a lot of pride. I wasn't sure if I was willing to take the shot with the conditions at hand, especially without a spotter. Before I could wait for a break in the wind, out of my peripheral, I see a white object pop up right in front of me. It was a doe ranged at 60 yards, and she was very curious to what I was. Not a minute later, with the big buck watching at 400 yards, a second buck appears just behind the doe. He noticed the doe noticing me, but would not lose pace with her, especially with the bigger buck watching. I had an awesome dose of adrenaline come over me, realizing that I better come to a decision, and quick, before the doe busts and takes both bucks with her. But not before I could get a video and snapshot of this unreal situation! I put the phone down and made my decision immediately. I may have practiced for the long shot, but at this point in my hunting career, having not taken an antelope yet, with an Arizona tag to come eventually, only a fool (my opinion) wouldn't capitalize on a 60 yard chip shot in the conditions, even if the distant buck was still noticeably bigger. Laying prone, I reset for the shot on the closer buck, with nothing but grass in my scope. Luckily my bipod legs extended quickly and quietly, and I looked through the scope again. The most handsome critter to ever fall within the eye of my scope at any similar range just stood there, staring. I put the crosshairs on his leg crease and moved them back a couple inches for meat safety. A quick, gentle squeeze of the trigger and the plains went silent. At 7:30AM on our second day, I had just taken my first antelope with Steve watching from another 1,000 yards behind me. We were tagged out and out of the unit by 10AM on day 2. Luckily, I brought a couple of fly rods. We visited a local fly shop, got some information and fly patterns for the area, and visited some local lakes to throw streamers on day 3. My first fish was my biggest trout on a fly since I got into fly fishing a few years ago - Notice my hat blowing off as I tried to get in the sun for the next photo. The wind didn't let up, but I enjoyed every, difficult, minute of it!! Day 4, it was off to the trophy trout waters of the North Platte River, just south of Casper, WY. An antelope buck says hello as he takes a drink while I was tossing the fly around. The scenery here was awesome, and more, bigger trout were caught as I learned the river and new fishing tactics through the course of the day. I caught some smaller ones too. We kept a couple. Best trout I've ever had. We bought a few blocks of ice and used the Motel 6 ice machine to fill in the gaps. We had a cooler to be proud of! Before heading home, we spent one day exploring some public land for future knowledge and do a couple predator stands. The Medicine Bow National Forest did not disappoint and while coyote calling we encountered a group of mature mule deer bucks at just 60 yards. Driving through the town of Medicine Bow, we spotted deer in the residential area so we pulled in for a closer look. Out of 100s of deer in and out of people's yards, we found this happy buck, bedded and resting at the safest place in town. Notice the sign in the yard (left). The people, scenery, and experience were all amazing. Can't forget thanks to member wildwoody for some great unit information. Thanks Steve for being such an easy going and awesome hunting partner and friend! Thanks all for looking! If you've thought about doing Wyoming, GO.

Happy Birthday!

This is how I feel about ducks. Good luck, Tres & all!

A couple years ago, my brother bought an 1970's model Remington 700 chambered in 30-06 from a friend in need for cheap and after several boxes of various ammo, it just doesn't shoot well at all. There aren't any plans for it to leave the safe, and when asked how much he wanted for it last night, he said the brother-price may be as low as $100. I'm pretty darn green when it comes to building a custom rifle, but I was hoping some guys on here could help me through some thoughts on my options for building off the Remington 700 long action. I'm certain I don't want to re-barrel in 30-06. I currently have a 7mm Remington Mag with 500-1000 shots left in the barrel and I recently picked up a 223 that shoots lights out to 300 yards. I'm looking to build something in between that is enjoyable to shoot for everyone in the family (7mm is NOT lol), very capable for coues out to 600 and if possible but not nearly as important, target to 1000+, and lastly I want reasonable-good barrel life. I'm leaning towards 25-06, 6.5 CM, or 6.5-284 Open to suggestions on other calibers and preferred stocks, barrels, triggers, etc. I'm not sure of my budget yet, this thread is a poke to see what I'm really looking at to make this commitment. I'm in no hurry. Thank you for sharing any thoughts and what you would do's. I really appreciate it.

lol - it's my brother, I would have a hard time selling it for profit and not just give him the money. Building something he gave me on a deal that we keep in the family forever sounds much more appealing, but thanks for the thought!!

Thanks, all! Yes, I hand load. I understand I left out a lot of great calibers such as the .280, but with a 7mm that is shooting -MOA and perfectly fine as is, I am reluctant to get into too big of a cartridge. I don't want to burn that much powder. I also hesitate to get into the wildcats. I under the ballistic benefit, but I still want this to be a gun I can pick up some factory ammo for or find it on someone else's shelf in a pinch or SHTF situation.

Thanks for the replies so far, speedy, I do not have a builder in mind yet.

Hi, Janell! I'll share a couple thoughts before the many great replies you'll get from others here after. There are tons of answers, thoughts, and opinions, but at the end of the day, I think it's the one that fits you the most. It takes a lot of patience and skill to sneak up on deer, yet it also takes a lot of planning and patience to wait for one to come to you. The "best" will also vary greatly on terrain and veg type, along with which deer species you're after. If you do decide to spot and stalk, I prefer doing so on bedded deer that I've spotted through binoculars in "stalkable" country. And arguably, mule deer may be a bit more forgiving. Sitting will without a doubt present more (quality) opportunity, at least at first. But it will require some scouting and planning. Cameras, tree stands and ground blinds are all useful tools for ambush hunting, but aren't required. Salt is a great lure, water is probably best. Lots of info on these if you search around the site. Here is a good, recent thread. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/66827-spot-and-stalk-or-hunt-from-a-blind/ Sounds like you're definitely on the right track, and good luck on your next one!!

Man that looks thick for spot and stalk! Very nice, congrats!!

I was in the same exact boat with RL22 in my 7mm RM. I went to H1000, found a load identical in accuracy, and ended up netting 50 fps as well. Glad I made the switch. I couldn't find the Alliant RL23 or RL25 anywhere locally.

If the black Plano case isn't taken I will take it. Please let me know, thanks!

Great write up, hunt and buck!! Congratulations!

I'd like to donate my leftover deer tag. Sorry I'm not familiar, but will the AES Hunt for Hero's take a leftover coues rifle tag as well as elk? Thanks.

Currently, a stock Savage 110 in 7mm RM. It's batting 1.000 on 4 deer 2 elk and a javelina. I'd like to eventually go all out on a custom 6.5 for coues and keep the 7mm as an elk and backup deer gun while it still has plenty of barrel life, not sure which 6.5 though after reading this thread along with a couple others going. Cool thread.

Thank you guys for the very nice comments. I'm still in disbelief over the buck and the way it all worked out. I've called around and researched for a few days, with the combination of price, portfolio, and freeze drying velvet preservation in mind, I've decided to take it to Clay on Friday for mounting. I'll bump the thread in 9ish months with an incredible job by Mogollon I'm sure. Good luck to you all in your hunts this fall.

Awesome stuff, Vowell! Thanks for sharing. Your story is much better than mine but a hunting partner and I had an interesting encounter scouting just over a month ago. I got back in my hammock after a midnight IPA drainage and heard something beating against a tree not 10 feet away. I freaked out thinking I pissed off a bear, got my partner out off his cot and we immediately had pistols drawn, couldn't figure out what was so small that we couldn't see it but so pissed off it could shake an oak tree so violently. Further investigation revealed it was a badger. Like a little girl, after 45 minutes of throwing rocks and not wanting to discharge a pistol in the middle of the night, I went and slept in my truck. That little bastard would not move from the base of that tree.

I couldn't imagine, prayers sent.

Thank you guys very much! Short tracking job with the Grave Digger COC. Pictures are at a short break after lifting this guy as far as I could for the moment, he still needed to be hoisted a few more inches. Entry - Exit -

Curious, how old was it do you think? FWIW, Goat Tuff has been excellent to me for both inserts and fletchings, as well as several home projects. My current bottle is only a year old but still strong as new.

Leaving straight from work today. Can't. Focus. At All.