Brian Payne

I have heard that coyotes will go after the mature bucks when they are worn out and depleted from the rut.

Really neat buck! Congrats!

My buddy Ryan got a leftover tag in a border unit. Because of work obligations I wasn't going to be able to hunt with him. Ryan made the decision (with a lot of help from his wife) that he wasn't going to hunt near the border by himself. He was able to get a friend to get the tag as well. After seeing nine bucks in two days of scouting Ryan was pretty excited about the hunt. Mid-day Friday I got a discouraged call from Ryan. He told me that that morning he had seen five good bucks but hadn't been able to get a shot at any of them and that his partner had found out that he would have to end his hunt and head home that afternoon in affect ending Ryan's hunt as well. I made arrangements to get off work a little bit early and told Ryan I could go out with him for a couple hours that evening but that that would be the only opportunity I would have to go with him. I met him at 3:30 and we were up on a vantage point near where he had seen the bucks that morning by 4:15. At about 4:45 we glassed up four bucks at about 1000 yards. All four of them looked to be mature bucks. They were on the move and we knew we had to act fast. There were two decent size canyons in between us and where we would be able to shoot from. We gathered up our stuff and set off on a "death march." About 5:20 we reached the point we figured we would be able to shoot from. Much to our surprise the bucks had moved to the same spot we were headed and we ended up busting them. As Ryan frantically got set up for a shot the bucks ran down the canyon in front of us and up the other side. I was frantically trying to figure out which buck was the biggest and give Ryan a range. I ranged the top of the next hill that the bucks were quickly heading toward at 330 yards. I told Ryan there was no time to adjust his turrets and that he would just have to hold a little high. One of the bucks stopped for a second and with one bi-pod leg on the ground Ryan shot. I heard the reassuring WHOP and watched one of the bucks tumble down the hill. We knew he was a mature buck but had no idea how big. We hurried across the canyon to the buck so that we could get pictures before it got too dark. He wasn't the biggest one in the group but Ryan was happy to tag a decent buck with it being his last evening to hunt. Great shot Ryan and Congrats on a fine buck! Thanks for letting me be a part of it. The rocks on the horizon are where we first glassed them up.

Great buck. I love the character and the width. I would be interested to see a score.

Good grief! Super duper buck!

Sweet buck Amanda!

I feel your pain. My wife and I had a similar talk this year but luckily it was before the draw so I didn't even put in for a border unit. She has now lightened up a bit and says I can hunt down there as long as I am never alone. I don't blame your old man for not wanting to get involved in your marital disputes. I don't plan on getting in on my kid's disputes with their spouses or anybody else's for that matter. Got enough of my own if you know what I mean!

We didn't see any IAs or DRs and really didn't see much sign (i.e water bottles and backpacks) other than a few well beaten trails. The BP said they caught 3 IAs within a quarter mile of Ryan's camp the night before opening day though.

If it was a small bull they would have let him have it but because it is big and might bring decent money at auction "the law" applies. What a crock.

That is a great buck, let alone for your first one. I would like to see some more pics.

Nice character! Congrats.

What's the difference between beer nuts and deer nuts? ...Beer nuts are $1.49 a bag and deer nuts are under a buck.

Absolute stud of a buck!

Can she draw me holding Scott Adams big buck from last year? You don't mind right Scott?

Nice buck and write up. Felt like I was there. Congrats!

That is a neat story. Congrats!

That one shed is way funky! Good eye on the spikes.

Cool photos of some nice bulls

I think I would name that place "lopsided tank." What is up with the lopsided racks? Nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

That bull is sick! Love the mass and character.

Outstanding Jake! That is what it is all about right there!

Cool find. Nice beams and symmetry.

Cool video. Thanks for sharing.

I was in the Chircahuas last week and got over 60 bites in one hour. Not fun. I guess I am not as tough as Lark yet.

Three different giant bucks in three days in the same spot! That is one serious honey hole. Wow!