Coach

Wow - that is an amazing collection you've got there. Nicely done.

Nice looking buck! Congrats to you and the hunter.

Merry Christmas!

Very cool! I'm also glad to hear that they are protected. Thanks for posting this Amanda.

No, sorry that name doesn't sound familiar.

Very Nice! Congrats!

Now that'll put a big ol' grin on your face!

Living here in the White Mountains of Arizona, I recognize that we live in a special place. Having hunted, fished camped and hiked with family and friends in the Big Lake area for coming on 3 decades now, I've gained a certain familiarity - no - a physical and spiritual bond with this part of the world. Passing up promotions, intentionally staying out of managerial positions, I have been able to establish my childrens' home in the small town where I grew up - a short drive from where the "capitol tree" was harvested (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/9623061_LGPe2#648509416_EYMtN). Where I met my wife, where I played sports and made friends, where I found who I was. When news hit that the whitehouse "holiday tree" was to come from our area, many herer were overcome with pride. Some might have even thought that our community would finally get some much-needed national attention. You see, our teachers have to host bake sales and post donation flyers to attain luxuries like paper, pencils and books. For myself and others, it was seen as a travesty. It's been dubbed "Arizona's Gift" (http://capitolchristmastree2009.org/). A gift of something beautiful, majestic, timeless and irreplaceable from the very ground many of us feel a deep-seated connection with. For a true President, a TRUE leader of the free world, an evangelist of freedom and liberty, an agent of the Constitution, an ambassador of American ideals, I would gladly submit this "gift" and many others - including my own blood and life, if it came to that. But not for the guy currently sitting in the white house - looking upon "the gift" with the same indifference he treats his gift of elevation to the highest power of the greatest nation in the history of the world. I can't help but shake my head in sorrow that so many are so glad to sacrifice to a false leader who seeks only to take everything he can and give nothing in return. When I see that majestic tree that once stood among pioneers, apaches, soldiers, countless elk, bear and deer being cut down, and dragged to the white house for display as a "holiday tree", to be later burned or hauled to a landfill by the hypocrites it served, I can't help but see a part of America's soul being put on display as an empty, defeated corpse that once stood tall, strong and full of promise. Look closely at your Christmas Tree this year. Look into your soul at the same time. Figure out what is truly important to YOU this year, and make a plan. Let's all start fixing this mess one American at a time. God Bless us all this Christmas season, and grant us the strength to return to our roots and core values.

"Azone you mean you cant find detailed info online ...... Guess it depends on where you look if they look hard they might find some info like this that I found....." I stand corrected

Nicely put - I was also trying to find a way to differentiate between the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of the law" but couldn't do so as succinctly as you did. That said, many courts and many LEOs adhere to the "letter" more than the "spirit" of the law. As others have stated, if you are in this predicament, you have to choose. I would choose to "finish the animal and take care of the meat" to quote a previous response. Sometimes ethics dictate NOT doing something that may happen to be legal. Other times ethics dicatate doing something that might not be legal. Sorry, but the guys who write the laws are as flawed as the rest of us. When it comes down to it, we are our own judge and jury. Either your MORAL compass points in the right direction or it doesn't, and aint a daggum court, LEO or lawyer that can point you in the right direction if you don't already know it.

Jump on its back and start stabbing it (hey - just cause it's past shooting light don't mean it's past knifing light). Jusk kidding - I agree with the others here. You finish it off. I'd rather go defend that course of action in court than let the animal lay there all night suffering - not to mention lost/spoiled meat, etc.

It's not really clear where this topic goes, but I found it interesting, funny and a little sad, to say the least. I'm not sure what Amanda's take is on linking to other sites so, I'll not include a direct link in this post. If you google "230389970226" you'll see that this topic is all over the internet. The story is kind of funny in a really pathetic sort of way. Some clown from California claimed to be hunting two HUGE mule deer in an area not known for trophy-sized bucks. According to his postings, he couldn't decide which huge buck he's been scouting to shoot, so, duh, he shoots both. Apparently this is OK in California. So in a matter of less than 1 hour, and within 150 yards, he takes the #1 typical AND #1 non-typical California state record mule deer bucks with a bow. When asked to post some field photos, he goes on to say that he would like to post them, but editors from some popular magazines have asked him not to. It starts to turn funny when you find out that this butt-hat actually bought both racks off of Ebay from an antler collector in CO. and then entered them into the record books as his own harvests. So this guy gets caught red-handed passing off bought antlers as legitmate harvests AND trying to take credit to gain money from magazine atricles and prodcut endorsements. If you do the google search, you'll see that every possible forum from softball, to wanna-be snipers, to hockey jocks are talking about this guy. It's funny to some degree, but there is definately a dark side to it. Just how wrapped up are we in the quest to take a magnificent trophy, that someone would go out on such an incredible limb to make up some half-baked, easily debunked strory like this? I've heard many stories of people losing their wounded deer or elk to other hunters, and frankly, I can't imagine the depths of self-loathing it would take to steal another man's trophy out from under them or to take credit for a harvest one did not earn for themselves. Enjoy the googling that is sure to come. If you would like a direct link to the story as it unfolded on another site, PM me and I'll get it to you. I just don't think it's right to link from Amamda's site to another without her permission. Like I said, it's entertaining, frustrating, and sad all at once. Jason.

Thanks a lot - now I've gotta blow a wad of cash on a fox-pro! Seriously, great job. Looks like you guys had one heck of a day.

Well, it's a big state covered with tens of thousands of miles of good habitat, and lots of new guys have no idea where to get started. I don't blame people for asking what unit - they simply don't understand that most units in this state have tons of good deer - some very close to home. You are right, they need to get out and do the legwork, but everyone's got to start somewhere. Not taking sides, but if someone asking for as general a piece of information as the unit a good buck was taken gets you that defensive, just remember, there are lots of people who didn't grow up in hunting families who just want to get out there and be a part of all this - can you blame them? It's freakin' awesome. Imagine driving around this state and NOT wondering what kind of bucks live in the habitat you're driving through, and then imagine realizing it but not having the slightest idea how to get started. Even if they knew what units produced big bucks - which, lets be honest, is most of them at one time or another, doesn't mean they are going to diminish your chances in the field. Of course, I'm assuming that most of these comments come from total newbies - there are plenty of guys who think they're going to get GPS coordinates to the next record book buck while surfing the 'net, but I think they are an insignificant minority. I believe in helping new hunters out, so long as they are willing to do the work, and pass their knowledge along at some point. Just my take, have a very merry Christmas. Jason

Took the boys out for some sight seeing last weekend around the 3B/1 border. Saw a group of muley does just off of Lake Mountain and figured there must be a buck nearby. Sure enough, a big, fat 4x4 was right behind them. Found another group of does mid-day with a forkie at the rear. They've been hot in the high country for at least a couple weeks. No idea what's going on in the desert - gotta go check my cameras.

+1 - what else can you say, but a huge congratulations!

That's really too bad that some people took the lower road - I don't know you, but from the posts here of people that do, it sounds to me like you had this buck coming to you, and guys like you and your buddy make coues hunting what it is. I hope you'll take the nay-sayers with a grain of salt and just cherish the amazing experience you had - don't let anyone take that away from you. Heck, there are bucks walking around today that would make any one of us shudder - and the guy who takes a great buck is always going to have to deal with a few jeers from the jealous types. Congrats again, and thanks for giving us all an amazing story of friendship, hardship and ultimately triumph. Nicely done.

What I wouldn't give to see THAT ONE on the hoof. My goodness, I hope you get a shot at that bad boy. Thanks for posting. Gotta go check my blood pressure!

That stinks - I hope you find it.

Nice looking rifle for sure. Can't wait to hear how it shoots. I know Casey has some good info on .270 WSM handloads.

Fantastic photos, as always, Doug. Thanks for sharing!

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to those in our community who truly made this dream, "hunt of a lifetime" come true for this young man. I know many people were out there looking for his bull, but in the end, I really believe he is still out there looking. Stephanie, you were an amazing part of this effort. To all who helped this young man in his final days, God bless you. Have a very merry CHRISTmas.

I'd like to see pix. I'm in the market for another tactical shotgun. I was planning on a 930 spx.

I would bet that there is a buck close by.

What an amazing buck - and the story to go along with it! Congrats on all aspects of the hunt - that is truly awesome.