Gut Pile

My First Coues Buck:) After hunting very hard opening weekend without seeing a single deer & little sighn on my 1st coues deer hunt I was pretty discouarged. Was I hunting the right areas? Was I at the right elevation? Am I glassing the right spots? What the heck am I doing wrong? I was at a tiny gas station late in the evening getting ready to drive home still trying to decide if I would even come back and hunt the rest of the season. A nice guy saw me in my camo and asked what I was hunting. "Coues deer" I replied a little dejectedly not really wanting to talk after a hard fruitless weekend. He replied " Me & my buddy shot our deer opening morning, wanna see'em thier in my truck." I had never even been close to a coues buck, so I checked the rad little deer out. The nice guy then invited me back to his home and offered to show me on a map where he'd been hunting, gave me tips on how to glass, suggestions on where to find good glassing points, & so on. Due to experience, I was surprised at how much info this model hunter had given me. I mentioned this to him. He replied along the lines of "Everybody needs alittle help getting going." He also showed me mounts and pictures of him and his dad hunting together. I decided to return and hunted a few more days, now that I had a clue where to hunt and how. I hunted 2 more days....hunted hard too!(Learned the term "Poor mans sheep hunt")Finally saw some deer and after climbing hill after hill, over ganite boulders and catus patches I was able to bag my very 1st coues buck:)! This very proud, and unforgettable moment wouldn't have been possible without the help of a very nice model hunter. I try to pay it forward as much as I can. Ive also been hunting coues deer (bow & rifle)every year since. I've found my passion:) A special thank you to Sean P. if you come across this, and happy hunting Buddy! Note: Its also nice to be a member of a site like this where I can read stories and get advice from other model hunters dead coues deer.BMP

Now that is how it's done! Congrats on a fantastic buck!

Thanks for the pics and info. I went down for 3 days and only 2 roads open (42&74?). The rest of the roads should open I heard around Oct. 15th. I saw a couple small bucks, but couldn't get an ethical shot. I did, however, run in to some bears! Saw 3 bears total. Had to do a bunch of bushwhackin'. I'll be back down scouting, I'll try and post another report. Good Luck! G. Pile

Hi fellow CW members! I was biting my nails waiting to see if I was able grab a leftover tag ( Not drawn 1st go) and picked up a unit 29, Nov 25-Dec 1st hunt! Been reading up on the unit and the Chiri's and getting pretty stoked! 1st trip to the Chiricahuas, I usaully hunt 31 or there abouts. I know they've had the fires down there and I'm wondering if anybody knows if there are areas burned out not to bother scouting, as im gonna start heading down there bow hunting and looking around. Some Unit 29 buck photos would be some great motivation too !! Thanks and happy, safe hunting! G. Pile

Got away for a couple days to chase some Mulies with the ol' stick & string. No deer yet, but had some fun gettin close to some elk! Practice,practice:) I was also surprised hear'em bugle so much, so early.....Love that sound!!! Saw a massive 6x7, too far for pic.

I need a weekend like that! ....I'll take a weekday too! That is awsome!

I did a little bow hunting/scouting in Southern AZ. Had a blast getting outta town for a bit & chasing some Coues bucks with the ol' stick & string. Cant wait to break the bonds of work and get back out there! Saw 2 bucks & 3 bears.........Man, I love bow season!!!

Hi folks!Well, I grabbed a leftover unit 29 Coues Tag rifle. Im headed down tomorrow to do a little bowhunting and looking around. I've never been there, and checking the web it looks like most everything around the Chiri's for camping is closed due to the fire is closed ( Rustler, Ruckers,Idlewild, Sycamore). Any ideas on a spot to camp near there or can/should I spike camp it?

Thanks IHUNT2LIVE, Very helpful info. I'll call the Douglas FS and watch the forest closures and ask about the burn. Ill have to get in there & put the boots to dirt a little more I guess to find some good habitat. Hard work = Big reward?.....we'll see in November ! Thanks again

Hey CDL, I didn't know they make Kiababs with prescription lenses! You'll be able to see me kill a buck from quite a distance! Can't wait to put our new gear to work this year!!! Gut Pile ( Blood Instinct )

Much of Unit 27 is burning by the Wallow fire near Alpine and Hannegans Meadow. This is heartbreaking for the many great folks that live near there. My thoughts are with those who have been or will be evacuated. It's such a beautiful area up there. My dad and I love hunting in 27 for turkeys and have hunted there for years. I killed my first big Tom in there this past April. Sad to see that my favorite turkey spots are no more. I hope in the long run the forest will grow back stronger and will be just as beautiful. Thoughts & Prayers, G. Pile

I am going to be up there for the 2nd Rifle hunt for Elk and Mule Deer, strongly considering Unit 65, South of Montrose to Red Mountain Pass, but love Unit 74, Red Mt. Pass South to Durango. Call me and we can talk about plans, maybe meeting up. Adam (480)204-2326 Thanks for the reply Adam. Yeah, unit 74 was one i'm considering because I'm somewhat fimiliar. Tryin' to twist my Dad's arm to head out with me. I'm hoping to see if I draw here for deer so I know what season to buy a tag for. I will definatley give you a call before bying a tag, pick your brain a little and maybe plan on meeting up ther at some point. Thanks Again!

well, didn't draw an elk tag this year. I've done quite a bit of fly fishing in colorado and started considering an OTC archery or rifle elk tag. I saw there are OTC tags in units near Montrose and Durango. Ive never elk hunted in Colorado and was wandering if anyone has any experience with an OTC elk tag there? I'm not asking for honey-holes or anything, I just need an idea of units in Colorado to consider. I believe OTC tags are available July 12th, so just doing some research before putting a plan together. Any help is always appreciated and a Big Ol'Happy Hunting to all the lucky tag holders;)

Hahaha, Rad! Might be kinda tough to find a taxidermist to do the work

Congrats & good luck to everyone who drew tags this year! I unfortunately was left wanting this year. I have been kicking around the idea of hunting another state for elk and maybe Speed Goats next year. I've never hunted another state ,except N.C., and wanted to hear some suggestions for an out of state hunt. I put in here (home,AZ) every year, but It'd be nice to broaden my horizons. Any states still offer OTC elk or Goat tags? I'm not a trophy hunter, just enjoy being out there and spending time with Dad. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks! G. Pile

What a Brute! I'm guessing 127 5/8" G. Pile

Great suggestions guys. Forgot the rez offers cow tags. Hunting the rez would be very cool! I like the idea of being out there when all those bulls are gettin' all fired up and love drunk! I'm big into photography so that would be a great opportunity to hopefully catch some battle shots. I love Colorado too. I do alot of fly fishing there, maybe time for some cast & blast. Thanks again! G. Pile

No Elk or Speed Goat tags for me Bummer. Thinkin bout an outta state elk or goat hunt next year.

108 lbs. Nice Kitty!

Thats is BS buddy. I commend you on trying to do it the right way. Good Karma Bet there's another monster for you in the future. much respect. Gut Pile

What a great buck and a great write up! Wes is a great guy, had my first stink pig done by Wes's Western Taxidermy. Still trying to give him more business, but the bucks won't take the coupon. Could be they're shying away from the broadhead at the end of the coupon!

Great Deer & Great Pics! Love seeing those stick & string kills......Good Motivation

I'm planning on hunting 31 again. I was down there last the 23rd of Dec. and it looked like the rut was just waiting for some cooler weather, which came soon after I had to get back to the grind stone. Saw some bucks with does but had to work extra hard to findem'. Will the rut still be kickin solid round the last week of this month? Just wonderin Thanks G. Pile

NICE! Hard to beat that feelin' when your knock your first deer to the dirt! Congrats and keep it up! G. Pile

198 3/8 Great looking bucks guys!