justinspe25 Report post Posted November 5, 2009 This is the 3rd year i have drawn a deer tag not taking one the previous two years. I found this site in 2007 and it's helped be stay focused and excited about my hunts. Before my hunt was even close i could feel this was going to finally be the year i get to tagged a big game animal. I got alot of good tips and information from folks on this site. I became friends with Clay Price being from Globe. Clay and I were going to hunt together this year, but he already killed his buck in August, but that didn't stop him from wanting to hunt. He was helping his dad so we were still able to hunt together. Opening day in the evening my brother inlaw got to tag his first deer. That set the mood. We were so excited. The next 3 day we hunted hard but never found a buck. We saw more deer in those days than we had seen in previous hunts combined, just not bucks. On Tuesday, Clay and I went out and hunted and came across a nice steep hillside and not 5 mins. went by and I glassed up this deer walking down the hill with my "$20 binos". He was over 500 yards away but still my instinct said to be quiet and i started snapping my fingers at Clay and whispering "deer", "i got a deer", "and it's a buck". It was 10am and he beded down in this tree. We packed what we needed and heading out after him. Here is the thing, the hill he was on was across a steep brushy canyon so we needed some time to get a game plan. Luckily, the buck didn't move from his bed till 1pm and still did not present a shot. We figure if he came out by then we could shoot him and get him out before dark. He crawled back in his shady spot instead. We watched that bush for 3 more hours and then he finally decided to come out. There he was right out in the open. I couldn't believe my eyes he was the biggest buck i had ever seen through my binos. I get on the rifle and my heart was beating like crazy. He slowly moves to the left and stops. He is 363 yards away and I try to squeeze on off, miss. He doesn't go far but I he walks up hill further away. I am freaking out at this point. Clays says to calm down he is not going anywhere. I relocate him and steady for another shot. I shoot this time hitting him in the back left leg he is stumbling alot but not to bad. I shoot again and hit in the first left shoulder. This time it is obvious he is hit hard because he couldn't use his left front leg. He lays down in some brush and we could see a clear shot. I take that shot and he jumps up and falls hard and doesn't get back up at all. I thought i hit him good that time and he just needed some to pass. By this time it was 5:30 and we were out of light to safely get him so we decide to let him sit because we were confident that he would be in the same place in the morning. We knew we had our work cut out for us the next morning. We would have to hike over and get him. So, Clay made some calls and put togther a team to lend a hand. Amanda gladly offered to come and a friend of Clay named CJ offered to come out. The next morning arrived. We went right back to the spot and we glassed him up right away but he was alive just napping under a bush. I felt bad and a little disappointed in myself but i knew i had and could finish the job. So, Amanda and I hiked over to the side of the mountain were he layed. We crept in not knowing if he was able to get up. I get within 10 yards of him and finished the job. Amanda and I jumped for joy, took some photos, boned him out, caped him, and hual him back out of steep beast of a canyon. I told her these are the best circumstances to meet her and she agreed. I could not of done it without the help and support of Clay, Amanda, Bill, Ron, and CJ. I can't thank you all enough. Here is my first deer, my first coues, my first big game animal. He scored 107 and some change gross. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GodIsGood Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Congratulations! Great story, beautiful deer and excellent shot placeement! I'd say you're off to a great start! GiG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arizonaelitefreak Report post Posted November 5, 2009 man it was a blast Im glad I had the chance to be part of such an awesome hunt, like I said I have history with that buck in particular, had been watching him for 4 days when you guys found him, glad someone was able to put him down he is a beauty, Congrats on an awesome hunt and an awesome trophy thanks for letting me be part of the experience! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Man you have outdone yourself on this one. You deserve that beautiful buck more than anyone I know. You hung in there and never gave up. On big congrats to you buddy. Now next year shoot one on the flats so it won't be so hard to pack out. I had a great time with you all and hopefully next year we can do it again. Where is the pic of Amanda by herself? (inside joke) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Congratulations! Very nice buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted November 5, 2009 nice story nice buck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loco4coues Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Great buck! congrats on a beautiful buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 5, 2009 It was indeed great to meet you under these circumstances Justin!! What a GREAT buck and it was a real treat to be a part of your hunt!! Thanks for letting me help out. Hey, where is the thank you for Julie!! I tell you, she was so worn out yesterday she barely got up all afternoon and night. Thanks for letting her get a workout and have some scraps! She was very happy to be part of the excitement! (note the group photo...you can see julie is part of the team) and you guys won't believe how much fat was on this buck!! He had 1/2 to 1 inch of fat on his back and tons around all his insides. It was one of the fattest bucks I have ever seen in AZ!! being a biologist, of course I took some pics of the fat: Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redline410 Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Beautiful buck, great story- Congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted November 5, 2009 It was indeed great to meet you under these circumstances Justin!! What a GREAT buck and it was a real treat to be a part of your hunt!! Thanks for letting me help out. Hey, where is the thank you for Julie!! I tell you, she was so worn out yesterday she barely got up all afternoon and night. Thanks for letting her get a workout and have some scraps! She was very happy to be part of the excitement! (note the group photo...you can see julie is part of the team) Amanda Poor dog could not quit going to the bathroom she was wanting to go with you Amanda so bad at first. When he went down and we let her out she sure was happy to finally be able to go after you. Thanks again Amanda for helping out so much. There is a side of Amanda you guys have not seen yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhuntaz1 Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Good story and GREAT buck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFGinNM Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Congratulations Justin, What an awesome buck and the adventure you had taking him sounds like a great time. You folks in AZ have all the fun. I can see how you could tell it was a buck at 500 yards with "$20 binos". Way to get it done, --Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterdan Report post Posted November 5, 2009 Wow. Great Buck and your First Coues. You will have a tough time beating that. Good Job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted November 5, 2009 welcome to the madness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcoues Report post Posted November 5, 2009 that should be a fantastic eating buck,uumy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
