Arizona coues down

[Muckamuck4]

I moved to Arizona about 10 years ago from Michigan. I love the relaxation of mid west hunting and what it does for my soul. I only archery hunt, so it took me a few years to learn the way of the west and put a coues buck down. My first one was 6 years ago and he was about as small of a spike as you could get. Since then I started chasing mule deer every year because they're something "different" for a michigander. I harvested 2 mule deer in the last 2 years, so for 2019 I set out to harvest a mature coues. I have several areas to go, but I wanted to somewhat get back to my Michigan roots and leave the binos and tripod at home. I found a thick area that met all my desires. I scouted this area every weekend in December and came up with a game plan. Once 2019 rolled around, my tag was valid and my bow was dialed in. I had an opportunity to get away from work for a few days, so I packed my gear and headed into the mountains. When I arrived to my area I set up camp and had a few hours of daylight to hunt. I crept into the area I'd been scouting and immediately had deer within 20 yards. I passed a small buck just before dark which gave me high hopes for the days to come. The following day I had 16 more deer come within 50 yards with a few of those being smaller bucks. Each one tested my patients as any of them would be bigger than any I had already harvested. Day 3 came and it was just as good as the previous 2 days. Eventually a respectable (in my eyes) 7 point came through pushing a doe and I couldn't take it any longer. After he finished raking a tree, he offered me a 20 yard broadside shot that I couldn't pass up. My arrow flew true and I was able to see him go down about 50 yards away. After soaking the experience in, I quartered him up, broke down camp and headed for the quad. I couldn't be happier with this deer. The experience and journey were great, my only complaint is that I don't have the opportunity to do it again until next January. Until then, I'll enjoy the meat much more than those gamey mule deer.

 

[IDbowhunter7B]

Nice, congrats!!

 

[Coueser4]

Congrats! Coues with a bow is a rush! Love coues steaks too.

 

[El Gavilan]

Very nice, coues deer with a bow is not easy!

 

[Gutshotem]

Great buck, Comgrats man!

 

[elkguide]

Sweet deer.

 

[realunlucky]

Great photo. Congratulations and setting a goal and making it happen on a great buck

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[marktole]

Awesome, congratulations!

 

[njbowhntr]

congrats.

 

[Sodbuster]

Nice. Good score.

 

[Muckamuck4]

Thanks guys. I have to give a thanks to all the members on this site. I have learned a wealth of information over the years regarding backpack hunting. I surely wouldn't have had as enjoyable of a hunt if it wasn't for the members of Rokslide. I also drew a Gould's tag this year...so come May i'll be back to the same general area trying to get my first AZ turkey down.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Congrats!


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[weekender7]

Well done, CONGRATS on a rewarding DIY success.

 

[Desert Dan]

Well done! I'm in Tucson too and like you I've been wanting to get back into the woods as opposed to behind the glass. Not that I don't enjoy it, I just miss the sights and sounds of the woods. Like a couple guys have mentioned already, taking a coues deer with a bow is not easy task. They've handed me mine this hunting season. Were you in a tree or in a ground blind?

 

[Muckamuck4]

Hi Dan,
I'm not sure if it's just because I was raised in the woods or not, but I whole heartedly enjoy it over glassing a hill side. I prefer the hill sides when I'm helping others...I get to be lazy and stay on the hillside for the whole day. The good news is you have a few days left in January along with Sept and December. I guess it will be a year filled with more fishing than hunting for me. I was in a cheap blind I just bought. I may buy a taller one for next year that'll accommodate a recurve, we'll see.

 

[Desert Dan]

Cool shoot me a PM if you find one you like. I think I'm going to get up on wither Mt Wrightston or higher on Mt Lemmon this fall and I'm looking around for a decent ground blind and possibly a saddle system to get up in a tree. I figure I'll give that a try.

 

[Muckamuck4]

Will do. Both of those areas have potential, but they both have ups and downs too. I've never tried a saddle system, if you go that route i'd be curious of your thoughts. I've primarily sat tree stands in the past, but clearly AZ isn't the most conducive to that.

 

[Desert Dan]

No that it is not. It's hard enough finding a decent spot to set up a trail cam most of the time. If I go that route I might do it in the next few months and take advantage of the offseason to get used to it. I'm used to tree stands too but on public land I don't want to haul it in just to have it stolen.

 

[FURMAN]

Nice!

 

[Big Browns]

WOW, great job!!!!