Finally got my coues buck pics on my computer, so figured I better post. After years of applying, I finally drew a late AZ rifle tag in 2004. By then, we'd hunted the same area for javelina for several years, and during those hunts found an incredible pocket of coues. My buddies in AZ hunted it a few times with success in the early seasons (Oct and Nov), but I drew the first late tag of our crew for this area. The rut down there starts about the same time as this hunt in late December, and runs through January. So given the number of deer we'd been seeing during the other seasons, we knew this would be a good one.
First thing, first morning, we saw a good buck that was bigger than anything my buddies had shot previously, but I passed knowing that I was only a half hour into the hunt. Good choice. Over the rest of the day, the bucks never settled down and we probably saw 15 bucks or so. That afternoon, we saw a toad chasing a hot doe on the hillside across the wash from us. He never slowed down to give me a shot. About five minutes later, this guy came along with his nose on the ground on their trail.
Since then, I'm still applying to get another late rifle tag down there. But in the meantime, we hunt them OTC archery. Obviously tough to close the gap in the desert, but still a lot of fun. Anyway, here's some field pics of my buck along with a mount photo. The mount resided in AZ for a few years, then got shipped up here recently. He's still in the crate (avatar pic) awaiting the proper place on the wall.
For those that don't know about coues, they're A LOT smaller than eastern whities. B&C for coues starts at 107" and P&Y is 65" (which tells you something about how hard it is to shoot one with a bow!). They're also a bitch to see and hunt in the open terrain. The pics should give you an idea of how they blend in with the cover.
Oh, and for those who have been to Conconully, that's a Sit-n-Bull Saloon hat making an appearance in the AZ desert!
