Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: WAcoueshunter on August 20, 2008, 12:17:11 AM

Title: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: WAcoueshunter on August 20, 2008, 12:17:11 AM: 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! :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: bucklucky on August 20, 2008, 12:57:28 AM: Damn nice Couse! What did he score , about 90 gross? Nice buck!!
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: BC CHASER on August 20, 2008, 09:43:26 AM: I cannot wait to go down there this year and hopefully put my tag on one of them!
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: mtndew on August 20, 2008, 10:07:34 AM: Good looking Coues buck!! Congrats
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: WAcoueshunter on August 20, 2008, 03:55:14 PM: Thanks all. Gross was a little over 98". Never added up the deductions, but definitely would have been some as one side was shorter than the other.
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: Sagedawg on August 20, 2008, 04:01:03 PM: Very nice buck!!!! Congrats.

Sage
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: 10Key on August 21, 2008, 05:04:41 PM: Nice work, that is a great speciman
Title: Re: 2004 Coues buck
Post by: bowsandhose on August 21, 2008, 05:49:28 PM: very nice buck i hope to get one some day