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Big Little Deer
On day one, Mike dropped me off at a waterhole tucked into a very steep canyon. The stand was located some 43 yards from the water, and the steep downhill angle would make any shots challenging. Eighteen deer came to water that day, including three bucks. About 3 p.m., I misjudged the distance on a great buck.
News back at camp that evening lifted my spirits -- Dennis and Mark both had taken record-book bucks. We were off to a great start.
AS WE LEFT THE RANCH before daylight the next morning, I felt confident. Dennis had seen a number of deer from his stand, and I would be hunting that stand this day. And that's how I got into position to witness the parade of Coues deer starting shortly after daybreak and culminating about noon as the big 8-point rose from his bed and headed for the water.
The big guy never hesitated as he started to drink, giving me a quartering-away shot at 25 yards. I decided this shot was too good to pass up and ignored Chuck Adams' warning about Coues deer being prolific string-jumpers. As Chuck predicted, at the release, the buck jumped back. However, a bit of luck interceded, and the broadhead penetrated the neck vertebrae and put him down on the spot.
With a sigh of relief, I settled back into the treestand to let my heart rate slow down. Then I climbed a short way up the canyon to contact Brad on the radio. The hunt was over, but the memories were not. I'd killed a little deer. But he was a big one.
Hunting over water during a prolonged drought, our party went three for three as my companions, Mark Colosi (center) and Dennis Dunn (right) also took record-book bucks.
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Author's Notes:
Arizona and New Mexico have good populations of Coues deer, but the Sonora region of Old Mexico is growing in popularity, because the private ranches have lots of deer, controlled access, and big bucks.
When you hunt Coues deer, wear nothing but the quietest clothing, and silence your bow to the max. My equipment included a Mathews Icon, Razorcap broadheads, Easton 2117 aluminum shafts, and Fuse sight and bow quiver.
You must have a passport to return to the United States from Mexico. No exceptions. Mike Whelan will not be running this hunting operation in the future, but his partner, Mike Miller, probably will be offering custom guided Coues deer hunts in Mexico. For information, contact: Mike Miller, 12203 N Burnt Water, Ft. McDowell, AZ 85264; 602-538-7003.
Northstar Productions out of Arizona has produced an interesting DVD on Coues deer hunting. For information, contact: Northstar Productions, 1980 W. Getaway Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; 1-888-833-4880; www.northstarvideopro.com.
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