The extra mile

Just a short post here about the rewards of going the extra mile. Sometimes that may mean in your preparation, from acquiring gear to selecting the right outfitter or possibly scouting the perfect ranch. Then again it may mean literally what it says. Going the extra mile. In January of 2008 I had enjoyed nearly a full week of hunting with friends in Sonora. Justin had taken a great buck to add to his collection of many. He and I paired up to search for a great buck we had seen a few times with no shot opportunity presenting it's self. I finally had a shot which I hate to say was deflected by a small ocatillo branch that I failed to see focusing so intently on the great buck. Our search for the buck took the better part of two days and resulted in nothing but tracks.
We spent the final hours of our last day in Mexico covering new ground on foot. With about two hours of daylight left, I found myself watching Justin skirt a small ridge about half a mile away. As he approached a large rocky peak jutting out of the dessert floor, I followed through 15X Leica binos. I really thought my big buck could jump out any second. Finally I caught sight of movement in the thick cover between my location and where Justin was. It turned out to be a doe and a buck. Not the buck I was looking for but a very respectable buck none the less. Neither deer were aware of the human intruders. They fed and moved slowly in and out of the cover provided by both vegetation and topography. I reached Justin on the radio to let him know what I had discovered. It can be difficult to guide someone sitting next to you to a partially hidden deer, even when you are looking from the same vantage point and can describe a visual, rock to bush to tree to grassy spot to deer left leg. To try to guide someone to find a hidden animal when you are nearly a quarter mile apart and really have no idea what things look like from that point of view is impossible. Eventually Justin saw the deer move below him for a brief moment then they were blocked by more cover. I was really out of position to make anything happen so I decided to make a big trek and hopefully get lucky. I looped back out and around using a few small hills and valleys to travel. with less than 30 minutes of light I found my self peering over the crest of a hill and through a bunch of trees at the buck now bedded near some yucca. Justin was above the buck and off at an angle where he could possibly see any escape. I tried for several minute to maneuver closer but there just wasn't any way with out spooking the doe that was up and feeding. I waited a few more minutes thinking the buck would stand and offer a better shot. Knowing we were in for a night hike if things didn't happen soon I kicked on the GL2 and benched on my pack. With a slight squeeze on the trigger the deed was done. Justin and I collected gear from our two separate locations and arrived at the buck at nearly the same time. A few quick photos before the fading sun was gone and we were heading back towards camp. Have I ever mentioned about how I really appreciate the fact that Coues are much more manually transportable than say a big Muley! Even as small as they are, the rough terrain makes for some hard work. It really helps to have someone that's willing and able to help. Thanks JUSTIN! My 2008 Coues is another buck I'm proud of. They are all so unique. This buck, "The Extra Mile Buck"
taped out at 104 and has about two inches broken off. There are two in line cheaters that, along with some decent length give this buck a score to be proud of.

Road Hunters vs Rode Hunters

Nearly every year you can find the "unfortunate" soul, I'll explain later, who has simply driven his ATV, jeep or family wagon up and down the road and stumbled upon, or lucked into a great trophy. I say unfortunate because the road hunter completely misses out on every good part or our passion. How proud can you truly be of your trophy, regardless of the "net" or "gross", when there is very little if any emotion invested in it. I'm sure you can think of one or many trips that have resulted in a trophy that by B&C, P&Y or SCI standards would not measure up. In your book they may be the #1 and rival any world class animal. Like beauty, Trophy is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. My first Coues buck was just shy of hitting the 100 inch mark by 3 1/2 inches. Really not a bad buck at all. My understanding was flawed after hunting mainly for giant Muleys often pushing the 200 inch range. I later realized how my 96 incher was at that time my greatest trophy. This realization came after plucking stickers and thorns from my hands, knees and rear end for weeks. I still to this day,five years later can't wear one of my most favorite hunting jackets because it is still holding those little barbs that feel like a bucket full of treble hooks and razor blades dumped on your back. I made the mistake of spreading my jacket over a small plant of some sort to sit on while glassing. Back to the Road warriors who don't have the investment of the proverbial "blood sweat and tears". When you spend hours, or maybe days just getting in or out of your honey hole, what ever you take home is a trophy. Some times all you take home are the memories and a battle scar or two. Although my first trophy Coues would only make the LC book, the overall trip was a world class introduction to the challenge of hunting Coues Deer. We spent many hours each day reaching far beyond any roads. Both on foot and horse back we covered many miles. What we didn't physically cover, we visually covered, planted behind powerful optics for as many as 6 hours at a time with out moving. What a great way to learn what to do and what NOT to do. I was able to learn, experience, enjoy. I harvested my first coues. I also was in camp with some great Friends I learned much from. The last day of our hunt, Bobby brought in the best Coues I've ever seen. A true world class animal. Not one you will find from your jeep! Click play below to see this amazing buck.