You're gonna freeze to death son!!!
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
What was suppose to be a team trip to AZ with my homie to hunt coues deer turned out to be a solo trip due to work obligations. With dates planned months in advance the weather was out of my control. Well storm of the year hit as I was driving out there and left my hunting woods with over 2 ft of snow. Not the most ideal conditions for a coues deer hunt.
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
The first few days deer movement was very minimal which was obvious by the sign in the deep snow. I worked an extra day to get in the stand just to let myself get acclimated to the conditions. This California boy isn't used to the deep snow and cold temps.
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Temps were in the teens in the mornings. Now I know a lot of you are used to that. But for me, it's cold. Especially when you're doing nothing all day but sitting there. I was in a tree stand in a saddle where a lot of deer like to go back an forth between basins. My game plan was to sit all day sits as most of the coues movement occurs in the middle of the day...by the end of the day my feet were frozen numb. It took a lot of will power to not get out of the stand and head back to camp when I was freezing but I knew I just had to do my time and be there...
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
I sat for 4 straight days at 9.5-10 hour sits. I passed a few bucks inside 25 yards as I knew a mature buck was somewhere in the vicinity of my stand. This guy gave me 2 opportunities in 2 days and after day 6 of not seeing another buck I was really beginning to question my decision. I hate grinding hunts out til the last day....
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
The snow was deep. Poor little deer. No wonder deer movement shuts down they can't even run from Predators
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Here was a buck chasing 2 does right under my stand...
From: t-roy
03-Feb-16
Way to stick it out Joe! Looks kinda like that around home. We got over a foot today.
Keep it coming!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
These were my new best friend. Lifesavers!!
From: JohnB
03-Feb-16
Bowhunters like challenge. Looking forward to this I know you've got the will power to get it done!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
All day sits you start taking pix of everything...
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Sharp VPA ready to bite!!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Quite possibly the coolest looking squirrel ever!!!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
I even had a roadrunner come flying by. Had to get a picture of him...
From: JohnB
03-Feb-16
David Bowie re-incarnated?
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
This was a mature buck I saw on day 2 across the canyon hot on a doe. He never came closer than 70 yards but I managed to zoom in thru the brush and get this pic. I prob woulda shot him if he came in range. Cool to watch them undisturbed tho doing their thing
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
This was the hike in every morning. About a mile uphill in the snow. Makes you all nice and sweaty by time you get there only to sit down and start freezing!!!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
After 8 days of being in the woods and 6 days hunting, I was seeing 1-4 deer per day. Not nearly enough to keep my hopes high of seeing a shooter buck. I had 3 days left and was getting antsy to kill something. At this point I had made up my mind the next buck that comes in range is gonna get a VPA through him. Well at 1445 hours a nice forky came up the trail right to my stand. I got to full draw and he was at 22 yards but on high alert. Taking a step, looking around like he knew something wasn't right. I settled my pin and the unthinkable happend. He ducked so fast my arrow went clean over his back. He bounded off and I stood there in shock, Disbelief, pissed and humbled all at once. How did I just let the only opportunity I was going to get slip outta my hands. It was a quiet night to say the least... This was pretty much how I felt after that haha
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
After that event unfolded I was in desperate need of a change of scenery. So plans were made to sit in a different spot. I had hunted 6 days in the same stand and wanted to see some new country and hunt new deer. Next morning found me in a ground blind. With the deep snow the whole blind was covered in what was now ice and it felt like I was sitting in an ice box. My breath was crystallizing on the roof it was so cold. Another all day sit was planned and I was down to the second to last day. I didn't see anything but squirrels til about 1500 hours a little button buck made his way past me. Pretty slow movement all day... This would be the buck that was in the area i was after. Little did I know the events that were about to unfold...
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
I had planned to sit til 1730 then get out and make my way back to camp. Ten minutes before I was ready to get out I spotted movement to my right. It was a doe. She kept looking back and I knew there had to be a buck with her. Then from behind the bush here he come hot to trot right on her tail. Neck extended lip curling the whole nine yards pushing her around. After missing the last buck I was afraid to take a longer shot so I patiently waited til he pushed her right past me at 18 yards. My arrow flew true this time and he never even flinched at the shot...
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
He made it about 35 yards before piling up. I was so excited fist pumping and grinning from ear to ear wishing I had someone there to celebrate with. Such a mentally tough, mentally draining hunt had finally come to a happy closure. I spent over 65 hours merely sitting starring into the space wondering if I would ever get my opportunity. Fortunately for me I made the second one count. Time for the photo shoot!!! :)
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
The VPA did the trick!! I love these heads. Never let me down. This buck was quartering to me and I had no fear putting it tight to the shoulder.
From: JohnB
03-Feb-16
That's a pretty sight Joe way to getter done!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
The elite gets the job done. Love that bow!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Love bloody fletchings!!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
I love this pic. Shows off the landscape.
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Let pack em out !!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
This trip I learned a lot about myself. About my mental toughness. About my desire to succeed. This definitely tested me far beyond anything I expected to encounter. But as its been said, the greater the conflict, the more glorious the triumph!! Coues deer present such a unique challenge unlike any other animal I've ever hunted. They are so spooky I've watched them take off running when a bird spooks them. They force you to be on top of your game. One mistake and the game is over. Such a challenging hunt. Such a neat animal. My hat goes off to guys who consistently take trophy bucks. It's not easy. Takes serious time and dedication. As most of you know I like to document my trips with lots of pictures. Hope you guys enjoyed them. This was another great chapter for my memory book. For those who are wondering I had a good friend who helped me a lot on this hunt and If it wasn't for him, none of this would have been possible. Very grateful for his friendship and for the opportunity I had to spend time with him. Thanks for coming along and good luck to everyone else.
From: JohnB
03-Feb-16
Great pics as always!
From: t-roy
03-Feb-16
Cool story & pics!.....Congrats!!!
From: BULELK1
03-Feb-16
Great read and dandy buck for ya!
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
From: weekender21
03-Feb-16
Congrats Joe! Love the pictures in the snow.
From: oldgoat
03-Feb-16
Cool stuff! Congrats!
From: orionsbrother
03-Feb-16
Nice! Congratulations!
From: CD
03-Feb-16
Congratulations!
From: Zebrakiller
03-Feb-16
awesome write up , cool stuff for sure!
From: venison
03-Feb-16
Good job ! Love the pictures and your hunts are always fun to follow ! Thanks !
From: Tracker12
03-Feb-16
Nice story and great job documenting it. I am kind of surprised by the snow. For some reason I though all the Coues deer were in the low desert areas.
From: Drahthaar
03-Feb-16
congratulations , great hunt. great story, thanks for taking us along. Forrest
From: Mad Trapper
03-Feb-16
Congrats!
From: Bowboy
03-Feb-16
Congrats and thanks for sharing. Great pictures!
From: TXHunter
03-Feb-16
Great story and photos. Congratulations!
From: otcWill
03-Feb-16
Well done! Thanks for posting
From: sureshot
03-Feb-16
Congrats, 65 hours on stand in the below freezing Temps is a definite mind game. Good hunt, good buck and great pictures, thanks
From: Hawkeye
03-Feb-16
Incredible thread and accomplishment! You and Chris always get it done:) Congrats!
From: Julius K
03-Feb-16
Awesome hunt!
From: Butternut40
03-Feb-16
Congrats on a fine buck. Nicely done. Awesome squirrel. Makes me think of the Grinch.
From: HUNT MAN
03-Feb-16
Congrats again and great photos. Hunt
From: Wayniac
03-Feb-16
Great write-up, gorgeous buck. Congrats on sticking it out & closing the deal...
From: Medicinemann
03-Feb-16
Well done!!
From: Marty
03-Feb-16
Sweet, love the photo's too! Congrats.
From: trkyslr
03-Feb-16
Good job buddy... I'm firm believer things happen for a reason and good thing that forky was fast ;-) I know how fast they are :-\ can't wait until next year!
From: Shiras
03-Feb-16
Very cool and congrats! How do you like those KUIU gaiters? Are they quiet? Thinking about getting a pair of those.
From: Chip T.
03-Feb-16
Great story about a great hunt. Congrats!!!
From: T Mac
03-Feb-16
Joe, I find your hunt recaps second to none. Congrats on a fine trophy and persevering to close the deal! Outstanding!
From: BOWUNTR
03-Feb-16
Very cool documentation and buck. Congratulations. Ed F
From: kota-man
03-Feb-16
Very nice Joe. Way to get it done in less than ideal conditions. Great story...
From: Two Feathers
03-Feb-16
A+ - very cool. Congratulations.
From: deerman406
03-Feb-16
Great hunt and great story!! Can you say Heater Body Suit? I am from the northeast and I received one for Christmas from my daughters a few years back and it is awesome for sitting all day in the cold!! Congrats on a nice buck! Shawn
From: BOHNTR
03-Feb-16
Way to go, Joe! Very cool buck.
I thought the best part of your trip was the visit you got from your buds from So. Cal? :)
From: Bear Track
03-Feb-16
What a great story to read up here in February!
From: rooster
03-Feb-16
Great story and photos, thanks for sharing! Did you camp in those temperatures?
From: wild1
03-Feb-16
You did a great job with a difficult blood trail to follow......lol.
Congratulations!!
From: Vernon Edeler
03-Feb-16
Got to love hunting in the snow....good job...thanks for sharing.
From: GhostBird
03-Feb-16
Way to stick it out Joe!!! Congratulations!
From: Teeton
03-Feb-16
Great story!! These live/semi live hunts are my favorite part of being a member here on the Bowsite...
>>>>>>----------< and no my tip is not backwards..
Ed
From: EmbryOklahoma
03-Feb-16
Congratulations! Great photos!
From: Smtn10PT
03-Feb-16
congrats man, sweet hunt!
From: Jon Simoneau
03-Feb-16
Great job. Other than the terrain/cover sounds like a classic whitetail hunt. It's a lot of just testing how patient one can be. Beautiful buck.
From: Ironbow
03-Feb-16
Great job! What is your camera set up?
From: Butts
03-Feb-16
Nice pic's and tale of a great animal. Did you lug in a pop-up or fabricate a blind? congrats!!
From: Z Barebow
03-Feb-16
Thanks for a great story at a normally slow time of year.
It is amazing how drained someone get by just sitting.
Here is a tip when hunting deep snow. (Especially if the ground was bare before heavy snow) Walk where the deer trails "should" be, past you stand location. When you get a surprise snow storm, the deer know where to travel based upon terrain, but since their dirt trails are buried, they don't know the precise location. (The deer have a tendency to wander until trails are reestablished.) Additionally, their survival instinct kicks in. They will take the path of least resistance, (And that will be a blazed/busted trail through the heavy snow)
Way to make it happen Joe!
From: Mark Watkins
03-Feb-16
Joe,
Great hunt, story and pics!
There was no doubt how this hunt was going to end!
Tell Chris to get his priorities straightened out:)!
Mark
From: Nick Muche
03-Feb-16
Congrats Joey C Bux! Love all the snow!
From: Hyde
03-Feb-16
Great read! Congrats Joe!
From: Beav
03-Feb-16
Great hunt, great story!
From: kota-man
03-Feb-16
I think Chris did ok...:)
From: Ron Niziolek
03-Feb-16
Great story and photos Joe!
From: Kurt
03-Feb-16
Great writeup and photos and congrats on a nice buck! What was the date that you got him?
From: SDHNTR(home)
03-Feb-16
Great buck buddy. Cool story and pics too. Congrats!
I can't figure out what's worse, shorter all day sits in the winter cold, or those brutally long summer days. Either way, coues are just plain grueling!
Now CS, on with it dude!
From: midwest
03-Feb-16
Hard earned! Great pics as usual...congrats!
From: TD
03-Feb-16
Congrats! Great job! Thanks for takin' us along.
looks..... c-c-c-cold.....
From: IdyllwildArcher
03-Feb-16
Grats Joe!
That's a cool looking buck.
From: drycreek
03-Feb-16
Congrats Joe, you're a better man than me.....
From: Jasper
03-Feb-16
Great job Joe, way to persevere! Great thread and pics!
From: RutNut_@work
03-Feb-16
Great job, way to stick with it. A lot of people don't get how draining it can be to sit in the stand all day in the cold.
From: MassBucks
03-Feb-16
Thanks for taking us along! Good work getting it done!
From: Stekewood
03-Feb-16
Very nice! Way to persevere. Congratulations.
From: brianhood
03-Feb-16
Thanks for sharing. Congrats on the buck
From: Charlie Rehor
03-Feb-16
The grey coats make a fantastic trophy!
From: PushCoArcher
03-Feb-16
Sounds like a adventure. Congrats and great pics thanks for posting.
From: dm/wolfskin
03-Feb-16
Great hunt and pictures.
From: turkey talker
03-Feb-16
Awesome Joe, thanks for taking us on the journey!
From: Predeter
03-Feb-16
Congrats and thanks for posting the great pics!
From: JRABQ
03-Feb-16
Congrats on the nice buck, great perseverance!
From: joehunter8301
03-Feb-16
Thanks everyone. Now I'm ready for some nsob turkeys :)
From: BC
04-Feb-16
Good job! Great hunt.
From: OFFHNTN
04-Feb-16
Awesome photos and hunt! CONGRATS and thanks for sharing!
From: Drop Tine
04-Feb-16
Great read! Way to stick it out and congrats.
From: ElkNut1
04-Feb-16
Joe, way to go, great stories & way to tough it out. It's not easy being alone that long, my hats off to you! Congrats on a great Coues Buck!
ElkNut1
From: Turk
04-Feb-16
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing.
From: Ermine
04-Feb-16
Congrats! Your the man! Grey ghost Slayer!
From: Alexis Desjardins
05-Feb-16
You earned that one in the cold, and did that deer bleed out makes for excellent meat. Thanks for sharing congrats
From: Paul@thefort
05-Feb-16
Joe, I liked that a lot. I showed the story to my wife and she stated" do you want to go back to AZ and hunt coues again in January 2016? Well-yea!!! I said.
I gave her a big hug. Hugs to you too Joe; I owe you.
My best, Paul
From: joehunter8301
07-Feb-16
Paul glad I could help :)
Alex, meat is delicious. Made it all into bratwurst sausage. First time doing it myself and I must say I'll prob start doin that to a lot of my deer. Lotta work but worth it. And you know it's your meat not a batch of 15 other deer included.
